Oh The Places We Can Go

In an Auditory Verbal Approach, we often speak of the use of extensions as a strategy for expanding language. Today the focus of extensions is with regard to the vocabulary knowledge of the places families frequent. Every place we visit there is an opportunity to expand vocabulary. A child  may as well learn car- hop, menu, and latte as well as any other words. We tend to stick with the same familiar vocabulary. Remember, you don't have to order or drink a latte to know what one is. Granted there are other more pressing and important words to learn when children are developing language, but the point is that if we keep in mind the need to raise the bar for language where ever we are, then those higher level words will become commonplace.

Language Activity Tip #1:

Keep your camera in your car and each time you stop at a familiar location such as gas station, post office, convenience store or school, take pictures of some of the key features. Maybe the gas pump, the mail box slot, the ATM machine, the soda fountain or the flag pole. Copy the photos to your  computer and make a slide show or print them and place them in a book. You can have great conversations recalling what you did there, why you went and what vocabulary is associated with it.

Language Activity Tip #2:  Inference Game

"I'm thinking of a place we go to refuel our car. It has a pump and  a hose. We sometimes go in and buy a drink. My favorite drink to buy there is a Dr. Pepper but you always order a Cherry Icee."

"I'm thinking of a place where children do to learn. There are teachers and principals there and usually we see  children playing on the swings. I like the flag pole in the front of the building."

Language Activity Tip #3: Story Telling

You can also use the photos to generate stories. Help your child develop narrative skills by talking first about recent familiar episodes when those locations were visited. You could also talk about the near future when  you will go there again. You can also begin to tell imaginary stories about the child's family members who went to that place and what they did.

Ex: On day daddy took Seth to school. Seth had his new backpack. His backpack was heavy because he had his pencils, his paper and his crayons. Seth likes school because he likes to draw and write his letters.
When you go to school, what do you think you would like to do?
Would you like to cut, draw or write?

Of course, conversations will happen on the level that your child is processing language. Remember it is a good thing to talk to the child just above their level of language. Don't be afraid to expose him to vocabulary extending beyond the simple daily routines. We want children to be able to have conversations about their own experiences and they will need the vocabulary to do it.

I would love to hear how you have expanded this idea with your child.

Extend, Extend, Extend!!!

A Great Big Gratitude Weekend

This art work says: GRATITUDE: To be present in the appreciation of life's abundance and to share that light with others.

That is how I felt about this past weekend. It was both an amazing weekend and one of disappointment as well. A few months after I began blogging I met three incredible women who blogged and who regularly commented on my friend Julie's blog at Octamom.
We continued commenting on each other's blogs and slowly learned that we had much in common. In fact, Roban of Moments In Time was born on the same day and year as me. In 2009, we all chose a word and for 12 months joint posted about our words. We were faithful readers of each other's blogs and saw photos of family, our vacation spots and our pets. The huge world of blogging was suddenly personal and meaningful and spiritual. These women became as close as many "real world" friends and it was surreal to think that we would ever meet.

This past weekend we did. AnneMarie, Peggy, Julie and I met in Salado, Texas. You can read about the place at AnneMarie's Blog. You can read about my special relationship with Julie and her family at Octamom. And you can read about the long airport wait by Roban and the huge disappointment of us all that she could not get a flight out of Atlanta to come and meet us. Read her story here.

It is hard to describe. In fact it is impossible to tell someone. When asked "Why are you going to Texas?" Well, I met these women blogging, we are meeting for the first time in Texas and yes, we are spending the whole weekend together. No, we don't really know them. But we do! Yes, they are real people. No, not one of them is really a man! Yes, I do know them and they are lovely. Yes, I have seen pictures. I have read between the lines of their many words. I have enjoyed reaching out to these women across the cyberspace and I am a better person for it. We all are. We have grown in so many ways and we share a connection beyond blogspot, facebook and google. We do know each other and the wonderful thing is...we want to know more!!!

I am grateful for you Roban, Peggy, Julie and AnneMarie. Can't wait for another visit!!!!

Meeting Face to Face

Only two more weeks until I get to meet face to face with 4 of my blog friends from around the world. The time is nearing and I know that it will be a meaningful experience. These women are very special and have added such value to my life. I have learned much from them over the last two years. What a blessing!!

Much gratitude for opportunities to be touched by a life.

Talk To Yourself

I once heard about a counseling technique where you picture your younger self sitting next to you. You are the older self and you consider what you would tell your younger self. I found that interesting. When you think about yourself as a young child, how old are you? What age popped into your head at the mention?

I am about 6. I think my memory comes from my first grade photo. Pixie hair cut. Front teeth missing. Knee socks up to my knees and a little plaid dress. She looks pretty happy. No family traumas. Has friends to play with. A brother to fight with. A best friend who lives next door. A happy life. No idea of the world that is yet to be experienced for its good or its bad.

So I wondered what the true purpose of this exercise was.

Was it to warn that little girl with the toothless smile what was to happen in the future? Or was it to share with her all of the good things you would want her to hear, to affirm her so that when she was older she would feel confident and good about herself?

I have actually tried this. It seems that all of the negative things we say to ourselves, those old tapes that replay over and over when we least expect it, those little messages that target our worth were created some time between the age of our childhood and now.

Who recorded your tapes? Who set the message loop on continue so that within your mind you you could always count on a "little voice" reminding you that you aren't near that great.

My little self was a happy yet sometimes a fearful little girl. I would tell her today to gather around her as many people as possible who can love her, see the best in her and always, always be grateful that she is their friend.

Are You Listening?

As a speech language pathologist I spend my days welcoming into my office little people, most under 3 ft tall and their parents as they come to their weekly auditory verbal therapy session. These wonderful dedicated parents travel each week, some for many miles to learn to teach their hearing impaired child to listen and talk. With the technology we have today this is a daily event, children learning to listen and talk. It is hard work for these parents. It takes patience, courage, perseverance, and a bit of grit. You know that edge that helps you over the humps?

Today was no exception, children were welcomed at the waiting room door and most of them now give me the biggest smile and call out my name as if they can't wait to see what I am going to have for them this time. These brave parents follow them back, most of the time with a smile, sometimes with a weariness from the daily grind but always eager to share and learn.

The most special of days is when a child who has not heard suddenly through hearing aids or cochlear implants can now hear. That is a banner day for these parents. While they are anxious, they are also grateful.
Today I saw a young child on his second day after cochlear implant activation. There were noticeable differences in his communication, he was hearing us and responding well. I thought to myself, he is going to be a listener.

After some reflection about listening, I realized that is what I would like for people to say about me. She is a listener. My isn't talking so much easier. Our brains just think of what to say...or not...and out come the words. But to listen, now that is a gift we can give so many others.

What does it take to be an active listener?  Paying attention, showing you are listening, providing feedback to make sure you are understanding, deferring judgement until we can clarify, then responding accordingly with respect and care. Sounds easy! Most of us think we are listeners.

I am grateful today that I have friends who remind me to listen more closely, expect me to listen openly, and listen to me when I need an ear. Bless these precious children also, who are learning to do just that!

How To Be A Blessing

One of my favorite books is called "The Blessing" by Smalley and Trent. It is grounded in the custom from the Hebrew tradition that the father at some specific and special time in a child's life would intentionally and with the greatest depth of feeling give the child a spoken message..a blessing. I have always seen this as an ultimate act of  expression of love and encouragement. We all want to hear words of affirmation, acceptance, and love and when we do we tend to grown into healthier adults. We tend to be adults who can in turn have healthy and close relationships.

According to Smalley and Trent, "The Blessing" has five elements. A blessing must include a spoken message, attach high value, picture a special future, include an active commitment to see that the words lead to actions and must always include meaningful touch. 

The tradition of giving the blessing is still a part of the Jewish tradition. In today's world I think it is even more critical now that children receive this blessing and not just on one occasion but seamlessly as a part of family life regardless of ones religious faith. Taken another step further I love the idea that anyone, no matter their age, can give another person a blessing.

Parent to child, child to parent , spouse to spouse, co-worker to boss, boss to co-worker, friend to friend, neighbor to neighbor. There are endless pairs of relationships in which the gift of a blessing could only enhance the relationship or lift another person up. I challenge us to think about the words of blessing we have received in our lives, be grateful for them and to pay them forward by speaking them to another often. Smalley and Trent offer great help if  a person has somehow regretfully missed out on The Blessing.

 Complete the circle, continue the circle and give and give and give those blessing words away. You will never regret them.

Living Gratefully....one blessing at a time.

Taking Another Road...And Back

My hiatus from blogging gave me the opportunity to complete many other projects that have become valuable both personally and professionally. Yet there is so much to miss, especially the wonderful words of blog friends who have continued their dedication to their blogs.

I've been thinking about how refreshing it is to start something new. I've been grant writing, project managing, and planning and organizing. All things that I find I do well. The challenges have been many. Time management. Setting and meeting deadlines. Working cooperatively with others. Encouraging others and meeting fear head on. Fear can get the best of you when trying something new but if you can press on toward your goal you will find that there are so many gifts along the way.

Of course, there is also loss when trying something new.  Giving up something well loved in order to find out what you are made of. That untraveled path at first does not seem near as smooth as the one you have been on. That comfortable road that you could walk easily. Dare you leave it and go another way?

The good news, and there is good news and that is that when you come back to the familiar, like blogging you just pick up where you left off, no rules. Your fingers fit nicely on the key board and there is much more to say because you've been on that new traveled road. And you really don't mind if you are the only one around.

Hello my comfortable blog. It's me, maybe a bit tired but also refreshed. Different for having stepped back and worked on new goals. And still thinking abundantly and still grateful for all that I have. What a blessing!