If I ask questions will a child talk to me?

I work with children as a speech and language therapist. It is a job I love! It totally fulfills me; what a privilege that I get to talk to kids all day and listen to them express themselves in all their fantastic ways. As a speech and language therapist, it is my job to create a communication environment for a child that is warm, welcoming and therefore easy for a child to communicate in, both verbally and non-verbally. Recently though, I had to stop myself. Read More »

Why learning music is essential for every child

Music and actively playing an instrument helps a young child develop an assortment of skills. A simple activity of an infant banging on a sauce pan with a spoon is potentially developing rhythmic skills. The rhythms create an awareness of sequences. Creating a repeated sequence of noises adds logic to the whole process not to mention the hand eye co-ordination and large motor skill development. Read More »

“I wish you’d never been born!” – Living with a disabled sibling

How often have you heard one of your children say to their brother or sister ‘I wish you’d never been born !’ For the most part, you will choose to ignore it, knowing in the grand scheme of things, this is just a sibling spat which will resolve itself eventually. Read More »

ADHD? What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is predominately a genetically determined condition and not down to ‘bad parenting’ as once thought. Read More »

Why growing sunflowers can help your child with maths!

Parents often ask me about how to get their child interested in maths because ‘they just don’t get it.’ Understandably the same parents go searching for a maths tutor to help bridge the ever growing gap between their child and his peers….what they don’t realise is there is a lot of help they can give at home with a little guidance. Read More »

Why swimming is beneficial to children with Autism

Leading swimming expert Laura Molloy shares her thoughts. International footballer Paul Scholes recently revealed that his young son who suffers with Autism has a love of swimming. Children with emotional, behavioural and communication disorders are known to benefit from sensory stimulation and swimming can offer a child with Autism the perfect respite. Here, Laura Molloy, founder of Swimbabes (www.swimbabes.co.uk) explains why. Read More »