Blog
The Importance of Play
Play is a critical component in early childhood, as it encourages speech, language, cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Children learn best when they’re engaged, motivated, and having fun. Don’t
Zoo Snack Mix
School is back in full swing! Looking for a simple after school treat that your little one can help make? This zoo snack mix may just be the perfect recipe!
PACIFIERS AND THE SLP PERSPECTIVE
We’re back with Part 2 of “Pacifiers and the SLP Perspective”! In Part 1, we answered all of your FAQs, including the benefits, the impacts, and direct links to SLP
Paper Pool Floatie & 5 Easy Summer Speech Ideas
Sweet summertime! Have you heard any rumblings of “I’m bored!” from your little one this summer? Today’s post will help solve this problem! We were inspired by Glued to My
Ice Cream Themed Speech Therapy
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! We love using themes when teaching new concepts and skills. Read more about the importance of themed learning HERE. Ice
LET’S TALK ABOUT PACIFIERS!
Let’s talk about pacifiers! As speech-language pathologists, we’re frequently asked about pacifiers and their impact on speech development. The internet can be a helpful, but overwhelming, place full of information
IT’S O-FISH-ALLY SUMMER!
With an exciting season filled with vacations, you may find yourself enjoying time near some water this summer. Fish, sand, and ocean creatures… oh my! Check out this easy fish
THE SUMMER SLIDE
Summer is here! With a jam-packed schedule filled with camps, vacations, and other fun events, it can be difficult to focus on summer reading lists and keeping up with demands
PATRIOTIC COOKIES
It’s no secret that we love using crafts in speech therapy! Crafts are motivating and engaging for children of all ages. With Memorial Day and Fourth of July just around
CHILDREN’S PATRIOTIC BOOKS
With Memorial Day and the 4th of July just around the corner, we are feeling inspired to share books that honor and celebrate these holidays. These books are fantastic to
MILESTONES: NAVIGATING THE NUMBERS
Welcome back to our last post in the series “Milestones: Navigating the Numbers”! This series was inspired by the updated American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Developmental Milestones. Read more on the
FLOWER POT DIRT DESSERT
“Every child is a different kind of flower and all together, make this world a beautiful garden.” – Anonymous The flowers are blooming, the air is warmer and the sun
MILESTONES: NAVIGATING THE NUMBERS: BY AGE 4
Welcome back to our “Milestones: Navigating the Numbers” series! In this series, we have covered the expected speech, language, social-pragmatic, and feeding milestones expected by age 1, age 2, and
MILESTONES–NAVIGATING THE NUMBERS BY AGE 3
Welcome back to our series, “Milestones: Navigating the Numbers”! This series was inspired by the release of the updated milestone checklist from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).Today we are focusing on
RAINBOW CHAIN CRAFTIVITY: WHAT WILL YOU GET AT THE END OF A RAINBOW? THE LETTER “W”!
Rainbow Chain Craftivity What will you get at the end of a rainbow? The letter “W”! While there will always be a “w” at the end of “rainbow”, legend also
5 TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR CHILD’S VOCABULARY FROM A SLP
SLPs, we often field questions related to language development in toddlers and preschoolers. Have you ever wondered if your child has enough words? Or if they’re able to communicate
MILESTONES- NAVIGATING THE NUMBERS BY AGE 2
Welcome back to our series, “Milestones: Navigating the Numbers”! You can read about our first blog post in the series here. With the release of the updated milestone checklist from
HAPPY LOVE DAY!
Has the candy already started to overflow at your house? Let’s do something about this by creating cute, festive Love Bugs! We were inspired from this craft from the blog
WINTER IS HERE!
Let’s celebrate with a oh-snow-much-fun themed craft. As Ana from Frozen once sang, “Do you want to build a snowman?”. Our answer is…. yes! Keep reading for a simple snowman
MILESTONES: NAVIGATING THE NUMBERS
The national governing body of speech-language pathologists, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), recently released an updated checklist of skills for children from birth to 5 years. This checklist includes milestones
PIPE CLEANER SNOWFLAKES
Brrr… it’s cold out there! Rumor has it that increased snow is predicted this Winter (some of us at OWLS Therapy are excited about this!). Chilly weather outside calls for
SERVING UP GRATITUDE: BOOKS FOR A SEASON OF THANKS
Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey by Lucille Colandro I Am Thankful by Sheri Wall Around the Table that Grandad
FALL SUNCATCHERS
Fall Suncatchers While we love the holiday lights, wreaths, and trees that we’re now seeing, it’s still in the Fall season! Let’s continue to celebrate the season and all of
CARVE OUT SOME FUN THIS FALL: LEARNING WITH PUMPKINS
Seasonal activities allow children to connect with the world around them and associate concepts and vocabulary with specific times of the year. Here are a few ways to target speech
SPEECH SPIDERS!
With all of the amazing Halloween decorations, yummy snacks, and incredible costumes this time of the year- we wanted to join in on the fun! Today we’ll be sharing all
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH DYSLEXIA?
What is it? Dyslexia is defined as a difficulty in reading present in a child who demonstrates intellectual skills to otherwise be a fluent reader. This difficulty is most commonly
IT’S ALL CONNECTED: LANGUAGE AND LEARNING
Language delays impact future academic, social, and cognitive development. This is why early intervention is critical to a child’s success across communicative environments. Do you ever get frustrated when someone
PETS ARE PAW-SOME SPEECH BUDDIES
Let’s base this discussion around the most popular pet…the chinchilla. Just kidding! Here are some ways your DOG can help your child’s communication skills. Articulation If your child is working
ENGAGING MINDS: THE POWER OF SENSORY BINS.
Sensory bins are a fun way for your child to learn while engaging in play! Throughout the activity they are using multiple senses (sight, sound, touch, and smell) and these
GIVE A HOOT ABOUT READING!
Guide Summer is a time of fun, sunshine, and opportunities for continued learning and exploration. For parents that may be less familiar with the educational impact of a long break,
SPEECH AT THE PARK
The world is our playground! Play is critical to language development and presents children with an extraordinary amount of learning opportunities. Not only does play allow children to navigate and
DONUT CRAFT
Hole-y Moley! Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?! National Donut Day is June 2nd. Here is a fun craft to celebrate while working on speech skills! Items needed: · paper
COMMUNICATION: BEYOND THE BASICS OF SPEECH AND HEARING
As a parent, it can be frustrating to guess what your child wants or needs, especially when you have a never-ending to-do list on top of it all. And what
WE ARE GROWING!
After 10 years of serving Northern Virginia, we are proud to announce the addition of OWLS Therapy in Philadelphia’s Main Line! What? When considering services for your child, the first
FIVE EARLY SIGNS OF AUTISM
Picture this: You are sitting in the doctor’s office filling out a questionnaire about your child’s development and whether or not they are showing signs of autism. With your mind
EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
“What did the mother worm say to her child who was late?” “Where in earth have you been?!” Earth Day is Saturday April 22nd. Starting in the 1970s, this day
CHERRY BLOSSOM CRAFT WITH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE TARGETS
The cherry blossoms have bloomed in Northern Virginia! To celebrate the arrival of Spring, we are featuring a cherry blossom craft to work on speech and language skills. We LOVE
SKIP THE SIPPY! A SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST’S GUIDE ON SIPPY CUPS: PART 1
Ah, sippy cups. Who wouldn’t love a cup that prevents spills and stains everywhere you go? An SLP, that’s who! While convenient, these cups are not the best choice for
SLP APPROVED BABY REGISTRY
Congratulations! Whether you, a family member, or a friend is expecting, this is an exciting time in life. The joy and anticipation can often be paired with the feeling of
SNOWMAN CRAFTIVITY
Items Needed: Marshmallows Popsicle Stick Pretzel sticks Black Icing Reese’s Cup Fruit by the Foot or Fruit Roll up Mini Chocolate Chips or Mini M & M’s 1) Place 3
CHILDREN’S WINTER BOOKS
While the holidays have come and gone, the cold weather is here to stay! Cozy up inside with some hot chocolate and a snow-themed book. Wondering what are some of
SLP APPROVED TOYS
Speech-language pathologists are frequently asked for toy recommendations. As professionals, we often think about what we can do with the toy, not what the toy can actually do. You might
HOLIDAY BOOKS
The fireplace is crackling, the carolers are singing, and the sleigh bells are ringing… the holidays are here! Let’s welcome the new season with holiday-themed books. Whether you’re looking for a
CHILDREN’S FALL THEMED BOOKS
Welcome, Fall! Crunchy leaves, crisp air, vivid colors, and pumpkin galore… what a beautiful time of the year! Today we’ve gathered our favorite fall-themed books for story time at home.
PART TWO: BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS!
Welcome to Part Two of our Back to School series! School has started and with the new school year, comes new routines. Today we’re offering tips on how to start
BACK TO SCHOOL PENCIL COOKIES
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION! AFTER A LONG SCHOOL DAY, COMING HOME TO A YUMMY AFTER-SCHOOL TREAT IS THE BEST! Cooking and baking provide a multitude of speech and language
PART ONE: BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS!
Welcome to Part One of our Back to School series! It seems like the dog days of summer are here to stay in Virginia, but the start of a new
SPEECH ON THE BEACH
Heading to the beach this summer? With all the summer travel to the coast, today’s blog post will feature activities that promote speech and language skills on vacation. Research continues
SUMMER BOOKS
Read, read, read this summer! Books are meant to be used for the ENTIRE year- not just the school year! Below we included some of our favorite summer books for
PREPOSITION DEVELOPMENT
Prepositions are incredibly important in a child’s language development. Preposition words are a part of speech that begins a phrase and adds details into a sentence. For example, a preposition
BEACH PUDDING
Celebrate summer with a cute (and yummy) craft! Crafts are an excellent way to target speech and language skills. They are filled with fun, so much so that a child
SPRING BOOK LIST
As the saying goes… April showers bring May flowers! The beautiful spring weather is finally here to stay, and we simply can’t get enough! Today, we are sharing all about
BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM)! This month was created in 1927 by ASHA, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. BHSM aims to raise awareness to speech and hearing
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Summer is here! Looking for some local family-friendly activities to do this summer? Check out our recommendations below to keep the fun going all summer long! JUNE Enjoy a summer
EGG ACTIVITY
Spring has arrived and so have all the egg-cellent crafts! Just TWO items are required for today’s craft- an egg coloring sheet and crayons! Super easy, engaging, and endless ideas
Chick Craft
Looking for a fun, simple, speech and language-filled craft with items you probably already have laying around the house? Look no further! Items Needed: 2 paper plates Box of crayons
Easter Book Special
Spring has sprung, and we are preparing for all things Easter! Check out our holiday book list filled with something for every reader!
St. Patrick’s Day: Rainbow Craft
We’re over the rainbow for you! Today we are sharing a fun, engaging and easy St. Patrick’s Day Craft! As we head into March, we will start to see all
St. Patricks Day – Children’s Books
Top of the Mornin’ to you! Today we are sharing all of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day books! These books celebrate friendship, luck, and traditions of the holiday. Enjoy and
Things To Do: MARCH to MAY
With Spring right around the corner, we thought we would round up some fun, family-friendly events. Whether it is celebrating National Cereal Day (March 7th) or participating in a virtual
Fact or Myth: Teletherapy
Since March of 2020, so many telemedicine options have been created…and along with it, many questions!
Valentine’s Day Candy Tic-Tac-Toe
Already dreading all that Valentine’s Day candy that is coming home? Turn it into a fun speech and language activity! Everyone loves Tic-Tac-Toe and this simple (and delicious) craft easily
Speech Therapy FAQ’s
Sessions have a beginning, middle, and end. Often, a session begins by reviewing home practice items and discussing any updates since the previous session. The session shifts into activities selected
Holiday Gift Guide – School Aged
Welcome back to the last gift guide of our series! Today’s gift guide focuses on games for school-aged children. By this age, children are expected to ask and answer all
Holiday Gift Guide – Pre School
Today’s gift guide is all about preschoolers! At this age, children will begin saying more complex sentences filled with spatial concepts, adjectives, and a variety of verbs and pronouns. Preschoolers
Holiday Gift Guide- 2 to 3 Years
Today’s blog post features our 2-3-year-old gift guide. Another huge language growth occurs during this period of life. At 2, toddlers should be around 50% intelligible, adding new words frequently
Holiday Gift Guide- 1 to 2 Years Old
We are back for our second gift guide of the series! Today’s gift guide focuses on recommendations for 1-2 year olds, a period that is filled with language growth! Around
Holiday Gift Guide – Birth to 12 months
The featured items encourage cognitive development, fine motor skills, social pragmatic skills, feeding development and expressive and receptive language skills. And notice- about 95% of the items do not require
Dyslexia 101: What parents should know
One of the things that OWLS Therapy is known for is our treatment of dyslexia.Dyslexia has always been a passion of mine probably due to the fact that I love
How to: Language Development Tips and Tricks
We have had many blog posts recently giving the facts and research statistics about language development. But before everything starts to feel doom and gloom, know that there are very
Milestones vs Averages
One of the questions that I spend the most time answering is how many words should a child have by a certain age. From these conversations, I have gleamed that
Pre-linguistic Skills
There are many skills your baby needs to develop before they will speak their first true word. These skills develop during the first year and many children who begin therapy
Finding Language in Everyday Activities: Summer Edition
With summer quickly approaching (thank goodness!), the season lends itself to many different opportunities for language expansion! The ability to be outside, to hopefully be able to start traveling again
Plastic Easter Eggs
Plastic Easter eggs…probably one of my most used therapy tools. And since it is finally spring, Easter eggs are easy to find and your child will probably have at least
Speech Sound Development Norms
One of the most frequent questions I get, from both parents and teachers, is “when are certain speech sounds supposed to develop?” AKA, is it okay that my 2 year
Early Signs of Autism
One of the most frequent concerns that parents voice when they call me is whether or not their child is showing early signs of autism. Googling early signs of autism
Finding Language in Everyday Activities- Holiday Edition!
While we all know language is all around us, it can still sometimes feel like a struggle to think of ways to explicitly elicit language from our children, especially when
Halloween and Autism
So to have the night be enchanting and not a fright, some things to consider (if Halloween is actually happening this year! #thanksCOVID
The Power of Books
I love books. I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember. Going to the library and bringing home a stack of books was one of my favorite things
Fall Art Project: Apples and Pumpkins
Welcome to the season of apple picking, pumpkin carving, and my favorite... Pumpkin Spice Lates! The fall season ofers so many wonderful opportunites to get outside and explore; but for
Late Talkers
“I turned out okay.” This is a comment that I hear from parents from time to time. Luckily this isn’t something I hear often, but when I do, I know
Commonly asked questions part IV- When should I get an evaluation?
The next group of blogs shift gears and will focus on (sadly) common false information that parents are told by well-meaning pediatricians and family and friends.
Commonly Asked Questions Part III- Speech vs. Sports?
Welcome back to Part III of this multi-part blog. While my previous post was about speech homework, this one is about prioritizing speech therapy in a crowded schedule. Because that
Feeding Therapy 101
Hello all- Cara here! This week, I am guest blogging on a topic I am very passionate about- feeding therapy! During my years as a practicing speech-language pathologist,
Commonly Asked Questions: Part II: Is Speech Homework Really that Important?
Welcome back to Part II of this multi-part blog series that answers frequently asked questions. Up this week: 2. Is the speech homework my speech therapist provided really that important? In one
Commonly Asked Questions: Part 1: How Long Will My Child be in Speech?
In this multi-part blog series, I am going to cover the answers to questions I get asked consistently. These may be questions I get before a child begins speech therapy or
Why I’ll Never Tell a Child that He is Smart
Ouch! Even writing that title sounds harsh. But it’s true. The words “You’re so smart” or any iteration of it, will never cross these lips. It doesn’t mean that I might not think it
Summer Slide
Summer slide. Sounds fun, right?! Well, sadly this is not the kind of slide that results in fun twists and turns and maybe splashing into a refreshing pool of water at the
Self-Love
As I am writing this, the 4th Nor’easter of the month is swirling outside, forcing me to take the day off. So while I am not seeing the children that
Developmental Stuttering
Today I thought I would write about something that I have had an increase in phone calls from parents about: developmental stuttering. I would say in the last two weeks
My love affair with games
Well I think it is safe to say that we have established that I am horrible at being a consistent blogger. I have had the idea for writing this blog
Simple Strategies to Help Elicit Language
Last week I talked about some speech and language red flags and when contacting a speech pathologist is warranted. Today, I want to provide simple strategies to help elicit language.
Red Flags…and when to contact a speech pathologist
Well I haven’t been the greatest about blogging! But that is about to change! I have set a goal for a new blog every other week so here we go!
Welcome to OWLS Therapy!
Thank you for checking out the blog. It is the hope that here you can find information, fun activities, and useful tips to help aid in your child’s speech and language