Four Easy and Inexpensive Ways To Keep Your Kids Entertained During Christmas Break

How Do You Keep Your Kids Entertained During the Holiday Break? Don’t Worry! We’ve Got You Covered!

Here we go! For some families, two and three weeks off for Christmas and New Years begin now! And yes, the thought of sleeping in a bit, not packing lunches and staying in pajamas until noon sounds appealing, after about three days, the excitement wears off and cabin fever starts to set in! Do you wish you had time to leisurely browse Pinterest for creative ideas to keep your kids busy? What are busy moms and dads supposed to do to entertain their kiddos with shopping, wrapping, cleaning and cooking left to get done, without resorting to the television?

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Toys and Games Designed to Help Increase Vocabulary and Build Language Skills

by Courtenay M. Games and Activities Language Building Skills Language Development Parents' Corner Speech Therapy Techniques

Toys Can Be Excellent Building Blocks to Increase Vocabulary

It’s that time of year again! Everywhere you look is another advertisement for yet another toy that your child MUST have! Barbie, Play Dough, Nintendo Wii, Lego sets…these are always great gifts that most children will love. But, what about toys that are fun for kids and can help build language skills and increase vocabulary at the same time? Is that even possible? The answer is yes. But will the kids enjoy these toys? Again, the answer is YES, and you may be surprised that some very famous toys are actually excellent language building blocks.

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Tips for Building Early Language Skills with Your Child

by Courtenay M. Games and Activities Language Building Skills Language Development Parents' Corner School Speech Disorders Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

Reading with your child is one of the best ways to help build language skills. Source: news.appstate.com

Mama! Dada!! Like many parents, you have likely been waiting months for your child to finally say a real word! Sure, the grunts, pointing and babbling sounds are cute, but that moment your child utters her first word is priceless! Once the first word is spoken however, there is no turning back. What was once a semi-peaceful trip to the grocery store is now filled with endless, “Ball”, “Mama”, “Apple”, “Want Dat”. Car rides are no longer excuses to escape with Adam Levine. Instead the sounds of “Stop,” “Go”, “Car”, “Fire Truck” are yelled triumphantly and continuously from the back seat. Are there ways in which parents can start building speech and language skills early? How early is too early?
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Turkey Time! Thanksgiving Activities for Kids with Language-Based Learning Disabilities

by Chris O Games and Activities Language Development Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques

Thanksgiving Activities for Kids with Language-Based Learning Disorders

Check out our book list of Thanksgiving treasures to read aloud to the kids. Then see if they can retell the story to you in their own words. Image source: www.notimeforflashcards.com

Language-based learning disabilities (LBLDs) encompass a wide range of challenges related to language, including spoken, written, and implied. A child with LBLD needs extra support, both in and out of the classroom, involving guidance by healthcare professionals and possibly speech therapy. You can help support the overall goals of improved communication skills by implementing games at home – and the holiday season means it is the perfect time to try these Thanksgiving activities for kids with language-based learning disabilities. Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – Thanksgiving Activities for Kids While the Turkey is in the Oven

by Chris O Games and Activities Parents' Corner

Play this version of Cootie with cookies, M&Ms, and a couple of die borrowed from other games. Image Source: savingcentbycent.com

As Thanksgiving nears, I’m making my shopping lists and strategically planning the baking of pies and sharing oven time with all of the other dishes – for my first official Thanksgiving Day meal we are hosting. That to-do list also includes enough activities and extras for the kids so that they both feel like an important part of the day and also get to do more than twiddle their thumbs while I prepare dinner. These are some of my stand-by games for holidays, along with a few new adventures we are adding to our list of Thanksgiving activities for kids. Continue reading →

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