Tips to encourage language and problem solving during play

Great blog submission from a member of our community: Brooke Andrews M.A. CCC-SLP.

Please share your thoughts below.

Speech therapy with young children can sometimes looks like “just playing.” That’s because play and language go together. In addition to play being the primary vehicle for learning in early childhood, let’s talk more about how play and language go hand in hand. A word is a symbol for the object it represents. Children’s play skills are intimately related to their understanding of symbols. If a child uses a towel as a “blanket” and playfully pretends to go to sleep, they are using that towel as a symbol for the blanket. Other examples include pretending a “block” is a phone or a “stick” is a car. This understanding of the use of symbols develops alongside the understanding that words are symbols for objects and ideas. Between 18-24 months, children produce simple sentences. As children learn more about the world, they discover more about the relationships between items, places, and people. Using word combinations give toddlers a way to express these relationships (ex: “sock on,” “more crackers,” etc.) As children combine more words, more complex relationships are reflected through their play. For example, a child may feed their baby doll, burp her, put her pajamas on, then put her to bed. During pretend play, children will often “take on the roll” of a character. Researchers have found that during play, toddlers duplicate the way adults talk to babies and the way babies talk to adults. When toddlers play the role of the “mommy,” they increase their pitch and talk in shorter sentences. They also talk more and ask more questions. Similarly, when toddlers pretend to be the “baby,” they talk less and use high pitched voices. This ability to use language to stand for make-believe relationships is another sign of your toddler’s increasing language and play skills. Play and language are interconnected. Children’s pretend play is often the origin of their earliest “narratives” (Golinkoff & Pasek, 1999). Engaging in pretend play with your child gives them the model and structure for telling a story. These stories help them develop early literacy skills. Remember to follow your child’s lead and become a “partner” instead of a “director” during play. Here are some tips to follow when engaging in pretend play with your little one • Balance your turns- Don’t make all the suggestions or do all the talking. Balance turns with your child. • Create “problems” during play – Pretend the tea for your tea party is “too hot” and encourage your child to come up with a solution (blow on it, pretend to throw ice cubes in the cup “clink!”). Good stories have conflicts that need a resolution. Practice early versions of this during pretend play. • Wait – Before offering a suggestion for what to do. Give your child a chance to come up with an idea on their own. • Expand your child’s play – You can “partner” with your child by expanding on the play scene they are interested in. • Have fun- Use funny voices and fun noises. Kids are already doing this. Join in the play and don’t be afraid to get silly! Next time you are having a tea party with your little one, keep in mind all that they are learning about language, literacy, and problem-solving. All while having fun and getting to spend time with you! References:
Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (1999). How babies talk: The Magic and Mystery of Language in the First Three Years of Life. New York: Plume. “Play with Language and Speech.” In Child Discourse, edited by S. Ervin-Tripp and C. Mitchell Kernan , 24-47. New York: Academic Press, 1997.
]]>

NEW e-Learning Program – Pediatric Toe Walking Series Now Available Online

Toe Walking Online SeriesWe are thrilled to announce the launch of our new pediatric toe walking online course series.

Enhance your differential diagnosis skills to guide more effective treatments; learn new tools to address the sensory and motor aspects that underlie toe-walking, and recognize red flags to help determine the appropriate professional for referral.

International expert Liesa Persaud, PT, DPT, PCS, CKTP
teaches the series through case studies, demonstrations, extensive directed lab practice and lecture

Utilizing the ACT (Assessment Criteria for Toe Walking)
and Outcomes and Footwear Modification to Improve Outcomes
$79

 The Role of Vision and Reflexes
$99

 Red Flags for Referral and Intervention Strategies
$99

Register for the complete online series for $229
OR  
Register for individual sessions
Includes downloadable handouts & access for an entire year

Recommended for healthcare professionals who have a basic knowledge of the following areas: 
biomechanics of normal gait, characteristics of equinus gait (toe walking), and kinesiology of the lower extremity.
Recommended for those who have taken the two day course from Liesa Persaud and want to supplement your learning.

Please visit our FAQ Page and CEU Page  for more information 

 Education Resources online courses are the next best thing to attending live:

  • Engaging CEU’s on demand
  • Learn at your convenience – access the courses for a full year
  • Advance your skills
  • Expand your knowledge
  • Learn from leading experts

The team at Education Resources is also excited to announce the launch of our 
PEDIATRIC GAIT DISCUSSION GROUP
a venue for therapists to discuss any clinical challenges or tips with other colleagues

We continue to strive to meet your needs as you develop your skills to meet the ever changing demands of health care and education. We welcome your suggestions for future online courses.  info@educationresourcesinc.com

Please Click Here to Join Our Mailing List

]]>

Therapies in the School 2017 with Zones of Regulation Pre-Conference

 

We listened to your input – thank you!

We are excited to share with you the now completed outline for our popular annual school based conference, coming to Massachusetts in November:

THERAPIES in the SCHOOL 2017
November 16-17, 2017
Framingham, MA

We hope to see you at this year’s conference. Limited Availability so Reserve Early!

and 
RETURNING THIS YEAR
we are thrilled to bring you an optional Pre-Conference: 

The Zones of Regulation®
A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control
Wednesday November 15, 2017
Framingham, MA

LAST YEAR’S THIS PRE- CONFERENCE WAS A SELL OUT!
Please register early to avoid disappointment

Register for Therapies in the School (2 days) and the pre-conference
and receive a saving of $65

The Zones of Regulation® preconference presentation provides teachers, therapists and parents with hands-on knowledge on the nature of self-regulation and strategies for improving self-regulation and emotional control in individuals of all ages
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMINARY OUTLINE, PRICING AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

This year’s conference focuses on collaborative approaches to supporting instruction in the classroom with related services, the functional but struggling child, how to support fine motor skills, and what is realistic for the moderate to severely involved child. In addition, the conference will highlight mindfulness, movement and music, therapeutic implications of our current knowledge of how the brain works, motor issues in ASD, and visual processing as it affects learning. 
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMINARY OUTLINE, PRICING AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

]]>

Schedule your CEUS Now With our Spring Coupon – $50 Discount

SPRING PROMOTION 
from
EDUCATION RESOURCES

 Thank you for allowing Education Resources fulfill your professional development and continuing education requirements 

As a THANK YOU from us we would like to offer a
$50 discount 
toward any conference fee     

Register now through June 19, 2017 
Apply code: “Spring2017“
 
Not to be used in combination with other discounts or course credits.
Non-Transferable. Only one discount may be used per conference.
Must be applied at time of registration, not for conferences previously registered for. 
Not for online courses. Not for one day courses.
  
If you have any questions or would like to register,
please call, email or visit our website. 
Thank you
Mandy
 
]]>

Pediatric Gait Discussion Group

The team at Education Resources is excited to announce the launch of our 
NEW DISCUSSION GROUP

A venue for therapists to discuss any clinical challenges or tips with other colleagues

We have received overwhelming feedback asking for a place to pose clinical questions, receive advice from other therapists and discuss the latest advancements related to pediatric gait. We are creating a forum to serve these needs.

PLEASE POST YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW or HERE in our FACEBOOK GROUP

Thank you!

Please stay tuned for our new online course offerings that will help you develop your differential diagnosis skills – Launching soon!

We continue to strive to meet your needs as you develop your skills to meet the ever changing demands of health care and education. We welcome your suggestions for future courses.  info@educationresourcesinc.com

www.educationresourcesinc.com 508-359-6533 ● 800-487-6530

Please Click Here to Join Our Mailing List

]]>