Fact or Fiction? The Top 10 Assumptions about Early Speech and Language Development

It's so easy to get so wrapped up in studies and articles, research and stories, that it gets hard to sort out fact from fiction.  The Hanen Centre is always a great resource of information, and they are great at keeping things SIMPLE.  Check out this Fact or Fiction? The 10 Assumptions about Early Speech and Language Development and see for yourself.

The Hanen Centre: The Top 10 Assumptions about Early Speech and Language Development

Workshop: Making Sense of Discipline with Dr. Gordon Neufeld

Check out this great opportunity right here in Guelph.  This workshop is geared to teachers and parents to help with the what to do when...

Find all the details and register HERE.

Workshop: Making Sense of Discipline with Dr. Gordon Neufeld

NOV 26 @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

$65

MAKING SENSE OF DISCIPLINE:

Most every parent and teacher wants to know what to do when ….. This tends to be the most pressing and universal issue in dealing with children. Finding the right answers to these questions becomes more challenging when parents and teachers are concerned about issues like attachment and healthy development and do not want their discipline methods to undermine or sabotage these processes. At the same time however there is the responsibility to teach the lessons that need to learned and to impose order when required.

This day seminar speaks to the question of what to do when …, but does so in the larger context of what is required to raise children to their full potential as human beings. Some of the prevailing discipline practices – like time-outs and consequences – are discussed from this perspective. This seminar provides participants with the opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to discipline with strategies that are attachment-safe and developmentally friendly.

Single Workshop Pass ($65) includes lunch

Group Workshop Pass ($500/10 tickets)

An Evening with Gordon Neufeld: Raising Children in a Digital World

NOV 25 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

$20

RAISING CHILDREN IN A DIGITAL WORLD:

The digital revolution has happened so quickly that it has caught most of us off guard. Yet the digital world is here to stay, changing our society in ways that have far-reaching consequences for our children. What are the implications for parenting? How do we harness the spectacular connecting potential and yet avoid the pitfalls of attachment technology gone awry? How do we prepare them to live in this new world and yet preserve what is required for healthy development to take place? We have followed our children into the digital world and yet for their sakes as well as ours, need to restore our lead in order to avoid the insidious dangers that live in the shadows of this potent technology.

Dr. Neufeld looks at the digital revolution as a developmentalist committed to helping parents help their children become all they were meant to be. He not only explains the drive underlying today’s digital technology but also points to a way through

Single Evening Pass ($20)

Double Evening Pass ($40)

Group Evening Pass ($150/10 tickets)

To more information to purchase tickets to the Saturday November 26th workshop MAKING SENSE OF DISCIPLINE click here.

Best start!

Week one: check! You made it!

Now that the kids have got their feet wet and everyone is warming up to the idea, if you want to find out even more about expectations for school readiness in Ontario, check out beststart.org.  They break down the array of skills considered for school readiness, and give great suggestions and information that are helpful and easy to put into practise.  Check it all out HERE. 

It's here!

We hope everyone had a wonderful first day back to school!

Even though summer vacation is over, there is still so much fun to be had.  Remember to check in on the KidsTalk Wellington blog for lots of tips, tricks, and info when it comes to your child's speech and language! 

Worried about school readiness? Take a step back and think of the skills your child is already acquiring and how you are supporting their development every day - with something as simple as play.  

When a child is engaged in play with caregivers and other adults in a warm and responsive relationship, she will develop qualities that will help her succeed in school:

• Strong oral communications skills
• Confidence
• The ability to make friends
• Persistent, creative problem-solving
• Task completion
• Curiosity
• Eagerness to learn.

(Best Start, 2006)

School Readiness: Language and Cognitive Development

Of course they need stylish backpacks, new shoes, and packed lunches.  But what else do your kids need to be ready for school? 

Here you'll find simple descriptions of the importance of language and cognitive development and how to support the development of these skills. 

CMAS - School Readiness: Language and Cognitive Development 

Got the back-to-school blues? This will help!

Feeling the back-to-school blues?  Bummed that summer is over after one final holiday weekend?  This video of a 3-month old boy hearing for the first time is sure to brighten your day and put a smile on your face.  After not responding to hearing tests following his birth, little Jordan underwent more tests and was ultimately diagnosed with a severe-to-profound hearing loss.  Find out a little more about Jordan and his parents' reaction to his first responses to sound. 

TODAY: 'I cried with happiness': Baby hears mom's voice for the first time, giggles sweetly

Reading is the answer!

It's coming!  Back-to-school signs, deals and reminders of all kinds are everywhere you turn.  Wondering what you can do to help your kids get ready to go back?  Read, of course!  Check out these great books about other kids going back to school - you can even find some reading suggestions to help ease separation anxiety too! 

Imagination Soup: More Back-to-School Books

Helping kids with a speech disorder enjoy the camp experience

Eight children, all of whom have apraxia - a disorder affecting the production of speech, are enjoying the first camp of its kind in Calgary this summer. The idea for the camp was initiated by the mother of one of the campers who felt her son did not benefit from regular camp attendance last summer.  The camp is not therapy-based, but provides these campers a space to learn and play among others like them, and where their speech disorder is considered and supported.

See the story from CTV News HERE.  

Helping kids with a speech disorder enjoy the camp experience

Combining words - it's a big deal!

First words are exciting! But what receives less than its share of attention is a child's ability to combine words together.  A recent study found that children who were late to combine words were more likely to have future problems with language, than those who were late to use first words (Lowry, 2016).  The Hanen Centre answers commonly asked questions such as "Are 'thank you' and 'goodnight' two word combinations?" and "How can I learn to help my child combine words together?".

Find all the answers HERE. 

Combining Words Together: A Big Step in Language Development

Communication Considerations for Children With Hearing Loss

Making a life-long decision for a child is never easy, especially after dealing with a possibly unexpected diagnosis of a hearing loss.  Alongside dealing with a roller coaster of emotions, parents need to understand the importance of early intervention on future outcomes.  Many options for communication should be presented to parents, keeping in mind that early exposure to language, in any form, lays the foundation for future communication skills.  Finding a plan that can be supported by parents, siblings, and all other individuals in the child's life is key.  Dive a little deeper into this article to find out more. 

The ASHA Leader Blog: Communication Considerations for Children With Hearing Loss