smallTALK: Preschool Speech Language Program
46 General Hospital Drive N5A 2Y6 Stratford, ON, Canada

Mrs. Speechie P has great information about speech and language development. This infographic is a great reminder of milestone vs average development

Our clinicians are busy providing services in-clinic and online. smallTALK is a self-referral program; you don't need a doctor's referral. Please call, leave a message on Facebook or email at [email protected] if you have questions or want to make a referral.

Today we celebrate Universal Children's Day. The children and youth of Huron and Perth have developed rights that they feel are essential in order for them to live a full life.

Calling all kids born in 2016 and 2017! It is time to register for Kindergarten 2021/2022! This year, our Calling All Three Year Olds process is going online.... Please register your child at amdsb.ca/kindergarten. You will then receive information and resources about child development and the opportunity to complete the Early Years Check In. See more

smallTALK clinicians have taken on many challenges since COVID-19 changed the landscape of client care. From being screeners and porters to supporting families and community partners through telephone consultation and now virtual teletherapy they have faced each change with grace and optimism. Thanks to the clinicians for taking on the challenge and to our families that have joined us on this journey.

Much thanks to Andrea Page, Executive Director of the Stratford General Hospital Foundation and the Foundations staff for their help in securing funding to purchase equipment and technology that will allow our clinicians to support our clients in Huron and Perth through virtual telepractice. We are grateful to the Straford Perth Community Foundation and the #ECSFund for their generosity!

Check out this great YouTube Channel from Hanen. The Book Nook shows you how to share books with your child while targeting early literacy skills! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUEdAxLVBzo

COVID-19 update Our clinicians have been busy the past few months supporting our hospitals through redeployment to other roles, such as screening duties, as well as connecting with our families over the phone. Now, they are beginning to connect with families virtually through video visits, and we are making plans for in-person visits to resume in the near future. We appreciate the understanding and support of our families and community partners as we move towards providing se...rvices effectively and safely to our young clients. We continue to accept new referrals and our clinicians are diligently trying to connect with families as quickly as possible. If you have concerns or questions about your child's speech and language development and would like to make a referral, please contact our intake line at (519) 272-8216. This is a self-refer program.

While our clinicians are currently not seeing clients face to face, they are still available to talk if you have questions. You may also call our intake line and leave a message at (519) 272-8216, send a message through Facebook or at our email at [email protected] Take care and be well!

Myths about telegraphic speech...

During the month of February we'll be talking about some common misconceptions about Speech and Language Development and Therapy.

Check out www.hanen.org for other great articles like this one!

Saturday funny (funny because it's true!!)

"Babies are the Research & Development division of the human species" Alison Gopnik

The power of reading...

What an incredible idea!!

Language consists of so much more than the words we use or sounds we make. Pragmatic or social language is vitally important to communication. (Thanks to Mrs Speechie P for providing such a great graphic).

Communication temptations help to set up situations to encourage language use in a fun way!

This is great way to support those who find the bright lights and noisiness of stores an impediment to performing everyday activities, like shopping for groceries.

You don't need fancy games or manuals to fill your child's world with rich language! You just need each other and everyday activities (and a good mop for cleaning up the mess!)

Story understanding is about more than just recognizing words on a page. Its about understanding what the words are saying as a whole and inferring meaning bey...ond what the author has explicitly written. Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers is an endearing book about a boy who finds a penguin at his door and tries very hard to help the penguin return to his home in the South Pole. See more

This is an excellent opportunity to access support services before your child enters kindergarten!

Early intervention is vital!

Hear what the experts over at the Huron County Library have to say about reading to your preschoolers.

People often ask why our smallTALKers use play in therapy with our young children. Read this and you will have better idea as to why we use this evidence-based approach.

We at smallTALK work with a number of community partners to support early literacy. The Read To Baby Book Project makes sure every baby born in Perth and Huron have a book and tips for reading to your baby to go home from the hospital.

Did you know that early exposure to lots of words can help children who have autism? Read this to learn more. https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track

Have you heard about Hear ON? Check out this YouTube link and gain ready access to information about hearing screening and services. https://www.youtube.com/c/UCrWGk0BzGmTF1ZkH0BfS2Cg/featured

Interested in easy access to evidence-based information about language development? Sign up for Hanen updates.

There is much more to communicating than using words. Read all about it here.

Language and Literacy Tip! Before taking your turn during these conversations, remember to wait long enough so that your child can show you what shes interested in.

Sometimes reading to little ones is more than just telling a story. It's a way to connect, and engage! https://theconversation.com/7-favourite-books-for-connectin

Did you know that eye contact between babies and parents or caregivers can boost communication and learning as it synchronizes brainwaves?

Another great tip from Hanen to enhance language skills in your preschooler.

We were happy to share access to this great professional development program with our community partners.

Story comprehension is a key early literacy skill that helps prepare young children for reading and writing on their own. In this Book Nook video, Tamara offers tips for building childrens understanding of stories with the Little Critter book, Just a Mess.

Want to take a look at our research-based articles? How about our Book Nook section focused on early literacy skills? Research summaries for Hanen parent programs? Weve compiled them all into our Helpful Info section linked below!

A message from our newest Minister...