The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention

Hey Friends~  Do you have a child with ADHD?  Are you open to do something entirely different than the norm?   Today, Dr. Candace Holmes talks about Neurofeedback and it’s impact on kids with Autism, ADHD, TBI, concussions, and other neurological issue.  Anxiety decreases and the brain gets re-ordered, so it is functioning better.   But just what is Neurofeedback? And how does it work?   Dr. Candace Holmes shares a fascinating book that enhances your understanding of mental health challenges, offering both hope and inspiration, while equipping you with practical strategies to navigate li...

Hey Friends~  Do your kids hate reading?  Wouldn’t you love it if they LOVED READING?   Or… better yet, what if you knew how to teach them… from the start…  to LOVE READING?    In this episode, we talk about the foundations that give the confidence and skills needed to build strong reading early on.  This episode is targeted towards both parents of struggling readers and early readers.  You will have amazing insights into what the connection is between reading and speaking.  We will talk about the foundational threads that connect them both… which means…  being strong in these strateg...

Hey Friends~  Ever wonder what your child is really learning when you give in to whining or ignore a mispronounced word? Every response—big or small—teaches kids what’s acceptable in their speech, behavior, and even their thinking. In this episode, discover how to guide communication and character by approving what helps them grow and redirecting what holds them back. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com YOUR NEXT STEPS:   Email hello@thelanguageofplay.com for a replay of the webinar. Sign up...

Hey Friends~  You may have heard about the dangers of EMF radiations that comes from screens, Wi-Fi, and phones.  Today, I have a guest with me to talk about how we protect ourselves and our children from these invisible dangers.   With school just around the corner, this is an especially important topic! Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com   ABOUT THE GUEST:   After losing her husband to brain cancer and then surviving a brain tumor herself, Sherinata, Founder and CEO of Kareli...

Hey Friends~  When we talk to our kids, we use words that represent whole concepts all the time.  We do it so spontaneously that it’s difficult to communicate without using such words.  When our kids don’t have a good repertoire of concept - type words, it makes it difficult for them to do as told, express themselves, or deliver a message, accurately.   Today we discuss what concept words are, why they are important  AND what you can do to increase understanding at home!  This is  the fun part!  You don’t need flashcards. You don’t need...

Hey Friends~  BIG Feelings are so hard!  It’s confusing! And sometimes really disruptive.  Give yourself grace parents, become curious.   What if we could understand how our child felt by looking at the color that they chose to wear?  Wouldn’t that be amazing and helpful?!! Today’s guest decided to combine her child’s interests with colors to create a way to help him communicate better after an acquired language loss.  You will learn her story and how she helped her little one regain a way to communicate better again.  Many times we...

Hey Friends~  You’ve heard many times that a child’s behavior IS communication.  How do you deal with that when you are trying to create a thriving family? How does that work when you are dealing with adoption trauma, a second language and resistance to change?   Anna Maria Didio shares her story of growth and learning that can apply to blended families of all sorts.  Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Anna Maria DiDio is an ad...

Hey Friends~  Babbling is the foundation for first words.  It's a key predictor of later language development AND the strongest early indicator that spoken language is developing on track… and so much more!  Babbling is a very important part of your baby’s development. Maybe you are curious, or possibly concerned. Or.. maybe you just know someone with a baby.  If this is you, Please share this episode with them!   Today,  Let’s talk about babble … when it begins, what it means, and why it matters. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn <...

Hey Friends~  There are many different parenting styles, types, and programs, and the number can vary depending on how they're categorized. Broadly, these can be grouped into Core styles, Modern styles, Therapeutic approaches.  And cultural/philosophies.   you're looking at LOTS of ideas and  many overlap as real-life is real!  And kids and parents need practice and discernment which develops over time.  When you are faced with raising kids and don’t know what to do … the internet can be an information overload!  In this episode we look at the 7-7-7 Rule.  We will acknowle...

Hey Friends~  Have you ever wanted to listen to the wisdom of someone who has been there?  Today’s guest is that person.  After raising her own kids, she & her family collectively decided to adopt kids and love them.   With those adoptive kids, trauma therapy was needed.  She learned to connect with those kiddos on a deep level.  What she learned in trauma therapy not only helped her build connection with her adoptive kids, she learned it was useful in all her relationships.  Thank you for joining us in this heartwarming and encouraging show!  </p...

Hey Friends~  When we talk about a lot of stuff with our kids - the stuff that isn’t the important stuff; the stuff that is inconsequential, we develop the habit of interaction.  When 90% of your interactions are wonderful, and then the hard conversations that do necessarily come, won’t be as big of a deal. The Key:  have LOTS of conversations..  Why?  Because the inconsequential conversations have created a pathway to communicate.  You have cut a bedrock so that you can talk about the important stuff, too.   This is just one concept that you will  hear i...

Hey Friends~ You hear child centers and schools claim to have a “Language Rich Environment”.  Do you have a language rich environment at home?  You can!  But what exactly does that mean?  And how do you create that in a way that does NOT add another thing to your to do list?   The trick… is it is all about you, mom and dad.  It is not actually the space or the environment.  It is how YOU use the environment as a tool to expand their exposure to language.  Today, I will tell you how its done!  And you...

Hey Friends~  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to teach your kids while they slept?   Today’s guest says it is possible - especially when it comes to behaviors like bed wetting, and  difficult emotions!   You’ll LOVE this episode if you wish for a way to slide under the radar to teach your kiddo - at least for SOME of the millions of topics we want to teach them!   You’ll be inspired today as you learn about “SleepTalk!” Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Di...

Hey Friends~  I love children’s literature!  It seems that ANYTHING you want to teach, you can find a book on that and use it as a springboard to help kids learn.  This is especially true for social emotional learning.  There is power in using stories!    One mistake parents make is thinking they need to read a book as written!  Today’s guest brings us into her journey into authorship and then shows us …. how to take the story beyond the book!  If you wonder how to use a piece of literature to enhance learning, listen in!  Terri Lilga sha...

Hey Friends~  Families often how to help their child in the summer.  Since there is no speech therapy with the school in the summer, some families are nervous and wonder what to do!  In this episode, we talk about foundational practices that help your children retain and learn speech sounds, particularly when they are not responding to your attempts to help them.  These strategies, when done well, especially with very young children can change the trajectory of how your child is growing in their speech sound development.  Let’s teach you some of these f...

Hey Friends~  The language you use  may be LESS effective  than you want!  When we change HOW and WHAT we say, our communication becomes more effective.  Today’s guest, Polina Shkadron, is a fellow Speech Language Pathologist who has a wealth of knowledge and experience.   She guides us to focus on the LANGUAGE that helps our kids engage in play - and with you - and teaches us how to create a language-rich environment naturally, and at home.  No matter the age or skills of you or your child, the information in this episode will be fun an...

Hey Friends~ You know in your gut when things are not going right, even if you don’t have the words.  It’s even harder when you tell someone, but you are told that everything is fine… but you know SOMETHING IS UP.   This is the case for today’s guest.  She knew that her son needed more help in his sound development, but was constantly told everything was fine.   Started seeking help when her son was 18 months old, asking doctors, friends, family members, and more  and finally… when her son was 4, the school...

Hey Friends~  Speech confidence is important for adults and kids.   Whether you are speaking in public or saying your name in front of a class, we all want to speak with confidence and certainly that what we intend to say is what will come out.  Fluency is one area of speech and language development. Many, many kids stutter when they are rapidly expanding their vocabulary and language skills.  Many parents come to me and ask - what do I do?  Does my child stutter?   Today’s guest discusses fluency issues from a personal perspective.   So wheth...

Hey Friends~  Boys communicate, process emotions, and navigate the world differently—but how can we support them in becoming emotionally healthy men?  Dr. Richelle Whitaker, educational psychologist and host of The Raising Sons Podcast, shares practical strategies for connecting with boys, fostering open communication, and guiding them through emotional growth.  From “windshield time” to movement-based conversations, we explore what really works.  Plus, the truth about common misconceptions and why middle schoolers need more guidance, not less. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com  ...

Hey Friends~  Sometimes it is helpful to hear success stories!  We know that raising kids is a marathon not a sprint, and that means that success stories occur millions of times while raising our kids.  Sometimes- when challenges are significant, we need to dig even deeper to find wins along the way.   Today’s guest tells her story of raising a child with Cerebral Palsy.  She learned to celebrate along the way, listen to the therapists, and follow the lead of her heart as well as listen to her son.  In doing so, they found success! ...