Health Promotion Services

An informal in-service about Ottawa First Words: its target population, referral process; access to services including our community screening clinics. Resources will be provided. Community partnership will be discussed (1 hour).

This presentation concerns recent pediatric research on early identification and intervention for children under the age of 2 years. Concrete tools will help with assessment and referral of young infants based on 6 risk indicators. The important role of the healthcare professional in early identification of children at risk will be highlighted. Referral and access to services will be discussed (2 hours/or adapted).

Recent pediatric research supports the importance of first language use in speech and language development (SLD) for preschool children. This case-based presentation will address SLD in children living in a bi- or multilingual family in Canada, as well as the role of the pediatrician and other health care professionals in early identification of children at risk for language delays. Topics such as mother-tongue language, second language learning, and language preservation and referral criteria to provincial Preschool SLD programs will be discussed.

Primary Care Professionals are in a unique position to affect change through screen time education at every wellness visit from birth to 5-year-old. This workshop will address risks and benefits associate to screen time and will look at ways PCP can discuss openly screen time with families. 

Children under 5 years old are spending more time in front of screens and at younger ages. New research on screen time shows the effects on a child’s development, with many relating to communication problems (especially expressive language), decreased empathy, and difficulties with attention span (Radesky, J.S., et al. 2014). Children who spent more time using handheld devices were more likely to have delays in expressive language (Meta van den Heval & Ma, J. 2018). 

Technoference,  or the time spend on a device by caregivers instead of interacting and talking with children, has a direct link for increased risk of language delays and other behavioral issues. Children who are “connected on a screen” miss out on crucial developmental, language, social interaction, and play skills. Strong communication skills are built through parent-child interaction right from birth. Timely parent-child interventions improve overall child development and communication outcomes (e.g. MacDonald, 1989; Wilcox 1992, Barnett and Escobar, 1990).

Over lunch or in an informal meeting, this workshop will provide opportunities for staff to ask questions about specific areas of speech and language development or delay, address current trends or topic of interests (bilingualism, strategies). This workshop is tailored to your centre’s specific areas of interest and time available.