Communication Development
Strategies to support your child's communication development within their everyday routines and play.
On the Blog...
Pointing out letters
You know that posh educational resources and toys with the alphabet on them don't teach your child, right?!I don't care if you have the most beautiful, carved wood letter puzzle...
Fill them up with language: Describing Food
Is your little one using all of these words to describe their food? Would you say they'd understand all of these words? If the answer is 'no' then it's time...
Have fun with sounds
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the SOUND a letter makes is so much more important to know than it’s name! Yes - the name is also...
Use their special interest
Many of your little ones may have already developed a special interest. A special interest is just something that they love and are drawn to. For August - it's bins!...
Early signs your child is on the Autism Spectrum
Autism Spectrum Disorder is just that; a spectrum. Its not a straight line from 'not autistic' to 'very autistic', it's a vibrant colour palette of characteristics that a person with...
Fun ways to teach body parts
My heart hurt as I wrote 'hokey tokey' for my fellow kiwis. It's 'hokey cokey' in the UK (where I'm from) and I've learned it's 'hokey pokey' in the USA....
How speech sounds develop: The next 9
Some sounds are harder to say than others. If you haven't already, check out my first post with 'the early 8' to learn which speech sounds typically develop first. This...
How speech sounds develop: The early 8
Some sounds are harder to say than others, so we don't tend to hear children say them until they're older. Knowing WHEN sounds typically develop will ensure that you're not...
Say and sign before you do: Water
Being able to ask for a drink is so important - especially as summer is approaching. We're all fab parents so we tend to anticipate our little one being thirsty...
Ear Infections & Language Development
Babies and young children get more ear infections than adults do because their anatomy is a little different. We all have tubes in our ears that drain fluid, but in...
Mealtime Signs: A video walk through
This has been on my to-do list for ages! Here's a walk through of the mealtime signs. Tag your friends who are interested in signing to their little ones! It's...
Why you should teach 'more'
When your little one can sign or say "more", the world is their oyster. They'll be able to request more of anything: think food, toys, stories or cuddles, and you'll...
Talking Tip: Hold things up to your mouth
An oldie but a goodie.If you're showing your baby something new - hold it up to the side of your face, close to your mouth. This way - you've drawn...
Teaching new vocab: Pull
Babies learn the meaning of new words by us modelling (saying) them in context (in the place where they fit) and by using lots of repetition. We can't expect children...
Speak Normally
I'm not sure why we all started talking in the third person to our children but I'm here to tell you that you don't have to! And it's better not...
Flash Card: True or false?
I will NOT be using flashcards. Not only are they super unnatural (are YOU ever shown cards and forced to shout out what you see on them?!) but they’re just...
What counts as a first word?
More than you think! A first word is something that your child says intentionally, the same way every time and consistently - to get or communicate what they want. E.g....
Tempt your child to communicate
Create opportunities for your child to initiate an interaction with you by setting up a COMMUNICATION TEMPTATION. Place a favourite toy or snack within view but out of reach, or...
Communication Temptation: Offering Choices
Imagine knowing what you want but not being able to tell anyone! That's often the frustration that faces our little ones and more often than not they're desperate to let...
Bringing the Ducky Song to life
You've all probably sang this song before. Your babe probably loved it - but have they any idea what you're singing about? I've turned this song into a water play...
