• Repeats parts of words, prolongs a sound, or breaks up words
• Often repeats part of the word about 3 times
• During repetitions, the child substitutes an uh vowel  (tuh-tuh-tuh-table)
• May use a broken rhythm during repetitions (b.b.....b..boy)
• Has 10 or more disfluencies every 100 words
• Opens mouth to speak but no sound comes out
• Has other family members who stutter

• Often repeats whole words or phrases
• Typically repeats part of the word no more than 1 or 2 times
• During repetitions, the vowel sound remains the same (ta,ta,table)
• Rhythmic repetitions
• 9 or fewer disfluencies every 100 words
• Starts speech easily; keeps speech going

phil@schneiderspeech.com
Attend a Stuttering Group For Kids Meets At Brooklyn College

Labels: Articulation, NYC, Speech, Speech Therapy, Stuttering

• mix grammar rules between the languages
• use vocabulary from the different languages in the same sentence

• first words by age one
• two-word phrases by age two

Labels: Bilingual, Language, Language Delay, NYC, Speech Therapy

On November 10th I spoke with a group of motivated educators at The Children's Aid Society. The dialogue revolved primarily around articulation, language, and oral motor development, along with practical tips that could be easily used daily in the classroom. We discussed activities they were already doing (e.g., circle time, reading books) and enriched them with vocabulary and grammar tricks. The participants mentioned how they have noticed many of their children have articulation delays. We discussed prevention methods (e.g., eliminating sippy cups and thumbsucking) and simple oral motor exercises that can be done in the classroom (blowing bubbles the right way). The participants felt that it would be incredibly helpful to teach these techniques directly to the parents, as carryover is always key!  Check out the Children's Aid Society's Blog.

Labels: NYC, The Children's Aid Society

Stephanie Sigal Volunteers with Baby Buggy to Teach Families at the Child Center of New York to Maximize Children's Speech and Language Skills

New York, NY - May 1, 2009 - Speech-Language Pathologist Stephanie Sigal M.A. CCC-SLP, and Baby Buggy held a Say and Play Communication Enrichment Conference on April 21, 2009 at the Child Center of New York Sonia Strumpf Clinic. The conference was arranged by Nura Poursharif, the Program Director at Baby Buggy, and Patricia Hart, the Project Director of the Child Center.

The Child Center of New York helps Queens families with children ages five and younger to better manage their lives by offering parenting guidance, counseling, home visits, day care, early intervention, vocational training and legal aid. This Say and Play lecture was provided for families with children between approximately 12 and 24 months. Specific tips were presented regarding improving communication skills while parents read books, sing, play, use sign language, and feed / eat with their child. Recommendations were made to help parents use language effectively with their child during personal daily events and routines.

"The families at the clinic were really engaged in what Ms. Sigal had to say because the information was beneficial and practical," said Nura Poursharif, the Program Director at Baby Buggy. "Ms. Sigal has an incredibly animated personality, and she offered tips that were easy to implement. She showed the participants ways to interact with their children that are fun, and the lessons will help them bond with their children and create strong and productive long-term relationships."

"While attending my first Baby Buggy benefit a few years ago, I wanted to be actively involved with Baby Buggy's mission, but I couldn't quite figure out where I would best fit in," said Ms. Sigal. "After attending a second benefit last year, I heard a number of Baby Buggy recipients say that they wanted to be the best mothers they could be. I knew that I could help them meet that goal, because that is the foundation of my early language programs."

Labels: Baby Buggy, Language, NYC, Speech Therapy

What is the most appropriate theatre you've experienced lately for children?

Check out Fairytales for Children at Galli's Fairytale Theatre (38 West 38th Street on the 3rd Floor between 5th and 6th Avenues).

We recently saw Galli's Rumpelstiltskin. It was beautifully told and orchestrated. The theatre encouraged children in the audience to sit together in the very front on sleeping bag type blankets, practically on the floor-level stage.

The story was told at a level a three year old could easily relate to, and the cast delightfully incorporated the children into the show. For example, when the queen's servant was sent to find unusual names, the servant calmly approached children in the audience and asked them their names. Unusual is an understatement when it comes to the names of NYC kids! The cast also asked open ended questions to each other, but the children felt they were a part of the play as well, and easily shared their responses aloud. The play was funny and creative, even for adults.

Leave yourself plenty of time to arrive on Galli's third floor theatre - the single elevator that comes with instructions only fits four at a time. After the play, you can talk about it with your child while picnicking in Bryant Park or riding the carousel. You can also plan out what Galli Fairytale you plan to see next time.

You'll find that reading Rumpelstiltskin, retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky will help give your child a better appreciation for the play.

For techniques about reading to your young child, check out the Kids' Books page of my website.

My two and four year old have enjoyed a number of family productions this past year at The New Victory Theatre, check out their website for their ever changing shows.

Labels: Language, NYC