A few years back, I was working with a family to provide speech therapy for their toddler-aged child. This family is a great family! They want all the best things for their child. When I went to their home for…
Talk
YOU are Your Child’s BEST Resource for Learning
Use Fun Words and Exciting Sounds
How to Help Your Child Start Talking So, you want your baby or toddler to start using words. You are already talking to your child all the time. What else can you do? Model FUN WORDS or words that have…
What Should You Say When Talking To Your Child?
What should you say to your baby or toddler? You probably know that is good to talk to your baby or toddler. But what types of things should you say? What the research says Research has shown that infants and…
Play
How to Find Great Toys in Unlikely Places
I recently spent the afternoon with two of my siblings and their kids at a local park. It was the kind of park that has a splash pad, a jungle gym, and a big open grassy field. The kids had…
The Best Toys for Your Child are NOT Toys
Each summer all my siblings and their families gather at my parents’ home for a week in the summer. There are a lot of people in one place, so it is loud, chaotic, and lots of fun! Because my parents…
Toys from Nature
This weekend, I did something that I don’t usually do. I sat. Outside. For a long time. Not. Doing. Anything. I listened to the wind. I watch the trees. I looked at the sky. It was glorious! There is something…
Read
How to Read to an Unwilling Toddler
The other day I saw a comment on social media from a mother about her toddler. She said that every time she tries to read a book to him, she is able to say about three words before he shuts…
6 Surprising Lessons Learned in Growing My Board Book Collection
I have worked with toddlers for decades. But I recently realized that my personal board book library was woefully insufficient and a little sad. So, I set out on a mission to grow my board book library and…
Reading with Babies: Tip #1
Should I read to my baby? Yes! Yes! Yes! You can start reading to your baby starting on Day 1. Common Challenges When Reading to Babies Once your baby is able to sit in your lap when you are reading,…
Sing
The Magic of Music to Transform Transitions
Here is a common scenario that plays out in homes everywhere – maybe even in your home! It’s the end of the day and your child is happily playing with her toys on the floor of the family room. You…
