Playing With Purpose

 
In my Playing With Purpose blog series, I explore how to convert play and everyday routines into activities that are both fun and beneficial for children. Play can create moments of learning for your child and moments of connection together.  With little tweaks to your interaction and the everyday routines you are already engaging in, you can increase opportunities for speech and language development in your child. The best part is it’s not a lot of extra work! As part of Playing With Purpose, I give you specific strategies to increase opportunities for speech and language development.
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play with a purpose - speech therapy at home
 

Playing with Purpose Coaching

We are happy also to offer Playing With Purpose coaching in your home, on a phone call, or via video conferencing. During these sessions, I will provide focused instruction in Hanen and research-based speech therapy strategies for speech and language development. We will discuss the toys your child enjoys playing with and implement specific methods for increasing speech and language during play. I can also provide suggestions for toys and environmental shifts that may promote more learning in your home. Playing With Purpose coaching sessions are 1 hour in length. Contact us to schedule your first session today.

Preview what you can learn during Playing With Purpose coaching

Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide

Nov 29, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

*This post was originally published on November 16, 2017* As a pediatric speech therapist, parents often ask me for recommendations on toys and gifts that help expand speech and language development for young children. The upcoming holiday season is a great time to...

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Thankful (A Book Preview)

Thankful (A Book Preview)

Nov 15, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

It's been quite a while since my last blog post, but with good reason. If you have not already heard, I published a book! Like my popular blog series, the book is called Playing With Purpose. This book is the perfect resource for fellow SLPs, parents/caregivers,...

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Playing With Purpose: Sidewalk Chalk

Playing With Purpose: Sidewalk Chalk

Aug 2, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

  It's summer which means plenty of opportunities to take your speech therapy session or your kids outside for Playing With Purpose. Now here in Texas, we've got temperatures rising above 100 degrees but some days my clients and I need a change of pace. So this week...

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Playing With Purpose: Everyday Items

Playing With Purpose: Everyday Items

Jun 14, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

  When I started this series, Playing With Purpose, my goal was to help parents, caregivers, educators, fellow SLPs, etc. make simple tweaks to their play interactions with children to expand speech and language skills. I have written about some of my favorite toys...

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Playing With Purpose: Summer Break

Playing With Purpose: Summer Break

May 10, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

  Summer break is quickly approaching. That means time for fun in the sun, family vacations, and plenty of Playing With Purpose! Perhaps your child receives speech therapy during the school year and you are looking for support to maintain their skills. Or maybe you...

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Playing With Purpose: Water Play

Playing With Purpose: Water Play

Apr 12, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

  Spring has sprung here in Austin, TX which means many opportunities to play and explore outside with my clients. A favorite activity of ours is water play. I love water play for its simplicity, the ease of getting started, and the fact that it's very engaging for...

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Get Started Playing With Purpose

Get Started Playing With Purpose

Mar 22, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

  In January, I wrote a guest post for my colleague Jill of Honest OT in Denver, CO. I shared some quick tips to get you started Playing With Purpose. Today, I am sharing those tips plus a bonus Hanen strategy so you can engage in more purposeful play with your...

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Playing With Purpose: Farm Set

Playing With Purpose: Farm Set

Mar 8, 2018 | Playing With Purpose

Moo. Baa. Oink. Quack. Imagine a well-loved farm set on the floor in front of your child. If you do not already have a farm set in your home or therapy toolkit, then I highly recommend getting one. My number one tip when adding a farm to your toy repertoire is to find...

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