Top 5 Christmas Ideas

Little Parrots Top 5 Favourite Christmas Ideas

As a travelling Speech Pathologist, it's in the job description to have exciting and motivating games for children to play with during our sessions. I often get asked, "Where did you get that game from?", particularly this time of year, when every parent is looking for Christmas present ideas.

Well, here are a few of my favourite and most popular ideas!

1. Pop up Pirate    You can buy Pop Up Pirate here. This game by Tomy, is a clear favourite with younger and older children (and parents!) alike. It's a great game for colour recognition, taking turns, language development, fine motor skills AND it's lots of fun!!!

2. Dotty Dinosaur You can buy Dotty Dinosaurs here.  Dotty Dinosaurs is a big hit with the 3-7 year olds! On one side of the dinosaurs is the the colour matching game and the other side is shape and colour matching. I use this game a lot for younger children, as it keeps their attention, but the game doesn't go for too long either.

3. Roll up play mats     You can buy Roll Up Play mats here.  If you're on the road at lot during your week, driving the kids here and there, at therapy appointments or visiting friends or family, here is a fabulous Christmas idea. Play mats are a fantastic activity for encouraging language development, imaginative play and social skills.

4. Zingo!       You can buy Zingo! here
A great, new take on bingo, this game is great for the whole family! It's a simple and fun game for children from about 3-9 years and great for turn taking, language skills and social skills.




5. Sound Puzzles       You can buy this puzzle here.
This is more than just a puzzle! Each time you put a piece of puzzle in place, you will hear the sound of that vehicle. So motivating for children who are reluctant to do puzzles. This puzzle can be used to encourage receptive and expressive language skills, turn taking, fine motor skills and more.


What are your hot tips for Christmas this year? Do you know of any 'must have' products to share?

Happy Christmas shopping! 
Robyn

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What IS speech pathology?

Speech pathology, speech therapy, speech and language pathology, SLP, speech and language therapy, speech-language pathology.... Which is it? Are they the same thing or not?

This is something that we often get asked. The short answer is, yes. They are the same things, and the professionals have the same qualifications and expertise. It depends a bit on which country the "Speechie" trained in and received their qualification. In Australia, we are generally called Speech Pathologists - that's our official title, but people tend to understand what we do a bit better if we say we are Speech Therapists. In the UK, we are called 'Speech and Language Therapists', in America and Canada, 'Speech-Language Pathologists' and in New Zealand, 'Speech-Language Therapists'. Same thing. We all do the same job.

Soooo, what IS that job again? What EXACTLY does a Speech Pathologist do?
Speech Pathologists basically work with people of any age and any ability, who are having difficulties with their communication, feeding or swallowing. You can find out more detail about speech pathology by visiting the Speech Pathology Australia website here.

'Speechies' work in a variety of settings including in schools, community health services, early childhood intervention programs, private practice, hospitals, aged care services, disability services and many more.  

If you or your child need to see a Speech Pathologist, here are some terms you might hear thrown around at times:

• Speech - the WAY in which people say words, how they articulate or pronunciate words.
• Language - this refers to WHAT is said, the actual use and understanding of words and sentences.
• Voice - how a person's voice sounds, eg. high or low pitched, croaky, strained.
• Dysfluency - stuttering or stammering. Dysfluencies can be repeating sounds, words or phrases, getting stuck on a sound, having 'blocks' (when the words just won't come out).
• Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) - using an alternative means of communication when verbal communication is difficult. eg. Electronic devices, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Signing or using gestures. 
• You can access a more comprehensive glossary of terms from our website shop.

If you think you may need the help of a Speech Pathologist, you can get in touch with one by getting onto the Speech Pathologist directory at Speech Pathology Australia here. If you're in Melbourne, you can give Little Parrots a call to see if we come to your area. If not, we'll point you in the right direction.

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