Katia

Speech therapy without words

Squid doesn’t talk; her brother doesn’t listen. I suspect they are showing sides of the same traits – somehow those brain connections that register words seem to form more slowly and be more fragile than the average. I found an interesting article by Nina Kraus In Nature Neuroscience Reviews studying the effect of music training onContinue reading “Speech therapy without words”

Miaow, miaow – I’m a cow

Miaow, miaow – I’m a cow // Miaow, miaow- I’m a cow // NOOOO Beep, beep – I’m a sheep //Beep, beep – I’m a sheep // YEAHHH Long car trip sing-a-long for Squid (helpful YouTube inspiration from eldest child). Animal noises, easy lyrics and belly laughs. Brilliant

Free Printable Flip Up Pronoun Speech Cards

Today Squid is poorly home from school, and Mum is low on inspiration, so we will be working though some activities gleaned from the Internet. I found these beautiful free printables on pronouns. The link explains them, but I had to go to ‘teachers pay teachers’ to download it (for free). I hope she lovesContinue reading “Free Printable Flip Up Pronoun Speech Cards”

Words wanted; will pay biscuits

My speech therapist advises Hanen inspired approaches which involve a lot of pregnant pauses to give your child the opportunity to speak, without ever pressuring them. My mother-in-law, however, won’t hand over biscuits without a credible attempt to request it politely. A standoff. Subliminal calculation of grandmotherly intransigence versus grandmotherly generosity. Then she acquiesces. SheContinue reading “Words wanted; will pay biscuits “

I see the past

I see the little boy who would get so angry that he wouldn’t be understood – but I need to blink him away. The real boy is up on stage projecting his voice so that the whole hall can hear him. I see the little boy who would be too shy to socialise – butContinue reading “I see the past “

This week I have done no speech work with my child.

I set myself a target of blogging once a week – but this week I have nothing to say about speech. Speech has been pushed out by her brother’s school play, her parent’s evening at school, volunteering at school, looking after ill kids, visiting ill friends, entertaining guests, pretending to clean, bad lifestyle choices, dealingContinue reading “This week I have done no speech work with my child. “

Here are the photos that didn’t show up in the last post for some reason!

“Mum did you just Instagram the baby’s dinner??”

Well, actually I use YouFood, but yes I did. Social media saturation – epitomised by hipsters photographing their cappuccinos – is widely accused of damaging users mental health. However this social media habit keeps me sane in the Sisyphean task of serving delicious balanced dinners to my children. My children each only willingly eat aContinue reading ““Mum did you just Instagram the baby’s dinner??””