Unbabbled

Navigating the world of special education, communication delays and learning differences can be a challenge. Tune in twice a month to hear Stephanie Landis and Meredith Krimmel, two speech-language pathologists at The Parish School, interview guests from parents to industry professionals with the goal of providing guidance, insight and hope to those touched by children who are differently wired. Each episode will cover a different topic related to education or child development. Whether you’re the parent or caregiver of a neurodiverse child who has autism, a speech-language delay or a learning disability, or you’re an educator who works with special needs children, this show is for you.

For more info, www.parishschool.org/unbabbled

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Playworkers Ali Wood and Jill Wood talk about adventure playgrounds and the importance of free-play and risk-taking in a child’s development. Adventure playgrounds are environments where children create their own worlds and build their own play space with a variety of tools and scrap material: lumber, hammers, nails, house paint, yards of fabric, pallets, wooden crates, and plenty of time and freedom. On these sites, children are supported by adults trained in the professional practice of playwork, a unique approach that puts the child’s ideas and objectives first.

Resources:

Where to buy Ali Wood’s book “Reflective Playwork”

• https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Playwork-all-work-children/dp/1441167684

Jill Wood’s Articles on Adventure Play:

• “Conflict and Play in a Child’s World”
• “More About the Spaces We Love: Adventure Play!”

More info on Bayou City Play:

• https://www.facebook.com/bayoucityplay/

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Elementary educator Jessica Brock explains project/inquiry-based learning and discusses how it is an engaging and effective teaching method for children who learn differently.

Definitions of Terms:
Pragmatic language, also referred to as social communication, is the rules of how we use language, these often change within different social situations.  *There are three main skill areas of pragmatic language: 1. Using language for a variety of purposes (asking, telling, greeting) 2. Changing language to fit the listener (speaking differently at home vs. work) 3. Following rules of conversation and storytelling (turn taking, topic maintenance). 

Executive functioning includes the ability to focus, remember, plan, think critically, shift ideas and juggle multiple tasks. It is an umbrella term used to describe the mental abilities (or cognitive processes) necessary for flexible, goal-oriented behavior and self-control.

The Parish School groups students of varying ages and developmental levels into classes. For your reference, the following elementary levels are referenced in this episode: Primary Elementary (Ages 5 – 7 years), Lower Elementary (Ages 7 – 9 years), and Upper Elementary (Ages 9 – 11 years).

Related Articles:

• “Teaching 21st Century Skills Through Inquiry/Project-Based Learning”
• “Inquiry/Project-Based Learning at The Parish School”

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Professor, author and creativity expert Dr. Ron Beghetto shares his advice on how parents and educators can help children utilize their strengths and develop confidence by allowing space for creativity within structured learning experiences. 

Guest info, including bio, books and publications: http://www.ronaldbeghetto.com/

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