The Secret to Reading with Preschoolers
The secret to reading with preschoolers is…. make it FUN! “No kidding” you say. Yes, really! For years I have witnessed too many loving and well-meaning parents read to their toddlers with a rigid focus on the story. The truth is, young children learn best by having enjoyable interactions, not by being “taught”. The primary goal when […]
The Unknown Risks of Pacifiers
Using a pacifier can be an easy and effective way to help your baby fall asleep. However, pacifier usage does have its drawbacks. Among the most significant, is the increased risk of developing ear infections. Ear infections are twice as common in children who use pacifiers. Sucking on a pacifier can increase the movement of […]
The One Question I Am Asked Most Often
The one question I am asked most often is from parents wanting to know if their child has the level of speech and language abilities that are expected at his age. First-time parents especially, may not have previously witnessed a child moving through the stages of development. In such cases, it is not unusual to feel some […]
Celebrate Your Connection
For many, December is a time of reflection and planning for the year ahead. I invite you to set aside a few moments to reflect on your most memorable interactions with your children this past year. Next, celebrate yourself for your role in creating those memories. It may have been a moment of accomplishment when your […]
Top Christmas Toys to Help Your Child’s Language Development
We are quickly approaching the busiest shopping season of the year. And parents will spend countless hours searching for the best Christmas toys for their children. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to identify toys that are safe, fun and support your child’s development. Tips to get you started: Avoid noisy toys. Some […]
Steal These Questions to Get Your Child Talking About School
Remember when your kids were little and wouldn’t stop talking? I admit, there were days when I succumbed to preparing dinner with headphones on… volume set just loud enough to drown out the non-stop voices, yet soft enough to hear if anyone were to scream. I just needed some quiet time, some “no listening” […]
How Rhyming Supports Literacy Success
Full disclosure…when I became a mom, I didn’t really know any nursery rhymes. And frankly, that felt a bit weird because, I am a speech therapist! But up until that point, my career had largely focused on work with adults. A friend told me about a local “Mother Goose” program for new moms and babies, […]
Early Speech and Language Support Made Easy!
Becoming a parent brings with it plenty of responsibility. You brought a being into this world who is completely dependent on you and you put a lot of pressure on yourself to get it all done, leaving little if any extra time at the end of each day. The good news is…supporting your baby’s speech […]