Speech & Language Development
An overview of communication development in the first eight years. We’ll investigate early sounds to babble to word combinations to sentences to reaching communicative competence. We’ll briefly discuss communication differences, including cultural and linguistic diversity.
General Red Flags for Speech & Language Differences
When should teachers or parents be worried about communication skills in young children? Is lisping something to be worried about in a four-year-old? What about stuttering? We’ll learn some of the warning signs within early communication efforts.
The Importance of Play in Developing Vocabulary
How is play related to communication development? Why is it so important to gain emotional stability from supportive and interested parents and other caregivers? Children entering kindergarten with less than adequate vocabulary will likely have difficulty accessing and learning early literacy skills. They may not be able to comprehend what they are able to decode within a book. Learn how to support healthy social/emotional growth through early play experiences. From peekaboo and patty-cake to symbolic play and dramatic play, while developing early literacy skills.
Stanley Greenspan’s DIR® Model and Floortime™ Procedures
Stanley Greenspan, MD realized the importance of play and playfulness to help young children and others develop a sense of belonging and communication. In this workshop, we discuss Greenspan’s DIR® Floortime™ Model (D = Developmental, I = Individual differences, R = Relationship-based). We will learn how to positively and functionally support developing healthy foundations for a child’s emotional, social, communicative, and intellectual well-being.
Working with Children Either Diagnosed or Suspected of Autism
With a growing population of children diagnosed or suspected of having autism, we must learn how to accept and work with these intriguing folks. We’ll discuss the necessity to individualize programming for children with autism and brainstorm ideas.
Behaviors and Communications – Are they Related? You bet!
Children send messages in a variety of ways – through gestures, words, and actions. Why do so many two-year-olds bite their friends? How can staff turn negative behaviors into positive communications? Let’s discuss and brainstorm.
The Inclusive Classroom
In this workshop, we’ll brainstorm and discuss how to fully integrate children with special needs and their services within the classroom setting. We’ll contemplate how to arrange the environment, how to set up the schedule, what accommodations might be of best use, and how to create positive peer interactions. Come with questions.
Integrating Speech-Language Services into the Classroom – Inclusionary Practices
Young children learn best when engaged with their peers. Though some circumstances may require a quiet, non-distractible environment, many tasks can be treated within a classroom. I’ll share strategies I’ve successfully utilized in the classroom over the years to work with students, young and some older inclusively with their peers.
To inquire about workshops that can easily be presented online, please email: katedross22@gmail.com
