Vocabulary development for children is about learning new words and understanding their meanings. It’s a crucial part of growing up, helping children communicate and understand the world around them. Here’s how children develop their vocabulary: Early Stages of Vocabulary Development Babbling: Babies start by making sounds, like “ba-ba” or “da-da.” This babbling is the first step towards learning words. First Words: Around their first birthday, many children say their first words, like “mama” or “dada.” These words are usually simple and related to people or objects they see every day. Naming Objects: As they grow, children start naming objects, like…
Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a common behaviour in young children with autism. It involves repetitive movements, sounds, or activities that help children regulate their emotions and cope with their environment. Understanding stimming can help parents, caregivers, and teachers better support children with autism. What Does It Look Like Stimming can take many forms. Some common types include: Repetitive Movements: This includes hand-flapping, rocking back and forth, spinning, or jumping. Sounds and Vocalisations: Some children make repetitive sounds, such as humming, repeating words or phrases, or making other noises. Visual Stimming: This involves activities like staring at spinning objects,…
Boosting Scissor Skills with Occupational Therapy: A Guide for Parents in Bondi Junction and Mascot Developing scissor skills is a crucial part of a child’s fine motor development. Using scissors not only strengthens hand muscles but also improves hand-eye coordination and concentration. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, our team of experienced Occupational Therapists is dedicated to helping children develop these essential skills. In this post, we’ll dive into why scissor skills matter, how to teach them, and how Occupational Therapy can support your child’s progress. Why Scissor Skills Matter in Occupational Therapy Fine Motor Skills: Scissor…
How Children’s Language Develops from Single Words to Sentences Language development in children is a fascinating journey. It begins with single words and gradually evolves into complex sentences. This process involves several stages, each crucial for a child’s communication skills. Let’s explore how children move from using single words to speaking in full sentences. The First Words Babbling Stage: Around 6 months, babies start babbling. They make sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da.” This is their first step in practicing language. First Words: By around 12 months, babies usually say their first words. These words are often simple and familiar, like…
The Importance of Sensory Diets for Children: How Occupational Therapy Can Help in Bondi Junction and Mascot A sensory diet is a carefully planned set of activities designed to meet a child’s sensory needs. Just like a balanced diet keeps our bodies healthy, a sensory diet provides different sensory experiences to help children’s brains and bodies function better. Sensory diets are especially beneficial for children with sensory processing challenges, but all children can gain from these activities. Let’s explore what a sensory diet is, why it’s important, and how it can support children’s development through Occupational Therapy in Bondi Junction…
Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to our feelings in a healthy way. For young children, this means learning how to understand, express, and control their emotions. It’s an important skill that helps them navigate social interactions, handle stress, and develop resilience. Let’s explore what emotional regulation is in young children, why it’s important, and how we can help them develop this essential skill. What is Emotional Regulation? Emotional regulation involves recognizing and managing our emotions. For young children, this means learning to identify their feelings, understand what causes them, and find appropriate ways to express and…
Understanding Attention Issues in Young Children: Insights from Occupational Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot Attention issues are a common challenge for young children and can be a source of concern for both parents and teachers. If your child is struggling with attention or focus, it can impact their learning and behaviour, but the good news is that it’s often a natural part of their development. With the support of Occupational Therapy, particularly in clinics like OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, you can help your child improve their attention and focus. Let’s explore why attention issues occur…
Joint attention is when two people focus on the same thing and are aware that they are both paying attention to it. This could be looking at a toy, a book, or an event happening around them. Joint attention is an important part of communication and social development, especially for young children. Why Joint Attention Matters Language Development: When children and adults focus on the same object or event, it creates opportunities for conversation. Adults can label objects, describe actions, and ask questions. This helps children learn new words and understand how to use language. Social Skills: Joint attention helps…
Benefits of Scooter Boards in Occupational Therapy Scooter boards are popular tools in occupational therapy, especially for children. They are small, flat boards with wheels that children use to move around by pushing with their hands or feet. These boards offer many benefits, helping children develop critical skills. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, our occupational therapists regularly incorporate scooter boards into therapy. Here’s why scooter boards are so effective. 1. Improving Gross Motor Skills Strengthening Muscles: Using a scooter board requires children to engage their arm, leg, and core muscles. This strengthens these muscles, which is…
How Speech Pathology Homework Helps a Child’s Progress Speech pathology, also known as speech therapy, helps children who have difficulties with speaking, understanding language, or using their voice. Professional speech therapists work with children during sessions to improve these skills. However, homework from speech pathology sessions plays a crucial role in a child’s progress. Here’s how speech pathology homework helps children make the most of their therapy. Reinforces Learning Consistent Practice: Children need regular practice to develop new skills. Speech therapy sessions might happen once or twice a week. Homework ensures that children practice their skills between sessions. Repetition: Repetition…
How ESDM Builds Social Skills in Children with Autism The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a proven method for helping children with autism improve their social skills. Social skills are essential for building relationships and interacting with others. ESDM uses a play-based approach to teach these skills during the early years, when brain development is at its peak. By focusing on these critical years, ESDM helps children with autism learn social behaviours that become part of their everyday life. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we use ESDM at our clinics in Bondi Junction and Mascot to help children develop these…