Language Express News
Tantrums and Attacks by Young Students in Ottawa Schools: Advice from a Child Psychiatrist
Keep screen time to a minimum for young children: Child Psychiatrist talks about the importance of free play.
New Process for Language Express Referrals
The process for referring children in Junior Kindergarten to Language Express will be different in the fall of 2019. Referrals for children in JK will only be accepted directly from parents or legal guardians. We encourage JK teachers to use speech and language milestone checklists to support conversations with parents about their children’s development.
The deadline for referrals for children in Junior Kindergarten is November 30. This means that children born in 2015 must be referred (by their parents!) by November 30, 2019.
Language Express Tip of the Week
Don't Force It: Don't try to make your child talk… WAIT, then say what she would say if she could, then WAIT some more. Give your child a choice of things to wear, eat or do, then wait for her to make a choice by reaching, pointing or using words. Instead of telling your child what to say, try filling in the blank. For example in a chase game, say, “1, 2, 3…” then WAIT. If your child doesn't say GO - you say it. Look at a book together. Instead of asking “What's that?” “What colour is that?” try open-ended comments like: “I wonder what will happen next.”
Check out more tips on the Language Express Preschool Speech and Language Services website.
