Listen LIVE on August 29 for “Teach Me To Talk with Laura and Kate”
I want to invite you to join us for my next show this Friday, August 29. You can listen LIVE using the link here EVERY Friday from 1-2 pm Eastern time. 
During this week’s show we’ll finish discussing in detail strategies for parents to use at home to help late talking children begin to communicate. We’ll be discussing the technique of expansion and other ways to help children move from single words to phrases including specific recommendations for wholistic phrases and carrier phrases. If you’re not sure what these are and how they can help your toddler, tune in!
If we have time, we’ll begin discussing the hierarchy of working on speech intelligibility with toddlers and young children. This may be a little technical for some listeners, but if you want very specific guidelines in what to target first to improve speech intelligibility in toddlers, as well as what to save for later and what to ignore all together, this is the show for you! If you’re an early interventionist or pediatric speech-language pathologist, I think you’ll find this information extremely helpful if this is a new topic for you, or a good refresher if it’s not new. If we don’t get to this topic on Friday, August 29, we’ll definitely cover it or finish it next Friday, September 5!
If you missed it, you can listen to Parts 1 and 2 of this series from last couple of shows by clicking the Blogtalkradio icon on our home page. We discussed using playfulness, sign language, modeling, choices, and withholding.
Thanks to all of the GREAT callers who have joined us! We enjoyed your questions! We’d LOVE to hear from you! You can call in and ask us your own questions about your own child when you listen LIVE on Fridays at 1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern Time. The TOLL-FREE call in number is (718) 766-4332.
If you can’t join us then, but still need a question answered on air, send me an e-mail at laura@teachmetotalk.com or post a comment here on our site.
Either way, please join us! I can’t wait to hear from you!!!!
Upcoming topics for this fall in September & October -
- Low muscle tone - How important a factor is muscle tone in learning to talk (and walk)? A pediatric physical therapist will join us for an explanation of low tone, high tone, strength, coordination, and all things related to muscle tone! We’ll also talk about oral motor exercises - when to use ‘em and when to ditch ‘em! Look for the announcement for the date coming soon!
- A new series of shows on language comprehension or receptive language skills including a preview of the info from my new DVD which should be ready for release in September - ”Teach Me To Listen and Obey!”
Don’t see what YOU are hoping we’ll discuss? Call us and ASK, or shoot me an e-mail at Laura@teachmetotalk.com. Thanks so much for your input!
Comment by Laura on 1 September 2008:
What a great show last Friday! Thanks to Annette for calling in with her timely question about combining words into phrases. (You can listen for yourself by clicking the top “Teach Me To Talk with Laura and Kate” icon.) She gave a great example of how she is working to expand her son’s single words to phrases. What I wish I would have also suggested is to model other two-word combos in context and using some heightened awareness/humor to make it even more likely he would imitate. She could have modeled, “NO NO Doggie” exaggerated with a big head shake and a wag of her finger. Toddlers usually think this is a riot because someone else is getting in trouble besides them!
Blogtalkradio had some technical problems on Friday, so if you didn’t get to Listen LIVE, try us again this Friday. Don’t forget - Kate and I THRIVE on answering your real-life questions, so please call. We’re going to talk about speech intelligibility issues with new talkers - what’s important, what’s not, and what you can do at home to work on this! Talk to you then! Laura
Comment by Annette on 2 September 2008:
Hi Laura, funny you should mention modeling in other contexts… I automatically do that too! In fact, after I asked if Doggy did it, Did doggy give you a boo boo, then I said, “no no Maya” … and he now tells the dog “no no Maya” when she is being naughty. He picked up on that right away! He loves being the boss of “someone” for a change! hahaha
I try to say similar concepts in different ways in hopes to hit on the one that clicks with Jake. If it clicks, he says it!
Thanks again for such a great site and now the radio show… you’re really helping us make connections! I am excited to check out your new DVD coming out too! We are going to get this boy talking (and listening) one way or another! :o)
Annette
Comment by Elizabeth Jenkins on 5 September 2008:
Laura thank you s much for this website!!!! The information you provide here has been invaluable to me!!! I have you dvd and it is providing tremendous assistance working with my autistic/apraxic son. Today was the first time I listened to your podcast and I am already a big fan. You and Kate did such a great job delivering the information it made me sad when the hour was over. Thanks again for all you do!!!
Comment by Amy on 5 September 2008:
Laura I too listened to your show today and thought it was great! You and Kate do such a good job of making everything very easy to understand. Now I just need to find the time to be able to sit here and listen to the past shows…
Comment by Laura on 5 September 2008:
Thanks so much Elizabeth! I am glad you’re enjoying the show and the DVD. I love hearing from moms and dads who have found the ideas helpful! I’d LOVE for you to call in the show and talk with me! Consider this your personal invitation! Laura
Comment by Laura on 5 September 2008:
Amy - I’m so glad you liked the show! Here’s your personal invitation to call in and talk to us yourself! You didn’t say if you’re a therapist or a mom, but we’d love to have you either way! Thanks so much for the compliment!
Multi-task while you listen to the old shows! Other moms have told me they iron, fold laundry, mate socks, do their nails, etc… My mother, who listens live every week, does her needlepoint. The show is also available as a FREE download on itunes if you’d rather download and listen from your ipod while you’re more active or while you drive. Hope you can squeeze us in! Laura
Comment by Kristen on 10 September 2008:
Several weeks ago I came to the conclusion I was going to have to become my son’s speech therapist. He has speech one hour a week which isn’t enough and he doesn’t respond very much to it at all. I was going to have to do something, but what? I began searching for answers and someone had posted a link to your site on a discussion board. Clicking that link was like finding a pot of gold! I read everything you have ever posted, printed it out and then read them again. I ordered your dvd and watched it and watched it and watched it. The way you demonstrated how to do things was difficult for me to emulate at first, I just don’t have that type of personality. MY SON STARTED RESPONDING!!! That made it easier and easier to do. In this short month he has acquired 27 new words! He is no longer frustrated and can tell me what he wants. His behavior is improving as well. His speech therapist is trying to take the credit but we know where the credit truely belongs. Thank you Laura!!
p.s. I don’t get much internet time anymore because my son loves mommy speech therapy!!!
Comment by Laura on 10 September 2008:
Kristen - Thank you so much for sending me your comment about the DVD! I am going to use this as a basis for an upcoming article. Look for it soon!
Your son is so lucky to have a mom like you who will look for solutions for him! I’m so glad I was able to help you find something that worked! Keep it up! Laura