Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – 5 Activities that Encourage Writing Skills

by Chris O Language Development Parents' Corner Reading School

 

Image Courtesy of www.themeasuredmom.com

As a writer, putting words on paper or the screen is as natural for me as talking to myself (which I do a lot of, too). However, for countless kids there are hurdles, frustrations, and challenges when it comes being able to write – to say nothing of being able to actually enjoy it. Serving up activities that encourage writing skills in bite-sized portions and not blank loose-leaf paper is one of the first steps to encouraging reluctant writers to become authors in their own rights. Continue reading →

5 Dress-Up Play Activities that Build Communication Skills

by Chris O Language Development Reading
Image Courtesy of www.eco-mothering.com

Halloween is hours away (just ask my 10 year-old who keeps a running clock of every important event in his life). But after Halloween is when I really love to hit the costume shops and aisles at my local stores. It’s time to replenish the costume box, add to that costume trunk, or start a new storage tote of everything from wigs and face paints to feathered boas and false teeth. Assemble those supplies that can not only help engage your child’s imagination, but build communication skills, too. Continue reading →

5 Communication and Speech Therapy Strategies on the Go

by Chris O Language Development Reading Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques
Speech Techniques on the Go

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Sometimes it can feel like life is so busy that we have to schedule time just to sit and breathe. So how can we fit in the extra practice and support our kids need for building speech skills? We have to make the most of communication and speech therapy strategies on the go – even in small bits and pieces. Talk with your child’s SLP about ideas, and see if some of the following can help you and your child make the most of your time on the move. Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – Fun Fall Activities for Families

by Chris O Parents' Corner Reading

 

The leaves are turning colors, the pumpkins are ripening, and fun fall activities for families are waiting just around the corner. Whether you’re ready for the pumpkin patch or are looking to add a fun science experiment to the mix, try some of these inexpensive (and easy!) fun fall activities.

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Don’t Talk With Your Mouth Full! Building Communication Skills at the Dinner Table

by Chris O Language Development Speech Therapy Techniques

 

Image Courtesy of www.nashvilleparent.com

Eating together as a family has been shown to improve academic scores for kids, build stronger family relationships, and contribute to healthier eating habits. You can use the dinner table, too, as a centerpiece for building communication skills with your kids. Continue reading →

Boost Communication Skills: 10 Minute Bedtime Routines

by Chris O Language Development Speech Therapy Techniques
Image Courtesy of cityparent.com

If you’re a parent, you’re busy. Between the homework, extracurricular activities, and squeezing in time for friends, it can seem challenging to find time to work on those speech and communication skills. To make the most of your time in your busy schedule, try some of these 10 minute bedtime routines and activities that build those skills and help you connect with your child for a few minutes before bedtime. Continue reading →

The Face of Friendship – Strategies to Improve Social Communication Skills

by Chris O Language Development School Speech Disorders
Building Social Communication Skills

Image Courtesy of myindismart.blogspot.com

If you have a child with a social communication disorder, one of the most wonderful sights can be seeing that child connect with a friend – have a conversation, share a joke, or just enjoy playing together in the park. These usually commonplace activities for young friends don’t always come so easily. Social communication disorders are often associated with dual diagnoses, such as ADHD, hearing loss, Autism, and learning disorders. While this can make the actual diagnoses of a social communication disorder more challenging, it does not remove the need for kids to learn the skills needed to communicate with peers, teachers, family members, and the people they encounter in their community. Continue reading →

8 Great Books that Help Build Character in Kids

by Chris O Parents' Corner Reading
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Build character in kids with these 8 stories

 Mind your manners. Say please and thank you. Look someone in the eyes when speaking with them. Share your toys. These are just a few of the mantras that parents everywhere use to encourage caring, empathetic, and moral qualities in their children. Parental reminders and modeling aren’t the only ways to do this – the habit of reading good books in childhood has been shown to help build character in kids.

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The 3 Rs – Helping Kids with Communication Disorders

by Chris O Language Development Reading School Speech Disorders
Image Courtesy of careercompetencies.org

Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

Even though studying the 3 Rs might sound like an outdated approach to academics, reading, writing, and arithmetic are still foundations for learning. Children who are challenged with speech and communication disorders may need extra support to form solid foundations in these subjects. While the diagnosis and therapy treatment plans will vary for children with speech and communication disorders, there are several tools that can help children build stronger skills for their 3 Rs, and benefit communication skills as well. Continue reading →