"We often only worry about showing our kids what not to do but what we really should be focusing on is what we ARE doing in front of our children." Here are some tips from expert Speech Therapist, Ivy Schantz on how you can better facilitate your child's learning simply by being more aware of the way you speak.
​By guest blogger, Ivy Schantz M.S.,CCC-SLP

​Emotional Intelligence is something we'll be discussing in our Intellidance® Babies class this week but can be a beneficial discussion for ALL parents so I wanted to share this out! 

​​When we think back to our school days, or even days earlier if we can, we never really remember learning our body parts (except of course the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" which will never leave our memories). In the Intellidance® curriculum, we are deliberate in our teaching and understanding of the body from our brains to our toes, shaping children who are appreciative, aware, and in full control of their bodies.

​While two-year-old's LOVE dance, they are challenged by the experience of a structured class. Dance class for this age can take the form of organized chaos and let's be honest, it can be stressful for parents, teachers, and the little tots themselves!

Inspired from the wonderful book called "A Moving Child is  a Learning Child" by Gill Connell and Cheryl McCarthy. This book was recommended by my friend and mentor, Jessica (founder of Intellidance); there are so many awesome nuggests I can't help but share! So this is the first of my book club series where I will be sharing little clips of insight on on movement and early childhood development. ​

​Insights from "A Moving Child is a Learning Child" by Gill Connell and Cheryll McCarthy.
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Many people write about our society's tendendency to physically contain children. Whether it's for their own safety or for our own convenience, there is certainly a time and place for seats, strollers, carriers, gates, slings, and basinetts. But as we know, mind and body are working simultaneously to help a child grow therefore too much containment can be equally (though less visibly) restricting to mental development as well. 

​There is nothing more adorable than tiny, high-pitched, cartoony toddler voices with lots and lots to say. It is truly remarkable how quickly your child’s language development can sometimes creep up on you. One day it’s babbling, and it can seem like the next day, it’s full sentences.

​Infants begin communicating with their world immediately. In the first few days, weeks and months of life, babies learn different cries to show different needs, they learn some early sounds and how to make eye contact with their parents and caregivers.