Parents and children all have the same dream – to spend their summer days having fun without the stress and pressure of the school year. However, many parents also worry that too much fun could cause a loss of progress or skills gained during the year, or as some call it, the dreaded “summer slide.” Luckily, there are many ways to have fun while still preparing for the school year ahead. In this episode Meredith and Stephanie discuss various activities families can do to practice  academic, fine motor, and executive functioning skills to keep kids sharp and ready for school. Activities include joining your local library summer reading program, cooking or baking, starting a travel journal, visiting local museums, and even letting your child get bored! This list will help families mix learning with fun throughout the summer.

Helpful Links:

Parish Blog on Preventing Summer Slide

Houston Public Library Summer Reading Program

HPL Flip Kits (interactive book kits)

Harris County Public Library Summer Reading Program

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In this episode we speak with dyslexia specialist, Marilyn Zecher, MA, CALT, about using her expertise and experience as a Certified Academic Language Therapist to teach mathematics. During the episode, Marilyn explains what it means to teach using a “multisensory approach”, discusses the intersection of language and mathematics and talks about why it is so important to use real world, hands-on learning experiences. She also gives parents and teachers specific multisensory activities they implement today to make math more concrete and fun.

Marilyn Zecher, MA, CALT, has been in the field of dyslexia education since 1976. She has a masters in education from University of Maryland, is Orton-Gillingham trained, and is the first Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Mathematics. She specializes in teaching educators how to use a multisensory approach in their math classes from the primary years through highschool. She speaks at national conferences  and her online graduate level multisensory math courses have a world wide reach. 

Links:

Marilyn's Website

 Webinars and Professional Development

The Parish School

The Original Mexican Café

Gateway Academy Houston

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In this episode Stephanie speaks with Dr. Michele Joseph, Head of School at Gateway Academy about supporting high school students as they transition into young adulthood. Gateway Academy is a private school in Houston, Texas that serves 6th-12th grade students with academic and social challenges. Through their programming, Gateway supports students on their path to employment, college, and life beyond high school. Throughout her years in education, Michele has found teaching and addressing specific skills such as social communication, problem-solving, time management, and other executive functions have increased all students’ success post high school no matter which direction they take. Michele shares with us her knowledge, talks about Gateways’ unique programing, and gives advice to all parents as they prepare for the young adult years.

Dr. Michele Joseph, EdD is the Founding Head of School of Gateway Academy in Houston, Texas. Her background includes a BS in Speech/Language Pathology, MEd specializing in special populations, and experience as a classroom teacher, Behavior Specialist, and Learning Resource Teacher for 13 years in public schools.  She has been the Principal and Head of School in private schools since 1999. She obtained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a Dissertation topic of Predictors of Post-Secondary Participation of Neurodiverse Individuals.

Links:

Gateway Academy

The Parish School

Kids 360 Dentistry

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In this episode we speak with Elizabeth Elder about finding a community and support system as a mother of children with special needs. Elizabeth is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, a Houston based support group for Mothers of children with special needs. Steel Magnolia Moms offers a variety of programs, events, and an online community designed to share knowledge, resources and, most importantly, encourage moms to find themselves again. Throughout the episode Elizabeth discusses her journey to starting Steel Magnolia Moms, shares how finding a community of other special needs Moms has positively changed her life and provides resources offered by Steel Magnolia Moms. Elizabeth also encourages everyone to reach out to others and take small steps toward building a supportive community wherever you are. 

Elizabeth Elder, is the founder and Executive Director of Steel Magnolia Moms in Houston, Texas. She is a Houston native and mother of three. Elizabeth’s two oldest children, Annabelle and Blair, were diagnosed with Lee Syndrome, a neurodegenerative disease, in 2015. Shortly after Elizabeth was inspired to create a facebook support group for Moms in Houston. Over the past 9 years the group has grown to include thousands of Moms across the country. Steel Magnolia Moms now offers a variety of programs, in person events, and an online community designed to share knowledge, resources and, most importantly, encourage moms to find themselves again. 

Links:

Steel Magnolia Moms website

Steel Magnolia Moms Facebook Group

Steel Magnolia Moms Programs

Gateway Academy

The Original Mexican Cafe

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In this episode Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo, former special education teacher and Conscious Discipline Master Instructor, discusses the positive impact of using Conscious Discipline at home and in her classroom. Elizabeth highlights the changes she implemented in her classroom and home that had the greatest impact as well as which elements of conscious discipline she started with and why. She also gives advice on what she recommends parents begin with at home. Throughout the episode, Elizabeth comes back to the core themes of seeing behaviors as communication, the importance of adults regulating themselves first, and the importances of structure and routine. 

Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo, MEd, graduated from the University of Miami with a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She worked in public schools as a special education teacher before becoming a Conscious Discipline Master Instructor. Elizabeth’s special education classroom was recognized as a Conscious Discipline model classroom by Dr. Becky Bailey and the Miami-Dade County Public School District. As a trainer, Elizabeth assists teachers and administrators in deepening their understanding of Conscious Discipline and adapting it to working with the special needs population and infant/ toddler population. As a coach, she guides teachers through a manageable, step-by-step process of internalizing the skills and powers of Conscious Discipline. 

Links:

 Conscious Discipline 

The Parish School

Sponsors:

Bay Area Arts Conservatory

Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry

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Screens are becoming increasingly interwoven into our children’s everyday lives. Unfortunately, a lot of the information around screen usage is either contradictory, vague, or rooted in extremes. This can leave parents confused, frustrated, or feeling guilty as they navigate screen usage for their family. In this episode, educator Ash Brandin (@TheGamerEducator) gives tips and information to help families make screens work for everyone. They provide ways for parents to reframe their thinking about screen time, give tips on helping children and adults become aware of how screens make their bodies feel, and helpful phrases to use when talking about screens with kids. Ash also gives tips on parental controls and ways to teach your child to use chat features responsibly. 

Ash Brandin, EdS, is a middle school librarian, speaker, and parent educator. Through their blog and instagram account, The Gamer Educator, they educate parents and caregivers on how to navigate video game technology and provide strategies to help find a balance that works for their home. Ash also provides resources for educators wanting to bring gaming into the classroom to support learning and motivate students. 

Links:

The Gamer Educator Website

The Gamer Educator Instagram

Sponsors:

The Original Mexican Cafe

Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry

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In this episode we sit down with Speech-Language Pathologist and executive functioning expert, Sarah Ward to discuss strategies to support the development of executive functions at home and school. Sarah starts off by giving a brief overview of what “executive functioning” means in everyday life then jumps into practical and effective ways parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists can support students as they develop these skills. 

Sarah Ward, MS, CCC-SLP is the Co-Director of Cognitive Connections, LLP in Massachusetts. She  has over 25 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment and case management of children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain-based learning difficulties and behavioral problems. Sarah is a dedicated clinician and internationally recognized expert on executive function skills who presents seminars and workshops across the globe on the programs and strategies she has developed. She has a proven track record for translating complex ideas into practical strategies that work to improve executive function skills.

Links:

Sarah's website: Cognitive Connections

The Parish School's website

Unbabbled on Instagram

Sponsors:

The Original Mexican Cafe

Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry

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In this episode, we speak with pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Becky Wilson, about the link between language disorders and academics and how targeting underlying language skills helps support students learning. Throughout the episode Becky discusses ways reading, math, and all areas of school are interwoven with underlying language skills and ways as a speech-pathologist she targets these skills to develop a child’s overall academic learning. 

Becky Willson, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist specializing in language and literacy for grades K-12. She has a private practice in Houston, Texas where she has served students with learning differences for the past 23 years.  Becky’s prior experience includes classroom teaching in language-based learning disabilities programs at the elementary and middle school levels. Becky recognizes that language is the foundation for literacy, and the cornerstone for learning in all school subjects and she is dedicated to providing high-quality, multi-sensory intervention that produces results. Her goal is to help children and adolescents reach their highest academic potential, and support educators and families. 

Links:

Becky Wilson's Website

The Parish School

Sponsors:

Soccor Shots Houston 

M/I Homes

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In this episode, we sit down with pediatric physical therapist, Melissa Howard, DPT to talk about the basics of pediatric physical therapy. Melissa explains what physical therapy is, signs a child may benefit from physical, how it differs from occupational therapy, and ways she collaborates with other therapists. While many areas physical therapists treat were familiar to us, such as developing an efficient gait, building strong core, and rehabbing muscles after injury, one specific area was surprising to learn about- potty training, constipation, and incontinence! Melissa spends time in the episode discussing ways physical therapists can help children of all ages with those difficulties. 

Melissa Howard is a pediatric physical therapist and owner of Bloom for All Physical Therapy, a private practice in Houston, Texas. She received a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Science Center in 2011. Melissa is board certified as a Neurologic Specialist and certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment.  She has taught at Texas Woman’s University Physical Therapy school, Gaza, Palestine, the Cerebral Palsy Annual Academy, and APTA sections at Pediatrics Conference. 

Links:  

Bloom For All Physical Therapy Website 

Bloom For All Instagram 

The Parish School Website 

Unbabbled on Instagram 

Sponsors: 

Soccor Shots Houston 

Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry 

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Summer is finally here! And while many kids have dreams of days spent at the pool, playing outside or having all day tv marathons, it is also the perfect time to kick back and relax with a good book! In this episode, Anjela Martinez from the Harris County Public Library Outreach Program and special co-host Parish School librarian, Jill Wood, share ways parents can support even their most reluctant readers over the summer. Throughout the episode Anjela and Jill discuss ways to promote reading for pleasure, tips for helping find your child books, and reassure us that audiobooks are reading too! Anjela also tells us about the many summer programs at the library to promote literacy- and you may be surprised to know that most of them do not involve reading! 

Anjela Martinez is the Assistant Manager or Youth Services Programs, Partnerships and Outreach at the Harris County Public Library. In that role she works to promote literacy, develop library programs and build partnerships with other organizations, such as The Parish School. Jill Wood, MLIS, is the Director of Adventure play and Librarian at The Parish School.  

 Links: 

Harris County Public Library Website 

Harris County Public Library Summer Reading Program Sign-up 

Houston Public Library 

The Parish School Website 


This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston. Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston.

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