SaLT by the Sea

Speech and Language Therapy

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Blog

  • Things to do with a cardboard box
  • SKETCHNOTES
    Using sketchnotes to help language processing
  • Asking Questions
    Asking questions: how to avoid overwhelming your child!
  • PLAYDOUGH
    Using playdough for Speech and Language Therapy
  • Teaching words ON THE GO!
    Teaching words on the go
  • Toddler Talking Tips
    How to encourage more words: toddler talking tips
  • 5 First Words (plus Makaton)
    5 First Words (plus Makaton) to teach your toddler
  • Ready Steady GO
    How to play Ready, Steady, Go
  • Teaching Emotions
    Emotional literacy: 3 top tips

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    Dash of SaLT

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    Friday! Nearing the end of our week of stay indoor Friday! Nearing the end of our week of stay indoors self-isolation and so excited to get outside. It's strange how much of 'new normal' has meant we can continue with our usual work. But being without the opportunity to head outdoors has certainly been tough. Connection with nature is good for the soul. And tomorrow I'll be ready to get back out there. How's your week been? Inside/outside? How you feeling?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#isolationlife #freshairfiend
    3 years ago, I drafted up plans for Toddler Talk a 3 years ago, I drafted up plans for Toddler Talk and thought 💭 ‘These ideas work in therapy sessions, but will they work online?..’
🤔 
So now, hearing from parents who’ve seen the difference it makes for them and their children makes my heart swell.
💗
These strange lockdown days require all kinds of innovation in how we support each other. I’m glad that Toddler Talk is a part of that.
(New group starts next week... link in bio for more info!)
#toddlertalk #parentcoaching #honestthoughts #speechandlanguage
    Word of the day is MEMORIES! In these wintry lockd Word of the day is MEMORIES! In these wintry lockdown days I'm looking back with smiles at the summer adventures we had. Last summer was the season I discovered the genius of a bumbag (yes, truly). Hand gel, notepad and dog treats. I also used it for outdoor therapy sessions, another happy memory I hope to repeat later this year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In Zoom therapy sessions we often start with news - sharing memories from our previous week. It's such a useful exercise for developing narrative language skills. Check out my IGTV 'Storytelling Activity' for ideas to get started.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#makingmemories #storytelling #activityideas #bumbagdontcare #fannypackifyoureamerican
    If I had to pick my favourite therapy resource it’d be this: a simple trug. I KNOW, right?! Not very glamorous, flashy or high-tech. BUT it is very flexible. I use it to create sensory bins, fill with fabrics, play food, characters. Sometimes I end up wearing it on my head, banging it like a drum or staging dramatic rescue missions for the toys stuck inside. It’s not that I come up with all these ideas… the kids do! After last season’s group Toddler Talk edition one mum said ‘Now he tells me how he wants to play’ and I LOVE that.  When we tune in and notice what sparks a child’s interest we’ve got the best foundation for encouraging communication. What would your kiddo do with a trug like this?!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#activityideas #speechandlanguage #earlyyearsplay #letthembelittle
    That thing that feels so difficult, you’re not t That thing that feels so difficult, you’re not the only one struggling with it. I know it feels like every other kid is chatting away, but actually communication needs are very common!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Of course, that’s no consolation when all your friends are having full-blown conversations with their little ones. Which is why I get so excited to introduce parents to each other in Toddler Talk. You’re not alone. Other parents are also figuring this out, learning how to help their child communicate and experiencing all the big feelings that go along with that.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In Toddler Talk we have a WhatsApp group and weekly Zoom chat. I’m there to answer questions and share my experience but my favourite thing is to keep quiet and give the floor to parents who are so bloody excellent at supporting each other.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You’re not alone. And we’d love to welcome you to the group. We start next Thursday (link in bio!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#toddlertalk #parentcoaching #speechandlanguage
    Shoutout to the mums! Ever-ready for the call to a Shoutout to the mums! Ever-ready for the call to action. There for the highs, the lows and every adventure along the way. (Thanks Mum 💗)
I’ll never be a mum myself, but I’m lucky to know and learn from a lot of awesome mamas. If that’s you, then fist bumps, air hugs and all the respect for the mighty role you have in raising the next generation. I hope you feel appreciated and supported every step of the way.
Here’s to teamwork and community!
#thankyoumum #parenting #ittakesavillage
    Right after we got back from this morning’s fros Right after we got back from this morning’s frosty walk, Tom received a call telling us to self-isolate. And in the flurry of organisation afterwards (dog care, groceries, remote working arrangements) I just felt acutely aware of all the support around us. To have people to call on, to be able to work remotely, to have groceries to our door. Oh this pandemic brings inequities into such sharp relief. That our self-isolation is one where our only challenge is getting along and being without our daily time in nature. I’ll be scrolling Instagram more this week than usual, I expect. Please fill it with nature pics for me! Sending love from my home to yours. Xx
#isolation #stayhome #workingfromhome #naturetime #frostystart❄️
    If we could meet in person right now, I’d give y If we could meet in person right now, I’d give you a hug and a slice of cake. And ask how you’re doing.
💙
Me, I’m finding joy in small things. New mitts, hot coffee, birdsong. And then enjoying the occasional vent with Teacher Tom. 😉
How bout you?
#smalljoys #keepingitreal
    Toddler Talk starts in two weeks. Are you joining Toddler Talk starts in two weeks. Are you joining us?
💬
5 weeks of structured guidance, playful strategies to boost your communication skills together. 
💞
If your child is not yet talking and you’re looking for specialist support and the chance to meet other parents on a similar journey, then it would be a pleasure to have you join us! Find out more with the link in my profile. Got questions? Pop them in the comments.👇🏼
#withlove #toddlertalk
    This little stocking stuffer was super-useful in t This little stocking stuffer was super-useful in today’s SaLT sessions... 🐙 descriptive vocab, comparing and contrasting, practising multisyllabic words (tentacles!) and answering the question I got from a lot of kids this week: ‘What did Santa bring you?!’
#telepractice #onlinespeechtherapy #mysltday
    There’s a knot in my stomach. It’s been there There’s a knot in my stomach. It’s been there for weeks. Anyone else? However this strange start-of-term looks for you, here’s sending Monday hugs. Xx
    Are you keeping warm? We don’t have snow down he Are you keeping warm? We don’t have snow down here on the Isle of Wight, but that northerly wind is still a shocker! Having kit that keeps you warm is a joy maker, ESPECIALLY as time outside is the hottest ticket in town during our Covid times.
🌬
I swear by merino wool base layers and fingerless mitts so big and chunky you can curl you fingers into them, but still poke them out to poke at your phone. Oh, and a thermos of coffee in your pack of course. Anything else I should add to the list for keeping warm? 🔥 
#nosuchthingasbadweather #staywarm #winterwalks
    Blue skies seem appropriate for the start of a new Blue skies seem appropriate for the start of a new year. Our NYE included whiskey & charades. 🥃🤟🏼Woke up at midnight to the dog grumbling at fireworks. Truly, we party hard in this house. 😄
I’m reminding myself that we’re still in the depths of a long winter and one that requires oodles of kindness, patience, understanding. We’ve got the books stacked high, the log pile full-to-brim and next week SaLT sessions begin again. 💗
Here’s wishing you a hopeful start to 2021, with plenty of joyful moments, time spent outdoors and a good book or two. 🤓
#withlove #happynewyear
    One grey morning dog walk, I found myself humming One grey morning dog walk, I found myself humming vaguely to find the notes of the fog horns and ship whistles all around me. It felt good to grope around for the same note that I could hear through the mist. Satisfying to finally click into tune.  I noticed their harmony, how a natural tune emerged from these functional sounds. Is there a lesson for life in there?  Finding the unexpected beauty in the most functional of communications?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I think I’ll stick to humming my newfound tune and leave the rest to you. xx
    He’s behind you!! 😝⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The surprise discovery of my year has been green screen zoom sessions. The kids LOVE it! I used to joke about being a personal Mr Tumble service, and now it feels more true than ever (esp as some families hook me up to their TVs for therapy sessions!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The children can request their favourites and there are endless motivating ways to practice speech & language skills in this set-up. My favourite approach to speech therapy is being child-led, conversational and FUN. And green screen has made that possible for online therapy.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#greenscreen #gruffalo #onlinespeechtherapy
    How is your end-of-year treating you? I keep think How is your end-of-year treating you? I keep thinking of that carol.... ‘comfort and joy’.... We’re finding moments of both here in our little family of three (yes obviously counting the good dog, not least because he pulled his fair share in turkey eating.)
🦃 
I hope you’re finding some comfort and joy too. Xx
#twixmas #romjul #postxmas #goodbye2020
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