Speech Concerns: Omitting Final Sound

November 30, 2012Leave a comment

Speech concerns come in all shapes and sizes. Omitting initial and some final consonants is considered completely normal for children 12-17 months. This can be alarming if your child never seems to finish a word, and you may be looking to get some outside help, like speech therapy. Here are some skills to look for if your child is around this age.

Other speech things to look for:

-babbles with intricate inflection (talks like you without the actual English) 12-18 months
-uses single word sentences (12-14 months)
-vocalizes or gestures to indicate needs (12-19 months)
-Says ‘hi’ ‘bye’ ‘no’ (12-15 months)
-Names one or two familiar objects (13-18 months)
-Uses voice in conjunction with gestures (14-20 months)
-Uses 10-15 words spontaneously (15-17.5 months)
-Uses 15-25 words (17.5-20.5 months)
-Echos prominent or last word spoken (17-19 months)
-Jabbers tunefully at play (17-19 months)
-Uses own name to refer to self (18-24 months)

Some suggested activities to help with speech concerns of omitting final and some initial sounds are:

Don’t be too concerned or the child might pick-up on your nerves and not try
Use infliction and context to figure out new words
Avoid correcting instead be a good role model “not you say baLL” but “Yes, that’s a baLL”
Get down on child’s eye level so they can see your mouth express the word
Avoid baby talk, although baby friendly talk is fine (as in not changing words to baby speech but more familiar words is fine)

Hopefully this eases your fears!

Delinquent Habits: Help Your Children Overcome

November 21, 20123 Comments

Delinquency is defined as the illegal behavior of a minor. There is a rising problem in our society with adolescent delinquent habits. There are lots possible causes to consider. Once you define the cause, it may help you to find a solution.

Possible causes:

Living Environment: Many students would not be classified as being Emotionally Disturbed if they did not have difficult family situations or were not living in environments surrounded by violence and drug use. Although this is not always the case, in many situations it is, so first consider a child’s living environment. If anything can be done to improve it, please do.
A cycle: If students who get involved in delinquent behavior become trapped in a pattern of bad decision making and often do not have the support at home to get them out of their trapped way of thinking. The child might not know how to get out of their involvement with delinquent behaviors
Family History:Is family in jail; do they have gang involvement; is there a history of mental health issues
Hanging with the wrong people: Are other students at school or elsewhere influencing the child negatively, which can lead toward delinquent behavior
Always had difficulty with his behavior, but can get involved in delinquent behavior at older age. Ask: are the schools were not offering enough support services; does the child need positive or negative reinforcements
Neighborhood environment: the neighborhood one grows up in can be the reason that they exhibit delinquent habits. What is the crime like in the area? What kind of supports help the child better themselves from delinquent behaviors?
School Interventions: Are there interventions like praise, rewards, and strengthening self-efficacy skills in the school environment to help with delinquent habits?

Social Cognitive Theory

November 16, 20121 Comment

People learn through different processes that are affected by internal and external factors. Many psychologists and other professionals through personal philosophies and organized research have theorized upon these processes of learning. One such process is the Social Cognitive Theory. Social Cognitive Theory is based on a behaviorism approach, which is very applicable to those with emotional and behavioral disorders

Social Cognitive Theory comes from a psychologist, Albert Bandura. It dates to 1986 and stems from his prior theory called Social Learning Theory. It is considered a behaviorist approach that can help to understand, predict, and modify behavior. This approach therefore is applicable to those with emotional and behavioral disorders. The Social Cognitive theory states that human behavior is full of reciprocal, dynamic, and triadic interactions that link with personal factors, environment, and behaviors. The links between these are often built vicariously and can be used to predict future behavior. It is believed by this theory that one’s own cognition builds one’s reality and as a result everyone sees things from their own skewed perception. Genetics, sex, ethnicity, temperament, and environment all influence behaviors. This specific theory believes highly in symbols that serve as mechanisms for thought, meaning symbols allow for problem solving and can be used to predict one’s actions. This theory also believes in forethought or the ability of a person to motivate themselves and guide their actions anticipatory. These forethought lead to expectations, which again can influence behavior. Self-regulatory systems are in everyone to regulate thoughts, feelings, and procedures. They make it possible for us to choose our behavior and actions, and are often guided by morals, social standards, and personal biases. Bandura believes that self-regulatory systems can be monitored by self-efficacy, a type of self-reflection, which again will guide one’s actions and behaviors. Self-efficacy is based on one’s personal history, observation, and physiological state.

Behaviorism principles are based on ideas that learning happens through passive absorption. The social learning theory and the behaviorism approach seem to contrast the other theories and principles the most, but are linked to them with retention of information, rather subliminal or more blatant.

Things to Do with a Toddler

November 7, 2012November 7, 20121 Comment

Sometimes when your a new parent, or just stuck in a rut, it seems like you can be stuck home all day, but there are lots of great things to teach your children. Most of your child’s learning occurs in the first few years of life. First hand experiences, that they can associate new knowledge with, helps your child grow. As an educator, in school you learn how important this can be. Here are some great activities to get you involved in promoting your child’s education.

Things to do with a toddler (or baby or preschooler):

A Walk: Label things around you. Trees, bushes, numbers on houses, street signs, it is a big world out there help them make sense of it.
The Zoo: We are lucky and live near multiple zoos, but even if it is just a pond with ducks, your child will be truly engaged. Learning about differences in size, shape, color, what food they eat. There is a myriad of knowledge that can grow from exploring animals.
A Park: Pack a lunch and make a play date of it. As your child explores, they will be learning gross motor skills and strengthening their bodies, as well as, social skills.
Trains: Check out and see if there are train parks near you. We are lucky to even live near one that is free! You can talk to your child about all the different kinds of transportation out there.
A Library or Bookstore: Start your child’s love of books early! Many offer free play groups or story times. These offer your child a chance to learn a new set of skills about how to act in groups and appropriately respond to new people.
Open Gyms: Many gyms near us offer open gyms. A time for children to play on their own schedule and explore things like beams, parallel bars, and spring boards. they cost normally around $5, which gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
Splash pad: Sprinklers work if you can’t find one. What child doesn’t love some good water fun!
The Mall: Lots of malls have fun areas for kids to explore. Yes I know the ‘g’ word…germs, but it is such a great opportunity to for your kid to explore.
Museums: Even little ones can get into museums. There are so many kinds, so pick one which is your child’s interest, and explore the fun of great exhibits.

A Child With Needs

Early child development from a mom and professional.

Month: November 2012

Speech Concerns: Omitting Final Sound

Other speech things to look for:

Some suggested activities to help with speech concerns of omitting final and some initial sounds are:

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Delinquent Habits: Help Your Children Overcome

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Social Cognitive Theory

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Things to Do with a Toddler

Things to do with a toddler (or baby or preschooler):

Have other great ideas? Let us know.

Related Articles to ‘Things to Do with a Toddler’