Practical Strategies

Picture of a mother and daughter sat opposite each other, clapping. The text reads "Top tips for encouraging gestures in early intervention".

Top Tips for Encouraging Gestures in Early Intervention Sessions

Early Language Development, Home, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Speech Therapy, speech therapy tips, Tips for SLPs, Toddlers /

The development of gestures is a crucial prelinguistic skill; gestures are precursors to language development. In this post you’ll learn 3 of my top tips for encouraging gestures in your Early Intervention sessions. What are gestures? Gestures are hand/body movements or facial expressions which are used to intentionally communicate without using words. Examples of gestures […]

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6 of my Favourite Early Language Strategies to Coach to Caregivers

Early Language Development, Expressive Language, Home, Language, Language Delay, Language Development, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Resources, Speech Therapy, Tips for SLPs, Toddlers /

Coaching parents and caregivers to use early language strategies that support their child’s language and communication skills is a highly effective therapy approach.  In this post you’ll learn all about 6 of my favourite early language strategies to coach to caregivers in my Early Intervention sessions. General Language Stimulation The 6 early language strategies you’ll

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Picture of a young boy at a table with his cup and plate. The text reads "4 super simple language strategies to use at mealtimes".

4 Super Simple Language Strategies to use at Mealtimes

Early Language Development, Expressive Language, Home, Language, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Speech Therapy, Tips for SLPs, Toddlers /

Coaching caregivers to use language strategies during mealtimes is a great way to support young children’s language skills. In this post I’m sharing 4 simple language strategies you can coach parents and caregivers to use during mealtimes. Why should we use language strategies at mealtimes? Mealtimes are one of my favourite times to coach parents

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My Favourite Hack to use with Inset Puzzles in Early Intervention

Early Language Development, Expressive Language, Ideas and Inspiration, Practical Strategies, Speech Therapy, Therapy Ideas, Tips for SLPs, Toddlers /

I love using inset puzzles in my Early Intervention sessions. They’re perfect for little hands, and you can encourage so much language with them!  In this post I’m sharing all about the little “hack” I always use that never fails to encourage even more language when I use inset puzzles in my Early Intervention sessions.

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Header image- text reads "How and why to encourage playfulness in daily routines". There is a picture of a father pushing his young daughter on the grass in a laundry basket.

How (and Why!) to Encourage Playfulness in Daily Routines

Early Language Development, Home, Language Development, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Speech Therapy, Therapy Ideas, Tips for SLPs, Toddlers /

As Early Intervention therapists, we know there are huge benefits to coaching parents and caregivers to use language facilitation strategies during daily routines. But we also know that children learn through play too. So I like to encourage playfulness during daily routines, as a way to maximise on the benefits of both! Benefits of coaching

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An Evidence-Based Approach for Parent-Coaching- Parent-Coaching Mini-Series Part 4

Home, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Professional Development, Speech Therapy, Therapy Planning, Tips for SLPs /

This is Part 4 of the Parent-Coaching Mini-Series. In Part 3, I wrote about 6 characteristics of adult learning that we should incorporate in our parent-coaching sessions. Although it may sound complicated, there are various approaches/models you can use in your sessions that incorporate adult learning methods. In this post, I’m sharing an easy-to-understand evidence-based

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What do Adult Learning Methods have to do with Parent-Coaching?- Parent-Coaching Mini-Series Part 3

Home, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Professional Development, Speech Therapy, Therapy Planning, Tips for SLPs /

This is Part 3 of the Parent-Coaching in Early Intervention Mini-Series (reads Part 1 and Part 2 here).  This post is all about Adult Learning Methods and Parent-Coaching, and why they’re important. Parent-coaching is an evidence-based strategy/approach which is rooted in adult learning theory.  We know that coaching parents/caregivers to use strategies/skills at home with

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Picture of a set of 'That's Not My' books arranged in rainbow order on a shelf. The text reads "6 skills to target using 'That's not my' books".

6 Skills You Can Target Using ‘That’s Not My’ Books

Early Language Development, Expressive Language, Home, Language Development, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Speech Therapy, Therapy Ideas, Toddlers /

I’m a huge fan of the ‘That’s Not My’ series from Usborne Books (written by Fiona Watt and illustrated by Rachel Wells). They’re great books to use to support early communication skills with your little ones. Here are ideas for 6 skills you can target using ‘That’s Not My’ books in your early intervention sessions.   1-

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Why & How to use Verbal Routines in Parent-Coaching

Early Language Development, Freebies, Home, Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Resources, Speech Therapy, Therapy Ideas, Tips for SLPs /

Verbal routines are a great language facilitation strategy to introduce in your parent-coaching sessions. They can be a powerful way to support young children to communicate and participate in activities. So it is really beneficial to coach parents and caregivers in how (and why!) to use verbal routines at home. What are Verbal Routines? Verbal

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Picture of a therapist talking with parents with a child sat between them. Text reads "3 tips for building strong working relationships".

3 Tips for Building Strong Working Relationships in Parent-Coaching Sessions.

Parent-Coaching, Practical Strategies, Professional Development, Speech Therapy, Tips for SLPs /

Have you ever worked with a family that you just don’t “gel” with? The one where the sessions feel awkward and a bit stilted? Yeah, me too.  It’s not your fault; we’ve all been there. And honestly? You won’t “click” with every single family that you work with, but it’s important not to take that personally. 

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