For all the kiddo heroes out there! For the kiddo who stutters and fights anxiety every time they speak in class. For the kiddo who chokes on liquids and needs thickener added to their Chick Fil A lemonade. For the kiddo with Autism who wants …
Y’all! This game is GOLD! If “Pop The Pig” isn’t a game in your therapy closet or home, you need this game ASAP! I’ve never met a child who doesn’t like playing this game! What’s extra great about this game is that you can use …
Toddler parents typically start to feel like short order chefs when their 2 year olds start to have an opinion about the food going in their mouths, but it doesn’t have to be that way!
Toddlers are SIGNIFICANTLY better at self regulation than adults are when it comes to food. You or I might stuff ourselves with French fries because, “Their just THAT good,” but our kiddos have the ability to regulate themselves based on their internal hunger and circumstantial cues.
If there’s one thing you could leave your toddler to do independently it’s letting them decide HOW MUCH and WHAT food goes into their mouth!
Some ways kiddos control their intake based on being in tune with their own bodies:
If your child had a high calorie day yesterday, today they might have a lighter day of foods or skip snacks all together.
When they’re teething, they will naturally eat only the soft, cold food you place in front of them.
If your child has a huge breakfast, lunch and dinner might be much lighter.
Growth spurts make our kiddos ravenously hungry, but this usually lasts 2/3 days only.
If your kiddo is coming down with a cold, their lack of appetite will probably be the first sign they show you.
Our job is to pick WHAT food to offer, WHEN we offer it, and HOW much we place in front of them. THAT’S IT! Takes the pressure off right!?
Bottom line, when your toddler refuses your home cooked meal remember to trust them and their appetite, keep mealtimes enjoyable and never force feed!
“My child knows all of his letters, numbers and shapes!”“So wonderful! BUT, can he ask for a drink when thirsty? Tell you when he’s hurt and needs a hug? Engage with others during play?” Using language versus communication skills is such an important concept. We …
Pretend play is so important for our kiddos but it’s not just for the imagination! Pretend play rich in PARENT-LED VOCABULARY helps our littles learn countless single and two-word phrases! Because our kiddos learn first words through repetition, doll houses and little people play sets …
One of the main questions an SLP receives is, “What can I do to boost my child’s language?” As simple as the answer is, reading to our children has immeasurable literacy, social and emotional benefits!
Caregivers can and should start reading to their children as INFANTS! This might seem young but your already triggering a child’s brain to pick up on the nuances of your home language.
Reading face time face with your child allows your kiddo to watch how you pronounce simple and complex words. This improves articulation/pronunciation later in life.
Sitting and reading with your child boosts emotional health and happiness. One on one experiences and play that are rich in language increases relationships between caregivers and children.
SLP Tip: Guide your kiddos fingers to touch pictures while naming items in order to give their language an extra boost. Tactile and auditory experiences increases literacy skills!