Davis Early Intervention has the best people available working with your children! When I asked for suggested books for parents and children, the response was amazing! Here is a list of books our staff recommends for parents of children with delays and/or disabilities.
Recommendations for Parents of Children with Sensory Issues:
The Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz and Lucy Jane Miller
The Out of Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Kranowitz
Sensational Kids, Hope and Help for Children With Sensory Processing Disorder by Lucy Jane Miller
Raising A Sensory Smart Child by Lindsay Biel and Nancy Peske
Growing an In-Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz and Joye Newman
Sensory Parenting by Britt Collins
Sensational Kids by Jucy Jane Miller
The Active Imagination Activity Book by Kelly Tilley
Recommendations for Parents of Children with Special Needs/Behavior:
I Love You Rituals by Becky A. Bailey, PhD.
Tools for Tots by Diana Henry
The Child With Special Needs by Stanley Greenspan
The Challenging Child by Stanley Greenspan
Setting Limits With Your Strong Willed Child by Robert McKenzie
No Mind Left Behind by Adam Cox
Recommendations for Parents of Children with ADHD:
A Mind At A Time by Mel Levine
Smart But Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
All Kinds of Minds by Mel Levine
Recommendations for Parents of Children with Autism:
Engaging Autism by Stanley Greenspan
Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm
The Autism Answer by Frank Lawlis
Recommendations for Parents of Children with Language Delays:
It Takes Two To Talk by Jan Pepper and Elaine Weitzman
The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
The Late Talker by Marilyn C. Agin, Lisa F. Geng and Malcolm Nicholl
Play to Talk by James MacDonald
More Than Words by Hanen
Talkability by Hanen
Recommendations for Children:
Little Feet Love by Anthony Nex
Bright Baby picture books by Roger Priddy
Safari Sounds by Susan Ring
Papa, Please Get the Moon by Erick Carle
Spooky Old Tree by Stan Berenstain
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You by Dr. Seuss
Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton
Where's Spot by Eric Hill
Elmo Says . . . by Sarah Albee
Baby's First Sounds (Baby Boopers Baby's First Series)
No No Yes Yes by Leslie Patricelli
Clifford's Noisy Day by Norman Bridwell
B is for Bear by Roger Priddy
Peek a Who? by Nina Laden
Ready, Set, Go by Nina Laden
Quiet Loud by Leslie Patricelli
Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli
Zip! Pop! Hop! And Other Fun Words to Say by Michaela Muntean
Monday, October 29, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Please Help Us Help Your Children
The Early Intervention program in the state of Utah, like most other educational programs in the state, received a budget cut for this year. Because of that budget cut, people have lost jobs, services have been reduced and fewer people are doing more to make sure your families and children receive the support and services you need. We are facing further budget cuts, unless we do something now. Additional budget cuts would mean decreasing services and maybe even discontinuing services for children with moderate delays. In order to avoid this the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program has requested a "building block" to be added to the Governor's budget. The building block request has been approved through the State Department of Health and the next step is for the Governor to include us in his budget proposal to the State Legislators.
Here is how you can help. Please contact the Governor and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to let them know that you are concerned about Early Intervention. You can contact them by email or phone. You can also attend Town Hall Meetings to get some face time with the decision makers to voice your concerns. If the Governor approves adding Early Intervention to his budget, it will then go to the state legislature and we may ask for your help again. For now we recommend that parents include the following types of things in a phone call or email:
1. Your Name
2. Where you live by city or county
3. Thank the Governor for his current and past support of this program and explain that your child is or was in the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program.
4. Tell your story. Explain how Early Intervention has benefitted your child and your family and why the services are important. Let them know that families like yours might not get the services they need without the funding for the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program. Explain that Early Intervention services are an investment in your child's future.
5. Ask them to support the full amount of the funding request for the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program.
Remember to be brief and clear in your request and thank them for their consideration!
Contact information for the Governor, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the State Budget Director are:
Gov. Gary Herbert
801 538-1000
E220 State Capitol Complex
gherbert@utah.gov
Clifford Strachan
Gov. Office of Management and Budget
801 538-1861
cstrachan@utah.gov
Ron Bigelow, State Budget Director
150 State Capitol Complex
801 538-1555
ronbigelow@utah.gov
Parents play a critical role in giving a voice to our program. We can't wait until this goes to the legislature to take action. We need to get it into the Governor's budget now.
Thank you for your help!
Here is how you can help. Please contact the Governor and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to let them know that you are concerned about Early Intervention. You can contact them by email or phone. You can also attend Town Hall Meetings to get some face time with the decision makers to voice your concerns. If the Governor approves adding Early Intervention to his budget, it will then go to the state legislature and we may ask for your help again. For now we recommend that parents include the following types of things in a phone call or email:
1. Your Name
2. Where you live by city or county
3. Thank the Governor for his current and past support of this program and explain that your child is or was in the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program.
4. Tell your story. Explain how Early Intervention has benefitted your child and your family and why the services are important. Let them know that families like yours might not get the services they need without the funding for the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program. Explain that Early Intervention services are an investment in your child's future.
5. Ask them to support the full amount of the funding request for the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program.
Remember to be brief and clear in your request and thank them for their consideration!
Contact information for the Governor, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the State Budget Director are:
Gov. Gary Herbert
801 538-1000
E220 State Capitol Complex
gherbert@utah.gov
Clifford Strachan
Gov. Office of Management and Budget
801 538-1861
cstrachan@utah.gov
Ron Bigelow, State Budget Director
150 State Capitol Complex
801 538-1555
ronbigelow@utah.gov
Parents play a critical role in giving a voice to our program. We can't wait until this goes to the legislature to take action. We need to get it into the Governor's budget now.
Thank you for your help!
Monday, October 15, 2012
The staff at Davis Early Intervention would like to decorate a tree to donate to the Festival of Trees 2012. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees benefit the children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. We would like to provide a tree dedicated to the little ones who are only with us for a very short time, one in particular, whose family desires to remain anonymous. These children touch so many lives on their brief journey.
In order for us to reach this goal, we are asking for donations from parents who have been, or currently are, involved in Early Intervention. All donations will help to purchase the tree and decorations to make this offering possible. If you would like to participate in this endeavor, please send your check made out to Davis Early Intervention to:
Mandy Zeschke
P.O. Box 588
115 South 200 East
Farmington, UT 84025
Donations need to be received by November 1, 2012. This is a tax deductible donation.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the life of your family and of your little one. We value the relationships that we are able to develop with all children who qualify for Davis Early Intervention and their families. The names of the families who make a donation will be kept confidential. If you are willing and able to participate in decorating our tree, we thank you.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Wonderful World of Discipline
We work so hard to help our children become more independent - teaching them to walk and communicate and make choices - and what do we get for it? They throw tantrums about where they want to walk and what they want to communicate and the choices they want to make. At that point the job description of parent is expanded to include disciplinarian. Why is toddlerhood such a struggle? Because children are not born with social skills. Parents get the privilege to teach their children social skills and self-discipline. Here are some pointers that most parenting books agree with regarding disciplining toddlers.
1. Reward Good Behavior. A child is more willing to repeat a behavior that is rewarded, whether that behavior is good or bad. Try to reward the good behaviors with praise. You may need to also provide a small, physical reward until the child is able to recognize a sense of accomplishment.
2. Avoid Rewarding Bad Behavior. We don't set out to reward bad behavior, it just seems to happen. When your child tantrums every time you try to make dinner and receives your attention as you yell at him, you are rewarding bad behavior. The same rule applies for rewarding bad behavior as rewarding good behavior. If a behavior receives a reward, the child is more likely to repeat it.
3. Limit Setting. A child doesn't know what is okay and what is off limits if parents don't tell them. Sometimes the limits need to be physical (putting a gate in front of the stairs), but should progress to verbal as the child gets older ("Don't go downstairs, sweetie"). All children want to explore. Setting limits let's them know how far they can go.
4. Active Listening. Who doesn't feel rewarded and confident if they are being listened to? Even children understand when a parent is only pretending to listen by throwing in a few "uh-huh's". Listening and adding to the conversation is a great way to expand a child's vocabulary, reinforce their creative thinking, and increase their willingness to use words to communicate wants and needs, instead of hitting. This strategy is equally important for children who are not yet talking. Watch for communication attempts and reward your child by moving forward with the conversation. "You see a doggie. The doggie says ruff." Your child will be overjoyed that you understood and more willing to try to communicate next time - maybe even verbally!
Of course there are more pointers, but for the little ones, these are the basics that build the foundation of good discipline. The book "Toddler 411" by Denise Fields and Ari Brown, MD, provides a list of "20 Commandments of Toddler Discipline". They are:
1. Use a prevent defense. Set up situations for success, not failure.
2. Don't back down to avoid conflict. Don't give in, no matter who is watching.
3. Anticipate conflicts. Let the child know what is coming and what you expect.
4. Anticpate attention-seeking behaviors. Be prepared with an activity or snack for those times your attention needs to be on something else.
5. Act immediately. Discipline needs to happen as soon as the misdeed is committed.
6. Be consistent. Children learn through repetition. You have to respond the same way all 974 times the child misbehaves.
7. Pick your battles. Not everything requires discipline at the same level.
8. Make your comments short and sweet. Kiddos are too busy to listen to a long explanation of why they need to be soft with the puppy.
9. Focus on the behavior, not the child. The behavior is bad, not the child.
10. Remind your child that you love her. This reinforces the reason you are setting limits and gives her a reason to listen.
11. Don't yell. Change the tone of your voice, but not the volume.
12. Show respect. Use active listening and don't interrupt.
13. Be a good role model. If you are calm under pressure, your child will follow your lead.
14. Catch your child being good. Back to Pointer #1.
15. Use age-appropriate and temperament-appropriate techniques. You have to adjust your strategy between children and over time.
16. Don't treat your child like an adult. Toddlers understand consequences better than they understand a lecture.
17. Lower your expectations. Children develop at their own speed and in their own way. Celebrate the successes and don't lament because he is progressing slower than the little boy down the street.
18. Take emotion out of the equation. Children thrive on emotion because they are getting a reward. The less you talk and react during discipline, the better.
19. Don't negotiate or make false promises. Natural consequences are better teaching strategies than promises.
20. Remember to take a step back. You don't have to respond immediately, especially if emotion is involved. This is not contrary to number 5, you don't want to take too long, but you don't want to make things worse either. Take a breath and determine the best way to approach the problem before you get sucked in.
Discipline now is worth it in the long run. "The seeds of discipline you plant now will blossom later and you will be thankful for the fruits of your labor." (Toddler 411).
1. Reward Good Behavior. A child is more willing to repeat a behavior that is rewarded, whether that behavior is good or bad. Try to reward the good behaviors with praise. You may need to also provide a small, physical reward until the child is able to recognize a sense of accomplishment.
2. Avoid Rewarding Bad Behavior. We don't set out to reward bad behavior, it just seems to happen. When your child tantrums every time you try to make dinner and receives your attention as you yell at him, you are rewarding bad behavior. The same rule applies for rewarding bad behavior as rewarding good behavior. If a behavior receives a reward, the child is more likely to repeat it.
3. Limit Setting. A child doesn't know what is okay and what is off limits if parents don't tell them. Sometimes the limits need to be physical (putting a gate in front of the stairs), but should progress to verbal as the child gets older ("Don't go downstairs, sweetie"). All children want to explore. Setting limits let's them know how far they can go.
4. Active Listening. Who doesn't feel rewarded and confident if they are being listened to? Even children understand when a parent is only pretending to listen by throwing in a few "uh-huh's". Listening and adding to the conversation is a great way to expand a child's vocabulary, reinforce their creative thinking, and increase their willingness to use words to communicate wants and needs, instead of hitting. This strategy is equally important for children who are not yet talking. Watch for communication attempts and reward your child by moving forward with the conversation. "You see a doggie. The doggie says ruff." Your child will be overjoyed that you understood and more willing to try to communicate next time - maybe even verbally!
Of course there are more pointers, but for the little ones, these are the basics that build the foundation of good discipline. The book "Toddler 411" by Denise Fields and Ari Brown, MD, provides a list of "20 Commandments of Toddler Discipline". They are:
1. Use a prevent defense. Set up situations for success, not failure.
2. Don't back down to avoid conflict. Don't give in, no matter who is watching.
3. Anticipate conflicts. Let the child know what is coming and what you expect.
4. Anticpate attention-seeking behaviors. Be prepared with an activity or snack for those times your attention needs to be on something else.
5. Act immediately. Discipline needs to happen as soon as the misdeed is committed.
6. Be consistent. Children learn through repetition. You have to respond the same way all 974 times the child misbehaves.
7. Pick your battles. Not everything requires discipline at the same level.
8. Make your comments short and sweet. Kiddos are too busy to listen to a long explanation of why they need to be soft with the puppy.
9. Focus on the behavior, not the child. The behavior is bad, not the child.
10. Remind your child that you love her. This reinforces the reason you are setting limits and gives her a reason to listen.
11. Don't yell. Change the tone of your voice, but not the volume.
12. Show respect. Use active listening and don't interrupt.
13. Be a good role model. If you are calm under pressure, your child will follow your lead.
14. Catch your child being good. Back to Pointer #1.
15. Use age-appropriate and temperament-appropriate techniques. You have to adjust your strategy between children and over time.
16. Don't treat your child like an adult. Toddlers understand consequences better than they understand a lecture.
17. Lower your expectations. Children develop at their own speed and in their own way. Celebrate the successes and don't lament because he is progressing slower than the little boy down the street.
18. Take emotion out of the equation. Children thrive on emotion because they are getting a reward. The less you talk and react during discipline, the better.
19. Don't negotiate or make false promises. Natural consequences are better teaching strategies than promises.
20. Remember to take a step back. You don't have to respond immediately, especially if emotion is involved. This is not contrary to number 5, you don't want to take too long, but you don't want to make things worse either. Take a breath and determine the best way to approach the problem before you get sucked in.
Discipline now is worth it in the long run. "The seeds of discipline you plant now will blossom later and you will be thankful for the fruits of your labor." (Toddler 411).
Monday, October 1, 2012
85 Days til Christmas!!!
I know not many of us are thinking about Christmas right now, but for those who are, I decided to do a post with a list of toys that will target different developmental skills. Sometimes it's hard to decide what to get a child with a delay or disability. If you can get them something they will enjoy that will also help strengthen skills they need to work on - that would be great!!! It's even better if the gift comes from someone else, so be sure to share some of these ideas with grandparents, friends, etc.
Toys that help with fine motor skills
Large Farm Jumbo Knob Puzzle by Melissa & Doug (Bonus: encourage sounds to go with the puzzle - animal sounds, etc.)
Little Hands Twist and Drill by Alex (If your child's hands are too small or if they have a difficult time grasping, use hand over hand to help hold the drill. They will be rewarded for their hard work because you can "build" 4 cars with the set.)
Imagnarium 5 Way Giant Bead Maze Cube by Imaginarium (Grasping, reaching, sitting, problem solving, attending)
LEGO Duplo Large Brick Box by LEGO
Cutting Fruit Crate by Melissa & Doug
Play Doh Duffel Bag by Hasbro (Actually, any kind of play dough is great for fine motor development)
Sesame Street Play Doh Color Mixer (Has a crank handle and buttons for different skill development)
Deluxe Latches Board by Melissa & Doug (Some of the latches are difficult and need two hands to operate, but once the latch is open, the door reveals animals and colors - for language development)
Mix 'N Max Stack Me Up by Alex Jr. (Reinforces with textures, patterns and colors)
Mix 'N Max Cuddly Cube by Alex Jr. (For the little ones - a colorful, squishy cube with a mirror, handle and parts for chewing)
Toys that help teach cause and effect
Topzy Tumblers Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park by Fisher Price (An action packed toy with a ferris wheel that lights up and spins; figurines you can roll down a slike that back up a series of steps; music and sounds)
Little People Wheelies Zig the Big Rig by Fisher Price (A talking truck with 50 sounds and phrases, side gate releases with a big button, comes with one Wheelies mini vehicle to load into the truck)
Vehicles Sound Blocks by Melissa & Doug (Wooden blocks that make six different vehicle sounds when the pictures match up)
Little People Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo by Fisher Price (An interactive play set. When you place an animal in the right play, you hear it's name. Press it again and you hear it's sound. Also has a peek-a-boo door, slide and teeter-totter to explore. Includes Discovering ZooTalkers DVD and stickers to decorate the toy.)
Toys that help with gross motor skills
Shopping Cart by Little Tikes (You can weigh it down with cans when your child is learning to walk. You can also place items up high and down low so your child can work on balance and reach)
Peek-a-Shoe Talking Octopus by LeapFrog (Drop in a ball and lift one of the shoes to find it)
Talking Tubes by Alex (Shaped like an old style phone allows the child to hear themselves talk - You can also get an accordian tube in the automotive section of Walmart and shape it yourself)
Signing Time Videos by Two Little Hands (There is a lot of verbal repetition of the words)
Anything that you can talk about and make sounds with during play. The best toys for language development do not have batteries. They require the child and playmate (parents) to create the sounds and the communication.
I hope this gets your Christmas brain thinking and not stressing. Several of these items can be found at DI, Kid to Kid or at garage sales. Remember, the most important toy for your child's development is you.
Toys that help with fine motor skills
Large Farm Jumbo Knob Puzzle by Melissa & Doug (Bonus: encourage sounds to go with the puzzle - animal sounds, etc.)
LEGO Duplo Large Brick Box by LEGO
Play Doh Duffel Bag by Hasbro (Actually, any kind of play dough is great for fine motor development)
Pop Haulers by Little Tikes
Mix 'N Max Stack Me Up by Alex Jr. (Reinforces with textures, patterns and colors)
Mix 'N Max Cuddly Cube by Alex Jr. (For the little ones - a colorful, squishy cube with a mirror, handle and parts for chewing)
Toys that help teach cause and effect
Topzy Tumblers Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park by Fisher Price (An action packed toy with a ferris wheel that lights up and spins; figurines you can roll down a slike that back up a series of steps; music and sounds)Little People Wheelies Zig the Big Rig by Fisher Price (A talking truck with 50 sounds and phrases, side gate releases with a big button, comes with one Wheelies mini vehicle to load into the truck)
Vehicles Sound Blocks by Melissa & Doug (Wooden blocks that make six different vehicle sounds when the pictures match up)
Toys that help with gross motor skills
Sizzle 'n Pop Kitchen by Little Tikes (A play kitchen with sounds. A great toy to encourage standing for longer periods of time.)
Toys and Activities that help with learning and speech
Peek-a-Shoe Talking Octopus by LeapFrog (Drop in a ball and lift one of the shoes to find it)
Talking Tubes by Alex (Shaped like an old style phone allows the child to hear themselves talk - You can also get an accordian tube in the automotive section of Walmart and shape it yourself)
Signing Time Videos by Two Little Hands (There is a lot of verbal repetition of the words)
Anything that you can talk about and make sounds with during play. The best toys for language development do not have batteries. They require the child and playmate (parents) to create the sounds and the communication.
I hope this gets your Christmas brain thinking and not stressing. Several of these items can be found at DI, Kid to Kid or at garage sales. Remember, the most important toy for your child's development is you.
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