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Hey again... If you follow me on instagram you may have seen this video, but I wanted to share it just in case you missed it. Most of us are looking for ways to keep our children engaged and entertained at home these days. This is an easy and fun game that I use in therapy and at home with my 5 year old. Check out the video to see how to play!

I hope this message finds you well and safe social distancing. We have been quarantining for many weeks now. Some days are easy- I feel like we have a handle on working remotely and distance learning. But on other days, nothing seems to go smoothly. This week in New Jersey the governor announced that our schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year for in-person learning. Although I believe that is the safest decision to protect students and school staff, I also recognize the sadness that this decision brings to NJ families and families across the country. In addition to the loss of proms and graduation ceremonies, there is also the sadness in knowing that our children will not return to see their teachers and their friends for the rest of the year. As the weather warms up and we continue to find new ways to keep our children learning and engaged, I wanted to share some games outdoor games for toddlers and preschoolers. Learning doesn't have to occur behind a screen or only indoors. Move your classrooms outdoors. Although these tips focus on toddlers and preschoolers, there are many things you can do outdoors with your older children as well like taking nature walks, reading a book or listening to audiobooks outdoors. Use these tips to take advantage of the beautiful weather heading our way. Stay safe! ~Shontaye

I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing? I hope that you are reading this post from the safety of your home and that you are well. I also hope that you are practicing social distancing to protect yourself and your families. I am also writing to remind you that it is OK to not be OK. We are facing unprecedented times and it is ok to experience a myriad of feelings as you navigate through it all. I have been home with my family for almost three weeks now. We are still trying to find balance while working remotely, remote learning for my daughters, parenting, and accepting our "new normal." Some days it feels like we are killing it, some days it feels like nothing is going right, and some days feel like "a fever-dream" as my 16 year old describes it. And guess what- that is all OK. I am giving myself grace and recognizing that I have not instantly become the best teacher/ teletherapist/ homeschooler/ remote educator on the block. I hope you are being kind to yourself (and your children) too. While I have you here, I also want to share some helpful tips that I found from the World Health Organization to help us all focus on healthy parenting, manage stress, talk about COVID-19 with our children and staying positive while at home. We are in this together and we will be OK! I appreciate you and wish you all good health! https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/healthy-parenting

As the country tries to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the nation's schools are closing in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. School staff are preparing (if not already implementing) remote learning plans and teachers are sending home packets of work to keep children learning during the emergency closure. Parents- we do not expect you to become educators in a matter of days. We all know that children perform differently in school than at home and the structure of the two environments is different. The hope and intention at this time is to keep students actively engaged in learning and to help them maintain skills gained throughout the school year. In addition to activities suggested by your schools, here are a few additional things that you can do while your children are home from school: * Read a book! Read to your children and let them read to you (yup, even the older kids can benefit from reading together.) Reading a book will help to build language skills, literacy skills, comprehension skills, literacy skills - AND it is a bonding experience that everyone can benefit from. *Play a game! Board games are fun and they also help enhance important skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and social skills. Uno, Candy Land, Go-Fish, Monopoly, Life- you name it and there is an embedded social and educational benefit to playing games. So round up the family and have some old-school fun. *Cook! I like to do cooking activities in therapy to practice following directions and sequencing skills. We also learn new vocabulary by talking about the ingredients and practice math skills by measuring and counting. The nice part is that when you're finished you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you don't want to make an edible treat, you can make home made play dough, slime, or even make snow from the comfort of your home. You probably have many of the ingredients you need in your kitchen pantry. For more ideas, check out my Pinterest boards at www.pinterest.com/havingoursay *Limit screen time! Ok this may be harder than usual. Let's be honest, we all need a break sometimes and that break may often come in the form of a device. But parents, let's all try to be more intentional on limiting TV, tablet, and smartphone time during this extended break from school. Adults- this includes us too. Maybe this is the time you need to take a social media break or limit TV time to reduce anxiety and increase face- face interaction with your loved ones. Lastly, talk to your children. Try to answer questions as best as you can; we are all trying to figure out this unprecedented situation. Follow their lead and actively listen to what they are voicing to you. Talk about ways to practice good hygiene and practice some new songs while washing your hands (like Prince's "Raspberry Beret"!) Remember to wash your hands for 20 seconds, no handshaking, avoid touching your face, and avoid large social gatherings as much as possible. Wishing you all the best, Shontaye

Last month I shared with you the importance of reading books with your children. Reading 15 minutes a day is the equivalence of reading about 20,000 books a year. Just think of the thousands of words your child will be exposed to! In addition to improving language and literacy skills, reading also has the ability to connect readers to new people, places, cultures, and experiences. If you follow me on any of my social media platforms you already know that I have been promoting the importance of diversity in children's literature. As a therapist who enjoys using books in her sessions, I became acutely aware of the lack of representation in my own library. Many of the books I shared with clients featured animals and few featured children from diverse cultures or ethnicities. So I made an effort to close the gap. I put in some work and added some range to my library. I felt it was important that I purchase and display books with images that are as dynamic and diverse as the world in which we live. I also wanted to ensure that all of the children I work with can see themselves and their families reflected in the books that we share. Over the past few months I have seen an increased interest in my library and more importantly- in reading! Students and clients request to read! One student connected to "The Proudest Blue" because the woman on the cover wears a hijab just like his mother. Another connected to "My Papi Has a Motorcycle" because the father in the book speaks Spanish and builds houses just like her dad. It is a work in progress, but the benefits are worth it.

Happy 2020! We are 13 days into the new decade and I hope this message finds you well and still focused on all the intentions you set for the new year. I wanted to start off this year talking again about the powerful rewards of reading books with your children. It is never too early to start reading with your children. Even before babies can talk they are able to reap the rewards of book reading. Reading is a proven way to teach language, build stronger vocabulary skills, as well as develop imagination, improve concentration, foster better literacy skills and critical thinking. Reading also has the power to connect children (and adults) to people, experiences, and cultures they may have otherwise never encountered. Reading offers a myriad of benefits AND is a way to spend quality time bonding with your children. Parents you can encourage a passion for book reading early on- all that is required is your time, a book, and your child. Reading just one book a day can expose a child to over 300,00 words by the age of 5! That means that reading multiple books a day can expose your child to over a million words by the time they reach kindergarten! Here are a few tips to keep in mind when engaging in book reading with your children. 1. Let your child take the lead When cultivating a love for reading it helps to let your child help select books to read. Give your child several options of age-appropriate books. Let them turn the pages at their own rate. 2. You don't have to read all he words on the page Don’t feel the need to read all the words on a page or read the entire book. I like to let my daughter "read" the story to me or make up her own story. This is a great activity to foster creativity while expanding language skills. Encourage your child to look at the pictures and words! 3. Make it interactive Comment on what you see on the pages. Pause and allow your child the opportunity to talk about what they see too. When your child responds, occasionally repeat what they said or expand on their comment. If your child doesn’t respond, that's ok. Don’t require them to say something, just move on. We want to maintain a positive reading experience! 4. Relate to real-world experiences Make connections to things your child has seen that relate to what you are seeing in the book. For example, if you are looking at animals, talk about where your child saw those animals, such as at the zoo or on a farm. 5. Keep it fun! Reading with your child at an early age will show them that reading is fun and not a chore! As your child gets older, reading will already be a fun part of their routine.

Last year, I was last minute with my holiday shopping and blogging. I started shopping December 15th, which was also the date of my last blog post for the year. This December I am blogging earlier (YAY!), but still haven't started Christmas shopping. How are you doing with your Christmas shopping? Did you catch any deals on Black Friday? If by chance you still have some kiddos on your list to shop for- then this guide is for you. Today I am sharing my (revised) guide to help shop for fun and stimulating toys this Holiday season! 1. Books! Yes you read that correctly. Books are a great gift and 2019 was full of great releases. Whether you select picture books for babies and toddlers, easy readers, or graphic novels books continue to be a wonderful way to enhance learning, language, and literacy. I use books in therapy to help build language skills while teaching new concepts. As caregivers, reading together strengthens bonds and enhances communication. Books can also be a window to the world- exposing children to new experiences, people, places, and cultures different than their own. For suggestions on diverse book titles click here (*I have no affiliation with the author of the article, the suggested book titles, or distributors.) 2. Limit noisy/ light up toys. Talking or “noisy” toys often provide less opportunities for group play and inadvertently encourage solitary play (meaning less talking to others.) Talking toys can become a distraction and children become entranced with the lights and sounds as opposed to the actual message being offered. 3. Old School Toys. For toddlers and preschoolers, consider shape sorters, pop-up toys, toys cars/ trucks, and stacking rings and blocks. Classic toys like these encourage interaction with a partner and use of imagination. Baby dolls, Potato Head, puzzles, action figures, and cash registers are wonderful options too. 4. Play kitchens, grocery sets, tool kits, dress up clothes, and tea sets, etc ... Children love to imitate grown ups. Activity sets that allow little people to engage in adult tasks are great toy ideas. Children can integrate their own language, they can role play, practice taking turns, use their imagination, and integrate problem solving skills into play. 5. Board games – they are fun and teach a tons of skills. Click here to read one of my earlier posts on the benefits of playing board games. Board games are a fun option for family Game night and help improve social skills. As you continue your quest for the perfect holiday gifts, I hope you keep these tips in mind. If you have suggestions that I omitted from the list, please share with me. I love getting feedback from you all. I wish you all of the joy, wonder, and magic that the holiday season brings. From my family to yours- Happy Holidays xo -Shontaye #holiday #shopping #toys #children #books #language #communication #socialskills

Hello November! 2019 is almost over and we are heading into a new decade. We are officially heading into the holiday season too - can you believe it? Let me be the first to say- I am not prepared, but I am determined not to get caught up in the chaos that ensues as we rush into the holidays. Planning ahead and using my iPhone calendar app has helped me stay organized during the "Back to School" season. I'm hoping that these strategies will help me close out the decade strong! If you have any holiday organization/ survival tips- please share! For this month's blog, I wanted to take some time to talk about language milestones. I was inspired by conversations I've had with parents over the last few weeks- voicing their concerns about their children's language development. "He understands, but he's just not saying enough words." This is a very common worry shared by many moms and dads. In addition, potential delays in development are often highlighted during holiday visits with friends and family who have trouble understanding your child's speech (or lack thereof.) Just like sitting up, crawling and walking, there are developmental milestones for language development too. Speech pathologists and pediatricians use milestones to track development and make sure that it is occurring within the normal range. Parents and caregivers can use developmental milestones as well- to help understand what is typical and recognize when to seek an evaluation and/ or treatment. The chart below is a simplified guide to help you remember the MINIMUM your child should be saying by the ages below. By your child's first birthday, he/ she should be consistently saying one or more words. By age 2, he/ she should be combining at least two words to make simple phrases. And by 3 years of age, he/ she should be putting together 3 or more words to make simple sentences. Age 1 - 1 word Ex: "Ball" "Help" "More" "Up" "go" "All done" Age 2 - 2 words Ex: "Mommy go" "Eat banana" Age 3 - 3 words Ex: " I want bye-bye" "Where Daddy go?" These milestones represent what your child should be SAYING, but there are expectations for comprehension as well. For a detailed look at language milestones click here. It is important to know what is expected as your child's speech and language develops, as well as to know when to seek help. If you are concerned about your child's speech and language development, contact Having Our Say today! #milestones #language #developmentaldelays

It's been a while since I have written a blog post. I don't have a fantastic excuse like I had a baby or took an extended trip around the world. I've just been spending more time sharing tips and information via my social media platforms and less time here. Hopefully you have been following me, but if not please follow my facebook and instagram accounts for tips, educational information, inspiration, and more. But with that said, let me just say THANK YOU! If you are reading this, you have remained a subscriber and I appreciate your support. To my new subscribers- WELCOME and THANK YOU as well! And now here we are- at the beginning of a new month and welcoming fall. The 2019 school year is under way I wanted to hop on over and offer a few tips to help you improve communication with your child at home. A common concern shared by parents is that kids don't tell them about their school day. How often have you asked, "How was your day?" only to get back "Fine." or "Good." in response. Kids are often brief when talking about school, but the trick is to change the way questions you ask. Children with speech and language delays have even more difficulty recalling and retelling about their school day and benefit from . Instead of asking, "How was school?" here are a few alternatives to make it easier for you and your child to discuss the school day: Ask for a class list. This will help give context if/ when your child begins to name classmates. This is particularly helpful if he/ she has speech sound errors that affect his/ her ability to be understood. You can also use the list to ask detailed questions like, "Was John in school today?" "Did you eat lunch with Ann?" "Did you play with Rob at recess?" Ask for a daily or weekly schedule. Your child's teacher may already provide you with a schedule, but if not ask for one. You can use the schedule to ask questions about the events of the day. For example, if Wednesday is PE day you can inquire about the sports that were played. Is Friday music day? Ask what songs were sung or maybe they played with instruments. Some teachers provide a daily note (especially in early education.) You can use the daily teacher report to guide your questions as well. Ask "What made you smile today?" I learned this tip from a Mom's group and it is probably one of my favorites. When parents ask, "How was your day?" we are really trying to do an emotional check in. We all want to know that our children feel happy, safe, and successful while away from us. Hopefully your children will be able to list at least one thing that made them smile- even if it was snack time! But remember that little people have bad days too- so if you're child says nothing made him/ her smile, ask what made them sad or angry. The goal here is to communicate! I hope these tips are helpful and I wish you and your children a successful year. Thanks for being here with me. Knowing that you are here is what made me smile today! #school #back #kids #questions #children

Remember when you could take the phone off the receiver when you didn’t want to be reached? Back in the day when phones had cords it was easy to disconnect. You had to deal with that annoying sound and the recording from the operator repeating "If you would like to make a call..." but it was a simple way to make sure you would not be disturbed. Now that we have smart phones it just isn’t as simple. We use our phones for so many purposes and so for most of us- the idea of shutting down the phone is anxiety-producing. Over the summer, my three year old grabbed my face and told me, “Look at me Mommy not your phone! I'm talking to you!” OUCH! I have to admit her words made me stop instantly. My daughter was trying to engage me in conversation, yet instead of actively listening, I was glued to my phone and my social media feed. That moment with my three year old reminded me of another situation years ago when my older daughter shared a similar sentiment. She had decided to give ME a report card to illustrate how well I was doing as a Mom. Although I got As in most areas, she gave me a D- for phone use. I’m not sure why she didn’t just give me an F but it was clear; I was on my phone too much. Needless to say I realized that day that it was time for me to take a break and disconnect from my phone. Like most of us- I use my phone constantly throughout the day. My iPhone is my camera and calculator. I check emails, do banking, post and check social media, scan documents and yes- take calls. Turning my phone off did not seem like a reasonable solution, but I knew I needed to disconnect from my device and connect more with my children. I spend so much time teaching my clients and students how to be "good listeners" but I was not practicing that skill in my own experiences. Think about it- how many times have you had a conversation with someone and you were talking to a lowered head? Or you had to repeat yourself because they were more engrossed in their device than the topic of conversation? And as the speaker, it is unpleasant to realize that your listener is not actually listening to you. There is little to no eye contact and the responses may be dismissive, like "uh-huh" or "oh ok." Imagine how that feels to a child. Just like the students I see in therapy, I want my children to know that I am interested in what they have to say and enjoy communicating with them. I want to model being a good listener and communication partner so that they will imitate the same skills in their own conversations. So if you notice fewer posts, know that I am disconnected from my phone, but I am tuned in and present with the kids! For more tips on how to be an active listener click here.

Hey there! My summer vacation from the schools is coming to an end and I find myself taking on more projects at home. Something about September being on the horizon inspires me to get organized and prepared for the upcoming school year. This means cleaning closets, purging clothes and trips to Good Will. I'd like to be a minimalist. I mean not when it comes to my shoes or clothes, but I do feel balanced and at peace when my home and office are organized. I try to encourage my kids to do the same, but it can be difficult to enforce with a teenager and a toddler. Purging clothes that they have outgrown is a simpler task, but minimizing toys can be a bit more difficult. Albeit not easy- I am a firm believer in getting rid of old toys and games before bringing in new ones. If you have read my posts here or on Facebook and Instagram, you know that I am an advocate for play and choosing toys that foster communication and imagination. Choosing the right toy is important, but it is also important not to accumulate an overwhelming amount of toys either. Children learn to be more resourceful with fewer toys and tend to be more creative with what they have. In his article "Why fewer toys are better" Joshua Becker lists reasons why less is better when it comes to your toy collection. Not only will your play room/ child's bedroom look better, but your child will appreciate what he/ she has. He/ she will learn to take greater care of things and learn patience. Having fewer toys means you will focus longer on what is present (attention span) and learn not to give up quickly and move on to something easier. These skills are valuable tools that will be used throughout their lifetime. #toys #play #minimalist #socialcommunication #playskills

"I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with my name." -Kendrick Lamar Usually I am writing about a topic that I want to share with you, but recently I was interviewed for the 7 Questions series on Tev Blog. In this interview I shed some light on who I am and what I do as a speech language pathologist. I enjoyed being the subject of the story for a change. Check out my interview on her site www.justtev.com #justtev #interview #blog