March for MARCH OF DIMES

Happy Friday friends!! I have made a professional and personal goal to fundraise and bring awareness to at least one cause and/or organization per year in an effort to support numerous children and their families across the globe, and especially all of my precious kiddos. In recent years, I have completed walks and fundraising projects for Autism, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, and Cancer. This year, I wanted to support the March for Dimes which supports premature babies to lead healthy lives, and provides support for the families of this population of children. This organization touches my heart and daily life, as I work with the birth to three population, most of which are eligible and receiving early intervention services due to premature births. I just completed my registration for the walk here in Washington, D.C., which will take place on Saturday May 2nd, and wanted to encourage you all to do the same if you live in the area by registering at:

http://www.marchofdimes.org/marylandmetrodc/events/10272_3136333430.html

If you are not in the area, visit marchofdimes.org to support by walking or fundraising in a city near you!

Hope to see you there…have a fabulous weekend! :)

Oh the Places You'll Go with READING!

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY:

In honor of National Read Across America Day, I wanted to post the article written by the American Speech Hearing Association entitled “Let’s Talk”. Please click the link and read it when you have a moment. Also, don't forget to pick up at least one book a day and read a couple of pages, I promise the reward will be worth the effort!!

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/emergent-literacy/

New Year, New Goals, New Opportunities

Wednesday Word:

Happy New Year friends, families, fellow colleagues, & followers!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season :) My apologies for not posting over the holiday, as it became very chaotic and super busy. Hopefully you all were able to stop by the Spik My Language Pinterest board at some point to gather ideas for more creative language stimulation during the holiday season. This year, my resolution as an SLP who works in EI is to strive to reduce and/or climate the dreaded "only morning time works" mantra that families and teachers insist on. Don't get me wrong, majority of children, especially toddlers, are very well rested and most energized in the morning, however, we have to work together to create and provide opportunities for more language stimulation and multi-sensory approach to learning throughout the entire day from sun up to sun down. It could be through getting dressed, diaper changes, getting into the car, to making the table or helping to make dinner, it could be during lunch time, or even a trip to the grocery store. My goal is to provide intensive instruction, modeling, and facilitation on how to create language learning opportunities throughout the day in the child's typical/natural routine and especially during the most difficult and "not the best" times. Let's get to work team!! #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #EIchallenges #EISLPgoals2015

Gratefulness & Gratitude

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to all of my amazing kiddos & their wonderful families!! :)  I am so grateful to have all of you in my daily life and to be able to serve and help your children!! I hope that your holiday is full of fun, love, language learning, and laughter. #littleturkies  #gobblegobble

Thanksgiving Buzz Words

Wednesday Word:

Hi friends!! I often give homework for families each week when working on building expressive vocabulary and overall language. One common task is suggesting the family choose at least three "buzz" words/signs/sounds that would be functional throughout the child's daily routine. The can be silly sounds that are familiar to the child and family and often uses, words to comment, label, and/or request, or words/sounds that are related to a particular activity or routine. In addition, for those kiddos who are working on expanding utterances from single words to multi-words, I suggest using and modeling "please", "more", and "want" in addition to the "buzz word". Be sure to model the sign, word, and/or sound no more than three times, and provide 5-10 seconds to allow your child to imitate you. As all of us celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I generated a list of words/signs and sounds that can incorporated during tomorrow's festivities! Good luck, be consistent, & have fun :)

1. thank you
2. eat
3. drink
4. sit
5. up
6. down
7. hungry
8. yay
9. mmmm (yum)
10. all done

http://www.babysignlanguage.com/flash-cards/

Thanksgiving & Language Learning

Tips on Tuesdays:

I have been encouraging families to take advantage of the holiday and create as many opportunities for language learning during this fun holiday. One of my families took the opportunity to use Halloween to create a social story about the "Trick-or-Treating" experience due to this child's difficulty with change, transitions, and new experiences. I have listed a couple of ideas and focus points for social stories below, in addition to websites for templates and examples of social stories. #getcreative

Thanksgiving Social Story ideas:

1. Taking Turns: pictures of people passing food around the table, getting attention by tapping an adult or raising hands when you want to speak, using indoor voices, etc.
2. Fun Foods: discuss and show various foods that may be on the table, it's ok to try different foods or say "no thank you", discuss textures and colors, etc.
3. Thanksgiving visitors: take pictures and discuss who will arrive, who will sleep over, manners, etc.

https://support.office.com/en-ie/article/Autism-Speaks-Microsoft-Office-Templates-f8a90293-b8c6-4fd1-b7cf-616b67615bf6

http://www.pinterest.com/momtotwokiddos/social-stories/

Thanksgiving Favorites

Motivational Monday:

Happy Thanksgiving week!! Be sure to stop by the Spik My Language Pinterest board for some of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts and books :) #3days&counting