May is Speech and Hearing Month. Now more than ever, it's time for us as caregivers to be detectives about how the pandemic and its restrictions may be affecting the development of our children's communication. Every May, Speech-Language Pathologists celebrate Speech and Hearing Month and spend time discussing the importance of early identification and intervention,… Continue reading May is Speech and Hearing Month – It’s Time to be a Detective
Author: Shelagh Miller M.S.Ed., SLP, Reg. CASLPO
I am a registered member of the College of Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist of Ontario (CASLPO). I've been working in the field and supporting the pediatric population as an SLP and Communication Disorders Assistant for the past 10 years. I have experience working with children with a variety of disorders, delays and diagnoses and have a specialty in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. I am a mother of two adorable little boys and I am very excited that I have recently joined the Toronto Public Health (Early Abilities) team in the Preschool Speech and Language program. I look forward to providing support and services to the children and families in Toronto!
People games: Peek-a-Boo, I see you!
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I provide families with practical tips on how they can bond with their child and create fun opportunities to teach their child new language. I often recommend people games! People games are play routines that you have created with your child that do not involve any toys. Keep in mind that… Continue reading People games: Peek-a-Boo, I see you!
Baby’s first smile
After weeks of waking up for late night feeds, diaper changes, and randomly waking up wondering if baby is ok, you are about to get the moment you have been waiting for (or perhaps you already have), your baby's first smile! The first moment I saw that smile as a new mom, the one that… Continue reading Baby’s first smile
Baby & Music: Everyone loves a dance party!
Ever find yourself humming along to a rhythm and singing lyrics from a song that you have a memory or a specific interaction with? Music impacts our life in so many ways! It can affect our mood, give us energy, help us focus, and trigger memories – just to name a few. And guess what?… Continue reading Baby & Music: Everyone loves a dance party!
Screen time and Babies
We know that babies and young children learn best from us and from social interaction. With all the technology available, people are using devices with their babies. In fact, 92% of parents report that their 1 year old has already used a mobile device, some starting as young as 4 months. Earlier this year, I… Continue reading Screen time and Babies
Reading to baby: Get an early start on a lifetime of learning
The time I spend with my kids reading a book is my favourite part of the day. It’s a time where everyone can wind down, snuggle in, explore new adventures and…have fun while learning language! So how early should we start reading to our children? Research shows that in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy,… Continue reading Reading to baby: Get an early start on a lifetime of learning
A picture is worth a thousand words
A child may find it hard to cope with new situations, routines, or experiences because they do not know what to expect. When this happens, it is common for children to have breakdowns and tantrums. So, how can we prevent these behaviours from happening? How can we help our child understand our expectations? By using… Continue reading A picture is worth a thousand words
Baby’s speech, hearing & vision: Don’t wait and see
Did you know that approximately 1 in 10 children require support developing typical speech and language skills? It is important to know that milestones as early as 6 months of age can begin to impact a child's speech and language development. In the past, it was common for parents and some professional to take a… Continue reading Baby’s speech, hearing & vision: Don’t wait and see
Speech, hearing & vision: The importance of early detection
Speech, hearing and vision are important parts of your child's development. Babies begin to explore the environment around them through the sights and sounds they are exposed to. Through exploration, a baby's brain begins to make connections that helps them learn to communicate. May is Speech, Hearing and Vision month. But what happens if your… Continue reading Speech, hearing & vision: The importance of early detection
Screen time and preschool children
Screens are everywhere! The temptation to log in, to quickly check that email, and to look at the latest post or best deal, distracts us all. And when we use screens, our children notice and become interested. Studies suggest: 76% of preschool children exceed the recommendations for screen time exposure. increased exposure to screen time… Continue reading Screen time and preschool children