Michelle’s Marvelous Gift Guide for Children 2017

This next weekend is the beginning of a long marketing bonanza.  Technically it's already been creeping in on us, I started hearing holiday music playing in stores before Halloween.  We can all probably agree that the world will take this season to a whole new level starting this Thursday.

I'm here to give you permission this year to minimize the spending of time and money; specifically on gifts.  I'm also here to share with you a few tips on finding gifts that will add value to your child's life rather than take away -- ones that will inspire learning.  Of course we all have opinions and these are just a collection of mine, however I have not only researched thoroughly, but also used these gifts repeatedly with children.  They rarely fail...unless the iPad is an option, which is a whole different can of worms.

Creativity
Through my experience working in many settings with all sorts of children and adults I've found one key ingredient that guarantees growth -- Creativity.

Whether it's communication, cognitive, socio-emotional, or any other function of development, igniting creativity is the engine for learning in all domains.

And how do we foster creativity?

We play.

If I want a child to learn social skills, we play tea party, house, or any game where we take turns.
If I want them to learn the names of animals, we play hide and seek to find animals.
If I want a child to learn directions, we make it into a game.

We play, then we learn.  That people is the order in which it goes and play is nearly always (never say always) the least resistant path.

There has been repeated, evidence over time to clearly show that when we play and experiment, we grow and learn at our highest capacity.  This applies to children and adults both.  Albert Einstein once said, "Play is the highest form of research."

I warn you not to underestimate the benefit of play nor the complexity of it.  There are certain characteristics that spark the finest play, which is why I have created this list.

A Gift Guide for All Children 

1.  Low Tech
I am so serious with this one you guys.  I had this lower on the list and chose to make it number one.  Screen time is an addiction and we are all victims.  Your child will do what she sees you do and her little brain is highly fragile.  It is our job as adults to protect them, which means really thinking through the long-term impact of our actions today.  If we as adults are addicted (be careful, denial is a sign), then our children are more than vulnerable.  Tread lightly and give them your time...screen free.  Observe your own personal use and limit it.  Notice I said limit it, not get rid of it.

"Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master." -Christian Lous Lange

The behaviors from technology addiction include:

• tantrums (crying, screaming, yelling)
• inattention
• fidgeting
• lack of creativity or ability to play imaginatively
• lack of sleep.  

Here's a red flag.  Steve Jobs and all other tech geniuses kept their children's technology use at a MINIMUM.  Stay away from technology and be firm.  Tablets are not used while I'm working with children and their complaining ends once the boundaries have been set and our relationship has been established....AND when they see and begin to use the other toys available of course.

2.  Quiet Toys
Whether your child has a speech-language delay or not you want them to talk during play, you don't want the toys to be talking, singing, or making noises for them.  Toys that are noisy can also be overstimulating and/or cause stress.

A developmental phase that isn't often explained, but observed, is a child's use of self-talk.  This is when a child is talking quietly (or not) while playing and is typical between ages 3-5 yrs.  It's developmentally appropriate and a gift that continues to give.

It's through self-talk that your child learns how to solve problems and regulate emotions. It's where the real-world and imaginary one intersect.  You and I have learned to use silent self-talk to work through problems or to-do lists...most of us that is...I still talk out loud a lot of the time. Hehe.

Now, if you do buy toys that make sounds, buy toys where the she can create the sounds.  For instance, a drum or tambourine.  She will experiment with these instruments, resulting in learning.

3.  Used Toys
This is a hard one for so many, but in all the years that I've worked with children, not one of them has noticed when a toy is new vs. used (unless they've been taught).  The majority of my therapy toys are used and they function as good as any new, expensive toy from Toys R' Us.  Children are not judgemental by nature; a toy, is a toy, is a toy.

4.  Multipurpose Toys
Searching for toys that are open-ended and can be used in multiple ways is a great way to keep your child engaged in play.  An example would be blocks.  They can be used to build towers, roads, houses, dominoes, etc.  You can build them up, knock them down, trace them for art projects, decorate them, and so much more.  Blocks are the Rocky Balboa of toys...the best.

5.  No Toys
Physical gifts are fun to open and play with, but in today's world our children are overwhelmed by stuff and lacking quality time with adults.  Taking an evening, weekend, or week to do something together either at home or away from the home is an amazing gift.

Maybe your talents are building or quilting and you spend a few evenings building a doll house, bird house, or creating a blanket with your child.  What if she helps pick out colors or starts the project with you and on Christmas day she waits for the "big reveal?"  Maybe you take her somewhere and spend quality time together unplugged from the responsibilities of the world.  Make it happen.

Toy Suggestions

1.  Building Blocks

Here are basic, wooden blocks through DINDINTOYS that are fabulous for children up to third grade (pictured below)

For older children, Legos could not be more fitting.

Here's one that I actually love too ;) and it's the Angry Birds game.  It's a real-life game, not electronic app and they can play for hours with it.

2.  Books

If you want your child to love and appreciate reading, you have to show that reading is important through your own actions.  That means you should give books on special occasions as well as read in front of them.  Children are a result of what they see.  Here are some great books for children of all ages.

Ages 0-3

• I Went Walking by Sue Williams
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr.
• Corduroy by Don Freeman
• Moo!  Baa,  La La La! by Sandra Boynton
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes by Annie Kubler

Ages 4-7

• The Little Mouse, The Big Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
• Swimmy by Leo Lionni
• The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne
• What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?  by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
• Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish 

Ages 8-10

• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
• A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle
• The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

Ages 11+

• A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle
• Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
• Harry Potter ANYTHING by J.K. Rowling
• Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• Joyful Noise:  Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman

3.  Tools

Fake or real depending on the age of your child, introduce her to tools of all kinds.  This could be tools for building, paint brushes for painting, crayons for coloring, a medical kit for curing...I'm sure you get the gist.

Heck, find cardboard boxes to let her draw all over and use as a fort and I guarantee she will be more than happy and entertained for hours.  Ooo...even better, turn the fort into a reading fort or creative space where she can color, paint, or read in.  The things you can do with toys (and boxes hehe) are endless!

This link from www.thisoldhouse.com gives a great list of tools for kids (pictured above).

www.forsmallhands.com is another website that has great tools for children of many ages including these manipulatives here.

A fabulous list of art supplies can be found at this blog called The Artful Parent.

Kitchen Tools can be found here for our chefs/bakers in the making!


4.  Dolls, Puppets, Dollhouses & Clothes for Dressing Up!
Boys and girls both love dollhouses, puppets, and dressing up.  Not kidding...I used to borrow a dollhouse from the school social worker and all of the children loved it.  To a point that some of them (even students who weren't on my caseload) would attempt to sneak away from their classrooms to play with the dollhouse in the room.  You can do no wrong with giving them toys that encourage your child to use her imagination.

Here are some links for you to search!
Puppets (pictured above)
Puppet Theater
Wooden Dollhouse
Melissa & Doug Dollhouse
Plastic Dollhouse
Dress Up Clothes--can be found at any second-hand shop. ;)


5.  Nature Anything
You may have already noticed, but children are fascinated with the outdoors.  They can spend hours outside and remain entertained.  When I was younger, I had several containers for catching bugs, buckets for holding dirt, and a butterfly net.  Our sandbox was also a huge hit...always.

Here are just a few suggestions...
Water Bug Viewer Container w/Net (pictured above)
Metal Bucket
Binoculars
Star & Sphere Kit
Nature Walk Bag
Build a sand, rice and/or water table!


6.  Puzzles & Games
These activities are bound to keep your child growing and learning through problem solving, organizing, sequencing, etc.

Rush Hour (Ultimate Favorite...pictured above)
IQ Twist Brainteaser...this one is really hard and has different levels of difficulty.  My students and I would lose track of our free time sometimes with this one!
Melissa & Doug- Animals Mini-Puzzle Pack
Melissa & Doug- World Map Floor Puzzle 
United States Map Puzzle

Really any puzzle that's age appropriate and game will do the trick!


7.  Trucks, Cars, & Things That Go!
The floor mats and/or carpets that have roads, buildings, etc. on them are also great.  Any trucks, cars, buses, boats, etc. that can be used to create imaginary places work wonders!  I won't post any links for these since they are easily found at local toy stores.

PC:  https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Carrier-Truck-Wooden/dp/B0037UT3E4

8.  Animals/Figurines
There is surely something about figurines that sparks language and communication.  I can't even begin to count the amount of times I've seen a little boy or girl running around with an action figure in hand, voicing all sorts of sound effects.  Kids get completely lost in play when they have animals or figurines to act out their own dreams and ambitions.

PC:  https://www.teaching.com.au/product/SK04

9.  Music, Lessons, and/or Performances
I'm putting quite a bit into one bullet here, but they all go together.  Giving your child the gift of music whether it's streaming music, taking them to lessons, or performances.  It ignites a whole new center for activity within them.

Technology has truly come so far since I was a little girl.  We used to play records in my house and I still remember the favorites I would dance to.  Subscribing to Spotify or Apple Music might be a great gift...just be sure that you too are dancing and singing along with your child sometimes.

PC:  The Land of Nod by Crate & Barrel

10.  You
Again, it is really tough for a toy to replace you as their parent, guardian, grandparent, childcare provider, teacher, etc.  The most important gifts you can give your child are your time, attention and love.  Honor her and embrace the time you have to spend with her while she's young.  Capture her creativity and be inspired to play yourself.  Escape adulthood for a few moments and ignite your inner child!  Ultimately this is what our children gift us in return.

Wishing you all a happy & safe holiday season filled with love and quality time spent with your loved ones.  Honor them with your whole heart.

Five Language Benefits of Scavenger Hunts Outside

This week has been COLD in Northern Michigan.  It's easy to want to curl up under a warm blanket and play inside as soon as the weather changes.  I mean...why get uncomfortable?

If this is where you're at, I sure hope you'll reconsider.  Nature is a key element in child development and the overall wellness of us as people.  Being outside is like magic.  It spurs imaginative play and creativity with little effort.  It also reduces stress and encourages socio-emotional wellness.

Some of my very favorite memories happened outside and I would bet I'm not alone.  I remember my mom, brother and I playing a game in the snow called "Fox and Squirrel." We ran and played for hours.  It was dark and cold outside, but the laughs were so strong and plentiful that we didn't even notice.

Here we'll look at five benefits of playing outdoors specific to language. BUT, before I get into these keep in mind all the other benefits such as cognitive and motor development!  Also...HAVE FUN!

• Vocabulary
• Describing
• Following Directions
• Recall
• Sequencing

Vocabulary
I cannot stress vocabulary building enough.  Reading and talking with our children is an extremely powerful tool in development.  Here's a little graphic that exhibits the building blocks that start with vocabulary and expression of one's ideas through written language.

VERY basic graphic showing the progression of

general language development.

The sheet below is full of examples of things you and your child(ren) can explore outside.  It's also a great visual tool for building reading awareness as they connect the picture with the word underneath each image.  If they aren't yet reading ready, then use the visuals-only or point to the word below the picture while saying it.

Describing
Building utterances into phrases and then into sentences is really based on a strong vocabulary.  However, describing helps expand vocabulary and also encourage your child to string words together to build phrases and eventually sentences.

While you're outdoors exploring all of the things on your list, try using descriptive words to expand your child's knowledge about what you're seeing or finding.  For example, maybe you see a bird walking on the ground.  A typical response might be, "do you see the bird?" and we leave it at that. Instead, be intentional about using adjectives to describe the bird you see.  This might sound like... 

"Do you see the bird?  

It's a black bird with a red belly and an orange beak.  

That bird is called a robin.  

Robin.  

Robins are black with red bellies and have orange beaks.  

Robins like to eat worms and build nests."  

**Note that your child may not repeat any of the words you give, but she is listening and processing!

You may feel like you're repeating yourself a lot.  If so, you're doing great!

Following Directions
Following directions is something adults can really "trip over" (if you will).  We assume they know what we're talking about after we spew off three or four directives.  This may not actually be the case and there could be several reasons other than, "they just don't listen" that your child is having difficulty following directions.  Outdoor scavenger hunts lend many moments to focus on practicing these skills.  To help build their ability to follow direction, use words such as:

You can incorporate following directions into this by saying, "First find a flower, then find a piece of grass," or "Find a red leaf on the ground."

Tips if they're still learning or having difficulty...

• Have them repeat the direction you give back to them.
• Point to the picture in the appropriate order while verbally giving the direction.
• Simplify the direction given (i.e. "First find a flower, then find a piece of grass," becomes "first flower, then grass."

Recalling
Recalling and sequencing go great together and I've included both pages that complement one another very well as a full activity.  After you've been scavenging, recall some of the items you've found and places you've found them with your child.  If they can't tell you verbally, let them find pictures of what they found (see below).  It's like finishing a circle when we come back to what we've done and recall what we've gleaned.  This gives you an idea of what your child is able to recall and also fill in the gaps and build bridges for learning these skills.

Sequencing
If you're developing sequencing or modeling the order in which events occur, directional words are SO important.  The conversation may start out like, "first we will find the sun, then we will point to the cloud."  Using words such as "first, second, third, last, before, after, etc." are all important concepts for our kiddos to latch onto and understand in order to improve their communication skills.

There is so much to learn beyond the walls of our homes.  It's not always comfortable.  It may be cold, rainy, hot, or snowing, but it can be such a great recharge and learning experience for you and your kids.  So bundle up and get outside friends!

Homemade Moon (Kinetic) Sand Recipe

After wanting to have my own supply of moon sand for far too long, I finally made time today to make some!  It's super easy, inexpensive and your children will love it.  I can't guarantee that it will be clean (but seriously what is fun without a little mess?!) so I recommend doing it outside or somewhere that's easy to clean!

What you'll need for a smaller batch...

-2 cups of Sand or Flour

- 1/4 cup oil (baby oil or vegetable oil work great!)

-a container or bag for mixing

Keep in mind that artificial fragrances can be tough on our kiddos sensory systems and can actually increase behaviors if we aren't careful.  The less fragrance, the better.

**REMINDER:  THIS CAN BE MESSY**

Mix the ingredients together and work the sand until it's easily manipulated with your fingers.  

Here is the finished look!!!

  

I used a plastic container, but it's great to store in a bag too.  I would recommend using a little larger container that is more flat than the one pictured.  The larger the container, the more space to create and the less risk for a mess. ;)

What to use moon sand for?  First off...you can ALWAYS use it to have plain old fun.  BUT...it's often used as a therapy tool for helping children (or adults) calm down and/or as a sensory tool as well.

There's always a way to build up language in activities though and when a child loves something, you've gotta take advantage of the fun moment to model some great language skills!  The activity could target following directions, recalling sequences (aka retelling the steps), creating figures and telling stories, taking turns, etc.  Try not to take the fun out of it, but embrace it!

Enjoy!
-Michelle Lynn Therapy

Four Spaces for Building Speech & Language Skills

With the rise of technology and "busy" in our lives today, we have to be even more intentional about the time we're spending with them.  We have to focus on the amount of quality time and the impact we have on our kids.  Let me clarify too that when I use the word "we" I'm referring to the entire village too, not just parents.

As far as speech and language development goes, many little ones are missing out on facetime and rich conversation, which is crucial for expressive language.  The replacement of facetime and social play with screen time is proving to be a problem for language development.  According to new research being presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in San Francisco reported findings that for every 30 minutes of daily screen use, the risk for an expressive language delay in its participants increased by 49%.

So what can we do to make sure we're being intentional about holding conversations with our children?  Luckily it starts with making small changes.  Sometimes it takes setting an intention for specific times throughout the week that you will eliminate distractions and focus your energy on playing and building communication skills.  Finding specific times and locations during your schedule is a good place to start.  I've shared four spaces below that I believe are often overlooked and offer some of the richest environments for speech and language development.

1.  The Library
This may seem very obvious and many families with young children do go to the library, but not many continue to visit as kids get older.  Libraries offer not only a wide array of books filled with vocabulary and interests that will inspire children to learn, but they typically offer amazing programs too.

An example of one of these programs would be the collaborative effort that Iosco-Arenac District Library puts forth to bring summer reading program.  They also offer other community events, workshops, or speakers.  Visiting the library can open up conversations about many things including (but never limited to):

• The walk or ride over
• How the library is set up (rows, titles, authors, etc.)
• Different genres of books (children's, mystery, self-development, history, etc.)
• Different roles within the library (librarian, volunteers, presenters, etc.)
• Describe the steps taken to check out a book, encourage them to go through the process with more independence
• Recall what you or they did at the library that day, practicing retention of past events and story retell

2.  Outdoor Spaces
Being outdoors is not only a natural relaxant for our minds, it's the perfect place to learn.  Think about everything you can discover and explore when you walk through the woods or down the sidewalk.  There are colors, categories, textures, bugs, sounds, and so much more to talk about.  Even sitting outside, waiting for someone to meet you can be the perfect setting for rich conversation.  Here are a few topics you can enjoy talking about outside:

• Categories to discuss: things that move, animals, plants, flowers, colors, etc.
• Similarities vs. differences:  maple leaf vs. pine needle, pond vs. river, road vs. sidewalk, etc.
• Textures:  soft, hard, sticky, rough, poky, and many more!
• Describe:  colors, what you see, movement, make predictions, and have fun building stories using animals or people as characters.

3.  The Grocery Store
Yes, absolutely the most chaotic place to be sometimes and not always conducive to conversation.  BUT, there are huge advantages to being in this space and receiving the vocabulary that is literally at your fingertips.  If the grocery store is really too much, then using the time while creating a grocery list, unpacking groceries and/or prepping and cooking your meals is great too.

• Ask questions
• Work on concepts such as, "under, over, top, bottom, middle, etc."  These are REALLY important for children to know before they can follow directions.
• Sequencing using your grocery list
• Synonyms and Antonyms:  big vs. small, top vs. bottom, front, vs. back.
• Read the names of things and labels
• Categorize: fruit, dairy, meat, etc.

4.  Car Rides
I may be wrong, but I think this could be the most overlooked space for conversation.  I have to admit, even without kids it's sometimes the only time I feel I have to make calls or just sit in silence, but car rides are perfect for conversation.  While you're driving you can:

• Ask questions
• Describe cars, buildings and scenery
• Comment on the seasons
• Predict where people are going or where you are going
• Talk about what you'll do when you get to where you're headed
• Share what you did after you've left (share your experience too!!)
• Let your child read to you

Of course there are always challenges during daily routines and there is surely a balance between interacting with children and giving them freedom to play by themselves or with their peers.  Enrichment and space are equally important.  Despite the chaos, our intention should be very clear:  creating opportunities and leaving space for good conversations with our children daily.  Increasing our awareness of the time we're spending with them and how it's used is key.

Our children are the future and it's up to us as communities to ensure they've been equipped with the tools needed to navigate this crazy thing called life.

If you have questions or topics you'd like me to cover on the blog, please do not hesitate to message me at mstaubin.slp@gmail.com or through the Michelle Lynn Therapy Facebook page.  Your thoughts are welcome freely and very much appreciated!

Ten Tips for Inspiring Your Child to Love Reading

One of the most common concerns parents and educators share is that their children "hate" reading and with that typically comes the question, "how do I encourage my child to read?"  Better yet, why is it important?

Although I do think most people have a basic understanding of why reading is important, I'm not sure as adults we take time to reflect on the true purpose of reading and how being a person who reads well and ENJOYS it too contributes to a better society.  We tend to use phrases like "college- and career-readiness" when it comes to describing the importance of reading.  In my opinion, we've become so heavily focused on these terms that we may actually be damaging the relationship our children have with reading.

Reading is a beautiful skill that we use for understanding, motivating, inspiring, creating, and to put it simply...playing.  That being said, in this post we'll focus on how to build positivity around reading and then touch on why reading is beneficial for not just "college" or one's "career," but LIFE in a later post.

So how do we ensure that our children not only CAN read, but ENJOY it too?  How do we build life-long readers?  Here are ten ways to make reading fun and encourage your children to want to read.

1.  Accept Sameness
Your child will want to read one book, over and over...and over again.  As adults this can be draining (maybe even grueling).  However, each time your child reads that SAME book, he or she is picking up NEW information.  It's likely just above their level of thinking and WAY below ours, so for them it's new learning.  If this becomes way too much, think about recording yourself reading it or finding it on audiobook.  Your child can listen to the recording while he flips through the pages.

2.  Encourage Choice
Everyone talks about choice these days and sometimes we can give too much choice.  However, it is a wonderful tool to use, especially when your child doesn't seem to enjoy reading.  Giving him the chance to choose his own books or giving him two to three options to read can change a tantrum into a positive interaction.  If you'd like information on how to incorporate or give choices, please reach out to me and we can go over this!

3.  Read Often
For many of my school-age years, I was fortunate to have a mother who could sit with us at the end of our driveway before the bus came.  She always kept two to three books in the console of the car and would read to us while we were waiting for the bus.  Not only did it give us more reading time, but it was calming and special.  The more we read, the stronger our connection grew.  Reading can be incorporated while waiting for appointments, during oil changes, bath time, etc.  Carrying books to have on hand rather than tablets is always a healthier option when considering long-term benefits.

4.  Be Creative
Literacy is built not only through books, but magazines, labels, signs, etc.  Not to mention books come in all shapes and sizes.  Some libraries have the BIG books that are a hoot to read and add a whole new element to reading.  Using puppets, stuffed animals, and different reading tools can also make reading fun and even though books such as "I Spy" and picture books may not have words, they are full of vocabulary and can inspire hesitant readers.  Sometimes you'll have to change it up to find what works.

5.  No Tech
The screens and effects of technology grab all of us, so beware.  If you'd like your children to read more, then I suggest creating guidelines around tablet, phone, and overall screen time.  I'll continue to talk endlessly about the negative impact technology has on the brain development of our kiddos, specifically creativity, behavior and socialization.  It's a serious matter and applies here too.  You may find that by removing or reducing technology that you and your children will be more engaged and less likely to become upset or agitated on a regular basis as well, which will ultimately bring more success to reading time.

6.  Read Aloud
I shared a short article recently about reading aloud to children of all ages.  Even as an adult I love listening to someone else read.  Reading books, magazines, labels on food or street signs are all ways to bond with children while reading aloud.

7.  Monkey See, Monkey Do
You've heard it before that what children see they will do.  If you make time for yourself to read, your children will see this and it will encourage them to read.  When you give them 20 minutes to sit and read, take 5-10 of those minutes and do some reading yourself.  Trust me, those 10 minutes will be beneficial not only for their reading, but for your mind as well.

8.  Create Purpose
I don't know many adults who are motivated to learn a new skill without seeing the purpose behind learning it.  The purpose could be making more money or because it looks fun, but there is usually purpose behind what we do.  It's the same with children, if they aren't engaged in something, then they must not see a purpose in putting their attention there.  You may need to find as many books that talk about trucks, buses and things that go to make sure your child reads and that is completely okay!

9.  Visit the Library
There's something about libraries that are magical.  Regular trips to the library can be so fun for kids and create another chance for you to bond with your child.  Many libraries do fun, weekly activities and groups as well so getting involved in those can also inspire young ones to read!

10.  Comment vs. Question
Sometimes we adults find ourselves hammering kids with questions when trying to hold a conversation or read.  Keep in mind how you feel when someone asks you question after question and be sure to find ways to walk through books without asking questions repeatedly.  Commenting on the pictures of the books and presenting scenarios or ideas you have about the book are great ways to avoid leaning too heavily on asking questions.

Before signing off I wanted to be completely fair and say that despite my love for reading, I did go through spurts where reading was not something that I did happily.  This was especially true throughout the grades 7th-12th and even into college.  I picked up books for enjoyment mostly during school breaks and summer.

So if your child has hit a similar spurt where they aren't as excited about reading, but you and education staff are confident in their reading skills, then definitely don't make it an argument every time reading comes up.  During these times I recommend continuing to buy them books, limit technology time and read in front of them yourself!

If you have questions or comments please feel free to comment below or reach out directly!

Ten Children's Books for Parents Who Are Expecting

If you're preparing for a baby to join the world, you may be filling baskets, bins, or bookshelves with books to read with him (or her).  To hold that snuggly little one in your arms and share moments of reading, talking, and plenty of giggles; you can hardly wait!  So why then should you wait?

Before I was born, my dad began reading books to me.  Yup, you read that right, he would sit next to my mother and read stories to her belly.  I can't speak for my prenatal self, but to this day it still makes my heart happy to think that he sat and read, despite the fact that it probably felt very foreign and ridiculous at times.  Not only that, but I'm sure even this small gesture had an impact on the happiness I feel when I sit or listen to a book to this day.

When I was asked what books I'd recommend for parents for newborns today I couldn't have been more thrilled.  As I read the comment, I sat just a few feet away from the wall (yes...wall) of books full of the collection that has grown alongside me.  So, while sitting by the bookshelves my dad so graciously built for my families book obsession, I present to you TEN lovely books to read with your baby.  Whether he continues to "bake" away in that tummy of yours or he has met the world and can be wrapped in a blanket while rocking in your arms, these books will serve you on so many levels.  If you click on each of the titles in the list, it will bring you to a link where you can see the cover, summary and purchase if you'd like!

1.  The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

The joy of reading the words by A.A. Milne is hard to top.  These tales are ones that are wonderful for reading aloud during pregnancy or during infancy.  Friendship, positivity, with a splash of mischief can be found between both covers of this collection.

2.  Little People's Mother Goose Pictures by Jeni Bassett Compiled by Barbara Lucas

I still pick this book up time and again.  It was given to me on my first birthday by dear friends of our family and remains one of my absolute favorites.  The binding is falling apart, but the treasures that it holds are still fresh as ever.  The rhymes, songs and riddles are split into four parts including:

• Little Rhymes About Little People
• Songs and Games
• Learning Rhymes and Riddles
• Old Friends and Favorites

Highly recommend this from conception to toddlers.  You can never go wrong with the classics.

3.  Baby Beluga Illustrated by Ashley Wolff

A few of the books you'll find in this list are not just a favorite of mine, but by many others.  The best part of this book may be that it can be read as a tune.  Creating motions is always fun while your infant is learning to kick, clap, and wave his hands and feet.  I've read this many times over with my kindergarten students at their request and their eyes light up as soon as we begin.

4.  Corduroy Goes to the Doctor Written by Don Freeman Pictures by Lisa McCue

A simple book about going to the doctor.  This one is great for when your baby is ready to help turn pages and maybe even taste them!  It's a cardboard book that describes Corduroy's visit to the doctor and what he may expect when going.

5.  While the World is Sleeping by Pamela Duncan Edwards Illustrated by Danielle Kirk

Rhyming is one of the pre-literacy skills that is essential.  Knowing the alphabet is a very small piece to the literacy puzzle.  The ability for our children to hear and recognize individual and combinations of sounds in words as two major components for reading success.  This book greets you with not only words that rhyme, but a wide array of vocabulary words with beautiful illustrations.  If you are a fan of nature, this book is wonderful for sharing that with love with your little as well.

6.  Love You Forever Written by Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Sheila McGraw

I tried to bring some unique titles to this list for parents to expand their baby libraries, however this one could not be left behind.  It remains a favorite in many households and was one in ours.  I will not guarantee you a dry eye by the end of the story, however the emotion it brings and the security it will give your child in knowing he is loved forever is worth all the tears.

7.  Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

Another classic.  This book is the first in this list of books that has pages with doors to open while searching for Spot!  It's a fun, interactive book for babies and toddlers to enjoy with their families.  It is a book full of questions and answers that introduce your child to the rhythm and intonation (pitch) of our voices when we ask questions and give answers; a skill rarely considered while building language skills, yet essential for children to learn.

8.  Rain Talk by Mary Serfozo Illustrated by Keiko Narahashi

This fun, sound-filled book brings excitement through onomatopoeia (words that represents sounds).  As a little girl and her dog describe their day outside in the rain they share the sounds they hear such as "Ploomp Ploomp Ploomp PlipPlipPlipPlipPlipPlip"  It's a fun one to read with infants and elicit a giggle or two while reading.  This is also one that would work for many ages.

A fun tip when they start to chatter back is to converse with them.  After they've responded to you with a movement, giggle, or vocalization, chatter back to them and wait to see if they will respond to you.  It's fun to go back and forth with them as they learn to take turns during conversation.  

9.  Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr. Suess

We cannot bypass one of the greatest children's authors (maybe even THE greatest) of all time; Dr. Suess.  Really any of his books would do, however this story is inspiring for all ages as it describes the craziness of life and the uniqueness we all have if we tap into it.  It's a longer story, which means it may be best for reading before baby is born and/or while he is still teeny, tiny and not as squirmy or interactive.

10.  The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR by Don and Audrey Wood Illustrated by Don Wood.

I might claim this as my favorite book as a kid and quite possibly still my favorite children's book.  While a mouse has his eyes set on a big, ripe, red strawberry that hangs from a bush near his home, he is warned (by the author) about a big, hungry bear headed in the direction of the strawberry.  The mouse scrambles to harvest the strawberry and carry it safely to his home.  This book includes humor, anticipation, and the illustrations are phenomenal.

I hope your little one enjoys these books as much as I have.  I encourage you to take time to think back to your favorite books to read as a child and include those in your child's library.  Comment below or on Michelle Lynn Therapy's Facebook page with your childhood favorites!  The more the merrier.  Enjoy!

Supporting Community Through Speech and Language Services

Resources are essential for communities to thrive.  Period.  Now let me share with you my learnings this week on how essential.

Monday morning I sat down to see if I had received any feedback about the therapy I would be offering.  Soon, it became crystal clear to me how meaningful these services are in every community.  As I began reading the emails and comments that were a result of the post, my eyes were soon filled with tears as realized how the lack of services was negatively impacting children, their families, and as a result, our entire community; a community that I cherish greatly.  I received messages from families that were driving over two hours for evaluations and some that were making trips once a week for therapy until their child reached school-age.  One family even shared that the lack of resources in the area was a primary reason for not living there.

Being a speech therapist I recognize the importance of the services I give as well as the occupations I work closely with (occupational therapy, social work, etc.).  That being said, I know now that I didn't fully realize how large their impact can be on an entire community until I offered them to an area that had none outside of the school setting.

One service, business, or act may seem small to you, but let's take a house for example, you go without fixing the door that won't close, no big deal right?  Well then you pick up another shift at work, the toilet starts to leak, the shingles blow off the roof, the window glass cracks, etc. and all of a sudden the house has been deemed "let go," and it all hits you in one, big moment.  This is an example of how small acts can lead to one big event and it's one people can relate to or imagine; aka the "snowball effect."

I'd like you to think of how this works in a community where resources (outside of the school) such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, social work, etc. are limited or absent.  How do they impact our children?  How does this further affect our families?  What happens to the community when our children and families are not supported in the most basic areas such as communication, movement, strength, emotional stability, etc.?  Where is there room for innovation and growth when these basic needs are not addressed?

Now, ask yourself the question, "What makes a community strong?"  What is the backbone of a community?  Is it the businesses or the schools?  Is it how nice the sidewalks look or how clean the public bathrooms are?  Sure, these are important factors, but the true source of greatness and excellence of a town, city, nation, etc. is very simple; the PEOPLE.  We are what make a community thrive.

The importance of having individuals who have good communication, social skills, and coping mechanisms for stress and emotional turbulence that life throws at us is fundamental for success.  I challenge you to see the basic needs of people that are sometimes discounted as "small" as the actual building blocks for relationships and flourishing communities.  I can assure you that my perspective has forever been changed and I am thankful to the families who have reached out and enlightened me thus far.

You are important and I cannot wait to continue the journey.


All the love,
Michelle