To learn and understand about others experiences we need to listen….
Some great resources below:
Listen by Communication First
This is not about me by Jordan Zimmer
Speechless by Fiacre Ryan
Let’s insure all our partial or non-speakers are provided with a means to communicate
By Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs. Ltd ……..because Speech Therapy Matters
I will be working reduced hours over the Easter Holidays. Normal working hours will resume on Monday 15th April.
Photo: Easter Wreath, by a green door
Bring a lantern, torch, or just yourself for a fun family lantern walk in Oakham, Rutland.
Saturday 11th November at 4.30pm
Photo of lantern made from willow and tissue paper…
For more information:
https://oakhamlanternwalk.weebly.com/
For many, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate and show gratitude for the dads and father figures in our lives. But it can be a hard day for others.
Wherever you are today and whatever your situation, I’m send you love, best wishes and virtual hugs.
Picture: several pictures of dad
Today I am reminded of my Dads unswerving love, support and belief in each of us as we carved our own paths… right from the beginning Dad always encouraged us to follow our hopes and dreams. He allowed us the space to spread our wings and grasp the opportunities given to us
Dad taught us about the importance of family… it was never about extravagant trips or events … but more about being together… Sharing a meal …. Being out for a walk …. Watching football. … Sharing space …
Dads unguarded joy and delight when we got together was evident and we all hold so many memories of our amazing family times together
Parenthood is hard… none of us have got it together all or any of the time. Thee are struggles and heartaches along the way.. It is important to connect with others and share our struggles and joys as we carve our own path.
By Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ………..because Speech Therapy Matters
Identifying the number of syllables in a word is an activity you can do anywhere including whilst you are at the beach. Words could include: bucket, seaweed, crab, fish, shell, rock, sandals, jacket, net, sand, umbrella/ parasol, jellyfish, seagull, ice-cream, sunglasses, towel, octopus,…
Or you can use the pictures provided for one, two, three and four syllable words
(Depending on your accent you may have a different number of syllables to someone with a different accent)
Picture of a boy holding a red bucket walking between the rock pools
Syllable Clapping/ tapping
(use the syllable chart to help with counting the number of syllables)
Put out 5 Lego bricks. Tap out the number of syllables in a word, e.g. car = one; teddy = two; dinosaur = three; radiator = four taps/ claps
Put the picture by the correct number, i.e. caterpillar would go by number 4
Syllable Pairs
Initially only have a few pairs to match. Place the card face down on the table. Take turns to turn over a card. Count out the number of syllables in the word. Can you find another word with the same number of syllables.
-Syllable lotto
Make a set of lotto cards each with six to eight different pictures (with 1, 2, 3 or 4 syllables). Pull out a card and if the lotto board has the same picture then cover it up with a counter
Syllable charades
Mime a word and everyone has to guess the word and the number of syllables in the word
Syllable happy families
Make a pack of cards with 1, 2, 3 or 4 syllables. Each player needs to try and make a family of four (all have to have the same number of syllables). Initially introduce these cards and work together to collate the “families” then play as a game. Ask another player “do you have a card with two syllables”. If the other player says no take one from the middle pile.
Communication Lincs Ltd. …..because Speech Therapy Matters
I have been reading “in a different key” which tells the story of autism from its beginning to now. This has been a fascinating read and does give an insight into how far we have come over the years. Knowledge and awareness is needed but we need more….
We need:
To LISTEN to those with lived experience of autism
To make ADJUSTMENTS to support their needs
ACCEPTANCE of who they are without the need to change “fix” them
To CONNECT them with their community
Support them in ADVOCATING for their needs (sensory, tactile, auditory, gustatory , olfactory & personal)
To help them remain REGULATED
I would also recommend reading Neurotribes by Steve Silverman. Or if you prefer it is also available as an audiobook
By Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ……because Speech Therapy Matters
I hope you have had a lovely Easter Break. Mine involved a lot of cake as we celebrated 5th, 13th, 50th, 70th and 80th family birthdays all in the space of 2 weeks.
Summer Term Sessions start 21st April….
Picture: person (Sarah) on paddle board
text - hello summer term 2022
by Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd ….. because Speech Therapy Matters
#SpeechTherapyMatters. #SaLT
With the Christmas holidays fast approaching here are some ideas to keep you and your little ones entertained.
Action Song:
“we wish you a merry Christmas” - with a few added verses (lots of actions for everyone to join in with)
Cooking:
A yummy chocolate puff pastry tree
Party food - “Top hats”
Make some Reindeer Food for Rudolph and all the other reindeers
Make different shaped biscuits using cookie cutters
Play:
Scavenger Hunt - what can you spot out and about on your Christmas Walk
Reindeer Game - who will be first to complete their reindeer
Do you want to build a snowman - don’t let the lack of snow stop you making your own snowman
It might not be National Penguin day but don’t let that stop you having some penguin fun
Make a tree - collect some sticks and make your own Christmas tree decoration
Star based activities
Make time to PLAY
Chocolate Log with snowman on top
Have FUN and ENJOY spending time together
By Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. …….because Speech Therapy Matters
We want the Government to improve the lives of people of all ages with communication and swallowing needs by ensuring they are able to access the speech and language therapy that they and their families and carers need.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/587872
💰 Fund Speech and Language Therapy 💰
#FundSLT
Why not go on a walk to spot how many animals you can find:
dog
cat
bird
worm
spider
sheep
horse
Why not try and pretend to be that animal - wiggle around like a worm; pant like a dog, flap arms like a chicken, etc.
Play a game of animal charades
What noises do the animals make? Can everyone guess the animal from the noise you make?
Get creative and make play dough or plasticine or Lego models of different animals
How many animals can you name in 1 more minute?
Alphabet animal challenge - can you think of an animal that starts with each letter of the alphabet.
a = ant; b = bee; c = cat
Why not make it into a family challenge 1 point for an animal for each letter of the alphabet and a bonus point if no-one else has the same animal as you.
Collect up your toy animals and put 10 different animals on the tray. Cover the tray and try and recall what animals are on the tray.
Get out your animals and just play
(feed the animals, wash the animals, etc)
What is your favourite animal?
By Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ………because Speech Therapy Matters
For a simple fun activity why not gather together some wind up toys.
Create some excitement by putting them in:
a bag
a stocking
a bucket
a saucepan
a hat
a box
look what have I got in my …… shake the bucket/ bag. Shall we have a look. Try and grab their attention. Using an unusual object might create more excitement and spark an interest in what you have.
Use the associated noises as you take the item out of the bucket/ box, e.g. “ho-ho-ho” for Santa; “quack-quack” for a duck, etc.
A wind up toy is a great Cause & Effect toy, i.e. the toy must be wound up before it moves.
Most young children will need some help to make it work. This provides a great opportunity for teaching the word “help”
(help, mummy help, help me)
As you wind up the toy you can say “turn, turn, turn”.
Then let it go and say: “go”
You can build up the anticipation by saying “Ready, Steady, Go” or “1,2, 3, Go”
Then when the wind up toy stops you can say “stop”.
WAIT for your child to request the item again using whole hand reach, pointing, gestures, vocalisations, words or phrases. By waiting you will provide your child with opportunities to communicate and will encourage lots of Back and Forth communication.
Why not choose your character and have races.
Remember to keep the activity FUN
Core Words: more, turn, go, stop, help, again
Exclamatory Words: oh no/ uh oh (as wind up toy falls off table or goes in the wrong direction) or WOW
by Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ……..because Speech Therapy Matters
All you need is a dice and a reindeer template for each player.
Each player takes a turn at rolling the dice. Draw the part of the reindeer as follows:
Face
Eyes
Nose
Mouth
Ears
Antlers
Who will be first to complete their reindeer?
Have FUN 🤩
Perfect for playing with all the family either in person or virtually.
by Sarah Winstanley
Communication Lincs Ltd. ………..because Speech Therapy Matters
Wishing everyone near and far a Peaceful Christmas and Brighter Days ahead.
Our thoughts and love are especially with those families who have lost loved ones this year and also those who are fighting illnesses.
We are also thinking of those of you who cannot share this Christmas period with your loved ones.
We have all felt separated from our friends and families this year and hope that we are now nearer to the end of this situation than the beginning.
Lovely gift 🥰 - missing seeing all my family and friends in Northern Ireland this Christmas 😢
By Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ……because Speech Therapy Matters
Cooking is great for both developing a child’s motor skills and language skills as well as getting something yummy to eat at the end. What’s not to love…..
Instead of making all your biscuits round why not make lots of different shapes. Have a look in your cupboard for different cutters. You could even go for a winter or Christmas theme.
Talk about all the shapes: snowman, star, holly (leaf), bell, tree, gingerbread man, Santa, etc…
Encourage your child to help you get out all the ingredients. Create a list of what you need - using pictures/ photos (no need to print them out). Then your child can use the photos to remind them of what they need to get (this can be used as a matching activity - matching object to picture). Weigh out the ingredients. I find using ounces rather than grams means numbers are easier for even young children. Talk about how much you need, e.g. 3 ounces. Gradually add your ingredients to the scales which will give lots of opportunities for asking for “more”.
As you make the dough you can use lots of action words including - cut, pour, mix, make, roll
Then together choose what shapes to make. For example: shall we make a snowman or bell?; shall we have a big or little tree?
Talk about who is doing a task? “Mummy roll dough” or “I cut butter”
Once they are cooked you could decorate some with icing sugar and sprinkles
For those children with limited attention skills you might want to do this in several stages with breaks in between. For example:
collecting ingredients
make dough
cooking
decorating
eating
talking about the pictures
Take photos of each stage so you can create a 3 - 7 picture sequence which you can use for:
sequencing skills
retelling what happened
supporting learning of new words, e.g. roll
sharing information with others
and then the good part - you can eat them.
Do share photos of your creations…
Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ………..because Speech Therapy Matters
Autumn has arrived…. fingers crossed there will be lots of sunny autumnal days over the half term break.
Language does not develop in a vacuum… we don’t need to be in a therapy room or at a table to learn language
So let’s get out and about and talk….
Follow Your Child’s Lead: Talk about what they are interested in. What motivates them?
Get down to their level
Add/ Expand on your child’s utterances:
If your child is using no words label the items they are interested in. What are they currently doing to communicate? Try and build on this.
If your child says one word, e.g. leaf, adult: “more leaves”, “leaf fall”, “red leaf”, “leaf on tree”, etc
Reduce Questions: Try and give at least 4 comments to every question.
Have a great Half Term.
Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ………because Speech Therapy Matters
It’s almost time to go Back to School. For many of us next week is going to be a shock to the system. Do not expect miracles on day one if your child has got used to late mornings and PJ days or even weeks! I know a few people in my household who are going to find it tough getting up before midday. So with less than a week to go it is time to get back into a routine.
So how can you prepare your child for returning to school?
Start getting up at the time required for getting to school on time.
Create a schedule of activities you need to do in the morning, e.g. dressed, breakfast, brush teeth. Help your child to follow the schedule.
Try and do as much as possible the night before, e.g. make pack lunch, pack school bag, bath/ shower, set out your uniform
Talk about what your child will wear to school (this might be different depending on the day of the week)
Talk about their teacher and other adults/ peers who are in their class
Talk about changes/ new rules/ what will be different
Talk about what your child enjoys about school (each child values different things about school. Talk to them about what they are looking forward to).
Talk about how they are feeling (it is ok to feel worried, anxious, sad about returning to school)
Talk about what might help them (visuals, preparation, meeting a peer for a play date prior to the start of term, etc
With a little preparation the stresses and anxieties of day one of Back to School can be reduced. And hopefully less of us will be shouting “hurry up we’re going to be late”
Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. ………because Speech Therapy Matters
This morning started the first of I’m sure many “Back to School” photos. I know for some pupils and parents you may be feeling anxious or have lots of questions. The BBC has produced some great resources for helping prepare your child for returning or starting a new chapter in their school life.
Do take a look at the following to gain some great tips for getting ready for the start of the new school year.
Primary School
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/collections/starting-primary-school/1
Secondary School https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/tags/zh4wy9q/starting-secondary-school/1
Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd….. because Speech Therapy Matters
Summer Holidays are here….
Here are some ideas on how you can continue to support your child’s language skills over the summer break?
One of my favourite places…. answers on a postcard for where this is….
Picture drawn by Ed aged 10.
I often encourage parents to create a scrapbook of pictures of their child doing what they love…
This summer use your time together to create a scrapbook using pictures of your child, family and friends doing various activities at home and out and about. For example: on the swing, on the slide, on the trampoline, eating/ mealtimes/ snack times, sleeping, brushing teeth, washing face/ feet, washing the car, on bike/ scooter, in the car, kicking/ throwing a ball, playing, playing in the sand, water play, going to the shops, walk in the woods, playing in the paddling pool, at the beach, swimming in the river/ sea, at the farm, eating ice cream, etc
Talk about:
Who is in the picture - What they are doing (action) - Where they are - What you can see
Take your time creating the scrapbook. Try to include people and activities that your child will be motivated to talk about.
ADD/ EXPAND on your child’s utterances. If s/he says no words, adult uses one word. If s/he says one word the adult adds another. If s/he uses two words adult models three to four words. It is best to do this during child-initiated play, while looking at a book or during daily activities.
Child: “sand”; “water”
Adult: “play sand”; “dig in sand”; “more sand”; “build a sandcastle” “splash water”; “more water”; “water in bucket”; “look water”
Child: “daddy swim”
Adult: “daddy swim in sea”
Step Up
Included descriptive terms, e.g. colour, size (big/ little), numbers
Use opposites full/ empty, hot/ cold, same/ different, bumpy/ smooth
Add more information
Introduce new words, e.g.”bridge”; “moat”; “turret”; “waves”
Draw a picture
Encourage your child to write about their day
Create a sequence of pictures for drawing a sandcastle
Talk about how they felt - happy, sad, angry, scared
List items you would find at the beach
Go on a scavenger hunt. Can you find something which starts with each letter of the alphabet.
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside…
Enjoy yourself wherever you go this summer… I know my boys are looking forward to some time at the beach with their cousins.
by Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd. …………….because Speech Therapy Matters
This poem was written by Teddy (age 13)
MY VOICE
My mouth
My mouth has a voice
The voice is a weapon
A powerful one
One that can say the truth or a lie
One that can hurt or heal
My voice relays my thoughts
My voice tells people what I’m thinking
My voice is a calm sea
My voice is a rough ocean
My voice is a megaphone shouting out my life
My voice can inspire
My voice can destroy or save
My voice is an instrument used to play music of thoughts
My voice can be quiet or loud
My voice can be kind or nice
But whether it is good or bad
My voice is mine to keep
My mouth is just the gateway
My mouth is the middleman
The real things are my thoughts
The real thing is my voice
Your mouth may be a gateway but what other gateways do we have to share our voice?
Symbols
Written text
Talker/ device
Communication Book
Signs
Words
Pictures
Photos
Sarah Winstanley, Speech and Language Therapist
Communication Lincs Ltd ……….because Speech Therapy Matters
With the outbreak and uncertainty of the Coronavirus/ Covid 19, it is important to talk to children about the facts and how they can stay safe.
A social story on Covid 19 thanks to Little Puddin (The Autism Educator @ www.littlepuddins.ie
Sarah Winstanley, SaLT
Communication Lincs Ltd ……because Speech Therapy Matters
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