One of my current projects is helping some little ones swallow. Sippy cups and pacifiers are changing the way some little mouths develop. The tongue resting posture is often down and forward, instead of up and back. We want to change that tongue resting position. I’ve found that I...
Helping Little Ones Swallow
How To Help?
When I spend time with parents, I’m asked how to help. My answer includes asking how much reading aloud is done at home. And I’m asking about reading stories that are beyond the child’s reading level. I ask for a reason. The richer the words a child hears, the richer...
Mouths, Tonsils, and Airways
When I work, I look inside mouths! I see all kinds of tonsils. Sharing about mouths and tonsils and airways … These images are from the Brodsky scale which compares the size of tonsils. Tonsils are small glands in the back of the throat. Tonsils help stop bacteria from...
A Tiny String of Tissue
A tiny string of tissue under the tongue can prevent the tongue from functioning properly. I’m amazed! I want families to have this knowledge so I share. The tongue is our most versatile articulator. The tongue is used in making EVERY SINGLE SPEECH SOUND in some way. These two...
Create A Free Time List!
The school year is winding down, strange as the year has been. Students are wondering aloud with me how to occupy their time as school assignments end. Here’s an idea for parents. Create a Free Time List! And … create it WITH your child. This list is best prepared...
Trying New Things
A word about trying new things. I walked tonight. I listened to Brene Brown’s first podcast, “Brene on FFTs”. Her podcast is “Unlocking Us”. She recorded while isolating during pandemic, in a closet, sitting on her son’s dirty gym clothes. She talked about trying things for the first time....
Everything
I’m grateful for parents who want the best for their child. That’s the reason I’m asked to become involved with families. When special days roll around, I think of the things children need from parents. Children need to hear “I love you” and “I’m proud of you.” They need...
Understanding Infant Torticollis
Infant Torticollis — What Parents Should Know about Signs and Symptoms adapted from a piece by Intermountain Healthcare Parents may start to worry if baby’s head starts tilting to one side or if they prefer to look one direction. Your doctor may have even noticed it at your baby’s last check-up....
Life Skills for Ages 6 through 9
As the child matures, responsibility increases. More is expected in terms of self-care, helping at home, and using money including identifying denominations of paper money and coins. These are the life skills grouped for children who are 6 and 7 years old. Make bed without assistance Fold and...
Swallowing, Taken for Granted
Swallowing is taken for granted! Swallowing requires that a seal be made somewhere in the front of the mouth. The ability to swallow food requires that seal. Food is gathered on top of the tongue in preparation for the swallow. The tongue accomplishes the seal in...
Super Read! Strong Mothers, Strong Sons
Strong Mothers, Strong Sons – Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men by Meg Meeker, M.D. Super book! Here are a few snippets: “As mothers…our job is to help our sons seek knowledge and truth…. We must challenge them to differentiate good from evil and right from wrong. We...
Wisdom…
From Robert Fulghum citing Bonita Zimmer: “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you!”
Thank you, Role Model!
Yesterday, a young 5 year old worked on one of his sounds using “thank you”. We practiced his response, focusing on his sound. In the middle of the sequence, he grinned broadly and said, “Thank you, Role Model”! Never had a little one say that to me before, especially...