Speech and Language Development Ideas

Here are a couple of great blogs that target speech and language development of children from birth to five years.  Check them out for some ideas of activities that you can use in the daily routine - especially over the Winter Break.

www.playingwithwords365.com

www.toddlerapproved.com

(Also check out the post on our Facebook page -Davis Early Intervention - "5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Toddler's Speech" from Toddler Approved)

Don't forget to take a minute during the Holiday chaos to enjoy the excitement of your little ones.

Lunch and Support for GiGi's Playhouse

GiGi's Playhouse, Layton Texas Road House & GiGi's Playhouse Lunch  Please join us  Monday, December 29th From 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Layton Texas Roadhouse 685 S. Ring Road by Layton Hills Mall Come get a yummy lunch served by individuals with Down syndrome for $15 and support their independence and confidence!! Your meal will include a pulled pork sandwich, steak fries, side salad and a drink! All proceeds from this event will go straight to GiGi's Playhouse Layton. We have a goal of 650 meals to be sold, we know we can count on all of you to help us reach this goal and to be a part of changing the way the world views Down syndrome! Want your meal to go or take back to the office?  We will have a "to-go" option!  Email us for more information. Please click  HERE to purchase your tickets or contact us aslayton@gigisplayhouse.org for more information. GiGi's Playhouse Layton 471 W Heritage Park Blvd Layton, UT  84041

Positive Parenting Skills and Developmental Milestones

I admit, sometimes kids are frustrating!  Sometimes I wonder what I should be doing different or why my child is being a pill.  Luckily, the professionals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have information to help parents develop healthy relationships with their children.  Click on the link below to access an index of information.

http://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/index.html

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides information about developmental milestones.  You can look at these by clicking on this link.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

How Do Kids Play?

In the spirit of the season (while everyone is desperately searching for the perfect toy that will make the gift giving season the best one ever!) here is some information about the stages of play.  This information is taken from "Toddler 411" by Denise Fields and Dr. Ari Brown, MD.

• 12 - 18 months old: Young toddlers explore through their senses and manipulating items with their hands.  Play includes experimenting with how one action produces another (for example: dumping out all the toys in a bucket just to see how they fall).  Your house becomes the play ground as your toddler develops the ability to walk, run and roam.  Play is unstructured and kiddos this age still look to an adult for guidance and help as the little one continues to fine tune eye-hand coordination, large muscle skills, and finger control.
• 18-24 months old: Large and small muscle skills improve and a toddler this age is able to better place items where he wants them to go. He is also using trial and error to problem solve (such as mastering a simple puzzle or shape toy).  Running and climbing become the norm, as well as pretending and imitating what he sees grown-ups doing.  Usually this age plays by himself or with an adult, not yet with other children.
• Two years old: Pretending becomes a passion.  Acting out a story or a situation with toys or props is typical play for a two year old.  Adults may be given a role to play or can participate by taking a role in the story or by providing a play-by-play of the event.  Small muscle skills are improving providing more opportunities to manipulate objects, draw, paint and build things.  Two year olds will play next to another child and take notice of them, but they do not play together.
• Three years old: Small muscle skills are getting better as are reasoning skills.  This allows a kiddo to participate in some pretty sophisticated play, including sequencing items, stringing beads, and figuring out more complex puzzles.  Coordination is improved so the playground is more fun!  Three year olds like to play together, but may need help with the social complexities.
• Four years old: A four year old actively plays with other kiddos.  Often the play involves imagination.  The playground will be a favorite place to go and because of the development of large muscle skills and increased coordination, early sports games will be popular.  Small muscle skills are developing to the point of being able to begin writing letters and cutting with scissors for some four year olds, others are still working on developing those skills.

70+ Ideas for Homemade Toys

This post is taken from Happy Hooligans blog at http://happyhooligans.ca/70-awesome-toys-make-kids/.  These are all simple, yet amazing ideas of homemade toys for toddlers and little ones.  If you are looking for ideas for Christmas presents, these are great!  They may take a little time to make, but none require batteries (my #1 rule for toys for kiddos).

All of these toys are fairly easy and inexpensive to make.  Some are knock-offs of brand name toys, and some of these toy ideas are truly original.  One thing is certain – they’re all perfect if you like to give kids handmade gifts at Christmas, birthdays or any day!

 Homemade Lacing Toys:

These simple lacing frames are easy to make and great for helping little ones develop their fine motor skills.  - Babble Dabble Do

Shaped foam lacers are easy for little hands to grip and a fun way to practice threading skills.  - Powerful Mothering

I adore this all-natural, stick threading game by Mini Eco.

Homemade Felt Toys for Toddlers:

Here’s a soft and colourful way for toddlers to explore the alphabet: stuffed, hand-sewn felt letters by Buggy and Buddy.

Make a no-sew, alphabet pocket chart to help little ones learn their letters. – Lalymom

I see countless hours of creating and re-creating here with this gorgeous potato head felt set. – jocelynandjasonblogspot

DIY Activity boards for the playroom or classroom:

Babies and toddlers will LOVE exploring all the textures and gadgets on these awesome sensory boards by Fun at Home with Kids.

Make a latch board like Domesticesq did with random bits and bobs from the work shop or hardware store.

My boys would’ve LOVED a life-sized dashboard  like this one made from used parts. – And Next Comes L

Upcycled Homemade Dollhouses:

Got cardboard? Handmade Charlotte shares 6 ways to make a dollhouse out of a cardboard box. 

Mama Papa Bubba shows you how she and her daughter made this simple but beautifuldollhouse from an inexpensive bookshelf. 

Check out how Roadkill Rescue turned an old dresser into a larger-than-life Barbie house. Handy storage drawer in the bottom!

Upcycle the drawers from an old bedside table into this adorably charming dollhouse by Semi Proper.

Homemade Stamps:

6 ways to make homemade stamps for toddlers using common household items. – Happy Hooligans

Help your little one learn to spell his name with this simple homemade name stamp by Mama Papa Bubba.

Decorate homemade cards, wrapping paper or fabric projects with this spring flower wine-cork stamp.  Happy Hooligans

Kids can make imprints in play dough with these rustic tree block stamps by Two-da-loo.

Toys from upcycled furniture:

I adore this workbench/tool station that The Frugal Granny made from an old bedside table.

How about this AMAZING upcycle?  A deluxe play kitchen made from an old tv/entertainment cabinet! – Giggleberry Creations

Fresh Crush transformed a night-stand into a play kitchen for about $30 using cast-offs and inexpensive accessories.

Homemade toys for babies:

Turn your recyclables into a variety of colourful, fine-motor toys for babies and young toddlers. The Imagination Tree

Crafts on Sea has a homemade tag blanket that will delight babies with its crinkling sound and soft, satiny tags.

Childhood 101 shows you how to turn your family photos into a cloth baby book for your little one to enjoy.

Homemade Sock Toys:

Attempting Aloha transforms a sock into a glamorous hobby-horse that any little rider would love.

Turn a sock into an adorable baby rattle with some stuffing and a few simple stitches. – Homemade by Jill

Toys from the Recycle Bin:

An empty plastic bottle + 3 basic kitchen ingredients = a mesmerizing “ocean in a bottle”. – Happy Hooligans

Kids who love to build will enjoy this homemade construction set made from a few pieces of sturdy cardboard – Happy Hooligans

Teach shapes, colours, letters and numbers with this cardboard box turned drop box.  The kids have been using ours for years.

Homemade Toys for Outdoors:

It would be so dreamy to spend an afternoon reading in one of these Hula Hoop Hideouts. – Alanna George

Ok, I totally want to hang out on this DIY water blob by Homemade Toast.  Bonus:  It’s leak-proof!

Check out how Dyan turned a few dollar-store shower curtains into this awesome toddler parachute. – And Next Comes L

Homemade Quiet Books:

A quiet book is perfect for those times when you need to keep your kids busy… and quiet. I lovethis no-sew version by Powerful Mothering.

This busy book by Mouse House has “pages” of colourful quiet activities to keep little hands busy and learning.

Homemade Activity Boards:

Turn an inexpensive oil-drip pan into a gigantic magnet board for the playroom or classroom. – Mama Miss

Make an outdoor easel for your kids to get artsy and creative with in the backyard. – Fantastic Fun and Learning

See how Mama Papa Bubba quickly turned an inexpensive frame into a homemade felt board.

*Want to know an easy way to cut your own felt pieces for your felt board?  Check out this awesome felt-cutting tutorial by Juggling with Kids.

Homemade Doll Toys:

Make a fabric doll sling for your little one to carry her babies around in. – Mama Smiles

Check out this whimsical family of wooden spoon dolls decorated by Jess Quinn.

Paint up a set of wooden alphabet dolls for play and learning. – No Time for Flashcards

This really is the best-ever play dough!  It keeps for months, so it’s perfect to make ahead and give as a gift.  - The Imagination Tree

Did you know you can make your own silly putty? - Coffee Cups and Crayons shows us how.

Homemade Indoor Hopscotch:

I had fun making this homemade cardboard hopscotch.  Laying the tiles out helps the hooligans with their number recognition and ordering skills.

Make a new-sew hopscotch mat that you can roll up and tuck away when not in use.  There are games on the reverse side too!  - A girl with a Glue Gun

Homemade Forts and Tents:

Set up a 5-minute teepee in the backyard!  What a magical place for a little one to spend a summer afternoon. – Mama Papa Bubba

For those of you who like to sew, Cakies shows you how to make a simple A-frame tent for the kids to use indoors or out.

Homemade Puzzles for Toddlers:

Adventure in a Box shows you how to make a wooden name puzzle for your child.  You’ll have this lovely keepsake for years.

Turn a set of wooden blocks and some family photos into these nifty, interchangeable people puzzles. – Meaningful Mama

Homemade Toys for Gross Motor Development:

See how Hello Wonderful turned a skateboard deck into homemade balance board to help develop core and large-motor strength.

Build a set of simple wood block stompers.  They can be used at two different heights depending on the age of your child. – I Can Teach My Child

This bucket and rope contraption was free to make, and it’s provided hundreds of hours of open-ended play here in our backyard.

Homemade Coloured and Textured Blocks:

Fun with Kids at Home shows us how to easily add a pop of vibrant colour to a set of plain wooden blocks.  So gorgeous!

Babies and toddlers will love exploring the colours and textures of these homemade sensory blocks. – Fireflies and Mudpies

$3 bucks, a trip to the dollar-store, and some hot-glue will get you this fab set of coloured light blocks. -And Next Comes L

Fine Motor Toys to Make for Kids:

A colourful button snake is easy to make and helps little ones develop their fine motor and buttoning skills. – Happy Hooligans

Put together a sewing basket  filled with lots of goodies for a preschooler to explore and practice early sewing skills with.

I just love Crayon Box Chronicles’ homemade geo board.  Little ones can sharpen their fine motor skills while learning about shapes and geometry with rubber bands or fabric loops.

Stones for Play:

Make an adorable stone tic-tac-toe game to match your child’s favourite colours, like this one from Eighteen 25.

Paint up a set of non-traditional, rock dominoes for the kids to play and learn with. – Childcareland Blog

Story Stones are fun and easy to make, and great for narrative play, and developing story-telling skills. – Happy Hooligans

Alphabet stones are perfect for a game of outdoor “hangman” or to simply teach your child their letters through open-ended play.

Homemade Toys for Car-Loving Kids:

Turn your old jeans into fabric roads!  Easy to make, and to stash in the diaper bag when you’re going out. – Lil Mop Top

Visit Picklebums to get these free, printable roads.  Your kids can build a whole city!

Buggy and Buddy painted up a set of simple wooden roads and ramps for her son.  Think of the hours of fun these would provide.

If you love to sew, this amazing car mat would be a super project and keepsake to make for your child or grandchild. – Homemade by Jill

Homemade Play Kitchen Toys:

And Next Comes L has some great felt food ideas that you can make for your child’s play kitchen.

Turn a package of inexpensive kitchen sponges into colourful foam cakes and cookies like the ones Inner Child Fun made.

LOVE this!  Turn a plastic storage container into a pretend cook-top.  Store the baking instruments inside! – And Next Comes L

Make an inexpensive, portable light box using a kitchen storage container and an LED light.  Store the toys inside!

And Next Comes L shows you how to turn a basic pegboard into a light bright game for your home or classroom.

Want a full-size light table for much less than it costs to buy one? Check out this step-by-step tutorial from And Next Comes L.

More homemade blocks to make:

I love these colourful magnetic blocks that You Clever Monkey made for their magnet board.

How inviting are these Waldorf-inspired nature blocks that Adventure in a Box made.  What a lovely way to build and create.

And last, but not least:  take your block building into a new dimension (literally) with a set of these homemade velcro blocks by Chasing Cheerios.

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Alternatives to Good Job

What we say and how we say it makes such a difference in the way children behave.  Here is a list of 25 alternatives to "Good Job" from Picklebums.com to get your started towards more specific praise for your child.

Say thank you when you mean it – explain why you are grateful for your child’s actions.

• Thank you for helping with…
• It makes mornings/dinner/outings easier when you…. thank you
• I really appreciate it when you…
• Thank you for doing that… it means I/we can now…

Make an observation based on facts – just say what you see without emotions or judgment.

• We did it together.
• Wow! You made a building/drawing/etc.
• You did it on your own.
• You did x and then y and worked it out.
• You used lots of red paint/blocks/tape/etc.
• You made it really big/small/colourful/complicated/etc.
• That took you a long time, and you did it!

 
Extend and encourage – extend learning and encourage conversation by asking questions about what you see while also recognising their efforts.

• How did you do that?
• You did X, what will you do now?
• Can you tell me about it?
• What is your favourite part?
• How did you think of that?

 
Put feelings into words – explain how something makes you feel, help your kids notice how their actions make others feel and acknowledge your children’s own feelings.

• I really enjoy doing this with you.
• I love watching you create/help your sister/play soccer/ etc.
• I’m so proud to be your mum, every day, no matter what.
• Look how happy your friend is when you share/help/smile/etc.
• You kept going, even when it was hard.
• You look so pleased to have done that!
• You made X feel so pleased when you did that.
• It makes you feel good when you do X.

 
Say nothing – we don’t need to praise every little action, or fill every space with noise. It is enough to sit back and watch our children’s delight in their own achievements

• Say nothing – just smile.

Gigi's Playhouse and Let's Play

Two items on the blog today.

First: Gigi's Playhouse is coming to Davis County!   Gigi's Playhouse open house is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th.  If you have questions about Gigi's Playhouse, you can access information at gigisplayhouse.org.  Please show your support!

welcome! gigi’s playhouse is an established series of down syndrome achievement centers.

Serving children and adults of all ages, each Playhouse provides educational and therapeutic programs at no charge to families; and in a format that individuals with Down syndrome learn best. All programs aim to maximize self-confidence and empower individuals to achieve their greatest potential. GiGi’s Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.

Second: ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.

Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. 

One of the ways they provide information to parents and professionals is through an app for androids called Let's Play from Zero to Three.  This app provides activities to promote development either by age or by category.  Check it out!

Toddler Thanksgiving Ideas

Need a project to keep the littles busy while you get ready for Thanksgiving?  Here are some ideas to be thankful for!

The Fine Motor Turkey idea comes from www.two-daloo.com

Pin It

First, I dug out half of a styrofoam ball leftover from an octopus activity from our ocean unit.  Ignore the big holes…they were made for octopus legs   I also found five very skinny colorful dowel rods in a package of assorted rods that I bought at Walmart (also used in our “fine motor fun with a cardboard box” post).

I stuck the rods across the ball at regular intervals to form the turkey’s tail feathers.  Later on (after learning the hard way) I went back and added a drop of hot glue to secure each one.

Next, I used a couple of spare brown paper lunch sacks to cover the ball and act as the rest of the turkey’s feathers.

For the turkey’s head, I settled on this brown seed pod from some fall potpourri that happened to be on my counter in a bowl. You could really use anything you wanted here, it isn’t central to the activity.

I glued on some google eyes, a red wattle made of a scrap of craft foam, and a felt mouth, and my turkey came to life!

Here is how he looked so far. His feathers are a little sad, huh?

This was the fun part! I grabbed my two snotty, droopy-eyed babies, a bowl of colorful wooden beads left over from a recent project, and a healthy handful of kleenex, and let them have at it!

I loved watching the twins try to master this activity.  Threading the beads onto the wooden dowels was just difficult enough for them to really work hard at it, but not too hard that they totally gave up.

Mimi is staying with us since my husband is out of town, and she helped the babies with their first few beads. All they needed was a little encouragement and to be shown how to find the holes and position the beads so they would slide over the dowels.

After Syd practiced with Mimi a few times, she took a big breath, said “O-Kay!” very importantly, and proceeded to do the rest herself.  So grown up!

And here is the finished turkey!

This list of Thanksgiving books is from kidsactivityblog.com

Thanksgiving Books

The Night before Thanksgiving, by Natasha Wing.  One of our family’s favorite things to do each Thanksgiving is to bake a bunch of different pies.  It is fun to read a book that has cute illustrations and mentions so many of the Thanksgiving traditions, from baking pies to watching the parades,  and of course lots of family feasting.

The Littlest Pilgrim, by Brandi Dougherty.  I am sure my youngest children can relate with this story.  They often want to “help” in the preparation of our Thanksgiving festivities – and too often they get in the way or make a mess.  This is a cute book about a girl who has similar struggles and learns to have a friend through the process.

Turkey Trouble, by Wendy Silvano.  Ever think about Thanksgiving from the perspective of a turkey?  This book is super silly.  It had my kids giggling as the turkey dresses up to avoid being “caught”.   It’s illustrated by one of my favorites, Lee Harper.  We like his other book, Emperor’s Cool Clothes.

10 Fat Turkey’s, by Tony Johnson.  This is a rendition of the 10 Little Indians, only it’s Turkeys, sitting on a fence.  One thing I love about this book is that it helps early readers with repetitive words and rhyming.

Thanksgiving on Thursday, by Mary Pope Osborne.  We have several dozen of the Magic Treehouse series of books.  They are great for kids who are just starting chapter books.  This story follows Jack and Annie as they travel back and relive the first Thanksgiving.

Cranberry Thanksgiving, by Wende Devlin.  This is a re-release of a classic story of a Grandma and her granddaughter.  Each Thanksgiving they invite someone who is lonely and/or poor over to share dinner with them.  This year Grandma almost looses her secret recipe for Cranberry  bread.

Thanks for Thanksgiving, by Julie Markes.  Being thankful for the little things is a great trait to have.  This story focuses on all the blessing that we have.  The pictures are great for opening discussions of the things your child is thankful for, and there are blank pages so you and your child can list the things you are thankful for.  THis could be a cute tradition, to add more items you are grateful for to the book each year.

If You Were at the First Thanksgiving, by Anne Kamma.  Are your kids past storybooks but not quite ready for chapter books?  This is a great resource non-fiction book for your shelves.  It is part history book, part pretend-inspiration for a dramatic child.  The book asks what your life would be like if you lives in the era of the first Thanksgiving feast.