Episode #12 – The Language and Literacy Connection- Interview with Danielle Kent
Today I’m talking with Danielle Kent from Piece of Mind Therapy and Consulting. Danielle is a speech and language pathologist who specializes in executive functioning with a neurodiversity and inclusion focus. She’s also a mother of two and an entrepreneur.
She is a multi-passionate SLP dedicated to equipping and empowering parents and professionals to support problem solving and communication. She recently published a children’s book called Max Learns to Pause. The book is designed to help children and caregivers with co-regulation. Danielle is a wealth of information and you don’t want to miss this interview!
Danielle has agreed to give away a copy of her book! All you have to do is head over to iTunes and leave a five-star review for The Reading Project to be entered. Make sure you leave your IG handle so that I can contact you. The winner will be chosen on April 16th and announced on Instagram!
Top 3 Takeaways
- Early language and phonological awareness are the bones of literacy. Practice playing with sounds early and often.
- Having fun while learning is SUPER important! Especially at home – take the pressure off.
- Coregulation! Parents everywhere can support their child in developing coregulation skills.
Here’s the Highlights
(1:45) Meet my guest, Danielle! Find out all about her educational background and the important work she is doing!
(3:18) What is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) anyway?!?
(3:50) Hot Tip to avoid burnout!
(5:20) Help your child find and grow their passions.
(5:42) What’s the difference between speech and language?
(6:56) Danielle explains using Identity First language.
(7:57) A neurodiversity and inclusion focus and different ways of communicating.
(9:13) The connection between language and literacy development.
(11:45) Danielle’s top tips for a parent with a non-speaking child.
(13:47) Onset and rhyme. What is it and how to play with words.
(15:10) How do we motivate kids? What we should be asking instead!
(17:15) How to embrace where your learner is at.
(18:05) The practice of coregulation. What is it and how does it work?
(20:35) How-to hold loving limits and support your child through it (with an example!)
(21:36) All the details on Danielle’s book, Max Learns to Pause.
(23:40) Check out what’s coming next for Danielle (Hint: it’s going to be epic!)
(26:52) Find out Danielle’s all-time favorite children’s book!
(29:00) My top 3 takeaways from this episode!
(31:18) All the detail on our give away of Max Learns to Pause!
Reading Resources and more!
Book Recommendations – For the Kiddos
The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak and Caroline Jayne Church
On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres and Christian Slade
Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres and Christian Slade
Book Recommendations – For the Adults
The Whole-Brain Child Workbook: Practical Exercises, Worksheets and Activities to Nurture Developing Minds Kindle Edition by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Superflex … A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum by Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winne
Additional Tools and Resources
Identity First Language – why we say “an autistic child” instead of “a child with autism”.
Double Empathy Problem – A summary of Dr. Damian Milton’s study for non-academics.
Rachel Madel – Los Angeles-based speech therapist, parent coach, and technology specialist dedicated to helping your child reach their true potential.
For More from Danielle and Piece of Mind Therapy and Consulting
Check out Piece of Mind Therapy and Consulting.
Get your copy of Max Learns to Pause HERE.
You can follow Danielle on social media: Facebook and Instagram.
For More from Me and Your Reading Tutor
Follow along with The Reading Project and Your Reading Tutor, too!
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