My daughter just asked if she could use my Ipad to play "More Pizza."  As she was looking through the other apps by the same designer she came across several more that got my mind racing with ideas; More Salad, More Tacos, More Pie, More Chinese Food and More Ice Cream.  She asked if she could download the More Salad app.....you already know what I said, right? She could have chosen More Cupcakes (probably what I would have chosen) but she chose More Salad!  I think the green smoothies are working!  Actually she has always been an eclectic eater (in kindergarten she would come home and ask for a cucumber and "a few chocolate chips" ) but the veggies and fruits have been her FIRST choices since we started the green smoothies two weeks ago.

As she was playing with this app, I of course starting thinking about uses for my therapy sessions.  Obviously, using this app would work with older and younger children who are working on language skills; I want romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers and Ranch Dressing (choice making, vocabulary building, colors, grouping like items etc or social/pragmatic skills "What kind of lettuce do you want?  Do you want olives on your salad?) but it REALLY would work well for our picky eaters. I thought I'd try it out on my daughter.  I told her to create a salad with two new things she's never tried before and "save" the recipe (really neat part of the app is that they can save, name and share their creations) and we would shop for the "fixins" this weekend and give it a try.  Excited doesn't even begin to describe her reaction. "Can we do more than one?"  I think I actually heard heavenly harps or maybe it was my beloved Harry Connick Jr......no matter, it was amazing whoever it was!

I just wanted to share this as I know the weekend is a time where you can "explore" some fun things and learn some new skills.  I know I will be purchasing ALL of the "More _____" apps because so far, they have been well worth the .99!  YES, you read it right....NINETY-NINE cents. 

I am over the moon for this line of apps and I still can't believe how much the Ipad has changed my therapy and the enjoyment for my kids.  We learn together and have so much fun.  Sorry to all of you parents who are now  being asked for "Miss. Jennifer's new toy (true story....got a text today from one of my moms)

So which apps are YOU going to get and how do YOU plan to use them?  I'd love to hear your ideas and stories.

I was reading a post on Facebook today from one of my trade journals and it asked "Can Legos be used in treatment. If so, how?"  My first thought was "seriously? They really want to know this?  Doesn't everybody use these?  Isn't it obvious how you'd use them?  I, of course, shared my ideas because let's face it....it's hard for a speech therapist NOT to talk or answer someone when they ask a question. :)  Anyway, after I answered I got to thinking that my husband is probably right when he says "Jen most people REALLY DON'T walk around thinking ALL those things, all of the time, about toys and food etc..."  Always nice when your husband looks at you and uses a tone of voice that makes you feel "odd."  Thanks, honey.

It got me to thinking though that parents, teachers, other therapists might benefit from a "list" of commonly used objects/toys and how to use them to improve your child's speech and language skills.  Parents ARE the best teachers after all!  My thoughts continued though...because  maybe my husband is right....maybe I am ODD!  I thought it would be fun if I devoted a blog post (once or twice a month) where I, or another therapist from my staff, would give you as many ideas as we could for an item or items that someone suggested.  For example, we will post a status update on Facebook or Tweet on Twitter  asking for suggestions of toys or objects....we'll pick one and then try to come up with as many different ideas as we can on how to use that particular item for working on speech and language skills.

Sound fun?  Well, it does to me. It sounds challenging too but I'm up for it I think.  Mostly though I think it sounds like a GREAT way to help parents help their children and that is one of my most favortist (no typo just one of my favorite "mistakes" from one of my kiddos) things to do!

Give me some feedback please....