Author: Elizabeth Novak-Czech MA CCC SLP

The holidays are a perfect time to teach kids about gratitude and communication! Saying “thank you” is more than good manners; it’s a great way to build social skills and language skills. 1. Model It Often. Let your child hear you use “thank you” in natural ways (e.g., “Thanks for helping me,” or “I love this gift, thank you!”). 2. Practice Beforehand. Role-play gift exchanges or family visits. Try short exchanges like: * Adult: “Here’s your present!” * Child: “Thank you! I love it!”   This builds confidence before real-life situations. 3. Expand on ‘Thank You’. Encourage kids to add details to make it a mini conversation: * “Thank you for the book. I love dinosaurs!” * “Thanks for coming

The holidays are full of chatter at family dinners, parties, and get-togethers. For some kids, that can feel overwhelming.  A little preparation helps make these moments easier and more enjoyable. 1. Practice greetings and polite phrases. Rehearse short, simple lines like “Hi, it’s nice to see you!” or “Thank you for the gift.” Role-play at home to build comfort. 2. Plan conversation starters. Give your child a few easy topics such as favorite foods, decorations, or holiday movies to help them join in naturally. 3. Practice turn-taking. Use fun games like *Would You Rather?* to build listening and back-and-forth conversation skills. 4. Take breaks. If things get loud or busy, it’s okay for your child to find a quiet spot.

Receptive vs. Expressive Language: What’s the Difference? When we talk about language development, two key skills come up often — receptive and expressive language. These work together but serve different purposes in communication. Receptive Language: Understanding Receptive language is how we understand what others say. It includes listening, processing, and making sense of words and sentences. For example, a child uses receptive language when they follow directions (e.g., “Get your shoes”), identify objects (e.g., “Where’s your nose?”), or understand a story being read aloud.  Expressive Language: Communicating Expressive language is how we use words, sentences, and gestures to share thoughts and ideas. A child uses expressive language when they ask for help, name things, or tell a story. Why It

  It is important for a child to follow directions because it is how learning takes place. Following directions directly impacts a child’s academic success, social development, as well as performance on daily routines. If a child displays difficulties with following directions, it may not only affect a child’s functioning at home and school, but also affect his/her self-esteem and social life. Why does this happen?  A child may struggle to follow directions due to a hearing impairment, language processing disorder, poor attention span, sequencing difficulties, and/or memory deficit. Milestones for Following Directions  1:0-2;0 Years Following 1-step commands “Get your shoes” 2;0-3;0 Years Following 2-step related commands “Get your shoes and bring to me” 3;0-4;0 Years Following 2-step related and

  Sequencing means putting events in order—an important skill for understanding stories, following directions, and organizing ideas. Easy Ways to Practice: Talk about routines: Describe daily tasks step by step. “First we brush our teeth, then we wash our face.” Retell stories: After reading, ask, “What happened first? What happened next?” Use pictures: Mix up simple picture cards and have your child put them in order. Cook or craft together: Recipes and crafts are great real-life practice. Tips: Start with 2–3 steps. Use words like first, next, and last. Praise their efforts!

Game play can be a way to support expressive language growth in older children. Language games can help keep practice interesting as well as be highly effective in enhancing communication skills. *Scattergories – Vocabulary Building -List related words under a given category, each starting with a specific letter. -Engaging in vocabulary learning and word-finding abilities. *Two Truths and a Lie – Sentence Structure and Grammar Fun -Share three statements, two true and one false. -Targets sentence structure, grammar, and inferencing skills. *Headbanz – Describing and Categorizing Challenge -Wear a picture on your head and ask yes-or-no questions to guess its identity. -Enhances understanding and expression of descriptive terms. *20 Questions/Would You Rather? – Conversational Language Skills -Practice social skills, sentence structure, grammar,

  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a powerful tool used to support communication. AAC can be used to support connection, learning, and independence. Yet, despite its benefits, AAC is often surrounded by myths that can delay or prevent it’s use. Here are some of the most common AAC myths. Myth 1: “AAC will stop my child from talking.” Truth: AAC supports speech—it doesn’t replace it. Research shows that AAC can actually help kids develop spoken language. Myth 2: “AAC is a last resort.” Truth: Don’t wait! AAC can and should be introduced early. It’s a valuable tool, not a backup plan. Myth 3: “AAC is only for nonverbal kids.” Truth: Anyone with communication struggles can benefit. Many AAC users speak but need

  The 4th of July is more than just fireworks and cookouts—it’s also a great opportunity to support your child’s language development in fun, natural ways. Whether you’re at a parade, a backyard BBQ, or watching the sky light up, here are some easy, engaging ideas to build communication and connection. 1. Label What You See Name objects and actions: “Firework!”, “Red balloon!”, “Hot dog!” 2. Talk About Senses Use describing words: “Loud boom,” “Sticky fingers,” “Smells like smoke.” 3. Offer Choices Encourage communication: “Do you want watermelon or chips?” 4. Sing & Repeat Patriotic songs and chants build vocabulary. Try: “Red, white, blue—what do you see?” 5. Tell a Story At day’s end, talk about what happened: “First the parade, then lunch, last fireworks!”

The playground is an excellent space for developing language and communication skills. Engaging in play fosters social interaction, cooperation, and creative expression. Here are some ideas for promoting language growth at the park: 1. Encourage Social Interaction Playgrounds naturally promote peer interactions. Encourage children to introduce themselves to new friends, take turns, and negotiate rules for games. By guiding them in social exchanges, adults can help children learn new words, practice conversation skills, and build confidence in expressing themselves. 2. Use Playful Language Narrating play activities and engaging in imaginative play can significantly enhance language development. Use descriptive words to talk about what children are doing such as, “You’re climbing so high up the ladder!” or “That slide is really

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and adventure. It is the perfect time to introduce little ones to books that celebrate nature, animals, and new beginnings. *”The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle This book follows the journey of a tiny caterpillar as it eats its way through different foods before transforming into a butterfly. *”Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert This book introduces children to the magic of gardening and showcasing how seeds grow into colorful flowers. *”The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle Another Carle favorite, this book follows a small seed’s journey as it travels through the seasons and grows into a towering flower.  *”The Golden Egg Book” by Margaret Wise Brown This story follows a bunny