This Month of Words

An anxious heart weighs us all down, but a kind word always cheers us up.                                             ~Proverbs 12:25

I have enjoyed this month immensely - but I have had some down times this month as well.   As I know so well, I am very guilty of having an anxious heart.  I worry about everything, everyone and want to make it all better or all happy!  Well, we can't always have what we want - and I worry about that as well.

What I do have when that anxious heart begins to effect me, and in turn, others - is the word that will somehow pick me up, and in turn, others.  (See the smile on my face.)  Friends and words are so very important for language.  Friends and words are so very important for communication.  Friends and words are so very important for all well being.  Friends, family, and words are so very important for us all.  Even though I spent only two blog moments this month - they were important.  They're important in that they spread loVe, language, and words.

Once again, I cannot tell you how important it is to speak to one another.  Once again, I cannot tell you how important it is to speak to family and friends.  Once again, I cannot tell you how important it is to grow language and meanings of language for your children.  Children cannot possibly know all the value you hold in communication if you don't communicate with them.  Children cannot possibly know all the innuendos you hold in communication if you don't communicate that with them.  Children cannot possibly know how much you loVe them if you don't communicate all they mean to you with value, innuendos and loVe.  What I have done and felt this month is nothing short of anxiousness filled with kind words from someone I love.  Don't weigh yourself down with an anxious heart.  Don't let your children get weighed down with anxiousness - kind words, new words, the loVe of language can cheer us all up.  We start learning again......in next month's words. 

A LoVe Week

We leave traces of ourselves wherever we go, on whatever we touch.   ~Lewis Thomas

Valentine's Week, and I say week because I love it sooooo much.  I celebrate all week!  I'd celebrate longer if I thought I could.  What I should be saying - we should celebrate loVe all the time.

Once again I bring my thoughts back to my clients and students.  I also think of parents, who play such a huge role with the children to which I provide services.  We leave traces of ourselves.....children look up to their parents....the person they rely on mean the world to them.  I love it when children say to me - 'mommy said.....' or 'daddy did that......'  that tells me they are listening and watching and learning.
We leave traces on whatever we touch.....parents know their children are an extension of themselves.  Parents/Guardians believe their children make the best impression and will behave in the way that they expect.

The lesson for today.....Traces of Love wherever we go and on whatever we touch.  Let's listen for the moment and let's teach the words......good, like, happy, funny, silly, love, heart, valentine, you and me, you and I.

Stand in front of the mirror with your child and make faces - have some fun and in the meantime strengthen those lip, mouth, and tongue muscles.  Smile, stick out your tongue, move your tongue from side to side, twitch and wiggle your nose.  Raise and lower your eyebrows - most of all have fun.  Then say....'I love that face your making!'  'Oh what a silly face.'  'That's a good one!' 'I like that funny face.'  'Oh, you're soooooo funny!'  Sometimes making faces can be fun!

Now, get out the different colors of construction paper and start cutting those hearts and arrows - have your child listen and follow directions.  Start simple and make listening a multilayer of elements. Listen and make abilities of auditory learning stronger and stronger.  i.e. 'Put the purple heart on your paper,' 'Put the orange and purple heart on your paper,' 'Before you put the orange heart on your paper, put the purple arrow across the yellow heart,' 'Pick your favorite color paper and place the zigzag picture of the purple heart on the yellow polka dot heart.'  'Oh I really like that Valentine's paper!'

Have a week of loVe and leave traces of yourself wherever you go and on whatever you touch!

A Summer of Fun! Listening and Language

Another month....lots of ideas.....lots of work.....and lots to get ready for!!

I am putting together a summer camp!  A summer camp of fun surrounded by listening and language. 
I have always wanted to have a summer camp.  I have helped, attended, and worked in other summer camps and have enjoyed them thoroughly.  I have seen children have tons of fun with all kinds of activities and things to do.  Each one of these camps has been a special part of someone's memories or someone's summer.  Each one of these camps range from camps for children to learn new skills to camps for children with specific types of disabilities.  The camp I am putting together this summer is for children with a hearing impairment and/or language delay and their siblings.  This will be a family-centered camp with lots to do and there will be people involved that want to give the children the tools to continue to build their language over the summer and to another part of their lives. 

Stayed tuned for more details.  I have so much to tell you!