House of Krause

Let’s start at the beginning.  Do your remember the song…Head is connected to the neck bone…Neck bone connected to the shoulder bone…shoulder bone connected to the arm bone… so on and so on…you know the rest. Well that’s just the thing, our bodies are wired and it’s all connected!  Luke has a play therapist and and Occupational therapist(OT) in addition to speech. People have wondered why have those services when Luke has a speech problem? Yesterday made me realize the true importance of an O.T, and how it all works.  If we can improve our large motor skills then transition to improvement in fine motor skills, this can help us to develop the finest of the fine motor skills- TALKING! Think for a second, what most of us take for granted. To move lips and the tongue to the precise position to form an exact sound within a split second. Then having to change that position 3 and 4 times, depending on a word with more syllables. Not easy when you have a motor planning disorder. Not easy at all. So getting to that point, being able to make sounds, may be best started with an Occupational therapist. If muscle weakness is an issue O.T’s can help work on oral motor strategies. Strengthening the muscles around the mouth, cheeks, tongue. Again think about if your child has never were really been a talker, there might be a good chance those muscles haven’t been worked out much!  They can help children become more aware of their bodies. Nancy said yesterday some children are not even really aware that they have a mouth. There’s definitely things you can do as a parent too. If you think your child is having muscle weakness and other difficulties. Luke used to have issues of packing food in his mouth because it never felt full until he was gagging. (Below are some posts about oral motor strategies) Of course it’s best to let an OT help you out, but I just know how long and frustrating it can be  waiting for help!  Play therapist/ OT can help get your child get to the point of being ready to use those fine, fine motor skills!

SIGNING

Also, I wanted to say that sign language is an invaluable tool! I am convinced that Luke would be a totally different, frustrated child if he had not begun signing.  I can’t imagine his frustration levels by this point.  And rightfully so! Just a few basic signs is so beneficial.  And if you think back to the connection process, using more motor skills is going to help the brain just make more connections. Nancy Kaufman talked about K and K sign and say. It’s an approach of pairing sign language with spoken words. It looked like a wonderful program that was being used with lots of different children; Autism, Speech Apraxia, Downs syndrome.

Preston, my first angel from heaven!

I’ve been asked several times lately,  “Where do we start?  How can we stimulate our baby’s language development?”  I thought it would be a great idea to share the suggestions that have been graciously given to us. This is a combination of wonderful ideas from Luke’s occupational therapist, play therapist and several speech pathologists.  Every time my husband and I got new information, I would enter it on my phone. Happily I pass this on to you.  Oral motor strategies are very important for Luke as he struggles with poor muscle tone, and sensory issues around his mouth.  I’m sure your little ones will enjoy the fun regardless! Here’s a few to start with;

Oral Motor Strategies

1. Blowing bubbles, blowing whistles

2. Blowing milk bubbles with straw

3. Blowing cotton balls with a straw (Have cotton ball races)

4. Peanut butter or jelly around the mouth. (Baby has fun licking it off)

5. Jigglers(vibration) to rub on cheeks/mouth

6. Variety of foods. Lot’s of textures and flavors (sour and spicy) within diet limits of course!

7. Motorized toothbrush at least twice a day

8. Ditch the sippy’s.  Sippy cups use the same muscles as the bottle. Try a straw, if your really brave go for the open cup. If your not quite ready give your child a cup to practice in the bath tub

9. Try sucking thick liquids through a long wide straw (applesauce, pudding, fruit smoothies, milk shakes)

Activities

1. Find child’s interests and run with it

2. Puzzles

3. Blocks

4. Crafts for little ones

5. Dancing

6. Singing/ Playing musical instruments

7. Reading,  and lots of it!!!

8. Playing with baby dolls

9. Pretend phone calls

10. Go outside, the world awaits! Parks, Swinging, jumping, playing ball, being in nature (bugs are a big hit so are flowers)

11. Talk during mealtime and getting dressed

Label, Label, Label, everything in your child’s world!

Luke 9 months

Your baby is learning to talk from you!

Extra Miracles!

Sweet Pea and Tallulah

Animals have a strong impact on little ones. I read a story of a boy with Apraxia who started talking when he got a new puppy. If your not ready for a new fury friend consider a fish in a bowl or a trip to the zoo?? Exciting!!

Sign language has also been extremely helpful for us-see entry titled My Sign.

Preston & Lily

I’d love to hear the activities that work for your little one.

Love your child, talk to your child, listen to your child!