Best Songs for Language Development – Plus a Free Printable
Sylvie has loved music since she was teeny tiny - my (off-key) singing would always bring a smile to her face. I would randomly pick a song to sing to her based on whatever my foggy, mom-brain could come up with in the moment. But sometimes I wondered, "What does she want to hear?" or "Which song does she like the best?" I've included a free, printable set of communication cards you can use to let your pre-talker or early talker pick which song he or she wants to hear!
Sorting Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Encourage Language Development
Sorting activities can range from super simple to more complex – making it great for toddlers (starting around 15-18 months) all the way up to early elementary. It also keeps little hands and bodies busy, which is always a plus! One reason that sorting is so great for language development is because
Laying the Foundation for Talking: Teaching Imitation Skills
You might be hoping that your little one will start talking any day now. Or maybe your have an infant (6-12 months) and are looking for some ways to build that foundation for talking. Here’s a question for you:
Pasta Threading: A Language Development and Fine Motor Activity
There are quite a few ways to thread pasta as a fine motor activity or a "keep-your-preschooler-busy" activity. You can have kids thread any pasta or cereal with a hole in it onto straws, yarn, pipe cleaners, or spaghetti. Here’s what we used:
7 Tips to Encourage Language Development During Bath Time
Toddlers and preschoolers take baths A LOT! Heck, I throw my toddler in the tub sometimes when she’s still clean - just so she can play! If you have a child that enjoys bath time, it’s a great opportunity to work on communication and language development. So . . .How Can You Increase Language Development in the Bathtub? Here are 7 tips to try:
How We Get Free Books in the Mail
This is just a quick post to share a great program that sends free books to your child! When Sylvie was born, the wonderful nurses at our hospital practically forced us to sign up for the Dolly Pardon’s Imagination Library program (not that I’m complaining!). They even offered to mail in the registration form for us, which was great since I was in a pain-medication-induced fog after an unexpected C-section.
Christmas Sensory Bin Toddler Activities
Sensory bins are always a hit in our house! And keep reading to find out about my sensory bin FAIL :( Once again I got most of my fillers from the Dollar Tree or the grocery story including:
Here’s One of My Favorite Books: How I Use Bear Sees Colors Book for Language Development
Back when I lived in Boston and worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the schools, one of my favorite teachers that I worked with recommended this book from the school’s book fair. I’m so glad she did because this book has gotten A LOT of use over the past few years during therapy with preschoolers and now with my own little girl! Here’s how YOU can use this book to increase language development with your child:
Coloring Inside the Box: Simple Ideas to Get Your Toddler Talking while Coloring
OMG – thanks to my sister-in-law for telling me to throw a bunch of crayons into a giant cardboard box with my tot. It's a great, independent play activity! Plus, it’s really cute. It’s like Sylvie gets to draw on the walls, but it’s totally okay (and she’s happily contained – he he.)
Self-Talk, Parallel Talk and Expansion: Explained for Parents
Before your toddler is even talking, he is a sponge – absorbing everything you say! That’s why it’s important HOW YOU talk to your toddler in order to help him learn to talk. This is especially true if your child is a late talker, has special needs, or is in speech therapy. Three things that I do with my clients in speech therapy and with my own toddler are called Parallel Talk, Self-Talk and Expansion. Below I’ll go over each of these ideas – they are really simple to incorporate into your day! And keep reading to learn more about how to determine what level to talk to…
