Chatterbox Speech and Language Clinic

Chatterbox is OPEN and SAFELY HELPING PARENTS CREATE THEIR VERY OWN CHATTERBOXES!! Unfortunately, the need for speech and language therapy does not go away because of Covid. We have thorough cleaning procedures, plexiglass therapy screens, face shields,if requested, for each child, face masks for family, and TONS OF LYSOL, SANITIZER, AND CLOROX WIPES! We are also doing temperature checks upon arrival! A special thank you to locally owned, CUTTING BOARD COMPANY, for our custom, plexiglass therapy screens!! https://www.cuttingboardcompany.com/

The facts about boys talking later than girls. Do girls typically say first words earlier than boys? Yep, but on average only by a few weeks. Do girls have bigg...er vocabulary than boys at younger ages? Yep, one study found that by 16 months girls had an average of 95 words while boys averaged 25 words. Do girls begin combining words before boys? Yes, one study even found a three month difference in this skill. BUT- we need to note that these skills are ALL HAPPENING WITHIN THE AVERAGE RANGE. A milestone is when 90% of children master a specific skill. That includes boys and girls. So if your child isn’t meeting milestones- please don’t think boys just develop later and take a wait and see approach. An evaluation by a speech language pathologist is the best way to determine if there is a need for intervention- and early intervention is key to communication improvement! See more

Any activity that allows someone to use a spray bottle is a great activity according to my daughter. So, obviously, this Kids Alphabet Say and Spray Activity wa...s a HUGE hit at our house and I have no doubt it would be a huge hit at your home or in your classroom. This activity is easy and requires very little setup and can be done inside or outside. Get it here >> https://www.adabofgluewilldo.com/say-and-spray/

Ok, so I have taken a bit of a break on my Don’t Wait message that I normally scream from the rooftops - due to COVID. But, as we adjust to this new normal, i...t’s time to get back to my message of early evaluation and intervention. Is admitting and accepting your child is delayed hard and scary? Absolutely. But- getting early interventions and therapy for your child WILL SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS because it gives them the opportunity to decrease the gap before it’s so big! This infographic shows why it’s best to start at first signs of a delay- rather than waiting to see if they can catch up on their own! Even though it’s very possible for kids to catch up on their own, and many do- it’s also true that many do not and continue to have delays and need for intervention for many years. *these are average numbers of words per age, and the range of typical is huge- so do not panic if your child is not right at the average See more

What an amazing opportunity!!! And it is FREE!!! The Auburn University Reading Center will offer free remote reading tutoring June 5-July 15 for children who have completed grades K-2 and who are not yet reading fluently. No tuition will be charged for children accepted into the programnow in its 22nd yearand the Early Childhood Education program will provide a small group of tutors for the project. Priority will be given to children struggling with decoding, fluency or c...omprehension, and the program is not designed for fluent readers seeking an enrichment program or for speakers of other languages working to learn English. All participants are expected to improve their decoding ability, reading fluency, comprehension and enjoyment of reading through participation in Summer Reading Tutoring. http://ocm.auburn.edu///2020/05/130829-remote-tutoring.php

A few weeks ago, I posted about our caterpillar habitat. This morning we saw TWO caterpillars emerge from their cocoons as butterflies! Your children may want to watch! (Sorry for the lack of editing!) Www.InsectLore.com

Webinar for parents with children with behavioral issues. They also have webinars regarding other topics for parents with children with special needs. Referred by an excellent child psychologist in metro Atlanta, Missy Strock Gordon!

Cool activity to do with your hard boiled Easter eggs!

Check out these great engineering challenges from the Dyson engineers! They can all be done at home. They have designed these specifically for children to encourage inquisitive young minds. There are challenges available for children AND teens! https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.com/r/challenge-cards.html

Written by a head teacher and too good not to share What if??? If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss 2.5 months of education.... Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education... But what if... What if instead of falling behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this? Hear me out... What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing. What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet. What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower? What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home? What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less? What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home. What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday? What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place? What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life? What if they are AHEAD?