Unbabbled

Developmental milestones, standardized tests and grade standards can all be great tools for parents to use as guides. However, every child is so much more than a score or answers on a test.

In this episode, Justin Keller discusses how having a child with developmental delays shifted his perspective on parenting and life in general. Justin shares how his son has changed him for the better, including being more present, accepting that his son has his own timeline, and finding the ever-elusive balance in parenting. We hope parents and educators alike will find Justin’s journey as a dad relatable.

Justin Keller is a Houston-based brand strategist, author and current Parish School parent. He’s the founder of CircleFifty Creative and author of Rebel Brands and Human Always.

Related Links:
Justin’s website: CircleFifty.com

Justin’s Books: Rebel Brands and  Human Always

Justin’s Instagram: @KellerThinks 

Justin’s article on competitive parenting: A Thought for Competitive Dads 

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We can all pretty much agree that digital technologies such as tablets, smart phones, video games and social media, have changed the childhood of our youngest generation. But has the introduction of these technologies really differed all that much from the introduction of say…the sandbox? 

In this episode, we chat with Jordan Shapiro, PhD, an educational pioneer, college professor and father of two about his unique perspective on navigating the new digital world of childhood. We spoke with Jordan about easing parent fears surrounding technological changes, ways that parents and educators can support learning through technology, and why he encourages embracing technology at an earlier age. We also discuss the importance of directly teaching the social rules of both face-to-face and digital communication.

About Jordan
Jordan Shapiro, PhD, is a senior fellow for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and Nonresident Fellow in the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Jordan also teaches at Temple University in the Intellectual Heritage Program. Jordan draws on cutting-edge research in science, philosophy, economics and psychology to show we've let fear and nostalgia stand in the way of our children's best interests. He offers optimistic, inspiring and practical advice to help adults navigate the new, digital frontier of childhood. He reframes gaming, social media and smartphones in historical context, providing a fresh, evidence-based perspective that will change the way you think about today’s connected kids. 

Jordan is the keynote speaker at The Parish School’s 11th Annual Giving Voice to Children Luncheon held Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at The Junior League of Houston. Jordan is also presenting a free adult education session, The Digital Sandbox: What Grownups Need to Know About the New Childhood, that evening on The Parish School’s campus.

Related Links
Jordan Shapiro’s website: https://www.jordanshapiro.org/

NPR Article, "Author Of 'The New Childhood' Advises Parents: Don't Panic About Screen Time": https://www.npr.org/2018/12/29/680882610/author-of-the-new-childhood-advises-parents-dont-panic-about-screen-time

Jordan’s upcoming speaking engagements at The Parish School:

• The Parish School 11th Annual Luncheon: Giving Voice to Children 
• Adult Education Series- The Digital Sandbox: What Adults Need to Know About The New Childhood

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When people hear the term “music therapy,” the typical picture that comes to mind is using classical or new age music to reach a state of relaxation. That is just one of the common misconceptions Karina Hall, Board-Certified Music Therapist at The Parish School, addresses. During this episode, Karina explains what music therapy is, who could benefit from it, and ways music therapy can be used to support children in reaching their fine motor, social-emotional and communication goals.

Karina Hall, MM, MT-BC, NMT, earned her BA in Music from the University of St. Thomas and her Master’s of Music from Sam Houston State University. Karina has a rich background of working with various special needs groups and providing therapy through music. Before bringing her talents to The Parish School, she was the music therapy clinic director at Sam Houston State University. Outside of The Parish School, Karina works as a music therapist with Easter Seals of Greater Houston, a non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities and other special needs. She also recently presented at the Health Museum of Houston with a lecture entitled, “Do Re Mi, ABC, 123, You and Me: Using Music in the Classroom.”

Related Links:
American Music Therapy Association: www.musictherapy.org
Certification Board for Music Therapists: www.cbmt.org
Blog post discussing using music therapy techniques at home: Rejuvenate Together - Through Music

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Since 1983, The Parish School has educated children who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed. In this episode, The Parish School’s director of arts and sciences, Terri Garth, discusses the history of The Parish School, provides background on the school’s founder and delves into the educational philosophy, therapeutic approach, and underlying beliefs that make up “The Parish Way.” Additionally, she explains the emphasis on the arts, nature-based learning and camp-like feel to the campus atmosphere, as well as the reasoning behind our multi-aged classroom approach. This episode offers something for everyone, no matter your level of familiarity with The Parish School.

About Terri
Terri’s work as an educator began at The Parish School, where she was instrumental in the development of the school’s theater program, and later its Integrated Arts and Sciences department, which includes art and music classes and therapy, digital learning, a library with makerspace, theater, P.E., and nature studies. In addition to the big impact Terri makes in the academic lives of students, Terri co-founded the Margaret Noecker Nature Center in 2012. Utilizing The Parish School’s 17-acre campus, the Nature Center is an integrated, nature-based learning environment that facilitates children’s intellectual, social and emotional development through direct engagement with the natural world. 

A former Parish parent herself, The Parish School would not be where it is today without Terri’s guidance, experience and passion.

Related Articles/Links:
The Parish School Website: www.parishschool.org

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Back-to-school is often a time of mixed feelings for both children and parents, especially if the child has communication, motor or learning difficulties. In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Meredith discuss tips to help families make the transition from summer to school smooth and positive for the whole family. They discuss the importance of building communication with the teacher, attending meet-the-teacher events, getting back to a routine, and involving your child in the back-to-school process. Whether they’re entering preschool, moving up a grade level or starting a new school altogether, this episode will help start your year off strong.

Stephanie and Meredith have more than 45 years’ combined experience as parents, classroom teachers and speech-language pathologists! They also use many of these ideas with their own children. 

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“Talk to your pediatrician.” It’s the advice parents hear frequently when they have a concern about their child. However, no one tells you how to bring up these concerns or what to look for in the pediatrician’s response. In this episode, Marshall Lerman, MD discusses tips for finding a pediatrician that fits your family and bringing up concerns with your doctor, while empowering you to become a strong advocate for your children. 

Dr. Lerman received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed his pediatric residency training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He graduated with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in government and a minor in business administration. He also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center where he made law review, serving as an editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. Dr. Lerman is a licensed attorney by the State Bar of Texas and is board eligible by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Related Links:

• Dr. Marshall Lerman’s practice - Bootin and Savrick Pediatric Associates
• Advice for parents who have concerns about autism when speaking to their pediatrician - Know Before You Go

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Children with communication disorders and learning differences are more likely than their neurotypical peers to have mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. In this episode Lily Yoder, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT), joins us to discuss the basics of mental health in young children and the overlap between communication disorders, learning differences and mental health disorders. She shares indicators your child might need intervention to work through their struggles, information on how to seek help and gives clarification on the roles of a licensed professional counselor, psychologist and psychiatrist.  

Lily is the Director of Student and Family Services at The Parish School. She earned her BA in Psychology from Baylor University and her MA in Psychology from Houston Baptist University. Before joining The Parish School in 2018, Lily had over 10 years of experience providing counseling and play therapy to children and families in a variety of settings. She has significant experience with young children, ADHD and anxiety disorders, and is a member of the Sam Houston Chapter of the Association for Play Therapy.

Related References and Articles:

Mental Health and Everyday Well-Being

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For parents of young children, eating is often one of their top struggles. Are they eating enough? Are they eating the right things? My child only eats nuggets, fries and crackers - help! In this episode, Occupational Therapist, Jennifer Woody, discusses picky eating and provides some much-needed clarification on what is "typical" for young children. We also provide resources for families and things parents can do at home to support their child’s eating and development. 

Related Links:

• Speech-Language Pathologist Melanie Potock’s website 
• Occupational Therapist Alisha Grogran’s website 
• Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach
• Ellen Satter Institute

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Childhood Apraxia of Speech expert Nancy Kaufman explains the unique disorder while discussing her treatment approach and steps parents can take toward diagnosis and treatment.

Nancy is a speech-language pathologist, renowned expert in childhood apraxia of speech, and the owner and director of the Kaufman Children’s Center. Since 1979, she has dedicated herself to establishing the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), a treatment approach to help children become effective vocal communicators. Nancy lectures locally, nationally, and internationally on the subject of CAS and other childhood speech-sound disorders. Families from around the country and the world travel to the KCC to participate in her intensive and specialized therapy programs.

To learn more about Nancy and the Kaufman Children's Center, visit https://www.kidspeech.com/

More Apraxia Information/Resources: 

• https://www.apraxia-kids.org/
• https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/

Related Articles:

• “What is a Speech Disorder?” 
• “A Parent's Guide to Apraxia”
• “Nancy Kaufman: The Apraxia ‘Guru’ and her Methodology”

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According to today’s research, you need two things to be successful in adulthood, and grades aren’t one of them – social competence and grit. In this episode, nationally-recognized speaker on Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking® methodology and founder of the Social Learning program at The Parish School, Renee Attaway, discusses social-emotional learning, and its far-reaching impact on a child’s development. Our team discusses how social isn’t just about playing together on the playground, but also how the social world plays into academics, and how to support social-emotional learning at home and in the classroom.


Related/Referenced Articles: 

• Aren't Academics Enough for my Child to be Successful: Why Social Competence is so Important  Renee Attaway The Parish School Blog
• Teaching Social Skills to Improve Grades and Life David Borstien New York Times Opinion 

Related Links:

• Social Thinking- Renee Attaway's Speaker Page
• Social Thinking Website
• Social Learning at The Parish School

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