For Parents Arielle Gates For Parents Arielle Gates

Tips and Tricks for Picky Eaters

If you’ve ever sat down to a meal with a picky eater, you know the struggle all too well. But why are kids so selective about what they eat? There is always a reason for behavior! Let’s dive into the reasons behind picky eating and how to navigate this tricky terrain....

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Understanding Tongue Ties: Symptoms and Solutions

As a speech-language pathologist and myofunctional therapist, I have had the privilege of working with patients of all ages, helping them overcome a variety of challenges. One common issue I've encountered is tongue ties, or ankyloglossia. In this blog post, we'll...

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Parents, For SLPs Arielle Gates Parents, For SLPs Arielle Gates

Summer Books

Happy Summer! We have had quite a bit going on over here, so I have been more MIA than usual. We're expecting another little baby girl in November! We are so excited, but it has been a tough few months dealing with nausea and exhaustion, but I am finally feeling more...

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Parents, For SLPs Arielle Gates Parents, For SLPs Arielle Gates

Spring Books

SLet's find some new Spring books! I am so excited that Spring is finally here!  I am ready for more sunshine, warmer temperatures, and outdoor adventures. A new season is a great way to refresh some of the books in your library. I don't know about you, but I have...

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Parents Arielle Gates Parents Arielle Gates

Screen Time – Practical Tips for Parents

In today's world, screen time (for everyone) is increasing drastically. It can be difficult to know what to do for your children in terms of their screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time for children under two (except for video...

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Parents, For SLPs Arielle Gates Parents, For SLPs Arielle Gates

Valentine’s Day Books

Valentine's Day is around the corner. It is a great opportunity to switch out some of the books on your child's shelves. These are some of my Valentine's Day books! Valentine's Day books don't have to be full of red hearts and valentines. We'll be reading one of these...

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Parents Arielle Gates Parents Arielle Gates

Benefits of Reading Aloud

As a speech-language pathologist and preschool teacher, one of the main questions parents ask me is "What should we work on at home?" Parents want the best for their children. They want to teach them letters and math. Of course, these are important skills. However, my...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Where to Find New Books

With the holidays quickly approaching (how is it almost Christmas?!) you may have even more down time to fill with your child or children at home. I recently shared about some of my favorite winter books and the benefits of providing books relevant to the...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Winter and Holiday Books

I know it's technically still fall, but as soon as Thanksgiving is over, my brain switches to winter mode! I love to switch out my daughter's books as the seasons and holidays change. There are many benefits to doing this: Preparing for new experiences - Transitions...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Talking to Children about Gratitude

With Thanksgiving approaching, it's a great time to start talking to our children about gratitude and what it means to be thankful. These are complicated concepts that can be difficult for children to grasp. Here are some ways to introduce gratitude to children. Model...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Shop Local – Alexandria Holiday Shopping Guide

The holiday season is quickly approaching and parents are on the hunt for gifts for their friends and family members. This year has been a crazy one! Many local businesses have been hit hard. I know as a busy mom, I am often relying on Amazon or Target for my online...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Pretend Play – Where to Start

As the holidays approach, parents are wondering what toys to get their children. I want to encourage you to think about adding some pretend play toys to your child's holiday wishlist this year!Pretend play is a fantastic way to encourage speech and language...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Does my child need private speech therapy?

As a parent, it can be difficult to know if your child needs speech therapy. There is such a wide range of "normal" speech and language development. Here are a few people who may refer you and your child to a speech therapist: Pediatrician/Dentist Teacher or other...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Summer Speech and Language Tips

Summer provides lots of opportunities to encourage speech and language development for children of all ages! This summer is a little different. We've all been stuck at home. Both parents and kids might be getting a little stir crazy. These are some easy things you can...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Protect Your Hearing

This year, 4th of July celebrations may look a little different. We won't have crowds of spectators enjoying fireworks together, but many areas are continuing to have fireworks celebrations that can be enjoyed from a distance. This is a great time to talk about...

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Arielle Gates Arielle Gates

Teletherapy Basics

Telepractice/teletherapy has been utilized by SLPs for years. We joke that due to COVID-19, all SLPs have become teletherapists now. This is actually an amazing thing! There are so many benefits to teletherapy. Let's go through the who, what, when, where and why of...

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