It’s the time of the year toys and play get a lot of attention. Hey, I’m all about it! Play is such a powerful language learning tool, and, above all, is enjoyable for the children. I thought I’d take some time this week do discuss the connection between language development and play in more...
Tag: grand rapids speech therapy
Make any toy a language enriching toy!
This time of year, SLPs are often asked for input on gift giving. Most questions are typically about what toys are best for language development. The truth is that there is absolutely no toy on the planet that will help your child’s language development on its own. However, with the use of parent strategies, any...
Fall language series: An inclusive Halloween
Those of you who have been following Duncan Lake Speech Therapy know that we are all about inclusion and accessibility over here. Kids Together, Inc. defines inclusion as, “being a part of what everyone else is, being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs.” Inclusive activities include all people regardless of ability/disability, religion,...
Fall Language Series: AAC at the Pumpkin Patch
Today, we continue our Fall Language Series. Last week, we talked about language development at the apple orchard. This week, we’re taking it to the pumpkin patch, AAC style. For those of you who don’t know, AAC stands for alternative and augmentative communication. AAC is, essentially, any form of expressive language that isn’t spoken...
Fall Language Series – Language Enrichment at the Apple Orchard
Like any red-blooded Midwesterner, I am a sucker for the fall. Call me basic, but there is something about this time of year that just makes me so happy. Maybe it’s the colors? Maybe it’s the sweaters? Whatever it is, I love it! Fall brings with it its own set of activities. Apple orchards,...
Here’s one more (speech) reason why allergies are annoying.
Allergies, amirite? Every September, Mother nature warmly welcomes me into her loving autumnal arms by giving me giant case of seasonal allergies. There is nothing quite like constant sneezing, coughing, and congestion, especially during a global pandemic (READ THE ROOM, MOTHER NATURE!), to really ring in the new season. As if this wasn’t annoying...
Setting yourself up for teletherapy success
Michigan friends, the school year is upon us. For many families, virtual school is the new reality. This means that speech-language services provided at school will now take on a virtual look. The good thing is that Duncan Lake Speech Therapy loooooves teletherapy. Teletherapy is a great way to deliver speech-language therapy, especially during...
5 outdoor, language-building toys (that you probably already have)
Michigan residents cling to summer weather like velcro. We only get about 4 months of sunshine, so we spend all the time we can outside during the summer. The outdoors can be a great place to work on building your child’s language skills (as we already know). They’re doing activities they love, so you...
Preventing the summer (speech) slide
Friends, we have made it through nearly 3 months of distance learning! School is OUT (or almost out)! Let’s take a moment to celebrate this fact! (Time yourself – one minute, please.) You should certainly celebrate this accomplishment, but for our friends with speech difficulties, the work does not stop here. Have you heard...
Research Rumination: Helpful Helmets
I threw out some bike/helmet statistics earlier in the week on our Facebook page. Largely, these statistics showed that helmet wearing can prevent head injury. I wanted to dive a little further into this topic because, as the weather continues to improve (IN THEORY) here in the state of Michigan, and as the idea...