Myth-Busting: "Boys talk later than girls, so don't worry" Let's talk about this one - because there's a grain of truth that gets misused. The nuance: Yes, research shows boys on average develop language slightly later than girls - we're talking about 1-2 months difference in early milestones. But this is a statistical average across thousands of children, and is taken into account when we look at milestones research. What this doesn't mean: - It's not a reason to wait indefinitely for support - A 2.5-year-old boy with fewer than 50 words still needs evaluation - "He's a boy" shouldn't delay getting help What matters more than gender: - Individual variation is MUCH larger than gender differences - Family history of language delays - Whether your child is making progress (even if slower) - Your gut feeling as a parent The reality: If your son is significantly behind milestones, his gender isn't the explanation - and early intervention helps regardless of whether he's a boy or girl. Have you heard this myth? Did it affect whether you sought support for your child? 👇 Inside the Premium Classroom, I break down and show you what actually DOES support language development in real, everyday moments. Link in bio if you want to learn more 💛

If your child is close to first words, try these strategies! Let me know how it goes in the comments!

Check out the attached handout that accompanies this video. I know it's long but here is a deep dive into pointing with the HOW at the end.

Imitation is a KEY pre-linguistic skill that happens EARLY in babies and develops so that your babies can say their first words or use their first sign! Watch this video on steps I use to get kiddos imitating! Free resource in the resources tab!

I recently gave a 30-minute parent talk on how communication develops in the first 6 months of life and how to play in ways that truly support language. I’m sharing the slides and handout here as a free resource for our community. We covered: • What skills come before words • Why attention, imitation, and turn-taking matter • How understanding develops before talking • How to use your voice (parentese) during everyday moments • Simple, realistic ways to play without needing special toys One of the biggest takeaways: Your face and voice are your baby’s most powerful learning tools! If you have a baby in this age range or work with families who do, this is a great foundational overview. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1eGytzO2sNq5WC4e-8r0uXLdZxN2Srm5EDVNlux0aXEI/edit?usp=sharing Feel free to download the materials and ask questions below. I’m happy to clarify or expand on anything. Connection builds communication.