What is a lisp? Is it considered to be normal? When should I be concerned? Check out this post for more information about a very common speech error. Visit our website to complete the online First Words Communication Checkup to screen your child’s communication skills. #speechdevelopment #développementdelaparole #laterallisp #zézaiementlatéral #frontallisp #zézaiementfrontal #FirstWords #PremiersMots #onlinescreening #dépistageenligne

🧑🏽‍💻The First Words Communication Checkup is an online screening tool created for parents and legal guardians living in Ottawa and Renfrew County, Ontario. 🧠 In the first years of life, your child is building important skills to help them succeed at school 🏫 and later in life. 💻 Our screening tool allows you to: · Screen your child’s communication and global development. · Get instant results based on how you answer the questionnaire. · Get recommended next steps to support your child’s development. · Complete your referral online to send your child’s results to the recommended service for their development. ⬇️You’ll need 15-40 minutes: The screening should take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete. You must complete the screening in one sitting, and the intake forms immediately after you receive your results (5-10 minutes). ✅ Get instant results: This assessment tool screens for speech, language, social communication, fine and gross motor skills while providing instant results based on the answers you provide. 🏫 For any child entering kindergarten next September, you need to guide them before April 1st. The sooner you refer them, the better. 📍Go check it out on www.firstwords.ca - look for the green button on the top right to access the First Words Communication Checkup. On your smartphone or tablet, click on the menu, then SPEECH AND LANGUAGE. You will find the FWCCU. #firstwords #earlyid #earlyidentification #speech #language #communication #buildingthebrain #schoolreadiness

🗣️ Talk & Grow with First Words A Parent Workshop with the First Words Speech Language Program of Ottawa-Renfrew County 🤔 Wondering if your child’s speech and language skills are on track? Join us for a fun and informative session where you will discover how First Words can help! 📋 We will talk about: ✅ How to use the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online tool to check your child’s speech and language milestones ✅ Truths vs. myths about communication (early detection, bilingualism, hearing, etc.) ✅ Easy tips and everyday strategies to boost your child’s communication ✅ How to access helpful resources and e-learning modules 💡 Perfect for any parent who wants to feel more confident about their child’s speech and language journey! 📅 Date & Time: October 1st from 6:30–8:00 ✨ Ready to join us? 👉 Visit the Parent Resource Centre website and follow the steps to register via the direct link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1579199832209?aff=oddtdtcreator

👋 Come say hi to First Words at the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Open House! 💬🧸We will be there to chat about your child’s speech and language development and share fun resources for families. 📍 Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre 📅 2 MacNeil Court, Kanata from 5-7pm #FamilyFun #KanataEvents #CommunityMatters #FirstWords

🧡 September 30th marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours Indigenous survivors, their families and communities. As part of this national day of truth and reconciliation, First Words shares this beautiful book by an Indigenous author. 📚 💛Little You by Richard Van Camp and Julie Flett is a gentle story that celebrates love, belonging, and identity. Reading diverse books like this builds empathy, helps children understand different experiences, and supports language growth. 🧡Every story is a step toward connection and reconciliation. ✨ Try these strategies while reading: 👉 Point to the pictures and name what you see (baby, blanket, mom). 👉 Add action words (hug, laugh, sleep). 👉 Repeat your child’s words and expand them (baby → baby sleeping). 👉 Talk about feelings (happy, loved, safe). 🌟Reading together creates powerful moments of love, learning, and language. 🧡A word about the author: Richard Van Camp is a recipient of the Order of the Northwest Territories, Richard Van Camp is a proud Tłı̨chǫ Dene from Fort Smith, NWT. He is the author of 30 books in 30 years.In the past several years, Richard has been the Storyteller in Residence for Calgary Public Library and the Writer in Residence at the Metro Federation of Edmonton Libraries. He has also been the Writer in Residence at the University of Alberta, Yellowhead Tribal College and MacEwan University. He is also a Mentor for the Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle. #language #preschool #family #inclusion #empathy #truthandreconciliation #readingwithlove #diversebooks #earlyliteracy #firstwordsottawa

🪶 At our recent retreat, First Words came together to listen, learn and reflect on honoring the voices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The teachings we received reminded us to walk with humility and openness. 🍃 We left inspired and more committed than ever to embrace change and put forward an action plan so that child from these peoples can find their voice. 🪶 Our heartfelt thanks to the following people for guiding us on this important journey : - Melissa and Jessica from Bridge Building Group, - Kitigan Zibi Elder Fred McGregor,, our elder during the retreat - Caley-Rain Anderson, Stephanie Anderson and Theland Kicknosoway for the immersive Kairos blanket exercice, - Joan Riggs, Kate Carroll, Kyra Hagerty and Rayjean Palluq, Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition - Ken Robertson, Four Directions Autism - Chris Church, Inuit Artic Games facilitator #firstwords #speechandlanguage #earlyyears #indigenousvoices #firstnations #inuit #metis #community #childrensvoices

🗣Talk in everyday routines and daily activities. Conversations help your child learn new words and how to make sentences. Get your child to help out around the house. 🍎vs🍏Compare and contrast : Keep your child busy with sorting household objects by size, texture, color: small and big balls, red fruits/green vegetables, rough/smooth objects. etc. Repeat difficult or rarer words (e.g., butterfly, scarecrow) 📚Read to children every day. The sooner you start, the better. The more often you do it, the better. Reading books every day promotes the development of strong speech and language skills. Leave books out for your child to look at, both on their own and with you. Read the same books over and over. Visit libraries and get gently used books from garage sales (once the pandemic is over). 🧸🧩Play is important. Play with your child. Promote pretend play. Observe the OPH recommendations regarding socializing with other families when planning play dates or going to playgroups, drop-ins, or the park. Your child will benefit from playing with other children. 🚫📱Avoid screen time. Children learn best from interacting with others around them. Remember the Canadian Pediatric Society recommendation: limit your child’s screen time to 1 hr/day. 🚨If you are concerned or simply want to check your child’s communication skills, use our First Words Communication Checkup. The FWCCU is an online screening tool created for parents and legal guardians of children, between the age of 6 months to 4.5 years, living in Ottawa and Renfrew County, Ontario. You can use this free online screening tool at any time. As a best practice, screen your child’s communication every 6 months. #48months #preschoolers #speech #language #earlyidentification #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #parenting #everydayparent #youmakeadifference #parentingdoneright #ottawamoms #parentinginottawa #firstwords #earlyoncenters

🌟Congratulations. Your child is now 4 years old. Your child is using longer sentences and complex language to share their thoughts, have conversations, solve problems and tell you stories that have a clear beginning, middle and end. 🧠 Communication and pre-literacy skills continue to soar. Talk, play and read with them every day to boost their communication skills. 🚨Review these additional developmental milestones and refer immediately if your child shows the following: • Limited eye gaze and/or limited shared interest in others • Repeats exactly what you say rather than responding • Shows disinterest or detachment from other children of the same age when playing • Does not look at you when listening or speaking • Makes noises or uses gestures to express needs instead of using words or sentences • Repetitive play or movement behaviors • Limited sequenced pretend play • Loss of any social and/or language skills 🧐If you are concerned, refer to First Words as early as possible. ✅ HOW? Fill out the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online screening tool. It takes 15-20 minutes. Once completed, it will give you immediate results. It will tell if your child is following expected milestones or if you should refer to First Words. You can use the screening tool as often as you want – for example, at every important milestone (every 6 months). #48months #preschooler #communication #preliteracy #earlyidentification #FWCCU #FirstWordsCommunicationCheckup #Knowthesigns #ActEarly #refernow

📣 We are happy to share that the wait time to receive a speech and language assessment at First Words is just 3-4 months from referral! 😁We know that early intervention can make a big difference in a child’s communication and overall development, so our goal is to shorten wait times and give families timely access to care. 🧐If you are wondering about your child’s speech and language skills, take 15-20 minutes to complete our First Words Communication Checkup online to find out if a referral for a full assessment is needed. Don’t wait, act now! 🧑🏽‍💻Visit us today: www.firstwords.ca #FWCCU #don’twait #n’attendspas #actnow #agismaintenant #communicationcheckup #Bilandelacommunication #interventionprécoce #communication communication #firstwords #language #speech #babies #toddlers #preschoolers #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #premiersmots #parole #langage #bébés #bambins #préscolaire #bilandelacommunicationdepremiersmots

🗣️Speech sounds develop gradually. Even though you may not always understand your child, they will become clearer as they are provided with opportunities to hear and practice using different words. For children who are learning to communicate with single words or simple sentences (typically 1-3 years of age), context is often required to understand them. ⏩ Swipe through the slides to learn what speech sound milestones are expected for a child by age 3 #Firstwords #PremiersMots #articulation #speechsounds #sonsdeparole #milestones #jalons #speechclarity #clartédelaparole

🍂📚 Back to School & Fall Reads for Preschoolers! 🍂📚Looking for cozy, fun books to help your little one get excited about school, make new friends, and explore the magic of fall? These stories spark imagination and build strong communication skills! ✨ Try these 3 simple reading strategies to support speech and language: 1. Label and Describe: Point to pictures and name objects, actions, and feelings. “Look! The leaves are falling. They’re orange and crunchy!” 2. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage your child to think and talk. “What do you think will happen next?” 3. Repeat and Expand: If your child says “bus,” you can say, “Yes! That’s a yellow school bus. It’s picking up children!” 📚 Many of these books, and so many more, are available at the Ottawa Public Library! Explore, borrow, and enjoy storytime together. 🍁👧📖👦Reading together builds vocabulary, confidence, and connection. Let’s make storytime a powerful part of your child’s learning journey! #preschoolbooks #earlyliteracy #speechandlanguage #fallreads #backtoschool #readaloud #parenttips #slpresources #preschoollearning #languageenrichment #booksforkids

🗣️ Talk & Grow with First Words A Parent Workshop with the First Words Speech Language Program of Ottawa-Renfrew County 🤔 Wondering if your child’s speech and language skills are on track? Join us for a fun and informative session where you will discover how First Words can help! 📋 We will talk about: ✅ How to use the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online tool to check your child’s speech and language milestones ✅ Truths vs. myths about communication (early detection, bilingualism, hearing, etc.) ✅ Easy tips and everyday strategies to boost your child’s communication ✅ How to access helpful resources and e-learning modules 💡 Perfect for any parent who wants to feel more confident about their child’s speech and language journey! 📅 Date & Time: October 1st from 6:30–8:00 ✨ Ready to join us? 👉 Visit the Parent Resource Centre website and follow the steps to register via the direct link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1579199832209?aff=oddtdtcreator

🗣️From first words to full sentences, your child’s vocabulary grows so much between ages 1 and 3. Research shows that early word milestones are linked to later success in reading, communication, and learning at school (Duff et al., 2015). 🗣️Studies also show that children with fewer words at 1 year often continue to show delays at 24 and 36 months (Oller et al., 1999). Knowing what to expect helps families support language growth. ✨ WORD MILESTONES 👶 Around 1 year: Children usually say their first words like “mama” or “ball.” 👶 Around 2 years: Children may use 50+ words and start combining 2-4 words like “more juice” or “big truck go fast.” 👶 Around 3 years: Children often have 500-1000 words and use short sentences like “I want cookie” or “Where is my bear?” ✨ STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS 🧩 Label objects during daily routines: “Here is your spoon.” 🧩 Imitate and repeat the gestures, sounds, words and sentences your child makes. 🧩Expand your child’s words: If they say “car,” you can say “Yes, a red car.” 🧩 Read and re-read favorite books. Repetition builds vocabulary. ✅ Language milestones are important. If you have concerns, visit firstwords.ca to: •. Use our free online screening tool, the First Words Communication Checkup. •.Check out Module 3: Ages & Stages - Communication Development 0-4 years #earlylanguage #wordmilestones #preschoollanguage #languagegrowth #firstwordsottawa #communication #languagedevelopment #learnthroughplay #parentingtips #speechandlanguage

✅ Do you have a child who uses many single words but can’t seem to progress to the next stage of putting words together? ⏩ Swipe through the slides to find out if your child is ready to use word combinations and if so, how to help them get there! 💻 If you’re still unsure if your child is meeting milestones or how to support their communication development, complete our online screening today, the First Words Communication Checkup. #FirstWords #PremiersMots #actearly #agirtôt #wordcombinations #combinaisonsdemots #milestones #jalons

1️⃣ What is Toy Talk? 🧸 Toy Talk is a research-based strategy that uses descriptive talk about toys, instead of pronouns. to boost children’s language skills. 🚂 Toy Talk works everywhere: blocks, dolls, bath, you name it! 💬 Describe what the toy is doing and use its name. Speak slowly and clearly. 👂 Name the toys or objects and describe their actions or their properties. Your child hears varied nouns and builds stronger sentences. 🧱 Block play: “The tower is getting taller. The blocks fell down.” 🍼 Doll time: “The baby is sleepy. The bottle is empty.” 🫧 Bubble play: “The bubble popped!” or “This bubble is big!” 🧡 Speak clearly, repeat often, and enjoy the conversations that sparkle! 🎉 One sentence at a time = big language growth! #firstwords #toytalk #playtogether #speechandlanguage #earlydevelopment #toddlerplay #verbpower #slptips #parentingatplay #languageboost #childspeech

🎤 1Why are the early years so important for communication development? 🧠 The early years are a time of rapid brain development. The brain is like a sponge, ready to learn language through interactions with adults. 👉 Language starts long before words, in eye contact, smiles, and peek-a-boo games. 💻 Check out Module 1: Know the signs. Act early. Refer . This module highlights recent pediatric research on the development of speech and language skills in young children, as well as risk and protective factors. 🛜 Visit our website to find: - the First Words Communication Checkup, our online screening tool - communication developmental milestones - various resources on milestones, strategies, and tips - our webinars such as Module 1 And much more! #développementlangagier #parentalitépositive #orthophonie #cerveauenfant #apprentissageprécoce #communicationprécoce #premiersmotsottawa #parentingmatters #earlylanguage #babybrain

🖐️Did you know that babies can begin to use gestures as early as 9 months old? 🎙️Gestures act like a bridge to spoken words because they provide a way for our children to communicate before first words emerge. 📈Children should learn around 2 new gestures each month between 9 to 16 months. Research shows that the number and variety of gestures used by 16 months is a strong predictor of future language skills. 👀 For more information, check out the « First Words Project - FSU College of Medicine ». #FirstWords #PremiersMots #gestures #desgestes #16gesturesby16months #16gestespar16mois #communication #languagedevelopment #développementdulangage

🗣️Although young babies don’t understand the meaning of your words, they understand a lot by the way that you touch and hold them. 👀They also learn from the expression on your face, the tone of your voice, and the gestures that you make. 🧠Talking all day, throughout the day in daily routines helps young babies and toddlers learn core words. Keep repeating the important words associated with the objects and actions part of this daily routine (e.g., “Diaper. Let’s get that diaper changed. Change the diaper. Smelly diaper. I put it in the garbage”). This type of narration helps your baby know the words match the routine or the actions you are doing. 💕Remember: babies, toddlers, and preschoolers learn words when you talk to them. 🐻🍼📚Surround your baby with words when you feed, diaper, read, and play with them. #speech #language #speechlanguage #speechlanguagepathology #speechlanguagestrategies #communication #communicationdevelopment #communicationstrategies #talk #sing #read #play #babies #toddlers #preschoolers #earlystimulation #funddayactivities #familyfun #hangoutwithkids #firstwords #knowthesigns #actearly

🧐Did you know? You can use the First Words Communication at any time to check your child’s speech and language development. 💻The First Words Communication Checkup (FWCCU) is an online screening and referral tool. 💡Families can screen their child’s speech and language skills every 6 months. You can refer at any time. 🧠Act early. Know the signs. Refer online as soon as First Words services are needed. This can be done after completing the FWCCU. #firstwords #communication #speechlanguage #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #serveandreturn #zerotothree #unplug #talkeveryday #readeveryday #communicationawareness

📚Make book reading interactive by adding gestures and sounds. This will not only engage your child in the book, but it will also promote the understanding of language. 👍🏻 Gestures help your child make connections between the words you say and the pictures they see. Once they are ready, you will see them start to see them copy your gestures and actively participate in the experience. 🎥 Swipe through the slides to see an example of a child using gestures to eagerly engage in book reading with her mom. #PremierMots #FirstWords #liresdeslivres #bookreading #gestures #desgestes #interaction #compréhensiondelalangue #languagecomprehension #langageexpressif #expressivelanguage

💭Don’t ask questions that you already know the answer to! The overuse of certain types of questions when engaging with your child is not helpful for their language development. ❓Questions that test your child’s knowledge or questions that answer themselves should be limited (e.g. « is that a car? », « are you playing with blocks? », « is that blue? »). ⬇️ Scroll through the slides for more information about how to grow your child’s vocabulary by decreasing close-ended questions. Remember: if you know, don’t ask! #decreasequestions #réduirelesquestions #Firstwords #PremiersMots #comment #commentaires #dontask

🎓 Is your child ready for school? Our new e-learning module, Module 10, helps you support your child’s school readiness. 🎓Module 10 includes the following sections: 10.1: Introduction: Understanding school readiness and the various factors that impact it. 10.2: Self-Regulation Skills: Recognizing and responding to stressors to maintain balance. 10.3: Vocabulary and Narrative Skills: Understanding the importance of language skills, especially focusing on vocabulary and storytelling skills. 10.4: Phonological Awareness Skills Supporting reading development through sound-letter knowledge. 10.5: Routines: Skills that last a lifetime: Understanding how having strong routines at home helps children feel safe, navigate their day and understand the world. 10.6: School Readiness Additional Resources: A PDF compilation of additional resources for further learning by parents. 🎓Learn about self-regulation, vocabulary, storytelling, phonological awareness, and routines. These skills help your child succeed in school and life. 🎓Go to the First Words website. You can access the module here under the tab WEBINAR. Find Module 10: Stepping Into School and start learning. •. English: https://www.firstwords.ca/module-10-stepping-into-school •. French: ​https://www.firstwords.ca/fr-ca/module-10-stepping-into-school 🎓Start the module today and help your child grow!​ #schoolreadiness #earlylearning #parentingtips #childdevelopment #kindergartenprep #firstwordsottawa #phonologicalawareness #selfregulation #vocabularyskills #routinesmatter

‼️ Attention parents and community partners: We have launched a video tutorial to help families self-refer by using the First Words Communication Checkup. This video will guide families to complete our online communication screening tool. 💻Once the screening questions are completed, parents/caregivers will get immediate results about their child’s communication skills and if needed, instructions to refer for a speech-language assessment will be provided. 💕Remember, a doctor’s referral is not needed to access First Word services. Visit our website and click on “First Words Communication Checkup” and then “View our video tutorial”. #FirstWords #PremiersMots #onlinescreening #FWCCU #dépistageenligne #Bilandelacommunication #refernow #aiguillezmaintenant

📖 One of our bedtime favourites! Goodnight Gorilla is a nearly wordless book that helps little ones build early storytelling skills. 👀 Kids love spotting the sneaky gorilla and retelling the story in their own words. 💬 Try asking: 🔹 “Who is the gorilla following?” 🔹 “Where is the balloon?” 🔹 “What happens next?” ✨ Talking about the pictures helps build vocabulary, memory, and sentence skills, especially before kids can read on their own. 🌙 Cozy up, turn the pages, and enjoy the fun bedtime surprise! 🌐 Visit our website for tips on books and literacy ! #firstwords #goodnightgorilla #wordlessbooks #earlyliteracy #bedtimestory #parentingtips #slptips #storytellingforkids #booksforkids #languagelearning

📚 Reading to your child every day is more than just telling a story. 🧠 It’s feeding their brain, building vocabulary and sparking imagination. 🗣️ Children who are read to daily hear up to 1.4 million more words by the time they enter kindergarten. This “million word gap” significantly impacts vocabulary development and school readiness. 💞 Every shared story strengthens your bond and supports early learning. 🌈 Read early, read often and open the door to a world of words and ideas! 📲 Visit our website to find books, strategies and online modules to support your child’s communication! Logan, J. A. R., Justice, L. M., Yumus, M., & Chaparro-Moreno, L. J. (2019). When Children Are Not Read to at Home: The Million Word Gap. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 40(6), 501–504. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.000000000000065 #firstwords #earlylanguage #readtoyourkids #dailyreading #positiveparenting #childlanguage #playtalkgrow #millionwordgap #earlyliteracy #storytimefun

📌 Research shows that prematurity can be a risk factor associated with communication delays. 📌 Prematurity is when a child is born before 37 weeks of the pregnancy is completed as per most stutides. Low birth weight (5.5 pounds/2500 grams or less), often associated with prematurity, is also a risk factor. 📌 Therefore, children born prematurely ARE at risk for a speech and/or language delay. 📌 But we also know many of our premature babies thrive and develop well thanks to the medical team and their wonderful families. 📌 Here are ways that you can help your child grow their communication skills: Talking: Talk in everyday routines, daily activities, in every interaction and conversation. Conversations help your baby, toddler or preschool learn new words, make sentences or have conversations of their own. Label the actions you or your child are doing when playing, walking to the park, or singing. · Reading: Read to children every day. Reading books every day promotes the development of strong speech and language skills. The sooner you start, the better. The more often you do it, the better. · Playing: Play with your child. From exploratory to pretend play, playing is an important way to get kids to learn. Whether it is with puzzles, blocks, sand, play dough, dolls and figurines, cars and teddy bears, your child is learning through play. · Avoiding technology/screen time: Children learn best from interacting with others around them. Remember the Canadian Pediatric Society recommendation: no screen time under the age of 2 years and limit your child’s screen time to 1 hr/day. #communication #firstwords #language #speech #babies #toddlers #preschoolers #firstwordscommunicationcheckup

Help your 3 year old child communicate with these tips: 🗣Talk in everyday routines and daily activities. Conversations help your child learn new words and how to make sentences. Get your child to help out around the house. 🍎 vs 🍏 Compare and contrast : Keep your little one busy with sorting household objects by size, texture, color: small and big balls, red fruits/green vegetables, rough/smooth objects. etc. Repeat difficult or rarer words (e.g., butterfly, scarecrow) 📕Read to children every day. The sooner you start, the better. The more often you do it, the better. Reading books every day promotes the development of strong speech and language skills. Leave books out for your child to look at, both on their own and with you. Read the same books over and over. Visit libraries and get gently used books from garage sales (once the pandemic is over). 🧱Play is a child’s work. Play with your toddler in lots of different ways by using puzzles, blocks, sand, and play dough. Promote pretend play. Observe the OPH recommendations regarding socializing with other families. But once the pandemic is over, you may want to go to playgroups, drop-ins, or the park so that your child can play with other children. ❌📱📺Avoid screen time. Children learn best from interacting with others around them. Remember the Canadian Pediatric Society recommendation: limit your child’s screen time to 1 hr/day. 🚨 If you are concerned or simply want to check your child’s communication skills, use our First Words Communication Checkup. The FWCCU is an online screening tool created for parents and legal guardians of children, between the age of 6 months to 4.5 years, living in Ottawa and Renfrew County, Ontario. You can use this free online screening tool at any time. As a best practice, screen your child’s communication every 6 months. #36months #preschoolers #speech #language #earlyidentification #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #parenting #everydayparent #youmakeadifference #parentingdoneright #ottawamoms #parentinginottawa #firstwords #earlyoncenters

Congratulations🤩Your child is now 3 years old. 🗣Your child is using longer sentences and complex language to share their thoughts and ideas with you. You can now have longer conversations with them. Your child starts to comment more frequently, tell you about events of their day and retell you stories. 📈Communication and pre-literacy skills will continue to soar. 🗣🧸📚Talk, play and read with them every day to boost their communication skills. 🚨Review these developmental milestones and refer immediately if your child shows the following: • Limited eye gaze and/or limited shared interest in others • Repeats exactly what you say rather than responding • Disinterest or detachment from other children of the same age when playing • Does not look at you when listening or speaking • Makes noises or uses gestures to express needs instead of using words or sentences • Repetitive play or movement behaviors • Limited sequenced pretend play • Loss of any social and/or language skills 🧐If you are concerned, refer to First Words as early as possible. ✅HOW? Fill out the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online screening tool. It takes 15-20 minutes. Once completed, it will give you immediate results. It will tell if your child is following expected milestones or if you should refer to First Words. 🧡You can use the screening tool as often as you want – for example, at every important milestone (every 6 months). #36months #preschooler #communication #preliteracy #earlyidentification #FWCCU #FirstWordsCommunicationCheckup #Knowthesigns #ActEarly #refernow

« This or that » - which do you think is a better word to teach your child who is just starting to talk? Go through the slides and see if you can select the more helpful vocabulary to teach your child. While colours, shapes, numbers, and letters are often included in children’s toys, it is not necessary to teach these academic concepts until much later. For our early communicators, it is important to model functional vocabulary. In other words, we need to give words that will help them learn to express their needs and wants, and to be able to connect with others socially. When it comes to manners (please and thank you), consider teaching these words once your child is able to communicate in short sentences. Examples of early first words: names of family members (e.g. mama/dada), food/drink (e.g. milk, cookie), favourite objects (e.g. ball), actions (e.g. go), exclamatory words (e.g. ew, uh-oh, yay) #FirstWords #PremiersMots #functionalwords #motsfonctionnels #powerwords #motspuissants #communicaterequests #communiquerdesdemandes #socialengagement #engagementsocial

👨‍💻First Words Fam, if you want to know more about the assessment and intervention process, check out our website. 📍Go to the “HOW WE HELP” tab and click on “Assessment & Intervention”. 🤔You will find the answers to the most FAQ on this topic: · Who is Eligible for Services? · What Communication Delays Can First Words Help With? · What Do First Words Services Look Like? · Who Will See My Child? · What Should I Do Before My Child’s Assessment? · What Can I Expect for My JK Child? #firstwords #firdswordscommunicationcheckup #communication #SLPassessment #SLPintervention #speechlanguagepathology #babies #toddlers #preschoolers

🌳 Summer Fun: Let’s Talk at the Park 🌳 The park is full of things to see, do, and talk about! 🛝 Climb, swing, slide, and chat. Every moment at the park is a chance to build language. 🗣️ Talk about what your child sees, hears, and does. Let your child lead the play and the conversation! 🎯 Language goals: ✔️Focus on these words: swing, slide, climb, run, tree, grass, bird, bench ✔️ Use action word :run, swing, climb ✔️ Ask and answer simple questions: “What do you see?”, “Where is it?”, “What are you doing?” ✔️Make up stories : Who’s at the park? What adventure are they on? 🌟🧠 Follow your child’s lead and build new words through real play! #languageplay #parklanguage #summerfun #speechandlanguage #preschoollanguage #firstwords #premiersmots #bébés #babies #toddlers #bambins #preschoolers #préscolaires #parole #speech #langage #language #parc #jeuextérieur

🙏🏻 Thank you to our First Words community for following along on our page. 👀Do you like what you see, but want more? Don’t forget there are many resources available on our website under « Resource Library ». 💕 Some hot topics covered include: how to prepare for kindergarten, using books to develop communication, bilingualism, using songs to promote language, preschool speech and language milestones. 🛜 Visit our website to get started: www.firstwords.ca #resources #ressources #hottopics #sujetpopulaires #communication #preschoollanguage #langagepréscolaire #FirstWords #PremiersMots

🧸 Toy Talk is a research-based strategy that uses descriptive talk about toys, instead of pronouns. to boost children’s language skills. 🎯 Use Toy Talk during play routines: 🍼 “The baby drinks her juice.” (drinking play) 🏎️ “The car races on the road.” (toy car fun) 🍕 “The pizza smells cheesy!” (kitchen or food play) 🏰 “The knight fights the dragon.” (pretend play) 🎯 Use Toy Talk during daily activities 🐦“The bird drinks water” 🐕“The dog is running on the road.” 🍕 “The pizza is yummy!” 🏰 “The caste is enormous.” 💡Why? Noun-focused sentences (e.g., “The knight fights”, “The baby likes her juice.” or “The juice is gone.”) ” enrich your child’s grammar and improve sentence length ahs.illinois.edu. 🧡 Speak clearly, repeat often, and enjoy the conversations that sparkle! ✨Try it and see the difference. #premiersmots #toytalk #parlerenjeux #apprentissagedulangage #grammaireenfant #jouetsetlangage #conseilsparents #orthophonie #jeuenfamille #langageoral

🏖 Summer Fun: Let’s play in the sand and build language while building sandcastles! 🪣 Sand play is a simple activity that you can use to build language skills. You can introduce and talk about various textures and action words. 🗣️ Talk with your child while they dig, pour, and play in the sand. Talk with your child while digging, building and making sand constructions at the park or at the beach. Your child will learn new words and how to use them in sentences in these new daily routines. Watch their communication grow in these simple activities. 🎯 Language goals: ✔️ Use all kinds of words throughout the activity (bucket, shovel, sand, castle, dig, pour, wet, dry) ✔️ Practice verbs (dig, build, pour, smash) ✔️ Compare textures (wet vs. dry) ✔️ Talk about size and shape ✔️ Use sequence words (first, then, last) ✔️Tell stories about the sandcastle or other sand creations (Talk about who lives in the castle, what they do, and what happens next; Make up a story with a beginning, a problem and resolution, an ending.) ✔️Extend the topic and talk about the future (What will happen next? If we come back tomorrow, what would you like to build in the sand ? What do you think the next children will say or think when they come to the park and see your castle?) 🌟 Give it a try today! Talk about what you see, hear, feel while you play in the sand! #sandplay #developpementduvocabulaire #earlylanguage #speechandlanguage #premiersmots #firstwords #jeuxdété #activitésenfamille #bébés #babies #toddlers #bambins #preschoolers #préscolaires #parole #speech #langage #language

🗣Talk in everyday routines and daily activities. Conversations help your child learn new words and how to make sentences. Get your child to help out around the house. Toddlers love simple household tasks: wiping the table, sorting the laundry, tidying up the toys. Keep your little one busy with sorting household objects by size, texture, color: small and big balls, red fruits/green vegetables, rough/smooth objects. etc. 🐔🥒Name the objects you are both using. Label the actions you or your child are doing when playing, walking to the park, or singing. Repeat difficult or rarer words (e.g., frustrated, rhinoceros). 📚Read to children every day. The sooner you start, the better. The more often you do it, the better. Reading books every day promotes the development of strong speech and language skills. Leave books out for your child to look at, both on their own and with you. Read the same books over and over. Visit libraries and get gently used books from garage sales (once the pandemic is over). 🧸Play is a child’s work. Play with your toddler in lots of different ways by using puzzles, blocks, sand, and play dough. Promote pretend play. Observe the OPH recommendations regarding socializing with other families. But once the pandemic is over, you may want to go to playgroups, drop-ins, or the park so that your child can play with other children. 🛑Avoid screen time. Children learn best from interacting with others around them. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends: no screen time under the age of 2 years and limit your preschooler’s screen time to 1 hr/day. 🔖Want to know if your child if meeting their milestones, use our First Words Communication Checkup. The FWCCU is an online screening tool created for parents and legal guardians of children, between the age of 6 months to 4.5 years, living in Ottawa and Renfrew County, Ontario. You can use this free online screening tool at any time. As a best practice, screen your child’s communication every 6 months. #30months #toddlers #talkby2 #toddlerfun #earlylanguage #earlyidentification #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #everydayparent #ottawamoms #parentinginottawa #earlyoncenters

Congratulations 🌟🎉 🌟Your toddler is 30 months old. 🌟It is an exciting period for communication development. Your child is using many more words and uses short sentences to share their thoughts with you. 🗣🧸📚Talk, play and read with them every day to boost their communication skills ▶️ Refer if your child is not meeting the communication milestones (as shown in the image) or the following developmental milestones : · Limited eye gaze and/or limited shared interest in others · Repeats exactly what you say rather than responding · Disinterest or detachment from other children of the same age when playing · Does not look at you when listening or speaking · Makes noises or uses gestures to express needs instead of using words or sentences · Repetitive play or movement behaviors · Limited sequenced pretend play · Loss of any social and/or language skills 🧐If you are concerned, refer to First Words as early as possible. 🚨HOW? Fill out the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online screening tool. It takes 15-20 minutes. Once completed, it will give you immediate results. It will tell if your child is following expected milestones or if you should refer to First Words. 🔁You can use the screening tool as often as you want – for example, at every important milestone (every 6 months). #30months #talkby2 #communication #earlyidentification #FWCCU #FirstWordsCommunicationCheckup #Knowthesigns #ActEarly #refernow

🌼 Let’s grow language in the garden! 🪴 Gardening is full of words and fun steps. 🗣️ Talk with your child while digging, planting, and watering. Your child will learn new words and how to use them in sentences in these new daily routines. Watch their communication grow in these simple activities. 🔤 Words to use: seed, soil, water, flower, shovel, grow 🎯 Language goals: ✔️Use action words (dig, plant, soak, water) ✔️Follow simple directions (“Put the seed in”) ✔️ Use sequence words (first, then, last) ✔️ Talk about what plants need ✔️Extend the topic and talk about the future (what will happen next? harvest, Fall, share with neighbours) 🌟 Try it today! Chat while you garden and see your child’s language bloom. #summerfun #gardening #earlylanguage #preschoollanguage #firstwords #premiersmots #developpementoral #speechandlanguage #bébés #babies #toddlers #bambins #preschoolers #préscolaires #parole #speech #langage #language

🧠 Big Tips in Small Moments! 🌐 All our parent-friendly language modules are FREE on the First Words website. 💡 Real-life routines, simple strategies, and expert tips! Ready when you are! 👉 Visit firstwords.ca and click on the Webinar tab to get started! #firstwords #earlylanguage #parentingtips #languagelearning #slpsupport #preschoollanguage #learnthroughplay #speechandlanguage #bilingualkids #earlyliteracy

Stuttering in preschoolers is very common. Many children grow out of their stuttering in under a year. However, some children are more susceptible to persistent stuttering and require intervention. Scroll through the slides to learn more about preschool stuttering. If you are unsure if your child is stuttering, complete the First Words Communication Checkup online. For more information about stuttering, scroll to the last slide. You can access our two webinars on stuttering from our website www.firstwords.ca/webinars • Module 8: Why is my child stuttering? •. Module 9: How to help a child who stutters #preschoolstuttering #bégaiementpréscolaire #normaldysfluencies #disfluiditéstypique #bégaiementvraiment #repetitions #répétitions #FirstWords #PremiersMots #fluencyofspeech #fluiditédelaparole

🐞Let’s Talk and get curious about bugs! 🐞 Talking about what you see outside builds your child’s language skills while you play and explore together. 🔍 Try this new vocabulary: ant, bee, butterfly, worm, wings, crawl, fly, garden 💬 Focus on these language goals: 🐝Use action words (crawl, fly, wiggle) 🐝Describe size, color, and number of bugs you see together 🐝Answer simple questions like “Where is it?” or “What’s it doing?” 🐝Extend the topic by talking about the bug’s experience, giving information, comparing the different insects, pretending to be an insect and much more. 🦋 This summer, have fun exploring the yard and talk about the bugs you and your child see. You are building speech and language skills during these fun moments. #summerfun #languagelearning #speechandlanguage #preschoolactivities #firstwords #premiersmots #bilingue #jeuxdété #plaisirdété #jouezavecvotre enfant #bébés #babies #bambins #toddlers #préscolaires #preschoolers

🧐Did you know? You can use the First Words Communication at any time to check your child’s speech and language development. 💻The First Words Communication Checkup (FWCCU) is an online screening and referral tool. 💡Families can screen their child’s speech and language skills every 6 months. You can refer at any time. 🚌 If your child is starting school in September, you need to refer before April 1st. 🧠Act early. Know the signs. Refer online as soon as First Words services are needed. This can be done after completing the FWCCU. #firstwords #communication #speechlanguage #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #serveandreturn #zerotothree #unplug #talkeveryday #readeveryday #communicationawareness

Not sure how to join in while your child is playing? The first step is to watch what they’re doing and then copy them! You can then add fun sounds, words, and actions as you engage in play. In this video, Ava and her mom are playing with pinecones and water. Since there are two, her mom is able to use one to join in with her. She copies Ava’s actions while using words that match her actions. Pick up the toy/object and copy what your child is doing. Draw attention to key words by repeating and saying them louder. Match words to what you think the may be trying to say. #imitate #imiter #playtogether #jouerensemble #actionwords #motsdaction #FirstWords #Premiersmots

☀️It’s officially summer! Cool off with water while providing ample opportunities for language learning. Water play is a stimulating and engaging activity for all children. Check out our fun ideas in our reel. #waterplay #jeudeau #cooloff #serafraîchir #summer #été #Firstwords #premiersmots #outsideplay #jeuextérieur

Help your child say words in new ways - a video from SSI : The Speech & Stuttering Institute (posted with their permission) When children have trouble pronouncing a word, we adults naturally want to help. Many parents try to help by correcting their child’s speech every time they hear the mistake. This can lead to frustration, and it doesn’t usually work. There are other, more effective ways to give children the information their brains need so they can change how they pronounce words. In this video, we’ll show you how you can do that in everyday interactions. We can use the word ‘HELP’ to remember what to do: H- Help your child hear the difference (between their production and the target word) E- Emphasize the missing or distorted sound L - Low pressure - keep it low pressure P - Praise your child’s attempts at changing their speech. For more information and access to other videos, visit The Speech & Stuttering Institute: https://speechandstuttering.com/ #Firstwords #Premiersmots #articulation #speechsounds #sonsdeparole #milestones #jalons #speechclarity #clartédelaparole #consonants #consonnes #speechsounderrors #erreursdeprononciation

If you have a baby or toddler who is reluctant to imitate words, try modeling fun sounds. Since sounds effects are more fun and interesting, your child may be more willing to copy you, especially if you pair it with a gesture. Sounds are also easier than words to produce. Once your child is imitating a variety of sounds, they may be more willing to imitate true words. These are only some examples. You can make up your own sound and gestures to match what your child is interested in (e.g. « bzzz - bzzz » for bees). #soundplay #jeusonore #sound effects #bruits #earlyspeechsounds #firstwords #premiersmots #babies #bébés #toddlers #bambins #speech #parole #communication

🗣️Speech sounds develop gradually, and some sounds take longer than others! 🗣️ Use a speech sound milestones chart to check what’s expected for your child’s age. 🗣️Wanr to try a simple strategy? Listen during play or reading. Repeat the words your child has difficulty with and emphasize the sound that they skipped or switched. Imitate it once more. Don’t ask your child to repeat. The adult does all the modeling when you play, talk, read or sing with your child. #speechdevelopment #speechsounds #parenttips #earlydetection #firstwords #babies #toddlers #preschoolers #modeling

🏳️‍🌈 Prince & Knight is more than a fairy tale; it’s a chance to talk about bravery, love, and the beauty of different kinds of families. 💬 This book is perfect for: 🔸 Talking about feelings 🔸 Describing characters and actions 🔸 Introducing inclusive vocabulary like “partner,” “family,” “brave,” “kind” 🔸Understanding others’ point of view 🔸Retelling the story 👂🧠 Repeating the story helps kids learn sentence structure and retell what happened in their own words. ✨ Available in English and French, a great addition to your home or classroom library 📚 Inclusion, just like communication, starts early! One story at a time! 🌐Find more book ideas and language tips on our website! #firstwords #preschoollanguage #pridemonthforkids #inclusivebooks #earlyliteracy #diversefamilies #speechandlanguage #readtogether #familyconnection #languagelearning

📚 Checking your child’s language and literacy milestones helps catch challenges early when support makes the biggest difference. ✔️ Use this checklist to track your child’s progress with emergent literacy. If you have concerns about your child’s language or literacy development, use our First Words Communication Checkup online screening tool. 💬 Try this great strategy: Choose one milestone each week and try it during play, mealtime, or story time. 📚Read to your child every single day. If you read one book every day right from birth, you will have exposed your child to more than 1865 books by the time by age 5. #speechandlanguage #literacymilestones #earlyliteracy #parenttips #firstwords #babies #toddlers #preschoolers

It is very likely that you have heard at least one of these myths about speech and language development. If your child is not reaching communication milestones, your best option is to seek support from a Speech-Language Pathologist. Have you heard of any other speech and language myths? #speechandlanguage #developpmentdelaparole #myths #mythes #donotwait #attendspas #firstwords #premiersmots

🧐Did you know? You can use the First Words Communication at any time to check your child’s speech and language development. 💻The First Words Communication Checkup (FWCCU) is an online screening and referral tool. 💡Families can screen their child’s speech and language skills every 6 months. You can refer at any time. 🧠Act early. Know the signs. Refer online as soon as First Words services are needed. This can be done after completing the FWCCU. #firstwords #communication #speechlanguage #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #serveandreturn #zerotothree #unplug #talkeveryday #readeveryday #communicationawareness

What is Toy Talk? 🧸 Toy Talk is a research-based strategy that uses descriptive talk about toys, instead of pronouns. to boost children’s language skills. 🗣️Instead of saying “That’s a bottle” or “You’re feeding the baby,” try: “The baby likes her juice.” or “The juice is gone.” 💡Why? Noun-focused sentences help kids learn the difference between subjects and verbs, supporting grammar and vocabulary growth ahs.illinois.edu. Try it and see the difference! #firstwords #toytalk #languagebuilding #earlylanguage #verbs #grammarforkids #speechdevelopment #playmatters #slptips #parentingtips

🧸 The toys you use to engage your child in play do not have to be fancy. In fact, less is more! Toys with too many lights and sounds can take over the activity and it can change the way you and your child interact. 🧩 The best type of toy is one that your child shows interest in - this can change from one day to the next! One day your child may be interested in playing with empty boxes, and the next they may want to play with playdough. As long as you follow your child’s interests and play along with them, you will have many opportunities to build on their communication skills. ⏩️Swipe through the slides for suggestions around selecting toys that can help promote engagement and communication growth. #play #jouer #learningthroughplay #apprendreenjouant #communication #firstwords #premiersmots

📚 So many FREE tools and just a click away! 💻Looking for tips on language milestones, what to watch for, and easy ways to help your child?vWe’ve got you covered. 🧩 Check out our online resources and learning module. Find resources available in many languages under the RESOURCE tab! 📲 Visit firstwords.ca and start exploring today! #firstwords #earlylanguage #speechandlanguage #multilingualresources #parentingtools #slpsupport #preschoollanguage #languagechecklist #learnthroughplay #slpresources

🧠 Did you know? Action words (verbs) are key to early language development! 👏🏼Kids learn words like go 🚗, eat 🍽️, sleep 😴, and jump 🐸 through daily routines and play. 🎯 Verbs help children talk about what people do — and build longer sentences! 👶 Try this: — “Let’s eat!” at mealtime 🍎 — “Time to sleep!” at bedtime 🛏️ — “Ready, set, go!” during play 🏃‍♀️ 🧡Say the verb clearly. Repeat it often. Your child is listening and learning! 🧡One word, one connection at a time. 🔗 Find more tips at First Words! #firstwords #earlylanguage #toddlerlanguage #learnthroughplay #verbpower #languageboost #playmatters #parentingtips #slptips #preschoollanguage

Asking your child too many questions can be overwhelming for them. Don’t ask if you know! By actively playing with your child and taking the pressure off of them to talk, they may actually surprise you. The next time you are engaging with your child, try to be mindful of how many questions you are asking them. #firstwords #premiersmots #jouer #play #limitquestions #limitezvosquestions #comment #commentaire #gestures #desgestes

📚 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle is one of my favourite books for building early language skills! 🔁 The repetition, simple sentences, and predictable pattern make it easy for children to join in. 🔁Repetition helps your little ones understand and remember new words. 🔁Predictable patterns help your little ones interact and join in more easily. 👂 Turn-taking and answering simple questions (“What do you see?”) help children build conversation skills. 🎨 The fun animal names and bright colours are perfect for building vocabulary naturally. You can add words like “big” and “little” to grow your child’s language even more. 🗣️ Try saying: 🔹 I see a ____. 🔹 What do you see? 🔹 Look! It’s a ____! 🔹 Big/little ____! 🔹 Oh, a brown bear! 🔹 It’s your turn! 🌟 Grab this classic, read it slowly, and have fun! 🌐 Visit the First Words website for more free tips and resources! #firstwords #earlylanguage #speechandlanguage #preschoolspeech #childrensbooks #vocabularybuilding #parentingtips #slptips #communicationdevelopment #ottawa

📚 Reading every day helps build your child’s vocabulary and understanding. 🗣️ Books help children learn new words, ideas, and ways to talk. And much more! 👶 Start early! Even babies learn from your voice and pictures. 📚 Read daily to your baby, toddler or preschool to build strong language skills. 🌐 Visit the First Words website for tips and book ideas. Watch Module 5: The Power of Books to learn more about ways to grow your child’s communication development. #firstwords #earlyliteracy #languagelearning #readwithkids #speechdevelopment #preschoolspeech #childrensbooks #slptips #parentingtips #ottawa

🎓 Is your child ready for school? Our new e-learning module, Module 10, helps you support your child’s school readiness. 🎓Module 10 includes the following sections: 10.1: Introduction: Understanding school readiness and the various factors that impact it. 10.2: Self-Regulation Skills: Recognizing and responding to stressors to maintain balance. 10.3: Vocabulary and Narrative Skills: Understanding the importance of language skills, especially focusing on vocabulary and storytelling skills. 10.4: Phonological Awareness Skills Supporting reading development through sound-letter knowledge. 10.5: Routines: Skills that last a lifetime: Understanding how having strong routines at home helps children feel safe, navigate their day and understand the world. 10.6: School Readiness Additional Resources: A PDF compilation of additional resources for further learning by parents. 🎓Learn about self-regulation, vocabulary, storytelling, phonological awareness, and routines. These skills help your child succeed in school and life. 🎓Go to the First Words website. You can access the module here under the tab WEBINAR. Find Module 10: Stepping Into School and start learning. English: https://www.firstwords.ca/module-10-stepping-into-school French: ​https://www.firstwords.ca/fr-ca/module-10-stepping-into-school 🎓Start the module today and help your child grow!​ #schoolreadiness #earlylearning #parentingtips #childdevelopment #kindergartenprep #firstwordsottawa #phonologicalawareness #selfregulation #vocabularyskills #routinesmatter

Daily routines play an important role in the development of language skills. The repetitive and predictable nature of daily routines provides many opportunities for language learning and interaction in a meaningful context. Once your child is able to anticipate the sequence of steps in a familiar routine, it allows them to tune into the language used in that specific routine. For example, during meal prep they may hear familiar words like “wash”, “eat”, “chop”, “yummy”, where as during bathtime other types of words may be used such as “bubbles”, “hot/cold/warm”, “water on/off”. As your child becomes familiar with the basic language within a routine, you can continue to use that routine to teach new vocabulary and concepts: “The lemon is too sour” or “Look, the boat is floating”. What routine will you use to engage your child this week? #dailyroutines #routinesquotidiennes #predictability #prévisibilité #vocabulary #vocabulaire #functionalwords #motsfonctionnels

📣May is Speech & Hearing Month is a time to spotlight communication health and the life-changing work of SLPs and audiologists. 💕This year’s theme highlights the vital role of SLPs and audiologists. SLPs & Audiologists:Doing More Than You Think ✅One of the most impactful ways to support Speech & Hearing Month is by helping spread communication health awareness on social media. 🔖Here is a wonderful resource from our Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC), a member-driven organization that supports, promotes and elevates the professions of our members and associates. #parole #audition #communication #langage #moisdelaparoleetaudition #sensibilisationcommunication #orthophonie #speech #audition #language #speechandhearingmonth #shm #bshm #communicateawareness #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathology #speechpathology #slp

At First Words, our clinicians are trained to provide assessment and treatment for children with characteristics of Childhood Apraxia of Speech. The therapy we provide is play-based and individualized to meet the unique needs of each child. We also value parent participation and equip them with practical strategies to support home practice. Swipe through to learn about these strategies. #FirstWords #PremiersMots #childapraxiaofspeech #apraxiedelenfant #principlesofpractice #principesdepratique #play-based therapy #thérapieparlejeu #thérapieindividualisée

💙 Today is Apraxia Awareness Day. 🗣️ Every child deserves to be heard. 🌱 Early detection and intervention can make all the difference. 🧩 Wondering about your child’s speech? Try the First Words Communication Checkup; it’s quick, free, and made for families of preschool children. Start at 6 months and go back every 6 months or at the next important communication milestone. 🤝 Together, we can lift every voice. #apraxiaawareness #childhoodapraxia #firstwordsprogram #earlyintervention #communicationcheckup #everyvoicecounts

🌱🌴Grow your child’s speech and language skills one day at a time. Talk, play, sing and read to your little one every day. ♟️Our strategy of the day focuses on naming objects and actions in everyday activities. 🗣️ Label what your child sees and does! Naming everyday things helps your child learn new words. 🔁 Repeat words often. Hearing words again and again builds understanding and talking skills. 📱 Want to know if your child is on track? Go check out our First Words Communication Checkup today! It’s free and easy. #firstwords #speechdevelopment #languagelearning #earlylanguage #preschoolspeech #communicationtips #parentinghacks #childdevelopment #slptips #ottawa

🚨Renfrew County Friends and Families!! 💬 First Words will be at the Pembroke Expo. 🛑 Stop on by and say hi to one of our clinicians and team members. 📍Visit us on: •Friday May 9 : 16-20h •Saturday May 10: 10-15h 💥The event also includes a ton of activities for people of all ages! See you soon! #renfrew #renfrewcounty #pembroke #pembrokeexpo #petawawa #petawawaontario #petawawafamily #petawawamilitary

🖍️Get your child to participate to the Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) Kid’s Coloring Contest and have a chance to win a 50$ gift card. 🗣️Every year, SAC dedicates the month of May to raising public awareness about communication health. During the month of May, SAC host a Kids’ Contest to encourage young people to increase their awareness of the importance of speech, language and hearing. ✅If your child is under the age of 11, be sure to encourage them to participate. Find the contest entry forms below at https://speechandhearing.ca/kids-hub/ https://speechandhearing.ca/kids-hub/ 💌Submit your entries to michaela@sac-oac.ca by May 31st for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Good luck #parole #audition #communication #langage #moisdelaparoleetaudition #sensibilisationcommunication #orthophonie #speech #audition #language #speechandhearingmonth #shm #bshm #communicateawareness #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathology #speechpathology #slp

📢These strategies will help talk to your child in everyday routines. 🗣Keep talking in daily activities. Involve your child in helping out around the house. Toddlers love simple household tasks: wiping the table, sorting the laundry, tidying up the toys. Talk to your child in these everyday routines and household tasks. Name the objects you are both using. Label the actions you or your child are doing when playing, walking to the park, or singing. Repeat difficult or rarer words (e.g., frustrated, rhinoceros). 📚Read to children every day. The sooner you start, the better. The more often you do it, the better. Reading books every day promotes the development of strong speech and language skills. Leave books out for your child to look at, both on their own and with you. Visit libraries and get gently used books from garage sales (once the pandemic is over). 🧸🪁Play is a child’s work. Play with your toddler in lots of different ways by using puzzles, blocks, sand, and play dough. Promote pretend play. Observe the OPH recommendations regarding socializing with other families. But once the pandemic is over, you may want to go to playgroups, drop-ins, or the park so that your child can play with other children. 📺 📱 Avoid screen time. Children learn best from interacting with others around them. Remember the Canadian Pediatric Society recommendation: no screen time under the age of 2 years and limit your child’s screen time to 1 hr/day. 🧐If you are concerned or simply want to check your child’s communication skills, use our First Words Communication Checkup. 📋The FWCCU is an online screening tool created for parents and legal guardians of children, between the age of 6 months to 4.5 years, living in Ottawa and Renfrew County, Ontario. You can use this free online screening tool at any time. ✅As a best practice, screen your child’s communication every 6 months. #24months #toddlers #talkby2 #toddlerfun #earlylanguage #earlysounds #speech #language #earlyidentification #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #parenting #everydayparent #youmakeadifference #parentingdoneright #ottawamoms #parentinginottawa #firstwords #earlyoncenters

Congratulations 🌟🌟Your toddler is 24 months old. 🙌Your child is becoming their own little person with particular interests, tastes and desires, with their own personality. A fascinating time for communication development. 🌈Talk, play and read with them every day to boost their communication skills 🚨 Review the communication milestones (as shown in the image) and these additional developmental milestones. Refer immediately if your child shows the following: · A limited shared interest in others · Lack of response to their name · Difficulty with gestures such as showing and pointing · Difficulty following an adult’s point · Does not initiate communication · Limited production of sounds · Uses more gestures than words to communicate · Doesn’t seem to understand when you talk to them · Finds it hard to point to simple pictures or follow simple directions · Repetitive play or movement behaviours · Any loss of any social and/or language skills ➡️If you are concerned, refer to First Words as early as possible. ✅ HOW? Fill out the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online screening tool. It takes 15-20 minutes. Once completed, it will give you immediate results. It will tell if your child is following expected milestones or if you should refer to First Words. You can use the screening tool as often as you want – for example, at every important milestone (every 6 months). #24months #talkby2 #communication #earlyidentification #FWCCU #FirstWordsCommunicationCheckup #Knowthesigns #ActEarly #refernowwinnow

🗣️ May is Speech and Hearing Month in Canada! 🌟Strong communication skills start early. Early detection can change a child’s path for life. Communication is key for learning, friendships, and success in school and beyond. ✨🌟Here are 3 easy strategies you can use every day: 👉 Get face-to-face with your child when talking. 👉 Take turns: pause and wait for their response. 👉 Add words to their actions (« You’re jumping! Up, up, up! »). 🧡Early detection and support matter! Use the free First Words Communication Checkup tool to check your child’s speech and language development. Use if every 6 months to make sure your child is on track. #speechandhearingmonth #earlydetection #firstwordsprogram #communicationmatters #earlyintervention #preschoolspeech

🧠 Early Detection Matters! Identifying speech and language delays early can make a big difference. Research shows that infants who struggle with language face challenges later on in life. 🧠Early detection of speech and language delays helps kids get the right support fast. Much research shows that early screening, before the age of 18 months, leads to quicker help for your little ones. ✨ Try These Strategies: 1. Talk and Listen: • Engage in back-and-forth conversations with your child, even before they can speak. •. Turn playtime into back‑and‑forth chat. 2. Read Daily: • Point out pictures and name what you see. •. Share books together to build vocabulary and understanding.​ 🎓 Explore our E-learning modules Watch Module 3: Ages and Stages: Communication Development from Birth to 48 Months and Learn more with Module 4: Strategies to Help Communication Grow 👉 Use the First Words Communication Checkup (FWCCU) online today! The FWCCU is an online screening for families of children between 6 months and JK eligibility. Families get instant results and know if their child needs additional support. If so, families can immediately refer their child to the First Words program. Know the signs. Act Early. Refer Now. #earlydetection #speechdelay #parenttips #firstwordsottawa #fwccu #actearly #knowthesigns #childspeech #languagelearning #earlyintervention

🗣️The amount of time parents and children spend watching their screens has noticeably increased over the years. Swipe through the slides to learn about the impacts of screentime on your child’s communication development. 🗣️Be sure to check out Module 7 “The impact of screen time on language development”, located on our First Words website, under “Webinars”. #screentime #tempsdécran #talktoyourchild #parleàtonenfant #playwithyourchild #joueravecvotreenfant #reducescreens #réduiredesécrans#firstwords #premiersmots

🎓 Is your child ready for school? Our new e-learning module, Module 10, helps you support your child’s school readiness. 🎓Module 10 includes the following sections: 10.1: Introduction: Understanding school readiness and the various factors that impact it. 10.2: Self-Regulation Skills: Recognizing and responding to stressors to maintain balance. 10.3: Vocabulary and Narrative Skills: Understanding the importance of language skills, especially focusing on vocabulary and storytelling skills. 10.4: Phonological Awareness Skills Supporting reading development through sound-letter knowledge. 10.5: Routines: Skills that last a lifetime: Understanding how having strong routines at home helps children feel safe, navigate their day and understand the world. 10.6: School Readiness Additional Resources: A PDF compilation of additional resources for further learning by parents. 🎓Learn about self-regulation, vocabulary, storytelling, phonological awareness, and routines. These skills help your child succeed in school and life. 🎓Go to the First Words website. You can access the module here under the tab WEBINAR. Find Module 10: Stepping Into School and start learning. •. English: https://www.firstwords.ca/module-10-stepping-into-school •. French: ​https://www.firstwords.ca/fr-ca/module-10-stepping-into-school 🎓Start the module today and help your child grow!​ #schoolreadiness #earlylearning #parentingtips #childdevelopment #kindergartenprep #firstwordsottawa #phonologicalawareness #selfregulation #vocabularyskills #routinesmatter

☎️Have you ever seen your child hold a block to their ear while ‘talking’ away? It may look like a simple play action but a lot more could be happening! Your child is likely engaging in simple pretend play, which is a type of play that is very beneficial for communication development. 🧸Research tells us that children who engage in more pretend play have a larger and more varied vocabulary. Encouraging children to engage in more pretend play can also help foster their social skills such as learning how to engage in conversations or understanding different perspectives. So the next time your child is pretending to talk on the phone, try joining in and pretend with them! #fairesemblant #pretendplay #imagination #makeblieve #roleplay #jeuderôle #jouer #play #firstwords #premiersmots #language development #développementdulangage

🐣What a fun spring-themed game promoting sensory, motor and language development. The eggs are filled with soothers, teethers and other safe objects (if ever this cutie had the dexterity to open them up). This has the potential to make interesting sounds as your child handles or shakes the eggs. Here are a few tips to grow communication skills during this game: 🐣 Label and repeat the important words (e.g. egg, chick, shake, open, close, more, fall down) 🐣Give choices (e.g., Do you want the red egg or the blue egg? You open or I open it ?) 🐣Joint attention: Take a turn and shake the egg to attract your child’s attention. When you do get a response, interpret and label your actions (e.g., I’m shaking, Shake shake shake. Open the egg) 🐣Request objects (e.g., I want an egg. My turn. I shake the egg). 🐣Request an action (e.g. Open. Push. Shake.) 🐣Describe your baby’s actions and your own in full sentences: Babies of all ages need to hear full sentences so that they can grow their understanding of language (e.g., I’m shaking the egg. You like this egg. Wow, that made a big sound.). 🗣Use the following strategies to keep the game going with your baby: • Imitate: Imitate the sounds and gestures your child is doing. It creates joint attention, promotes turn-taking and fosters real interactions between you and your baby. • Interpret: Add words and intentions on what your child is looking at, handling and playing, saying with sounds or pointing. When you interpret, you are letting your child know that you are interested, you are listening and you are engaging with them. • Comment: Describe what you or your baby is doing, seeing, feeling (e.g., You are shaking the egg. Oh, it opened. Surprise. That was a surprise. It’s a chick. ) ✅ Go check out Module 4: « Strategies to support communication development » in the Webinars section. #springfun #language #speech #familyfun #springtime #babble #sounds #earlylanguage #communication #jointattention #earlyyears #earlyearsOttawa #ottawapeds #pedsnurses #andrewfleck #parentinginottawa

🪺 As your family prepares for the long weekend, we’ve compiled some suggested vocabulary for an egg hunt activity. 👀 You’ll notice that the words highlighted consists of actions, descriptors, and locations. You can match these words to what is happening around you and your child. 🔁 Don’t forget to repeat these words during the activity! #egghunt #chasseauxoeufs #vocabulary #vocabulaire #functionalwords #motsfonctionnels #hideandseek #cachecache #firstwords #premiersmots

Research tells us that the development of gestures from 9 to 16 months predicts language ability two (2) years later. In fact, children who use more gestures early on typically have more words and have better story-telling skills later on. ​ This is a significant finding because preschool language skills predict academic success. Paying attention to gestures development is important to parents, caregivers and educators. If you want to help your child use gestures, even more, pair gestures to speech. When parents and caregivers pair gestures to speech in daily routines, games and conversation, you are helping your child to grow their language skills. Based on the research: The importance of gestures, L. Lowry; based on research: Capone et al, 2004, Goldin-Meadow, S., 2015 #earlyidentification #earlyinterventionspeech #socialcommunication #gestures #slp

Nous sommes ravis d’avoir participé aux Journées Montfort 2025, la conférence scientifique francophone par excellence, en tant qu’exposants! Ce fut une belle occasion de partager notre vision et de tisser des liens avec la communauté médicale francophone. Notre mandat est d’accroître la sensibilisation et de promouvoir le développement du langage chez les tout-petits. Cette occasion nous a permis de partager notre mission de sensibilisation communautaire et de promouvoir le développement du langage chez les enfants d’âge préscolaire. Merci à tous ceux qui sont venus nous rencontrer et échanger avec nous!​ Merci à tous ceux qui sont venus nous rencontrer !​ #premiersmots #savoirmontfort #orthophonie #développementdulangage #santépublique #sensibilisation #journéesmontfort #ottawa #enfance #communication #partenariat​

At First Words, our mission is to promote early communication development through outreach and public awareness. That’s why we’re excited to participate to connect with attendees as an exhibitor at Journée Montfort 2025. It was a pleasure to share our vision and network with community partners from the health and primary care sector to support children’s speech and language growth. Engaging with our community is at the heart of what we do, and events like these help us build stronger connections.​ Together, we’re building a brighter future for our little ones!​ #firstwords #savoirmontfort #earlycommunication #speechandlanguage #healthpromotion #communityoutreach #ottawahealth #bilingualservices #childdevelopment #publichealth​

⏱️Pausing is an effective strategy to promote turn-taking with our children. When engaging with your child during play, book reading, or singing, remember to pause (about 5 seconds) to allow your child the time they need before they take their ‘turn’ in the interaction. ⏱️In this video clip, Ava is singing the ABC song and pauses to give her little sister an opportunity to fill in a sound or a word. You can try this with any of your child’s favourite songs! #sing #chanter #pause #conversation #tourdeparole #turntaking #tips #conseils #playwithyourchild #joueravecvotreenfant #firstwords #premiersmots

📚Much research has been done to determine what supports reading skills. Studies show that children who have been read to in the first five years of life have a huge advantage in language development. ​ ​ 📚In fact, research done by an early literacy initiative called Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) showed that children must have the following six distinct pre-reading skills to learn to read. These six skills are : ​ ​ •. Vocabulary: knowing the names of things, concrete objects, animals, and people but also abstract words like emotions, spatial concepts and much more. ​ •. Narrative Skills: being able to describe things and events and be able to tell stories. ​ •. Letter Knowledge: learning that each letter is different from the other and that each letter has its own name and unique sound. ​ •. Print Motivation: being interested in books and enjoying books. ​ •. Print Awareness: noticing print, knowing how to handle a book, and knowing how print conventions work, for example how to follow the words on a page from left to right. ​ •. Phonological Awareness: being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. ​ ​ 📚When you read books to your child, you are helping your child develop all these six skills. These skills link oral language to written language. All these skills are important to help a child continue to grow and learn to read. ​ 💻 For more tips on sharing and reading books wirh children, take a look at our Module 5: The Power of Bocks. Go to the webinar page on our website. #books #speech #language #babies #toddlers #preschoolers #communicationdevelopment #reading #readbooks #readingbooks📚 #readingfamilies

Thank you for being on our page. Swipe through the post to learn about our team and the services that we offer. #Firstwords #premiersmots #ourteam #notreéquipe #ourservices #nosservices #telepractice #grouptherapy #thérapiedegroupe #individualtherapy #thérapieindividuelle #parentworkshops #familycentered #centrésurlafamille #communicationdevelopment #développementdelacommunication

🌿 April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day! 🌿Early signs of autism often appear in how young children communicate, play, and interact with others. Recognizing these signs early can make a big difference. 🌿Here are some signs of communication and overall developmental delays to watch for: • No big smiles or joyful expressions by 6 months • No babbling by 12 months • No words by 18 months • No two-word phrases by 24 months • Limited eye contact • Lack of interest in social play or other children • Repetitive movements like flapping hands or spinning objects • Not pointing to show interest by 12 months • Not showing objects to share interest • Limited gestures like waving or clapping • Difficulty with back-and-forth play or conversations • Preferring to play alone or showing repetitive play with toys • Strong interest in certain objects or routines 🌼 If you have concerns about your child’s communication or development, the First Words Communication Checkupis a free and easy tool for parents. Early support makes a difference! 👉 Visit www.firstwords.ca to check your child’s communication milestones. #worldautismawarenessday #earlyintervention #communicationmatters #firstwordsottawa #childdevelopment #speechandlanguage #parentingsupport #toddlermilestones #autismawareness #asdawareness #earlysigns

🌿 Boost Your Child’s Communication with Social Games! 🧸🚂 Playing simple social games with your baby or toddler is a great way to build joint attention, encourage turn-taking, and support their social communication skills. Games help children learn how to interact, share joy, and connect with others — all essential for language development! 💕Here are 5 fun social games to try: 👀Peek-a-Boo Encourages eye contact, giggles, and back-and-forth interaction. 👋 Pat-a-Cake Supports imitation, gestures, and rhythm in language. 🧸 Where’s the Toy? Hide a toy under a blanket and say, “Where’s it gone?” This builds problem-solving and shared attention. 🪞Copy Me! Make silly faces or actions and invite your child to copy. It strengthens turn-taking and imitation. ⚽ Ball Rolling Roll a ball back and forth, saying “Your turn!” and “My turn!” This teaches turn-taking and joint attention. 🌼 Make playtime meaningful! Every giggle and shared moment helps build your child’s communication skills. 👉 Concerned about your child’s communication? Use the First Words Communication Checkup (FWCCU) at www.firstwords.ca to track your child’s communication milestones. Know the signs, act early and refer after completing the FWCCU #earlycommunication #jointattention #playtolearn #firstwordsottawa #socialgames #babytoddlerplay #earlyintervention #parentingtips #speechandlanguage #languagebuilding #communicationmilestones #turntaking #parentinghelp

🚌Ready for school? If your child is starting junior kindergarten next September (Fall 2025), this information is for you! 🚨 The deadline to refer a child going to Junior Kindergarten next year is April 1st. 🖍️Referrals for children entering Junior Kindergarten will be accepted if referred before April 1st (of their JK year). ✍️ We must receive your child’s completed Intake package before April 1st to receive our services. 🙂‍↔️Referrals after this date will not be accepted.  💻 To determine if your child needs speech and language services, go to the First Words website and access the free online tool, the FIRST WORDS COMMUNICATION CHECKUP (FWCCU). In one single visit, you can do the FWCCU screening, get immediate results, and if services are recommended, start AND complete the referral online if needed. #firstwords #earlyid #earlyidentification #speech #language #communication #buildingthebrain #schoolreadiness

As your preschooler starts to use more language to communicate, you may notice that they are not always clear to others. Swipe through the pictures to learn more about speech sound difficulties in preschoolers and to determine if you should seek professional support from a speech-language pathologist. #Firstwords #Premiersmots #articulation #speechsounds #sonsdeparole #milestones #jalons #speechclarity #clartédelaparole #consonants #consonnes #speechsounderrors #erreursdeprononciation

❄️☃️ Why not make the most out of today’s snowfall and predicted snowfall later on this week by reading by sharing a wonderful book with your little one? Sharing and reading books with your little one helps grow their speech and language skills. ❄️ The Perfect Snow by Barbara Reid is a wonderful winter read for preschoolers! This beautifully illustrated book follows two kids as they work together to create their “perfect” snow creation. It’s all about teamwork, creativity, and outdoor fun! ❄️ Why is this book great for building language skills? 📖 Rich vocabulary: Words like “shoveling,” “mounding,” and “tunneling” teach kids new ways to talk about winter activities. 💬 Storytelling: Ask your child to predict what the kids will build based on the cover picture and with every new page you return. Ask them to reach out the story in their own words once you finish the book. Then extend the activity and ask them or to describe their favorite snowy day! 🖼️ Talk about the pictures: Barbara Reid’s plasticine art is so detailed! You can ask your child questions like, “What do you see in the picture or in background?” or “How do the kids look? Are they having fun?” ❄️This book is perfect for sparking conversations about winter adventures and encouraging your little one to share their own snowy stories! ❄️Have you read it yet? Let us know your favorite snow activity!

🚌Ready for school? If your child is starting junior kindergarten next September (Fall 2025), this information is for you! 🚨 The deadline to refer a child going to Junior Kindergarten next year is April 1st. 🖍️Referrals for children entering Junior Kindergarten will be accepted if referred before April 1st (of their JK year). ✍️ We must receive your child’s completed Intake package before April 1st to receive our services. 🙂‍↔️Referrals after this date will not be accepted.  💻 To determine if your child needs speech and language services, go to the First Words website and access the free online tool, the FIRST WORDS COMMUNICATION CHECKUP (FWCCU). In one single visit, you can do the FWCCU screening, get immediate results, and if services are recommended, start AND complete the referral online if needed. #firstwords #earlyid #earlyidentification #speech #language #communication #buildingthebrain #schoolreadiness

🧐Did you know? You can use the First Words Communication at any time to check your child’s speech and language development. 💻The First Words Communication Checkup (FWCCU) is an online screening and referral tool. 💡Families can screen their child’s speech and language skills every 6 months. You can refer at any time. 🚌 If your child is starting school in September, you need to refer before April 1st. 🧠Act early. Know the signs. Refer online as soon as First Words services are needed. This can be done after completing the FWCCU. #firstwords #communication #speechlanguage #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #serveandreturn #zerotothree #unplug #talkeveryday #readeveryday #communicationawareness

🚨These strategies will help talk to your child in everyday routines. 💖Keep talking in daily activities. When you talk with children in everyday routines, you are helping them grow and learn how to use communication. 🗣Name the objects used at bath time, when getting dressed, or preparing supper. Label the actions you or your child are doing when playing, walking to the park, or singing. Repeat difficult or rarer words (e.g., umbrella, rhinoceros). 📚Read to children every day. The sooner you start, the better. The more often you do it, the better. Reading books every day promotes the development of strong speech and language skills. Young children love picture books ❌Avoid screen time. Remember the Canadian Pediatric Society recommendation: no screen time under the age of 2 years. 🤔If you are concerned or simply want to check your child’s communication skills, use our First Words Communication Checkup. 💻The FWCCU is an online screening tool created for parents and legal guardians of children, between the age of 6 months to 4.5 years, living in Ottawa and Renfrew County, Ontario. You can use this free online screening tool at any time. As a best practice, screen your child’s communication every 6 months. #earlylanguage #earlysounds #speech #language #earlyidentification #firstwordscommunicationcheckup #parenting #everydayparent #youmakeadifference #parentingdoneright #ottawamoms #parentinginottawa #firstwords #earlyoncenters #earlyonottawa #earlyonottawasouth

🌟Congratulations. 💖Your toddler is 18 months old. It’s an interesting time for communication. 🗣️🧸📕Talk, play and read with them every day. Talk during daily routines to help your little one grow their communication skills. ⤴️ Review the communication milestones are shown in the image and these additional developmental milestones. Refer immediately if your child shows the following: •A limited shared interest in others •Lack of response to their name •Late-onset or limited use of gestures (e.g. showing or pointing) •Difficulty following an adult’s point •Late-onset, limited and/or absence of babbling •Does not appear to understand the names of familiar things (e.g. body parts or common clothing) •Does not use gestures, sounds or word attempts to communicate •Unable to follow a simple one-step direction unless accompanied by a gesture •Frustrated when trying to communicate (may show you frustration by temper tantrums, biting, hitting) •Does not appear to be reaching the appropriate milestones •Limited functional play skills and/or repetitive play and/or repetitive movement behaviours •Lack of playing with a variety of toys •Excessive interest in particular toys •Using a person’s hand as a tool •Any loss of any social and/or language skills 🤔If you are concerned, refer to First Words as early as possible. ➡️HOW? Fill out the First Words Communication Checkup, our free online screening tool. It takes 15-20 minutes. Once completed, it will give you immediate results. It will tell if your child is following expected milestones or if you should refer to First Words. 🔄You can use the screening tool as often as you want – for example, at every important milestone (every 6 months). #18months #communication #earlyidentification #FWCCU #FirstWordsCommunicationCheckup #Knowthesigns #ActEarly #refernow

🚌Ready for school? If your child is starting junior kindergarten next September (Fall 2025), this information is for you! 🚨 The deadline to refer a child going to Junior Kindergarten next year is April 1st. 🖍️Referrals for children entering Junior Kindergarten will be accepted if referred before April 1st (of their JK year). ✍️ We must receive your child’s completed Intake package before April 1st to receive our services. 🙂‍↔️Referrals after this date will not be accepted.  💻 To determine if your child needs speech and language services, go to the First Words website and access the free online tool, the FIRST WORDS COMMUNICATION CHECKUP (FWCCU). In one single visit, you can do the FWCCU screening, get immediate results, and if services are recommended, start AND complete the referral online if needed. #firstwords #earlyid #earlyidentification #speech #language #communication #buildingthebrain #schoolreadiness

🎯Research shows that reading is crucial to developing listening, thinking, speaking, and later reading skills. Reading is one of the best activities you can do with children of any age. ❤️ Shared reading gives children a positive experience with language and literacy. Everyday moments matter in building a child’s strong heart and mind. By holding your child close while you read to them, you let them know that you care for them, have time for them, and love them (Reach out and Read Program). 📚 When you share a book and read books with your child, your child learns how to: • listen well • understand the meaning of new words • ask and answer questions • solve problems • become aware of print so they can understand how oral and written language are connected • use their imagination … and much more! ❤️ Children with strong language skills and who have lots of experience with books do better later at school when it comes time to learn to read and write. #books #speech #language #babies #toddlers #preschoolers #communicationdevelopment #reading #readbooks #readingbooks📚 #readingfamilies

One of the most common questions we receive from parents and caregivers is around speech clarity. Speech development takes time and practice. For children who are learning to communicate with single words or simple sentences (typically 1-3 years of age), context is often required to understand them. As they develop more language and as they are provided with opportunities to hear and practice using a variety of words, you may notice their speech becoming clearer. Swipe through the slides to learn how to support your toddler’s speech by using some key strategies. Stay tuned for more information on speech sound difficulties in older children (ages 3+). #Firstwords #Premiersmots #articulation #speechsounds #sonsdeparole #milestones #jalons #speechclarity #clartédelaparole

🚌Ready for school? If your child is starting junior kindergarten next September (Fall 2025), this information is for you! 🚨 The deadline to refer a child going to Junior Kindergarten next year is April 1st. 🖍️Referrals for children entering Junior Kindergarten will be accepted if referred before April 1st (of their JK year). ✍️ We must receive your child’s completed Intake package before April 1st to receive our services. 🙂‍↔️Referrals after this date will not be accepted.  💻 To determine if your child needs speech and language services, go to the First Words website and access the free online tool, the FIRST WORDS COMMUNICATION CHECKUP (FWCCU). In one single visit, you can do the FWCCU screening, get immediate results, and if services are recommended, start AND complete the referral online if needed. #firstwords #earlyid #earlyidentification #speech #language #communication #buildingthebrain #schoolreadiness

🗣Communication skills are critical to your child’s future success. 📊About one in 10 children needs help developing normal speech and language skills. 🌞Start early to talk, play, sing and read to your baby. Start now. 👶🏼From the time they are born, children start communicating. Very early in their lives, they learn to understand what you are saying and to make sounds of their own. They are beginning to develop speech and language skills that will help them make friends and learn to read, and later, to succeed at school and in life. 🎙To help your baby learn to communicate: 😀Get face to face. Get down to their level so your child can see your face. It makes it easier to interact with you. 👀 Follow your child’s interest: Talk about what interests your child. 📚 Add words : If they say « car », you say « big car! » 🔁 Repeat important words in daily routines. 🎵 Play, sing, read, and use words in fun ways! 🎙️Talk in day-to-day routines. Remember to talk to your baby throughout the day about things you do and see — “Mommy’s putting on her coat”, “That’s a big truck”. #babies#earlylanguage #earlywords #firstword #speech #language #babiescommunicate #communication #earlyidentification #FWCCU #FirstWordsCommunicationCheckup #Knowthesigns #ActEarly #ReferNow #parenting #everydayparent #youmakeadifference #parentingdoneright

🗣️✨First Words Matter! Did you know that nouns (like mama, ball, dog,) are often a child’s first words? These words help little ones label their world and build early sentences! 🚀Milestones • By 12 months, you might hear 3-5 words • By 15 months, around 3-15 words • By 18-20 months, about 20 words! 🤩 Try these strategies to grow your child’s language skills: 👀 Follow your child’s interest: Talk about what interests your child. 📚 Add words : If they say « car », you say « big car! » 🔁 Repeat important words in daily routines. 🎵 Play, sing, read, and use words in fun ways! 🔍 Check if your child is on track with our online First Words Communication Checkup screening tool! It is free and it only takes 10-20 minutes. 🔍Visit our website for strategies or resources. 💻Watch our modules on milestones, communication strategies and on ways to promote communication development with books and while learning more than one language. Other e-learning modules on the topic of screen time and stuttering are also available. 👇What was your child’s first word? Tell us in the comment section. #firstwords #speechlanguage milestones #earlylanguage #toddlertalk #babies #toddlers #communicationdevelopment

🌟 Black History Month is a wonderful time to explore diverse stories that inspire creativity and connection. 🌟 🌎 Language is a beautiful bridge to the world! 🌎 Exposing children to diverse voices and dialects through toys and books helps them grow empathy, understanding, and communication skills. 👂 Here’s how to celebrate language diversity at home: • Watch a children’s show featuring diverse characters and voices. • Use toys and books representative of different cultures. At First Words, we strive to use culturally diverse toys and books. • Read books that reflect different cultures and experiences. • Encourage your child to talk about what they learn in their own words! 🌟 Let’s build vocabulary and communication skills in everyday activities. When you talk, play, sing, and read to your child, you are helping your child grow their communication skills. Let’s embrace diversity together! 🌟 What’s your favourite way to celebrate diversity with your little one? Let us know in the comments! 👇