This week, we're using a the '10 Skills Before First Words' guide to identify your child's strengths and areas for growth! Print the '10 Skills Before First Words' guide and spend 5-10 minutes each day simply watching your child during play, meals, bath time, or another favorite routine. Use the 10 Skills That Support First Words guide to see which communication skills you notice. ✨ Your challenge: - Print the guide. - Identify skills that are strengths and areas of growth for your child. - Come back here to share! - Ask questions when you have them! 👇 Comment below: What's one strength you noticed in your child this week?

What is your win this week, small or large? It could be a win for your child or a win for you as a parent/caregiver! Mine: My son traveled on an airplane yesterday with no screens and did a great job! The easiest flight we've had yet. I look forward to hearing from some of you!

It can be extremely beneficial for our kids if we learn to look for the wins, both big and small! Mine: My son hates the car (city kid) but he rode for 1 hour today without a tantrum! What is 1 small win you’ve noticed this week? More attention? Interest in a new toy or book? A new gesture? Let us know!

Myth: ASL (American Sign Language), AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication), or bilingualism will cause a speech delay. This is one of the most common concerns parents have, and fortunately, the research is very clear: using ASL, AAC, or multiple languages does not delay speech development. In fact, these supports often help language develop faster because they give children more ways to communicate while speech is still emerging. When children have access to gestures, signs, AAC, or more than one language, they are still building the same underlying skills: • understanding words • connecting meaning to symbols • learning how communication works • taking turns in conversation These skills support speech. They do not compete with it. Here is what the research consistently shows: ASL and gestures:Using signs or gestures often encourages speech, because children can communicate successfully and experience the power of language earlier. AAC (communication devices, picture systems, etc.): AAC does not prevent speech. Many children actually increase their spoken language once they have a reliable way to communicate. Multiple languages: Children around the world grow up bilingual or multilingual. Exposure to more than one language does not cause language delays. If a delay exists, it would appear across languages, not because of them. The bigger risk is actually waiting to give a child communication tools because of fear it might slow speech. When children cannot communicate, frustration increases and opportunities to practice language decrease. The goal is not to limit communication. The goal is to expand it. Every sign, symbol, gesture, or word is another pathway to language.

This is your safe space to ask anything about speech and language development! Some things I CAN help with: ✅ General questions about milestones ✅ Strategies to try at home ✅ Understanding different types of delays ✅ How to navigate early intervention/services ✅ Activity ideas and play-based learning Some things I CAN'T do: ❌ Diagnose your specific child ❌ Review videos and provide treatment plans ❌ Replace your child's healthcare team I typically respond within 24-48 hours. Other moms - feel free to support each other too! What's your first question? 👇