Mindful Montessori Speech Feeding

We haven’t been meal planning lately. Now what does a Mama do for lunch on a hot Friday afternoon, when all she has is leftovers and a few knickknacks?

Well, I grabbed all I could and made a wholesome meal out of it! And the kids even asked for seconds 🙌🙌

Here is a breakdown of everything I served
🌮 whole wheat tortillas are a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals
🧀 I used Mexican cheese blend in the quesadillas, which is high in protein and a good source of calcium, and also other micronutrients
🫘 I also added red kidney beans which are high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, and also protein, in addition to Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium
🥑 Avocado in the quesadillas that are so nutritious dense - truly a superfood
🥣 A side of hummus - another great plant-based protein, high in fiber and healthy fats, and several vitamins and minerals
🥦 A side of baked broccoli, which is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron
🍅 A side of cherry tomatoes - another source of vitamins and minerals, including Folate and Potassium
🍍 A slice of pineapple, another great source of Vitamins B and C, and essential minerals
🍷 I added a glass of “Kokum” juice for myself - rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, and perfect to beat the heat!

Not only was I able to offer a “rainbow foods” plate, but also plenty of healthy and nutrient rich choices. And we were finishing up leftovers too 😉 Win-Win overall!!!

Comment and let me know if you’ve tried food mashups like this and what worked or didn’t. Let’s learn from each other…

I filled up my cup this weekend!!

The kids have been out of school for a week and my schedule has allowed me a lot of time at home with the kids and their grandparents 🏠

But as the week went on, I found myself getting irritated and feeling unfulfilled 😒

And then it struck me ⚡⚡⚡ (no pun intended - the damages are devastating from the storm last week)

I haven't had any meaningful "ME" time for the past 6 weeks 😕 And so I changed that!!

Good night's sleep, woke up at dawn before everyone, went for long walks alone, and practiced some mindfulness along the way - took in all the views, felt the cool breeze on my skin, listened to the birds chirping, and so much more...

I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the week... More mindfully this time ☺️

Did you know that about 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 years in the United States is affected by a Pediatric Feeding disorder?

Check out this tool https://questionnaire.feedingmatters.org/
to find out more...

Feeding Matters – Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire© Welcome to the Feeding Matters Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire©. If you have concerns about your child’s feeding, please know that you are not alone. Early detection and treatment of feeding problems are critical to the long-term health and well-being of affected children.

Are you wondering when your baby should start solids? Are you concerned that your child will grow into a picky eater?
Take the quiz below to test your knowledge about your child's feeding and swallowing development.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need more guidance in understanding your child's feeding and swallowing milestones, or just have questions about how you can support them.
📞214-945-2337
📧[email protected]
💻www.amrutapotdarslp.com

When should my child start talking? She is not using sentences yet. He doesn't look at me when I call him. Is this normal?
ASHA now has a cool new tool for parents. Take the quiz in the link below and test your knowledge 🙂
But reach out if you have any questions or want to know more details about your child's speech and language development, or just want to learn what you could do to help your child achieve their milestones.
📞214-945-2337
📧[email protected]
💻www.amrutapotdarslp.com

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

Amruta Potdar

An SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) can help in many different ways and for a variety of skills - speech and language development, late talkers, speech sounds, stuttering, nasal voice, hoarse voice, loss of spoken language due to brain injury, alternative and augmentative communication methods, feeding and swallowing development, breastfeeding/bottle feeding, progression to solids, chewing solids, dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) due to stroke, dementia, executive function skills like planning, organizing, problem-solving, social communication skills, conversation skills, to name a few.

Hi, I am Amruta Potdar, pediatric Speech/Language and Feeding Therapist. I provide in-home and community-based services in Plano, TX and surrounding areas, for young children and their families. DM me or reach out for a free consultation via phone or video call.

📞 214-945-2337
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.amrutapotdarslp.com

"Happy Mommy's Day!" my older child wished me when I woke up this morning. We're all still jetlagged from our trip, and both my girls had been up since 3 am. But they already had an agenda before I woke up 🤩
We had a nice scrumptious breakfast and then we headed out for a walk around the neighborhood. I had told my daughters how I cherished the one-on-one time I got to spend with my Mom during our trip, and that I wished to do the same with them. But they chose Mommy-and-both-daughters special time instead. We ran, played, laughed, talked, and when we came back home, they spent a couple of hours making beautiful and thoughtful cards 🥰

Like most Moms would say, becoming a Mother made me a better person... But I think, becoming a Mother actually made me a better daughter too!!
♥️ My daughters taught me how to express my love to my own Mom.
♥️ My daughters taught me what unconditional love really means.
♥️ My daughters taught me the importance of standing up to my values and beliefs.
♥️ My daughters taught me that I am important and I should take care of myself too.
♥️ My daughters taught me how to listen to my true feelings.
♥️ My daughters taught me what compassion really looks like.
♥️ My daughters taught me the true meaning of the words "I LOVE YOU!"

I feel extra grateful and blessed this Mother's day that I was chosen to be the Mother to these incredible girls.
I am because they are...

❤️ Happy Mother's Day ❤️

Connected again!!!

This is something we take for granted in our busy modern lives... Internet, WiFi, connectivity - this really drives our lives these days. Even though I absolutely loved disconnecting for the past couple of days to cherish the human "connections" that really matter, and to connect with my environment, I will admit that I missed having the power of the Internet to talk to family whenever I wanted, or look up places to eat or shop locally.

As we move along our lives, let's pause every now and then and ask ourselves, "Am I truly connected?" to my kids, my partner, my family and friends, my environment, my purpose, my spirit?

The Solar Eclipse event happened 3 days ago. Not only was it a surreal experience, but it truly left a mark on me...

First, the anticipation⌛the build up before the event. From learning the science behind it with the kids, and learning about different beliefs in different cultures, to gathering all the supplies, learning the vocabulary and new concepts, all so exhilarating!

Next, the day of the event. We had a heavy cloud cover all morning with some drizzling ⛅ But then, like magic the clouds gave way and we were able to watch the whole event pretty much uninterrupted! Everyone who could, stopped what they were doing, and came out to watch 😎 Even if only for a few moments, we practiced "being present", being still, being silent, being one with nature....

Now, as everyone has moved on, I can't help but think the profound effect this whole experience has had on me... I can't help but think - us humans may have made huge advancements, but it still takes the Moon to cover the entire Sun, for us to even lay eyes on its shining glory. And once the Sun is out, the brightness is rejuventaing 🌞

Isn't life like that? Our worries and problems, even others' judgements, often cloud our thoughts. And sometimes they even engulf our thoughts completely. But in those darkest moments, life's hardest and most important lessons are learned. And when it's time, the brilliance in the love, hope, and knowledge we have shines so bright, nothing can dampen our spirit!

Often, the families I work with are grappling with a new or feared diagnosis, or are frustrated because of lack of support or progress. As the saying goes, "the darkest hour is right before dawn". And once you find your light, there is no looking back!

If you or your child is struggling with speech or language delays, or are unsure about how to advance your child's diet, reach out. Together we can help your child shine bright!
Call, text, email, or just DM me.

📞214-945-2337
📧[email protected]
💻www.amrutapotdarslp.com

Pranks and practical jokes apart....

🌈We can help foster our children's speech, language and literacy skills with Word Play.

🌈Our children are never too young to understand that words can have different meanings in different contexts (multiple meanings), or some words sound the same but don't mean the same and look different (homonyms), and also words can be broken down into smaller parts and how to manipulate these smaller parts (syllables and sounds).

🌈Speech and Language development has an intricate relationship with Reading, Writing, and Literacy development. It is so important to expose our young children to these nuances and build on their curiosity while having fun 🃏

How did you celebrate this fun-day? Let me know in your comments 👇

Yesterday March 19th was International Read to Me Day! This is an international campaign that advocates for children's literacy around the world, with the ultimate goal of empowering communities and contributing towards children's intellectual and social development.

Parents of young children can do so much even in the early infant and toddler years to develop literacy and reading skills in later years. Especially in the early years, speech and language development plays a huge role in reading and literacy development 📚

As a pediatric Speech Therapist, there are very simple yet effective tips I like to share with parents of infants and toddlers.

Join me on Saturday, March 23rd at 11 am for "Words and Wonders". This is a workshop for parents and their young children, and we will discuss and brainstorm simple ways to transform mundane experiences into "wonder"ful moments 🪄

Call, text, or email to BOOK your spot.
📞 214-945-2337
✉️ [email protected]
💻 www.amrutapotdarslp.com

Check out the yummilicious mini pies at The Pie Dish .pie.dish. Their pies are so light and for a foodie like me, perfect not just for desserts 🥧 but even with my mid-day coffee ☕

Julia, I love your story and how you are following your heart and dreams... Celebrating women in our communities doesn't have to stop on Women's Day. Let's cheer each other throughout the weeks, months, and years 💞

Go grab your mini pies and celebrate Pi Day with your families this week on Thursday (3.14) 😋 That's what my foodie family will be doing anyway 😁

Want to learn from experts how to build your child's skills while playing with them?

I'm Amruta Potdar and I'm a pediatric Speech and Feeding Therapist. I'm partnering with Dr. Ivy .explorers.therapy.pt and together we're bringing a workshop for toddlers AND their parents.

This is your opportunity to learn tips and tricks to grow your child's vocabulary, help them speak sentences, and reduce frustration when they are talking to you.

The first class is tomorrow March 9th at 11 am at Parker-Chase Preschool of Plano

Call, text, or email to BOOK your spot!
📞 214-945-2337
✉️ [email protected]
💻 www.amrutapotdarslp.com

Remember this gem from the good old days? I used to argue with my husband over holding on to such things from the past. Until......

One day our older daughter who was 2 at the time found a new way of using it 😄

Stay tuned to find out how our daughter played with this alarm clock...

Does your toddler play with everyday objects more than their toys? Join us for the first class of the Caregiver and Child workshop this Saturday, March 9th at the Parker-Chase Preschool of Plano. We will share the importance of play in your child's speech and language development and how you can use simple everyday objects to teach new words and concepts.

Contact today and book your spot!
📞 214-945-2337
✉️ [email protected]
💻 www.amrutapotdarslp.com

We started meal-planning with the kids a little over a month ago. We've now settled into a routine - we all come together as a family, look at what we have available, discuss what each of us would like to eat that week, talk about the time, effort and resources needed to prepare each meal, and come up with a plan. We have very few rules - we cannot repeat the same meal each week, and we have to incorporate all the colors of the rainbow. And the weekends are usually flexible.
The kids are loving this! The adults are loving this! We end up spending 30 minutes to an hour discussing and planning, but also talking about our schedules, wishes, and it gives us a chance to educate our children about healthy eating choices, cultural foods, and they are open to trying new foods because they know that their favorites were also included.
Now, we still have struggles with making healthy choices when it comes to snacks 🍫 but it's a start!

I understand that this strategy may not work with all families. But in all areas of life (not just meals), when we give our children agency (freedom of choice within limits), and also the power to make the choices that are important to them (sense of significance and belonging), we become partners and truly give them the space to grow.

So, today is pizza day! And although we have all the supplies to make healthier homemade pizza, I feel like we may not have the bandwidth to actually cook tonight. And if we end up buying pizza tonight, instead of beating myself up for caving in, I will relish the flavors and enjoy the fact that there won't be many dishes in the sink 😀

Maybe it's the weather 🌧 but anybody else feeling the feels today?

Met this wonderful person yesterday - Chelsea your work is so inspiring!! Hopefully we can partner some day and I can join your mission of spreading more joy through music and movement.

💗 Your story about the child who started communicating after they started dancing with you was really touching 💗

This is just another example of the importance of following the child! Our job as the significant adults in our children's lives is to truly connect with them and lean into their interests. And when we let our children lead the way, MAGIC happens! They show us what they are truly capable of.

Maybe it's the warm Spring breeze in my hair this morning, but this heartwarming story and the beautiful tulips in my neighborhood remind me of this 🌷quote🌷 I read recently...
"Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful." - Jim Carrey

Let's be that ☀️ light ☀️ in our children's lives!

If you are concerned about your child's speech/language or feeding development, or just want to learn how you can help your child grow to their highest potential, get in touch today. I provide Speech and Feeding Therapy services for children 0-12 years. I also provide parent coaching and caregiver/child classes.

📞 214-944-2337
✉️ [email protected]
💻 www.amrutapotdarslp.com

Play is important not just for our children, but also for us!

💜 It helps us bond with our children, know about their interests, and helps us co-regulate with our children.
💙 We can also teach our children concepts, problem solving, planning and ex*****on, all while connecting with them in fun ways.
💚 And no, we don't need any special toys for this... We just focus on connecting with our children and let the magic happen 🌟

Comment below to let me know how you played with your children today 🎲🧩🎳🎮

To learn more about how you can use play and everyday routines to help your child develop speech and language, get in touch today!

📞214-945-2337
✉️ [email protected]
💻amrutapotdarslp.com

Beautiful things happen when you let your children lead the way......

❤️ Collaboration - we looked at the recipe together, they helped delegate jobs based on their interests and preferences
💚 Problem Solving - we tweaked the recipe because we didn't have all the ingredients, but brainstormed which substitutions would be appropriate and why
💙 Sensorial learning - they were involved in every part of the process - peeling, grating, mixing, forming the dough, making the patties, frying, serving - using all of their senses and as a bonus they were more open to trying new foods
💜 But the best part of this all was when they made and served hubby and me some coffee with love notes 😍😍

Beautiful things happen when children lead the way....

LOVE IS
Hugging your loved ones
Being present in the moment
Following your child's lead
Entering your child's magical world
Letting go.....

The language of LOVE needs no words!
💜 A simple hug, a gentle smile, showing your loved one that you are there and you have their back... especially when they struggle.
💙 Being their safe place, being their happy place, being that constant so they can explore their worlds at their own pace.
💚 As we hold our littles today, let them show us what inspires them, what motivates them, and let's join in their wondrous play!
❤️ Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

To learn more about how to follow your child's lead and nurture their speech and language development through play and everyday routines, get in touch today!

📞 214-945-2337
✉️ [email protected]
💻 www.amrutapotdarslp.com

🌟 Exciting News! Introducing My Brand New Website! 🌟

Hey everyone,

I am super thrilled to announce the launch of my brand new website!

💫 https://www.amrutapotdarslp.com/ 💫

This website is the result of weeks of hard work and collaboration with the Cued Creative team (https://www.cuedcreative.com/), aimed at creating a user-friendly experience for all visitors. I truly believe you'll find the new site informative, engaging, and easy to navigate.

Here's what you can expect to find:

💡Fresh Look and Feel: My website got a modern makeover with a sleek design and intuitive interface. It's now easier than ever to find the information you need.

💡Enhanced Features: New features have been added to enhance your browsing experience, including improved search functionality, interactive elements, and more.

💡Mobile Responsive: Access my website anytime, anywhere, on any device! My site is fully optimized for mobile, ensuring a seamless experience on smartphones and tablets.

💡Get Involved: Explore opportunities to connect with me further, whether it's through social media, newsletters, blogs, or joining community events.

I couldn't be more excited to share this milestone with you. My new website represents my commitment to serving you better and providing valuable resources that empower and inspire.

So go ahead, click the link below and explore today!

✨ https://www.amrutapotdarslp.com/ ✨

Don't forget to spread the word and share your feedback. Your input is invaluable as I continue to improve and grow.

❤️ Thank you for your support!❤️

Warm regards,
Amruta Potdar, SLP
💻https://www.amrutapotdarslp.com/
📞+1-214-945-2337
📧[email protected]