Over the past few months, I've enjoyed connecting with other SLPs, grad students, and other private practice owners through the magical world of the interwebs. This Gen-Xer is actually on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook (which, I'm told is for old people anyway.... so, there you go.).
This week, Nora Anne from Strictly Speech is highlighting my practice on her blog. Go check it out here and follow her on Instagram @strictlyspeechblog!
0 Comments
Much to the delight of young girls everywhere, the American Girl: 2017 Girl of the Year was recently unveiled... Gabriela McBride. Other than being yet another adorable AG doll that my girls will no doubt be saving their $$ for, Gabriela just so happens to be a girl who stutters. Yes, that's right... this year's featured doll has a speech impediment!
Here is a brief summary of her first book: "Gabriela has grown up surrounded by the arts—dance, painting, music, and theater. But poetry is becoming her art form of choice, for good reason: she struggles with stuttering and poetry helps her words flow more freely. Although Gabriela is a bit quiet, when she does speak, she is sharp, honest, and funny. But can she learn to harness the power of her words and her creativity to help save her beloved community arts center from being torn down?" Here are more fun details about Gabriela, according to American Girl Doll News:
Thank you, American Girl, for creating such a beautifully complex character and shining a light on a stuttering, (Click here if you'd like more information about stuttering.) Will you be purchasing Gabriela?
Toys, electronics, games.... all fun gifts for kids at the holidays. But, if you're looking for a low-tech option, there's nothing better than a great book! For little ones, books encourage cognitive development and language skills. For older kids, books foster higher-level vocabulary and imagination.
Here are some of my picks for children of all ages... Infants & Toddlers
Simple, yet engaging illustrations are perfect for children at this age. Look for story books with lots of repetition and picture books with bold illustrations of basic vocabulary.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. Who doesn't love this classic? This great book teaches colors, animal names, and encourages children to begin combining two-words, "brown bear", "green frog", "red bird". Lots of great language-learning opportunities here!
Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada, by Jimmy Fallon... Okay, I know this book has mixed reviews, but I LOVE it for itty-bitties. First, The illustrations are simple and engaging. Second, it's great for learning new vocabulary by talking about the pictures, not just reading it.... "That's a BIG animal... it's a COW. That baby cow is called a CALF. Let's COUNT the spots on the cow!". And Third, who doesn't love Jimmy Fallon?!?
Preschool Age
The Original Mother Goose, by Blanche Fisher Wright. This book is packed full of beautiful illustrations and old nursery rhymes that are rich with language, yet short enough for the average preschooler's attention span.
Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney. I like this book not only for it's endearing story, but for all the rhyming! My kids always loved finishing the sentences, because rhyming made the words easier to predict... and kept them engaged.
5 - 7 Year Olds
Finding Winnie, by Lindsay Mattick. This is a lovely read-aloud book about the true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. All of my children loved it. Such a charming picture book and a great way introduce children to non-fiction.
Frog and Toad (I Can Read Book Series), by Arnold Lobel. If you have a beginning reader, any of the Frog and Toad books are a great choice. These have been a favorite in our house. Large font, yet enough print to challenge, make these delightful stories wonderful gifts for early readers.
8 - 12 Year Olds
The Boxcar Children Series, by Gertrude Chandler Warner. These classic Depression-era stories of four hungry children who transform an abandoned boxcar into a home, have kept all my kids' interest. According to my in-house 9-year-old, "these books are full of adventure and mystery".
Dying to Meet You, by Kate Klise. This has been a favorite of my oldest for quite some time. It's loaded with "punny" names like, I.B. Grumply, realtor Anita Sale, and a ghost named Olive C. Spence. Truly a delightful tale rich with illustrations. And if your grade-schooler enjoys this book, then also check out Regarding the Fountain, also written by Klise... "another hilarious mystery", according to my 12-year-old..
12+ Year Olds
Fever 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson. This is a great piece of historical fiction about the yellow fever epidemic that ravaged 18th-century Philadelphia. Even if history isn't your child's "thing"... this book manages to captivate as a gripping story full of history, heroism, heartache, and happiness. This house recommends it!
Harry Potter: The Illustrated Edition, by J.K. Rowling. If your resident reader loved the Harry Potter series, then what a great way to relive the epic story.... with the elaborate art work of Jim Kay. The illustrated editions are available for both Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Great gifts for any dedicated fan.
These are my picks for great books to give the children in your life.... what are some of yours?
|
|