How to Repurpose Household Items to Encourage Speech and Language skills at home: DIY Hockey

Hi, I’m Amanda, a licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist). I am passionate about empowering you with the tools to get your child talking. I love working with parents to take the guesswork out of getting your baby, toddler or preschooler talking.

Children love playing with toys but I have a secret for you! Children love playing with items that are not “typically” toys even more. When household items are turned into toys this encourages pretend play. Pretend play is part of child development and children learn through play.

Here is an easy to create activity at home using household items that you ALREADY have.
• Materials Needed: 2 Cereal Boxes (Goals) 2/4 Empty Paper Towel/Toilet Paper Rolls (2 for 2 players and 4 for 4 players) (Hockey Sticks) Juice Cap (Top from Orange Juice, Lemonade, Water- any bottle cap will work) (Hockey Puck)
Tape

Quick Tip Use a small piece of tape to secure each box to the floor

Ages This is an activity for Ages 2+.
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Ways to Encourage Speech/Language Skills •Say ”Ready, Set……. GO!”(Wait for your child to say “GO”) Model it first and then the next time, have your child fill in the blank. •Demonstrate moving the hockey puck “fast” and then moving it “slow”. • Work on turn-taking skills by practicing to pass the hockey puck to some.

Get your Child Talking During Meal Time

Hi, I’m Amanda, a licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist). I am passionate about empowering you with the tools to get your child talking. I love working with parents to take the guesswork out of getting your baby, toddler or preschooler talking.

Mealtime is a perfect opportunity to encourage speech and language development. You can encourage your child to use the word “more” during mealtime or snack time by following the tips below.

HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO SAY THE WORD “MORE”
When your child is eating give them only a few pieces of food at a time such as Cheerios, strawberries  or blueberries.
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 Then MODEL saying the word “MORE” by asking, “Do you want MORE Cheerios?”.
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1. Place an emphasis on the word “more” by stretching it out (MMMM-MORE).
2. Say the word “more” and use the sign for more at the same time. 3. Repeat this several times during snack/meal times.
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Your child can respond by:
-using sign language for more
-using an approximation of the word (MMMM) -using a combination of the above
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Once your child is saying “MORE”, you can work on using 2 word utterances such as: (geared for ages 18 months+)
-MORE APPLE
-MORE BANANA 
-MORE MILK

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Ask your child “Do you want MORE APPLES?”
Place an emphasis on both words by stretching out the first sound and using a slightly louder volume. (Do you want MMM-more MMM-milk?)
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CONSISTENCY, MODELING and REPETITION are key. 

Use the word “MORE” several times during meal and snack time.

Looking for more tips to help get your child talking. Checkout my online course, Talking Tips Academy that is now available for to preorder by clicking HERE.

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If you found these tips useful be sure to download your FREE Speech Sound Development Guide with first words tips to learn what sounds to expect and how to encourage more words!

How to Get your toddler talking

Hi, I’m Amanda, a licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist). I am passionate about empowering you with the tools to get your child talking. I love working with parents to take the guesswork out of getting your baby, toddler or preschooler talking.

Does your child drop food, toys or their cup on the floor?

Turn this into an opportunity to stimulate language and to get your baby or toddler  TALKING! 

Each time your child drops something on the floor say “UH-OH”.

Repetition is key. After saying “uh-oh” several times you will notice that your baby will imitate you.

You are encouraged to sound like a broken record.  Each time your baby drops something on the floor say “UH-OH”. Before you know it, your baby or toddler will be saying it too! 

The next time your child drops something on the floor, WAIT and SEE if they say “uh-oh”.

You can move your lips  to say “uh-oh” but do not make the sound. When you start to move your lips you are showing your child what to do with their mouth. If your child says “uh-oh”, say it back, to copy them. Otherwise, you say “uh-oh”and ensure that your child is looking  at your face when you say it.

It is not necessary to require your child to say “uh-oh” but let them hear you say it. Over time, your child  will start saying it too. 

Here’s to playing with a purpose and getting your child talking!

If you found these tips useful be sure to download your FREE Speech Sound Development Guide with first words tips to learn what sounds to expect and how to encourage those first words!

Looking for more tips to help get your toddler talking. Checkout my online course, Talking Tips Academy™ that is now available for preorder by clicking HERE.