Three Tips for Increasing Expressive Language - by Karen Malizia

1. MODEL, MODEL, MODEL! Provide your child with an appropriate language model throughout routine activities (i.e. meal time, bath time, play time, etc.). A good rule to go by is to model a sentence that is one word longer than the sentence length your child is currently using. For example if they say “car,” you model “blue car” or “car go.” Another good way to model and encourage your child’s participation in verbalizations is to use verbal routines. Kids LOVE routine, because they can predict what is coming. As they become familiar with the verbal routine you can start leaving out words and they can fill in the gaps. Below are some quick and easy verbal routines to get you started!

         a)    Games with “Ready, Set, GO!”
         b)    Saying “turn the page” every time you turn the page in a story book
         c)     Reading books with repetitive lines

2. Set up an environment that encourages your child to use words. It is easy as parents to predict what our children need or want. Give them a chance to use words by withholding what they want or need and modeling the appropriate language needed to get the item. For example, only give them a little bit of their favorite snack. Once they finish it and are wanting more, model the label of the item and encourage them to repeat the model to get more. Don’t be afraid of silence! The wait time may be just want they need to start talking!

3. Use signs to help facilitate expressive language. Part of learning to talk is learning the cause and effect that saying or doing something can result in something desired. Research shows that using baby signs help children make this connection and will help them make the bridge to using verbal words, not hinder it. Always provide the verbal model when using a sign so that they are hearing the word that pairs with the sign and action. As verbal language gets easier, most kids will drop the sign!

Three Tips for Promoting Mature Pencil Grasp - by Luree Miller

1. Break Crayons  - We expect younger kiddos will start drawing by holding markers or crayon in their fist and using their whole arms to create colorful works of art. As children are preparing for kindergarten though, their control over the small muscles in their hands should increase. When this happens they should start to show a more mature grasp on their pencil, like a tripod grasp. Developing this grasp can be prodded along by offering short crayons or breaking off the tips of crayons to offer inch long pieces. That way they can make their masterpieces without holding the crayons in their fist!

2. Crafts using Cotton Swabs - Cotton swabs, or Q-tips, are great mini paint brushes! Like short crayons, it is difficult to hold these with a fist, so it promote a 'tripod' grasp. This is where their palm is facing down towards the paper while holding the cotton swab with their first two fingers and their thumb. With cotton swabs you can use paint or just dip it in water to make dot patterns on construction paper for times when you need less mess clean up!

3. Draw in your Play-Doh -  Play-doh in general is excellent for strengthening little hand muscles while letting creativity run wild! While playing, you can take moments to encourage your child to squish some play-doh and use it as a canvas for drawing. When you provide shorter objects like toothpicks, short twigs, paper clips or penne pasta to be their 'pen' you are setting up the environment so they are more likely to hold writing utensils in a more developmentally appropriate way. 

Drawing and writing are big parts of our lives, and fun ways to express yourself too! What is your kiddo's favorite thing to draw?

Three Tips for Managing Tantrums - by Becky Lipinski

1.       Repeat the feelings back to the child using short sentences. This gives a child a sense of being “heard” and gives them the words they need to learn to express their feelings in a productive way. Examples: “You are so mad!” “You are frustrated!” “You are angry because Mommy said ‘No!’” Be sure to use expressive body language (e.g. a frown, stomping feet, arms crossed) and stay within eyeshot but arm’s length away.

2.       Model the behavior you want. If you want a calm body and voice, sit quietly with a relaxed posture. I’ve never met a kid who was able to regain composure as a result of punishment through verbal or physical attacks. (NOTE: If you feel out of control, remove yourself from the area and call for help). Use reaffirming statements as you wait, such as, “Daddy’s here. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.”

3.       Talk about it in calm times. Brains aren’t designed to manage so much input at once. A child in the throes of a tantrum is not capable of receiving and processing a long complex message such as, “Your behavior is totally inappropriate and I want you to stop it right now or you will not have iPad time tonight or tomorrow and you will go to bed right after dinner without dessert and you can just forget about a playdate!” Instead, talk about it much later, when everyone is at a relaxed state.

Give the techniques several attempts and wait time. Developing minds need time to process what is happening and to regain control of their bodies. They can “snap” into a tantrum much more quickly than they can “snap” out of it. Expect a child to be physically and emotionally exhausted after a tantrum, and provide the quiet time that he/she (and you!) need.

Remember that your response to a tantrum will often determine the length and severity of the next one. For example, is the tantrum over having candy before dinner? If the tantrum results in receiving the candy, expect a more explosive tantrum in the same situation next time. Did the firm “No” result in a tantrum, with the caregiver waiting it out calmly? The next tantrum will likely be shorter, as the child knows that the tantrum will not result in receiving the candy.

Does it seem like nothing is working? Are the tantrums becoming more frequent? Kids with sensory processing deficits may need more specialized strategies, such as a sensory diet, to manage their environments. Feel free to reach out to our team to discuss sensory processing and determine if it may be a contributing factor in your child’s behaviors. If we can’t help, we will direct you to someone who can!

3 Tips for Helping Kids Follow Directions - by Karen Malizia

1.    Make sure to get your child’s attention before you begin giving them the direction. A good rule of thumb is to make sure they are looking at you when listening to a verbal direction. A child friendly cue for gaining attention with eye contact is “show me your eyes!”

2.    Break directions down into short, simple sentences using concise language. For example, say “Brush your teeth, put pajamas on, get a book.” vs. “Before you go to the bedroom and pick out a book, go to the bathroom and brush and teeth and then put on your pajamas.”

3.    Have your child repeat the directions back to you, before they attempt to complete the direction. This is a quick and easy step to make sure they heard and understood the direction and to fix any misunderstandings from the start!