As a parent, you might often wonder how to capture your child’s attention during playtime. With a world full of distractions and endless energy, it can be a challenge to keep them focused. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to help increase your child’s attention span and make playtime more engaging and productive.
The first step to enhancing your child’s focus is to minimize distractions. Choose a quiet space for playtime that is free from unnecessary noise and interruptions. Turn off the TV, put away gadgets, and limit background noise. A calm and organized environment helps your child concentrate on the task at hand.
Choose Appropriate Toys
Select toys and activities that match your child’s developmental stage, and more importantly their interests. Toys that are interesting for your child, not only capture their interest but also challenge their growing skills. Toys that are too advanced, or non-preferred, can lead to frustration, while those that are too simple may quickly bore them.
Set a Routine
Children thrive on routine, and setting a specific playtime schedule can help establish a sense of expectation and focus. Consistency in daily routines provides structure, helping your child transition smoothly from one activity to another. Over time, this routine encourages longer periods of focused play. But remember, even in routine, we should be going with the flow!
Emphasize Interactive Play
Interactive play, such as pretend play and following your child’s lead, involves active participation and is great for enhancing connection and concentration. These activities require your child to think, make decisions, and engage in problem-solving, all of which are key to developing attention skills.
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Large tasks can be overwhelming for young children. Breaking play activities into smaller, manageable steps can help maintain their interest and prevent fatigue. Celebrate each small achievement to keep them motivated and eager to continue.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Encouragement goes a long way in building attention span. Offer praise and positive feedback when your child successfully focuses on a task. This reinforcement boosts their confidence and makes them more likely to engage in focused play again in the future.
Encourage Concentration-Boosting Games
Incorporate games and activities that naturally encourage concentration. Memory games, building blocks, and puzzles are excellent for developing focus. Activities like drawing, coloring, or playing with clay also help in enhancing attention and creativity.
Be Patient and Understand Age Differences
Remember, attention spans vary greatly by age. Toddlers may only focus for a few minutes, while older children can concentrate for longer periods. Be patient and adapt your expectations to your child’s strengths, developmental stage and unique needs. Celebrate their progress and enjoy the journey of learning together.
By integrating these practical tips into your routine, you can help your child build a stronger attention span during playtime. Remember, every child is unique, and with connection, patience and encouragement, they’ll develop the focus needed for learning and growth.
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
What are the stages of gestalt language development?
If you are curious to learn more about the six stages of gestalt language development, please click the button below.
Initiating an IEP or Individualized Education Plan can be intimidating. From a clinician’s perspective, the IEP is a formal document that maps out what the child’s year will look like including goals, service types, and accommodations. From a parent’s perspective, the IEP can be an emotion-filled process, and sometimes parents can feel lost in the shuffle and drowned out by therapists, teachers, and administrators. While initiating the IEP is a journey in itself, the meetings can also be intimidating.
I am often asked for my “Dos and Don’ts” ahead of IEP meetings, and so I thought I’d include a few below. These are by no means the only tips for IEPs, but these are the ones most frequently recommended in our clinic.
It is so helpful to read through the IEP document ahead of time. While the meetings are meant to review and clarify verbiage in the document, they don’t typically go over everything contained within the IEP. It is a legal document and as such should be reviewed carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask the school for the IEP document 48 hours or more ahead of the meeting to give yourself ample time to review and write out questions/concerns. If the school is unable to meet that timeframe it is 100% okay to push the meeting back.
2. Ask for an interpreter if needed:
If you or members of your support team feel more comfortable with a translator, it is the school’s responsibility to provide one! You should feel comfortable and understood in the meeting, and language should not bar you from sharing your perspective on your child’s progress/services.
3. Invite your support team:
Big meetings can be stressful, especially when discussing your child’s academic future. It is your right to bring whoever you want to the meeting, whether that be outpatient clinicians, family members, advocates, or friends.
4. Make a list of questions/concerns/topics to bring up ahead of the meeting:
When reviewing the IEP ahead of time, I strongly encourage families to write a list of questions, concerns, or topics they want discussed during the meeting. It can be hard to remember everything when you’re in the moment, and it’s always helpful to have a written or typed out list.
5. Provide your perspective:
You are your child’s best advocate. It is important to provide your perspective and how you see your child progressing over the next school year. This isn’t always a negative thing! Providing a list of your child’s strengths, things they like or enjoy, things that help them learn or focus, etc., are extremely helpful!
6. Clarify Terms/Jargon Used:
As a clinician, I know I am guilty of slipping into jargon when talking with families. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on any terms used within the IEP document or during the meeting! I can tell you that clinicians love talking about their field, and we are more than happy to explain, re-explain, or re-word anything confusing during the meeting. It’s often not done on purpose, and we want to be sure you understand the recommendations and assessment!
7. Provide examples:
It is super helpful to bring examples of scenarios to the meetings. If you are having challenges with homework, or with dropping your child off to school, it is exceedingly beneficial to have examples ready to illustrate the challenge. The clinician should be able to give you more specific strategies when they have a better understanding of what is happening before, during, and after the difficult time. If handwriting is a challenge, bring pictures of the homework or worksheet.
8. Know your parental rights:
These are always reviewed ahead of starting the meeting, but it is important you understand your rights! Ask for a copy ahead of the meeting so you can review and ensure you understand what is within your power.
9. Take Notes:
The school administrator oftentimes takes notes during the meeting, but I often encourage parents to record their own notes to review before signing. You are even able to request a recording if that’s more comfortable for you.
10. Ask questions:
Ask all the questions! This meeting is for you and your child, and ensuring you leave feeling confident and comfortable with your child’s academic plan is the main focus. Ask questions throughout the meeting, no matter how big or small!
You should not feel pressured to sign the IEP at the meeting. Take it home, review it again, and make sure you understand everything contained in the document before you sign it. While you are definitely able to make changes later, all addendums require a meeting, so they may take time to implement.
2. Completely disregard the clinician’s perspective on your child’s progress/needs:
While you know your child best, the teachers and clinicians have seen your child in a completely different setting- the classroom. Kids can act very differently at home compared to at school, so it’s important to consider the clinicians observations and perspectives and not disregard any opinions or recommendations.
3. Be afraid to ask for another meeting:
If you don’t feel 100% comfortable that all questions or concerns were resolved within the first meeting, do not be afraid to ask for a second meeting. You are not limited to one two-hour meeting per school year. If you need more time with the team, request a second meeting.
4. Overbook yourself after the meeting:
While I know being a parent is a full-time job; I recommend giving yourself time (if possible) to regulate and relax after the meeting. Try to take a walk, get a coffee, sit in the car and listen to music, etc. Whatever you need to do, do it! Don’t let the stress of the meeting derail the rest of your day.
For general strategies for initiating and understanding the IEP process, check out our blog HERE.
You will find out if your child is on track or if you may need some support.
KAELYN GREEN
Kaelyn Green is a licensed occupational therapist at Valued Voices. She is certified by the University of Southern California in Sensory Integration and is an advocate for addressing underlying sensory functioning in order to improve occupational performance. She is passionate about meeting children and families where they are at and seeks to tailor interventions to the unique needs of her clients. When she is not working, you will find Kaelyn taking care of her two goldendoodles, working in her garden, or taking trips to the Central Coast.
What are the stages of gestalt language development?
If you are curious to learn more about the six stages of gestalt language development, please click the button below.
Celebrating Milestones: Tracking Your Child’s Speech & Language Development Journey
Watching your child’s speech and language skills blossom is a journey filled with triumphs, challenges, and moments worth celebrating. In this blog, we invite you to explore the importance of tracking your child’s development, recognizing progress, and embracing each step forward in their communication journey.
As many may already know, I am not a huge supporter of milestones; I believe they can bring unnecessary stress and often carry a sense of pressure. Speech and language milestones serve as guideposts and your child’s unique strengths should always be considered. From babbling their first sounds to using sentences, each milestone achieved represents a significant leap in your child’s ability to express themselves and connect with the world around them. Remember, expression is not just through our speaking words-there are many ways to communicate, and it is always about finding what way best supports your child.
Tips for Tracking Your Child’s Development & Progress:
1. Educate Yourself:
Familiarize yourself with speech and language development for your child’s age range. Understanding what to expect can help you recognize progress and identify areas that may need extra support.
2. Celebrate Achievements:
Celebrate every moment, no matter how small. Whether it’s saying a new word, using gestures effectively, making a sound, or using a device, acknowledge and applaud all your child’s accomplishments.
3. Document Progress:
Keep a journal or record of your child’s progress, including dates, observations, and any notable achievements. Documenting their progress not only allows you to track growth but also creates a tangible reminder of how far they’ve come.
4. Share Success Stories:
Share your child’s successes with family, friends, and other professionals. Celebrating these moments together not only spreads joy but also reinforces the importance of supporting and acknowledging your child’s communication journey.
5. Seek Professional Guidance:
If you have concerns about your child’s speech development or notice delays, don’t hesitate to consult with a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention and targeted support can address any challenges and set your child on the path to success.
Celebrating your child’s development is a testament to their growth and resilience. By tracking their progress, acknowledging achievements, and fostering a supportive environment, you play a vital role in nurturing their communication skills and building a strong foundation for their future.
Do you feel like your child is speech, language and/or motor skills are regressing?
You will find out if your child is on track or if you may need some support.
Building a Support Network: Connecting with Other Parents of Speech-Delayed Children
Just as important as nurturing your little one is nurturing yourself too. Building a support network and connecting with other parents/families is such an important part of this journey. Navigating the challenges of raising a child with speech delays can often feel like a solitary journey. However, you are far from being alone and surrounded by so much love and support. Connecting with other parents who share similar experiences can provide invaluable support, empathy, and a sense of community. For the rest of this blog, the focus is on you; together, we explore the importance of building a support network and connecting with other parents.
Building a support network with other parents facing similar challenges can offer a sense of understanding, solidarity, and shared experiences. Connecting with fellow parents provides a safe space to exchange advice, seek guidance, and find comfort in knowing you’re not alone on this journey.
Tips for Connecting with Other Parents:
1. Join Parent Support Groups:
Look for local or online support groups. These forums offer opportunities to connect, share stories, ask questions, and receive support from individuals who truly understand your experiences.
2. Attend Workshops & Events:
Participate in workshops, seminars, or events. These gatherings not only provide valuable information but also create networking opportunities to meet other parents and professionals in the field.
3. Engage with Social Media Communities:
Explore social media platforms and online forums. Joining these communities can facilitate connections, foster discussions, and offer a platform to seek advice and share insights with a wider audience.
4. Organize Playdates & Meetups:
Arrange playdates or meetups with other parents and children going through a similar journey. These gatherings allow families to connect in person, share experiences, and provide social interactions that are beneficial for both parents and children.
5. Seek Professional Guidance:
Consult with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and/or other professionals who specialize in supporting families of children with developmental delays. These professionals can offer resources, recommendations, and guidance on building a strong support network and accessing additional services.
Building a support network with other parents can be a source of strength, encouragement, and empowerment. By connecting with a community that understands your journey, you can find reassurance, guidance, and companionship as you navigate this journey. Together, you can share in the victories, support each other through the challenges, and create a network of unwavering solidarity.
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
KAELYN GREEN
Kaelyn Green is a licensed occupational therapist at Valued Voices. She is certified by the University of Southern California in Sensory Integration and is an advocate for addressing underlying sensory functioning in order to improve occupational performance. She is passionate about meeting children and families where they are at and seeks to tailor interventions to the unique needs of her clients. When she is not working, you will find Kaelyn taking care of her two goldendoodles, working in her garden, or taking trips to the Central Coast.
Have you ever wondered at what age your child should be making certain sounds? Or maybe you have wondered why your child is mispronouncing some sounds but not others. Maybe others are having a hard time understanding your little one, and you are left wondering what you can do to help improve your child’s speech. At Valued Voices, our self-created Articulation Screenerhelps answer these questions for you. Articulation screeners are a great tool used by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) to identify which sounds your child can or cannot say and to determine if your child’s errors are developmentally appropriate or if they can use some support in the area of speech sound production. It is important to note, that a screener is a not a standardized evaluation, if this is needed, your SLP will certainly guide and support you in this direction.
Before we get into the details of articulation, articulation therapy and tips to support your kiddo, please understand that there are several other factors that can impact speech intelligibility, including but not limited to, hearing loss, oral motor deficits, sensory issues, and apraxia of speech. We will not be addressing any of these in this article.
Does your child have difficulty saying certain sounds? Is your child’s speech difficult to understand?
Children who demonstrate difficulty producing particular sounds and have difficulty being understood by others would likely benefit from a type of speech therapy referred to as articulation therapy.
Articulation is part of the “speech” side of speech and language therapy that involves the movement of our articulators (i.e. lips, tongue, teeth, jaw) to form speech sounds. Articulation disorders are characterized by the inability to properly form speech sounds, and can include one or more of the following production errors:
Substitutions: “tat” for “cat”
Omissions: “uh” for “up”
Distortions: “thoap” for “soap”
Additions: “buhlack” for “black”
Different sounds are acquired at different ages of acquisition, meaning each sound is expected to emerge and be mastered by a certain age. For a free copy of our speech sound chart, sign up for our email list today!
What is a Phonological Process?
Phonological processes are patterns of sound errors that children use to simplify speech as they are learning to talk. Complex words are simplified in a predictable way until the coordination of the oral motor muscles (i.e. tongue, lips, jaw, teeth, palate) develops to articulate clearly. For example, your child may produce “banana” to “nana” or “bue” for “blue.”
Phonological processes are considered age appropriate, until they persist beyond a certain age. For example, if your 5 year old still uses the phonological process of “fronting” (saying “tootie” for “cookie”) that would be considered delayed since most children eliminate that process by the time they are 3.5 or 4 years of age Further, a phonological delay may be considered if your child is using patterns of speech that are not expected in speech development.
If your child is using multiple phonological processes together, this usually decreases your child’s intelligibility, making them difficult to understand. Depending on the severity of your child’s overall intelligibility, this can result in in frustration, decreased motivation to communicate, and low self-esteem. An SLP can guide you and your little one by giving you strategies and exercises to help and to empower your child’s voice, because every voice deserves to be acknowledged.
If you’re uncertain how intelligible your child should be based on their age, take a look at our chart below. As always, keep in mind, milestones are meant to be a guide to support you and your kiddo. Each child has their own set of unique strengths and ways of developing.
Articulation Delay or Phonological Disorder?
Sometimes, it can be tricky to know if a child presents with an articulation delay or a phonological disorder, both of which are considered speech sound disorders. To put it simply:
Articulation disorders manifest when a child has difficulty producing a certain sound (or sounds) and can be remediated by addressing the sounds in error.
Phonological disorders are more complex, they are patterns in a child’s speech used to simplify speech sound production. Many children with phonological disorders present with unintelligible/unclear speech as they often present with multiple speech sound errors and phonological processes.
So, to sum it up:
A speech sound disorder is considered an articulation disorder when:
Speech sound errors persist beyond the average age of mastery
Intelligibility is mild to moderately impacted
A speech sound disorder is considered a phonological disorder when:
Phonological processes persist beyond the average age of elimination
Phonological processes/patterns are used that are not usually seen
Intelligibility is highly impacted due to use of multiple phonological processes
Remediation or therapy for each speech sound disorder will vary depending on each child’s case. Typically, children with an articulation disorder respond well to articulation therapy where sounds in error are targeted one or two at a time. Now, let’s dive a bit deeper!
What Does Articulation Therapy Look Like?
The first thing we want to know is what sounds is your child having difficulty with, most parents usually can list this without a problem. Here comes an extra layer: do you know what position of the word (beginning, middle, or end) your child is having difficulty with and do you know what sound they are substituting in its place? With a screener and/or formal articulation evaluation, an SLP can help answer these questions for you. But what’s next? Here are a few things we need to know:
Stimulability: Is your child stimulable for the sound given a direct model, meaning if they say “tea” for “key” and you give them a model for /k/, can they produce the sound with direct imitation? If so: CELEBRATE! This is a huge first step. If your child cannot imitate the sound, no need to worry, that just means we will have to do a little extra work with the articulators (tongue, lips, jaw palate, teeth, etc.) to get them just in the right spot, this is referred to as elicitation.
After a sound is learned, meaning your kiddo can imitate the sound, then practice the sound in isolation. Practicing a sound in isolation means saying the sound without adding a vowel. So, in our example above, your child is no longer producing “kuh” but they are just producing /k/ in isolation. Once your child can successfully repeat the sound with 90% accuracy, over a few times of practicing, you can move on.
After the step of isolation, move the target sound to syllables. This means that you are putting vowel sounds before and/or after the target sound, make sure to use all the vowel sounds-long and short. I always start where my kiddo is most successful. Taking our example target sound /k/, here is what this may look like:
o Initial Syllable Production: kee, koo, kay, ki, etc.
o Medial Syllable Production: akee, okoo, eekay, ooki, etc.
o Final Syllable Production: eek, ook, ak, ik, etc.
Once your kiddo can say the sound in syllables, you can move onto sounds in words, again, we are targeting all positions that are in error.
From there, you can move onto sounds in phrases, sentences, stories, conversation and finally…GENERALIZATION! Generalization is when your child uses their target sound across all contexts of language and with various communication partners.
How do I Support My Kiddo’s Speech at Home?
Articulation practice is all about teaching new motor patterns of our mouth, and to establish a new motor pattern you need daily practice! Spending 5-10 minutes a day, every day to practice these new motor patterns can significantly increase your child’s progress with their articulation skills. Below are some fun and engaging ideas to work on your child’s speech skills at home or on the go when they are not in speech therapy:
I Spy: This is a fun way to work on a target sound or sounds, while keeping it engaging for your kiddo! This is a great game to play in the car, on a walk, or in the comfort of your home.
Charades: Take turns acting out target words and guessing what the word is, this is great articulation practice!
Crafts: Make a craft (painting, necklace, flower crown, superhero cape, etc) and for each piece of the craft, practice your target sound.
Flashlight Search: Tape target words to the wall, turn off the lights and use a flashlight to find the words.
Roll-A-Dice: Roll a dice and say your target word that many times (you can use include this trick for any of the activities suggested here).
Scavenger Hunt: Search your home, park, restaurant, store, or car for things that include your target sound! Take a picture or draw the item to create your own sound book or self created worksheets! Then, practice the entire list including all your speech sounds.
Stacking Cups: Tape target words into cups and build a tower, see how many words you can say and cups you can stack before it falls down!
Bowling: Tape target words to the bottom of bowling pins or plastic cups and say the words that you knock over!
Basketball: Write down targets on a piece of paper, say the word, crumple up the paper and toss it in the hoop. If you want to bump it up and have your kiddo work on the next level (word, phrase, sentence, conversation), you can make those worth more points!
Picture Collage: Cut out pictures from magazines of things that include your kiddo’s target sound.
Mystery Box: Place items or photos that include your child’s target sound in a box, shake it up, describe it and have your kiddo guess what the object is using correct articulation.
Categories: Pick a category and name as many items in that category as you can that contain your target sound.
Go Fish: Use target sounds, making two copies of each word and play Go-Fish while your kiddo practices their target sound (you can use the same cards to play Memory too!)
Board Games: You can use any board game and practice target sounds on each turn.
Books: Using books is not only a great way to work on target sounds, but it is great way to work on language skills too!
Equally, if not more important than the fun games, is making sure we understand a few key elements that are necessary in establishing articulation practice at home:
Make speech therapy practice as part of your daily routine
Keep it short, aiming for 5-10 minutes a day. If you get at least 3 good practice times in over the week, you are significantly boosting your child’s progress towards their goals.
Frequency over duration! Three times a week for 10 minutes is better than one time 30 minutes.
Make it fun! Get the entire family involved or make it a special time with you!
Meet your child where they are at. Articulation is a hierarchy and so it is important you be practicing at just the right step for your child. If your child is in speech therapy, be sure your SLP is guiding you on exactly what level you should be practicing at home.
I always explain to families that although articulation seems simple, it in fact includes many layers and nuances that can make it quite complex. As always, if your child is having difficulty in this area, consult with a professional for some added support and see if speech therapy is right for your child.. Every child’s voice deserves to be heard and acknowledged, and with your help and support I know they will!
Sholeh Shahinfar is the founder of Valued Voices, and a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, she loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, and spending time with her family and friends!
