Speech-Language Therapist

Are schools (still) killing creativity?

by Nikki | Mar 11, 2019 | Info for Parents, Spelling, Tips for teachers, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Image credit: Kaisa Holsting In 2006, Sir Ken Robinson gave a jaw dropping, eye-opening TED Talk, that set the internet ablaze. In his talk, Robinson emphasized that creativity is as important as literacy and should be treated with the same status. However,...

Apps, Language & Learning: What you need to know

by Nikki | Mar 3, 2019 | Apps, Info for Parents, Language, Tips for teachers, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Excessive screen time use in children is bombarding social media feeds. Consequently many therapists, parents, and educators are lamenting the introduction of the 'magic tablet' that promised to teach our children. An app is not a teacher, it is not a guide and...

Are we nearly there? Language Games for the Holidays

by admin | Dec 4, 2018 | Info for Parents, Language, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

As we wind down for the holidays, the thought of entertaining your already bored children can be daunting, and you may be already yearning for the start of the new school year before the holiday season has started. 😥 Travelling long distances to reach your...

BOO! Core Vocabulary for kids with disabilities

by admin | Oct 31, 2018 | AAC, Apps, Language | 0 Comments

There is nothing children love more than hiding behind a curtain or under the table (often in plain view) in order to jump out a give you a fright. BOO! Children who are able to hide in, on, behind or under something get to experience these words not only...

Tips to teach conversation

by Nikki | Oct 8, 2018 | Info for Parents, Language | 0 Comments

My previous post which you can find here, outlined the different elements that are needed to have a conversation. A breakdown in any one of these skills can impact on having a conversation. Spontaneous conversation is difficult to teach, because by its very nature, it...

The art of conversation

by Nikki | Sep 25, 2018 | Info for Parents, Language | 0 Comments

Conversation relates to how we interact socially with others. Conversation is "the exchange of news and ideas between two or more people." A speech-language therapist may refer to conversational skills as pragmatics. This is the way people use language in social...

Play without Toys

by Nikki | Jul 28, 2018 | Info for Parents, Language | 0 Comments

There are so many toys that get pumped by the media as being 'necessary' because of their educational value. In an effort to do what is best for their child, many parents run off to buy the new toy only to find that their child enjoys playing with the box more than...

Life-lessons from laryngitis: What it taught me about AAC

by Nikki | Jun 6, 2018 | AAC, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Having no voice has taught me some life lessons. It has given me some perspective of what it must be like to be an AAC (augmentative, alternative communication) user.