Take Time To Talk!!

2011-04-14T09:35:00.001-04:00

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

Welcome!

2010-12-15T10:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to all our new friends! Thanks for checking out Take Time To Talk! Please feel free to ask questions and share your comments about the speech and language concerns or successes of your little ones. I hope this will a wonderful, safe, informative place to learn and share as we, together as parents and professionals, help children to be great communicators!

Making Changes...

2010-11-09T10:08:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything new. That's because it has taken me some time to figure out where I want Take Time 2 Talk to go. I have been thinking through the best ways to get the information about speech and language out there to the parents who need it. I am still working on my plan, but have decided that in the meantime I will keep bringing you information to help you and your little ones talk, talk talk!!

Please feel free to leave your comments and questions or to contact me at taketime2talk@gmail.com. I look forward to exciting things to come, and hope you'll stay on the journey with me!

2010-05-06T22:36:00.001-04:00

Connect with your kids by first, connecting with yourself. Take a moment to breathe in light, love and joy. Breathe out all the "stuff" built up inside you that doesn't bring you joy....stress, anger, frustration, irritability. Do it again, and again. Once YOU feel better, you have more to give those whom you love! <3

2010-04-22T15:59:00.001-04:00

Did you know...that essential oils have been used throughout history for many purposes of wellness? Did you know that now you can access this type of natural healing for headaches, sleep disturbances, aches and pains, hormonal imbalance and much, much more. Help your kids with sleep, increase mental functioning, calm nerves or lift moods! Find out more at www.mydoterra.com/youandmeessentials!!

What type of mom (or dad) are you?

2010-04-06T20:45:00.000-04:00

I read a great story today about a little guy who had been adopted. To teach him about his adoption and to help him feel loved, his mother taught him that he had a "tummy mom" and a "heart mom". I loooove this concept. Which one are you? Can you be both? Which one do you ACT like? I happen to be both...these kids came from my tummy, but they certainly have my heart. Admittedly, some days I ACT more like just old, "biological" mother instead of a loving, nurturing "heart mom". I brought them here...I feed them and clothe them and give them a place to live. But is that enough? Would that ever BE enough? I don't think so. And what about a "head mom"? I think we all know her. How many times do we parent from our heads...the things we've read, the things we've observed, the things we've been told, the things we THINK will make us a good parent? Do we stop and listen to our hearts? Do we stop THINKING and take the time to FEEL? Do we stop listening to the Supernanny or Dr. Spock or Grandma So-and-So (full of wisdom, in and of themselves, however) and take the time to listen to our children...to hear what they are telling us..."Can you read to me?" "Can you play with me?" "Can you hold me?" I think a "heart mom"... a real, true, day-to-day, honest-to-goodness "heart mom" will stop the thinking and stop the dishes and the laundry and the dinner and READ or PLAY or HUG her child. I think my kids were onto something when as little, little ones they first learned to say "hold you" instead of "hold me" as they tugged on my pant legs and held up their arms. I would hold them, but really they were holding ME...with their arms wrapped around my neck and their sticky fingers and matted hair and milky breath wrapped around my heart. And I would feel like my heart would almost burst in those sweet moments. And luckily...they still come for those hugs now, although nobody says "hold you" anymore. But I know that everytime they come to me for love they know they'll get that hug or that kiss or that squeeze...'cause I AM a HEART MOM! <3

2010-04-02T15:00:00.001-04:00

Did you know that research is showing that babies GROW better and ACT better when they are on the receiving end of the right touch? Infant massage is a skin-to-skin connection that helps parents and babies better connect with each other...with or without saying a word!

2010-03-29T23:36:00.001-04:00

"Good homes are still the best source of good humans". ~Neal A. Maxwell

2010-03-20T18:47:00.001-04:00

INCREASE LANGUAGE PRODUCTION! Great for little ones just learning to talk or "late talkers" or kids diagnosed with any kind of delay. We call these "Communicative Temptations" and you can easily work them into your daily routines (meals, snacks, bathtime, play time, etc.) Try them out!
1. Eat something in front of your child that he/she likes, but don't offer any. When your child indicates that he would like some model a way for him to make the request (sign, words).
2. Dish up bite size servings and wait for her to request "more...". Give the model if needed.
3. Limit your child's access to favorite things like foods or toys. Keep them out of reach so she has to make a request for these items.
4. Give food or drink with utensils missing such as spoons or straws and wait for a request.
5. Use tight containers to store things such as cookies, crackers or small toys. When your child indicates that he wants something, you can hand him the container, then he must request "help" to open it.
6. Give your child a choice of two things to eat or drink and require her to make a choice verbally or with a sign. Now GET TALKING!!!

Touch = Communication

2010-03-16T17:44:00.002-04:00

DID YOU KNOW that according to the Thesaurus a synonym for “touch” is “communication”? Jill Vyse said, “Baby massage is about learning to communicate your love for your baby through touch”. Touching your baby in day to day interactions like changing a diaper or giving a bath does not stimulate the brain as much as INTENTIONAL soft touch. Loving touch improves emotional development, sensory awareness, production of growth and digestive hormones, reduces stress and promotes better sleep! Now how can you argue with that?! I’d say lots of ‘bigger kids’ wouldn’t mind a little soothing touch and loving talk from mommy or daddy too!

Baby Sign Language...Good or Bad?

2010-03-16T17:43:00.000-04:00

Personally, I am all for it! Baby sign language is a great way to communicate with your baby before they can actually talk. Babies usually understand speech before they are able to perform the complicated task of speaking…coordinating lips, tongues and voices. However, they can perform motor activities (hand movements, gestures) much earlier than they are able to talk. “Baby” sign language typically refers to using simple gestures (i.e. “wave”) or using true or modified American Sign Language (ASL) (i.e. opening and closing fist for “milk”). Most babies are able to imitate signs as early as 8 or 9 months of age. Signing helps reduce the frustration that babies can feel when their needs and wants are not understood. If your 10 month old baby is crying you may have to go through a process of giving drink, food, checking a diaper, etc. to try to figure out what your baby is communicating. However, if your baby fusses and signs “milk”, you will know immediately what he/she wants. *Check out sites like www.aslpro.com or www.handspeak.com to see signs in action!*

Research done by Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn, the original Baby Signs authors, suggests that babies who signed tended to be less aggressive, less frustrated, and more self-confident. By the age of 3, kids who signed were talking with the skills of a 4 year old…a whole year’s worth of language growth! Later in life, those same children had increased scores on intelligence tests than those who did not sign as babies. Signing with your baby also increases the parent/child bond and helps to establish better emotional health and more positive interactions.

So, where to start? There are many products available…books, dvd’s, etc., as well as a lot of information on the internet. Watch for a link HERE to order products through the original Baby Signs company…coming soon! With my own children and with clients, I always start with the sign for “more” and then move to “eat” and “drink” or “milk” and “all gone”, because let’s face it…eating is very important to every baby! From there, label items that are common in your baby’s environment…Daddy, Mommy, dog, cat, book, etc. and common routines “bath”, “sleep”, “play” etc. As your baby grows and becomes more proficient at signing you can introduce more words and begin to combine words such as “more cookie” or “Daddy all gone”. Most importantly, communicating with your baby should be an enjoyable experience for both of you. You can begin signing around 6 months, and baby will catch on when he/she is ready. When your baby first begins signing respond with praise and love, smiles and hugs, and see how fast baby is to do it again! I still have memories of my youngest signing “bath” as her little naked bottom went running down the hall toward the tub!

AND…early communication increases baby’s brain power! As well as any communication between you and your baby, complete with eye contact, soft touch, soothing words, and a nurturing attention, will connect the two of you in a parent/child bond like nothing you’ve ever known!

Happy signing! :)

New Page!!

2010-03-16T17:27:00.002-04:00

Welcome to It's You and Me Baby's new page on Blogger!! Thanks for joining us!!