Author: Caroline Vance MS CCC SLP

  As a parent, you don’t need to become a speech therapist to help your child develop strong communication skills. In fact, some of the most effective ways to support language growth happen during everyday activities you’re already doing—like getting dressed, eating meals, or playing together. The key is to be intentional with how you talk, listen, and interact. Small changes in your daily routine can have a big impact, and the best part is, it doesn’t have to feel like “work.” One of the simplest things you can do is narrate what you’re doing as you go about your day. For example, when you’re making breakfast, you might say, “I’m cracking the egg. Now I’m stirring it. Look, it’s

Winter Snowman Craft Materials: Construction paper in winter colors (blue, red, green, orange, black, etc.) Scissors Glue or tape Markers or crayons Cotton balls Small googly eyes Speech Therapy Targets: Articulation: Focus on speech sounds like “s,” “sh,” “ch,” “b,” “p,” and “m” that are common in winter vocabulary (snow, cold, snowman, mittens, boots, ice). Vocabulary: Seasonal vocabulary words (snow, cold, freeze, snowflake, mittens, scarf, hat, snowman, sleet). Sentence Structure: Create simple and complex sentences to describe the snowman (e.g., “The snowman has a red hat” or “The snowman is wearing a blue scarf”). Following Directions: Give step-by-step instructions to assemble the snowman (e.g., “Cut out two circles for the snowman’s body,” “Glue the buttons on the snowman”). How to:

  6-12 month+: Piggy Bank: https://a.co/d/cj4IcuR Sorting Shapes: https://a.co/d/c6aO5ej Buckle Toy: https://a.co/d/5bfqGQI Stacking Cups: https://a.co/d/9iDF3NZ Feed the Fish: https://a.co/d/ePFekzO Toddlers/Young: Sequence For Kids: https://a.co/d/5BxINjE Balloon Launcher: https://a.co/d/aZwHCiF Pretend Play Ice Cream: https://a.co/d/gGvhT5b Let’s Go Fishing: https://a.co/d/e8ZS2I2 Dino Launcher: https://a.co/d/6UfnrGD Zingo: https://a.co/d/eM0lS7P Sorting Baskets: https://a.co/d/2gOm1gu Frankie’s Food Truck: https://a.co/d/eTCPotp Elementary Aged: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: https://a.co/d/jjRz4bS Gravity Maze: https://a.co/d/hEl5To5 Kanoodle: https://a.co/d/5BmK1yP Code Names: https://a.co/d/69ieiNp Tetris: https://a.co/d/favJNuD Quick Pucks: https://a.co/d/d8jDnAn Traffic Jam: https://a.co/d/1VXnEf7 Connect Four *Spin: https://a.co/d/947j1Vo Left Center Right: https://a.co/d/caAetAB Teens: The Game of Things: https://a.co/d/21TA4BC What Do You Meme?: https://a.co/d/iJT3nAb Catan: https://a.co/d/fgVl4al Wordle Board Game: https://a.co/d/bmxKjas Mind the Gap: https://a.co/d/bFUG1nZ

Importance of a weekly routine: A weekly routine is crucial for child development as it provides a structured and predictable environment that helps children feel secure and understand what to expect each day. Consistent routines support the development of time management skills, helping children learn to anticipate and prepare for various activities, which fosters independence and confidence. Regular routines also contribute to emotional stability by reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of order. Additionally, routines can improve behavioral regulation by establishing clear expectations and patterns, making transitions smoother and minimizing conflicts. This does not mean that everyday has to look the exact same, that is not realistic.  Although routines might look different day to day, there are some aspects within

In July, I adopted a sweet four year old golden retriever and sheltie mix! Her name is Lady 🙂 Although the first few weeks have been a transitional shift to my usual routine, it has brought joy and comfort in areas of my life I did not anticipate! I myself suffer from anxiety and utilize tools to self-regulate occasionally, just like some of the children I treat daily.  Since having her in my life, I have not had to utilize my “go-to” tools to de-stress as often.  She has been providing me with a lot of the comfort I need when it’s time to calm down.  This has gotten me thinking about how beneficial dogs can be to individuals with

Food chaining is a therapeutic approach designed to help children with feeding difficulties by gradually expanding their food preferences. It involves introducing new foods in a systematic way that is related to the child’s existing likes and dislikes. For example, if a child likes chicken nuggets, the approach might start by introducing other types of nuggets or different textures and flavors of chicken, slowly moving towards more varied foods. This technique aims to reduce food neophobia (fear of new foods) and increase dietary variety through gradual and manageable steps. I highly recommend reading the book: “Food Chaining: The Proven 6 Step Plan to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems, and Expand Your Child’s Diet” by Cheri Fraker RD LD CLC,

When considering extracurricular activities for children with special needs, it’s essential to focus on their interests, abilities, and comfort levels. Here are some suggestions to look into: Adaptive Sports: Many communities offer adaptive sports programs tailored to children with disabilities. These can include wheelchair basketball, adaptive swimming, or sensory-friendly sports activities. Here is a link to Chicago’s Adaptive Sports page: https://www.chicagoadaptivesports.com/ Art Classes: Art allows for self-expression and creativity. Look for art classes or workshops that accommodate various abilities and sensory needs. Here is a link to a specific program in Chicago: https://artsoflife.org/ Music Therapy: Music therapy can be highly beneficial for children with special needs. It can help improve communication skills, sensory integration, and emotional expression. Here is a link to

  Museums serve as valuable resources for speech therapy, offering a dynamic and enriching environment that supports language development, communication skills, and social interaction in individuals of all ages. Check out some of these free museum days this spring and summer for Illinois residents.   -Adler Planetarium: Wednesdays 4pm-10pm -Field Museum: Every Wednesday  -Shedd Aquarium: Tuesdays 5pm-9pm (March 26th-June 25th) -Chicago History Museum: April 10th, 18th, 24th and May 1st, 27th, 29th -Museum of Science and Industry: April 21st -DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center: Every Wednesday  -Museum of Contemporary Art: Every Tuesday -Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Every Thursday -Illinois Holocaust Museum: last Friday of the month year-long.