Creating Connection While Apart
Humans depend on connection with others, but it can be more difficult to stay connected during times of change. New transitions can be difficult for our children to process. Maybe it’s moving to a new city, being apart from family, starting a new school, or having loved ones live far away. Thankfully, there are many […]
Home Tour – Prepared Spaces for Child Independence
A child’s home sets the foundation for healthy social-emotional development, language and literacy learning, and overall well-being. Having accessible and inviting spaces in the child’s home fosters increased independence, confidence, and opportunities for connection. As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I help families prepare spaces in their home to promote language during daily routines. This leads to […]
5 Steps to Set up the Home for Child Independence
Be sure to download the free worksheet to jump start setting up your home for your child’s independence, complete with examples! It used to seem like my toddler would need my help for Every. Single. Thing while we were at home. He would become angry when I couldn’t help immediately. He started giving up trying […]
Why You Should Prepare Your Home for Child Independence
As a speech-language pathologist serving families at home, a large part of my job is helping to create daily routines and physical spaces that enriches language development and positive interactions. We know a child’s home environment has profound effects on development, learning, behavior, and well-being (1). Parents have the opportunity to prepare the home to […]
How to Support Children through Change
All children will experience change in their lives, whether it’s a new sibling, a different school, or just learning to become more independent. Often, these transitions can cause big feelings in their little hearts. How we respond and support children in these moments set the foundation for their development and positive relationships later in life. […]
How to Connect with Your Baby
Many parents describe absolute bliss snuggling their sweet new baby right after birth, but sometimes the feelings of doubt creep in when we try to soothe a crying baby. One of my babies had “colic” which resulted in relentless crying and endlessly long days in her first few months. No matter what we tried, she […]
28 Experiences to Build Language
It’s no surprise as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I try to find opportunities to build language everywhere I go. Introducing our children to new experiences help expand those skills, and keep it fun! Just by talking and reading to children throughout our daily routines, we expose our young children to millions of words daily! Children […]
Managing Power Struggles
When it comes to power struggles between caregivers and children, I’ve been looking for answers like many parents. Much of my research includes recommendations like: “Stay strong and be firm. You are the boss.” “You just have to be consistent. Children need to respect you.” “Stand your ground. Don’t give in or they will take […]
8 Ways to Use Natural Consequences
One of the tenets of Positive Discipline is to practice providing natural consequences for children “misbehaving.” A natural consequence is anything that happens as the result of an action or inaction. For example, if it’s raining and you forgot your umbrella, you get wet. When you don’t eat, you get hungry. When you don’t tend […]
A Concerned SLP’s Response to TIME Magazine article by Camarata
A recent TIME Magazine article entitled “Why You Shouldn’t Immediately Worry If Your Child Is a Late Talker, According to a Speech Pathologist,” is potentially misleading and has the risk of causing damage to families of young children with concerns about speech and language development. Although the author, Dr. Stephen Camarata is a world-renowned Speech-Language […]