In this first course teachers will learn about the progression of Speech and Language in children through the perspective of a Speech Language Pathologist and gain knowledge on the impact of early intervention. We truly believe that by partnering with preschools, daycares, and centers to provide more education about speech and language development that we can improve outcomes for our children at a young age! The course is perfect for all levels of experience as a professional and educator, as it takes a look at the the areas of speech-language such as speech sounds, stuttering, voice, language, auditory processing, augmentative/alternative communication, and feeding. The course will help teachers to identify red flags in each of these areas of development, and examine the roles of educators, hierarchy of therapy, and how to integrate the information practically into their classrooms the next day!
Knowledge and Competency Framework: I: Child Development and Learning (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area VIII: Principles of Child Development and Learning (2 Hours)
This level one course of our speech series gives teachers the chance to explore the progression of early speech sound development in children. Teachers will have opportunities to learn about the different components of speech sounds and error patterns through engaging activities, hands on learning, and video examples from real children! The course then moves on to help teachers understand the developmental hierarchy, and common typical approximations that we expect in children’s speech development. You will learn to identify red flags in each of these areas of speech, and examine the roles of educators, hierarchy of therapy, and how to adapt the information practically into the classroom.
Knowledge and Competency Framework: IV.B: Assessing and Using Information to Plan (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area VII: Observing and recording children's behavior (2 Hours)
Speech Level 2 helps educators to discover speech sound development and explore the different types of errors more in depth. This course will help educators figure out ways to incorporate letters and sounds into their classrooms in a way that helps children with their speech sound production and eventually their reading! Investigate how sounds are made, movements of the mouth, and identify variations in ability/development that indicate a need for special attention. Educators taking this course synthesize the information taught in the previous course “Early Speech Sound Development: Birth to Pre-K” and to put it into tangible outcomes.
Knowledge and Competency Framework: II: Promoting Cognitive Development (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area II: Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development (2 Hours)
Speech Level 3 propels educators to greater heights by developing, integrating, and mastering instructional strategies and practical ways to teach speech sounds in order to improve literacy outcomes. Educators integrate the information learned in the previous two courses and determine how to adapt the learning environment to integrate speech sounds into the classroom based on the individual child’s needs. Common routines are used to prepare educators for maximum speech sound instruction opportunities throughout their day such as circle time, learning letters, and beginning to teach phonics!
Knowledge and Competency Framework: IV.B: Assessing and Using Information to Plan (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area VII: Observing and recording children's behavior (2 Hours)
This is the first level of our language courses. This course helps teachers explore the progression of early language in children through the perspective of a Speech Language Pathologist. You will learn ways to adjust classroom activities to fit the individual needs of each child that you serve. Educators will be able to identify red flags in each area of language development such as expressive language, receptive language, and pragmatic language. Teachers will get a chance to practice how to adapt their classroom to meet each child where they are at depending on their individual needs.
Knowledge and Competency Framework: IV.B: Assessing and Using Information to Plan (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area VII: Observing and recording children's behavior (2 Hours)
Language Level 2 takes the foundational knowledge gained in the first course and helps teachers to expand on these skills to use them in the classroom. Teachers will examine the ways language can be utilized in their classroom, and develop tangible ways to adapt their curriculum to fit the needs of their learners. Topics such as weather, show and tell, answering and asking ‘wh’ questions, and following directions will be broken down step by step into developmentally appropriate sections. Learn how to take practical and existing routines and toys such as circle time, puzzles, or hand-washing and determine how to turn them into rich language opportunities. Training is split up into a variety of activities and experiences which will help personalize the information to each teacher and draw upon the skills and strengths that they have!
Knowledge and Competency Framework: II: Promoting Cognitive Development (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area II: Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development (2 Hours)
Language Level 3 pulls together all of the material learned in the previous two courses and shows teachers how modifications can be made to the language they use with each individual child in their classroom. This course offers a break down of language hierarchies, and gives teachers a chance to practice implementing these skills. Educators will be coached on the different types of language cueing, and how to build in different levels of cueing to help children scaffold and learn language. The final portion of this course focuses on the play hierarchy of language, laying out the steps and focusing on how to help children advance to the next level no matter their age or skill!
Knowledge and Competency Framework: IV.B: Assessing and Using Information to Plan (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area VII: Observing and recording children's behavior (2 Hours)
This course explores how children who are learning multiple languages can be impacted in the classroom. Teachers will learn about different components of bilingual language learning such as disorders, differences, and how to differentiate between them. Case studies, video examples, and hands on activities with many opportunities for group discussion will help teachers to interact with the material in a way that will resonate with their experience and learning style to maximize the impact of the course. Teachers will be able to identify red flags for children who are learning multiple languages, examine the roles of educators, hierarchy of therapy, and how to integrate the information practically into their classroom at the end of this course!
Knowledge and Competency Framework: II: Promoting Cognitive Development (2 Hours)
CDA Content Areas: Content Area II: Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development (2 Hours)
Our goal with these courses is to better equip the staff and teachers who are working with our little ones everyday. Our hope is that these courses will be valuable and meaningful for everyone participating in them. Our current course offerings are listed below and can be found on the MN Develop Link
Speech and Language Development: Birth to Pre-K - In Person or Online
Early Language Development: Birth to Pre-K - In Person or Online
Language Level 2: Integrating Language in the Classroom Birth-PreK - In Person
Language Level 3: Leading Language in the Classroom Birth-PreK - In Person
Early Speech Sound Development: Birth to Pre-K - In Person or Online
Speech Level 2: Implementing Speech Sounds Birth to Pre-K - In Person
Speech Level 3: Designing, Leading, and Teaching Speech Birth to Pre-K - In Person
Supporting Bilingual Language Learners: Birth to Pre-K - In Person or Online
Cultivating a Classroom of Inclusion - In Person or Online
Supporting Autism in the Classroom - In Person or Online
If your center is interested in pursuing courses the pricing is as follows:
Purchase of a single course for 0-14 attendees: $400
Purchase of a single course for 15-40 attendees: $550
Purchase of a single online/on-demand course $17.99
**For bulk pricing of on-demand courses please contact us for further details and pricing**
**Courses designed for 40 and under attendees at a time, if you have a need for more than 40 attendees an additional charge may be added for additional adaptations necessary for the course**