The Drum Sound

For the next few weeks we will be talking about our drum sound, "d!"  

Again use these sheets below to practice.  
Isolation/CV combos: practice the "d" sound in isolation or in CV combinations while playing with toys.  Example:  While stomping the dinosaur up the mountain, make the sound, "d, d, d" or the CV combo, "do" while playing cars, "Ready set, DO it!"  Words: Here are some worksheets from Heather's Speech Therapy to practice initial /d/ and finial /d/ at the word level. Phrases:  Again, these are from Heather's Speech Therapy.  Initial /d/ and final /d/ at the phrase level.  Enjoy!

Love that air quality...

So this post isn't super speech related, but I think it is helpful for those of you with children who have special needs or health concerns.  It is no surprise that the air quality in Utah is not great! Well, The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has teamed up with Weber State University to launch a new, free mobile app that delivers real-time air quality information for the state of Utah. There is an android app and an iOS app that offers current air quality conditions, a three-day air quality forecast, trend charts, and a health guidance that helps figure out how the pollution level will affect those with health conditions. You can grab the iOS version here and the android app here.

Dancing with Scarves

Next week for Large Group we will be dancing with scarves!  Our focus will be on pronouns.  Check out the learning card below:

Our handout is from Speech and Language Kids.  Its a great one that gives 5 steps for teaching pronouns. 
 

Support Group!

I am so excited to share this flyer with all of you.  This is a support group for parents of children with special needs.  It is brand new, so this will be their first meeting.  Check out the flyer below and spread the word!  

Free App Friday

This week there are 27 free apps worth $61 over at Smart Apps for Kids.  Remember they are only free until 10 p.m. (CST).  Have a great weekend!

Prematurity Awareness Month

November is Prematurity Awareness Month.  I have had several nieces and nephews who were born prematurely.  One was a 32 weeker and after spending a month in the hospital he caught whopping cough 2 months later and was again hospitalized for weeks.  So spreading awareness about prematurity is one dear to my heart, like so many others!  These little ones struggle with health and developmental problems, including possible speech and language delays.  
Here are a few facts about prematurity:

• babies are considered premature if born before 37 weeks
• in the U.S. 1 in 9 babies are born prematurely
• Worldwide there are 15 million babies born early
• it is the #1 killer of newborns
• those born prematurely can have vision and hearing problems, lung issues, developmental and/or intellectual delays, etc.
• premies may have feeding difficulties
• having multiples increases the risk for premature birth
• Parents has a nice list of risk factors for preterm births

The March of Dimes started the prematurity campaign and has wonderful information throughout their website including information about the campaign, facts about premature babies, annual reports about the progress their campaign is making in communities, ways to support the world prematurity day, etc.  

November 17th is World Prematurity Day.  Socks for Life "is about promoting art activities which will create attention and awareness for preterm babies in Europe and Beyond."  Check out their site for ways to promote awareness or fundraise for a specific project or organization.

The National Premie Foundation also has some nice ways to get involved.  

Last, but not least, I just wanted to give a little information about Kangaroo Care. I'm always amazed when I talk with someone who has just had a baby, especially a premature baby, and they have never heard of Kangaroo Care. It is the first thing I recommend to parents of new babies! Kangaroo Care is amazing and helps babies regulate their body temps, helps with bonding, increases success and production for breastfeeding, regulates breathing, sleeping, and heart rate in baby, helps with weight gain... really the list goes on and on! Kangaroo Mother Care is a nice website dedicated to promoting use of Kangaroo Care!  Check it out.

The Tick-Tock Sound

For the next few weeks we will be focusing on our "Tick-Tock" sound.  

Again use these sheets below to practice.  Remember to make it a game or even just target this sound during play activities!  If your kiddo struggles with drill work, just say lots of words with the "t" sound in it while playing so that your child hears the correct production of this sound over and over!  Just have fun with it and the more naturalistic the better!  :) 
Isolation: practice the "T" sound in isolation in front of the mirror or even a video camera.  You can show your little one our Tick-Tock picture (above) while you work on it.  If you use a camera, record your practice and then watch it together after you finish! CV combos/Words: Here are two great posts with initial /t/ and final /t/ from Testy Yet Trying. Follow the directions provided. Phrases:  use the cards provided above to make 2-3 word phrases ("The big boot." etc.) Have fun with our "T" sound!