Laughing Monitos

04/25/2026

04/10/2026

🤔 Wondering about ways to support your child’s speech and language journey? Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Spending Account can make it easier! Did you know you can use pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars for speech therapy, evaluations, and even certain therapy tools? 🗣️ Help your little one unlock their full communication potential this year. 💬

03/30/2026

Understanding AAC

One of the most common questions we hear is, "Will using AAC prevent my child from developing speech?

The short answer? No!

Research actually shows that AAC supports natural speech development, it doesn't replace it. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into this topic! 👇

03/28/2026

Practice over perfection

🗣️ Let them talk, stumble, and try again; that's exactly how language is learned.

03/27/2026

When children mix grammar rules from their languages, this is completely normal; it's actually a sign that multilingual development is happening as it should.

03/26/2026

When is the right time to start signing with your baby? Earlier than most parents think.

The sweet spot: 6–8 months

- Research on early motor and social development shows that babies begin intentionally copying gestures—like waving and pointing—right around 6–8 months of age. This imitation window isn't a coincidence. It's a developmental milestone that signals your baby's brain is ready to connect movement with meaning.

🧠 Why this timing matters:

- Introducing signs during this period aligns with a natural leap in social-cognitive development. Babies at this stage are actively watching, processing, and mirroring the people around them—making it the ideal time to layer in simple, consistent signs.

✋ What to expect:

- Most babies won't sign back right away—and that's completely normal. Research suggests consistent exposure over weeks to months before a child produces their first sign independently. The earlier you start, the more repetition they accumulate before that moment arrives.

The research is clear: earlier exposure means more time to build. Start signing at mealtimes, during play, and at bedtime—and watch what develops. 🌱 Drop a 🙋 below if your little one is in this window!

03/25/2026

The best time to practice signing? Every single day—built right into the routines you're already doing.

🍳 Breakfast
Start the day with two of the most functional signs in a toddler's vocabulary:
✋ EAT—used before, during, and after every meal
🥛 DRINK—high frequency, easy to prompt, impossible to avoid

🧸 Playtime
Play is where language thrives. Keep it simple:
✋ MORE—works for bubbles, blocks, books, snacks… any and everything
🙅 ALL DONE—just as important as more; gives children power to end an activity on their own terms

🌙 Bedtime
Wind down with signs that signal safety and routine:
😴 SLEEP—helps children anticipate and transition into rest
📖 BOOK—a natural request sign that makes bedtime interactive and language-rich

Why routines?
Research on early language learning tells us that repetition within familiar contexts is one of the most powerful drivers of vocabulary acquisition. Daily routines give children the predictability they need to connect signs and words with meaning—faster.

You don't need a therapy session to build communication skills—you need breakfast, playtime, and a bedtime story. ✨ Which routine will you start with? Drop it below!

03/24/2026

Ideas for Picture Cards:

Here are some common picture card words:

More
Want
Go
Stop
Help
Eat
All done