Big Little Learners



Asking kids “How was your day?” typically results in it was “fine” or “good”. If you want more info ➡️ try asking open-ended questions!

Open-ended questions allow your child to explain some part of their day. Some of our favorites are➡️
💛 what was the best thing to happen to you today
💛 what was something new you learned today?
💛 what was the worst thing to happen today?

Our back-to-school kit helps kids build social-emotional and communication skills to help kids be as successful as possible going back to school. You can purchase the kit here➡️ https://www.etsy.com/listing/1769909536/

It is NORMAL to feel lonely or sad sometimes being a stay-at-home mom. It can be an incredibly isolating experience & it is SO important to take care of yourself while being an amazing mama.

Biggest piece of advice to avoid the stay-at-home blues➡️plan activities outside of the house! Being at home all day with a little one with no adult interaction can be alot🩵

Things to do➡️
💛Go to storytime at your local library & embrace meeting new mom friends.
💛Get outside. Being in nature and moving your body is good for your mental health & your babies.
💛Participate in a baby class- we love
💛Take a baby friendly class like

If you’re experiencing deep sadness/depression or loneliness you are not alone and there is help out there! Postpartum depression is real - if you need help connecting with services contact us we would love to help 💗

3 ways to have meaningful interactions with your kids➡️

💛Do what they like to do! For example: play video games, play with dolls, set up trains, etc. Kids are the most engaged when they are doing something they love.
💛Go on an adventure 🗺️! Learning about something new or exploring a new area is a fun bonding experience and gets your child (and you) out of your usual routine.
💛Plan a weekly game night! Having weekly fun traditions is a great way to get to know each other. We often get caught up in the day-to-day and forget how important this is❤️

Check out our Despicable Me family game night fun packet @ https://biglittlelearnersinc.etsy.com/listing/1751463144 for great ways to bond with your kids!

Want to get your child talking and saying more words? Try these 3 simple tips!

1. Target words LAST
2. Repeat, repeat, repeat!
3. Pair words with ACTIONS

Be consistent and try to implement these strategies in your daily life!

Why Should Kids Learn About Emotions?

🌟when we teach our children about emotions we normalize BIG feelings.
🌟our kids know that we are there for them no matter what they are feeling.
🌟when children/teens have the words to describe how they are feeling they can ask for help!
🌟promotes wellness & empathy.
🌟helps our kids feel like they are not alone in their feelings ❤️.
🌟gives kids the tools 🛠️ to cope with big emotions in healthy ways.

Our Inside Out workbook teaches kids about emotions through activities, games & interactive worksheets. To purchase your copy today go to https://biglittlelearnersinc.etsy.com/listing/1756237119 or hit the link in our bio!!

Telehealth sessions with kids are interactive! Video sessions are NOT for every child/teen BUT they can be great for kids who like computer time, have a hard time getting to sessions, & are engaged in the process.

During sessions we ➡️
💛play games
💛do activities
💛talk about feelings
💛build emotional regulation & coping skills.

Kids express themselves through play! Sessions must allow kids to play even during a video session 🌟

How to help you with your child cope with separation anxiety➡️

1. Create a goodbye ritual➡️ Create a short & sweet way to say goodbye 👋 giving your child your full attention to help with the transition.
2. Be consistent➡️ when children know what to expect 📅 it fosters trust & independence.
3. Be specific about when you will return➡️ tell your child when you will be back (for example I will be back after snack 🍩 )and be on time. When kids understand mommy/daddy always comes back it lessens anxiety.
4. Practice being apart➡️ It can be hard on them & you to be apart. Practice gradually increasing the amount of time you are apart this will help the transition to school 🍎!
5. Don’t sneak away ➡️ Trust is an important piece of decreasing separation anxiety. When you sneak away that trust is broken 💔

Grounding exercises work by encouraging kids to focus on the things around them, instead of the unhelpful thoughts 💭 & feelings 💗 that are bothering them.

Steps 🪜 ➡️

Take a deep breath 😮‍💨 to begin…

5 - LOOK: Look around for 5 things that you can see, and say them out loud. For example, you could say, I see my toys 🧸, I see my dog 🐶 or I see my mom 🧑🏻.

4 - FEEL: Pay attention to your body🧍& think of 4 things that you can feel, and say them out loud. For example, you could say, I feel the soft pillow on my bed, the cold air from air conditioner or the comfy socks 🧦 on my feet.

3 - LISTEN: Listen for 3 sounds. It could be the sound of traffic 🚨 outside, the sound of typing or the sound of your tummy rumbling. Say the three things out loud
2 - SMELL: Say two things you can smell 👃🏽 . If you can’t smell anything at the moment or you can’t move, then name your 2 favorite smells 🌸 🍪 .

1 - TASTE: Say one thing you can taste. It may be the toothpaste from brushing your teeth 🪥 , or a mint from after lunch. If you can’t taste anything, then say your favorite thing to taste.

Take another deep breath 😮‍💨 to end.

ℹ️

It’s okay to let go of relationships, friends, and even family members that are toxic. It is NOT true (or the “healthy choice”) that you have to have a relationship with someone “just because” they are your parent, sibling, or friend. You can love someone and also know they are not good for you.

Helpful ways to let go of someone:
1. Communicate your thoughts and feelings directly and clearly.
2. Set clear boundaries.
3. Go no contact

This post was not meant for victims of domestic violence. If you or someone you love is in an abusive relationship the first and most important step is maintaining safety. Leaving an abusive relationship can be unsafe* if you or someone you love needs help 🆘 contact the national domestic violence hotline @ 1.800.799.7233 or Text “START” to 88788.

Mental health disorders are common for kids. 1 in 6 children aged 2-8 has a mental, behavioral or mental health disorder.

Estimates for ever having a diagnosis among children aged 3-17 years ➡️

* ADHD 9.8% (approximately 6 million)
* Anxiety 9.4% (approximately 5.8 million)
* Behavior problems 8.9% (approximately 5.5 million)
* Depression 4.4% (approximately 2.7 million)

ℹ️ from the CDC


After a much needed break we’re back!! We are currently taking new clients for both speech and mental health therapy.

💛 Private pay Speech therapy offered in person in Nassau county or virtually.

💛 Mental health therapy offered virtually most major health insurances accepted.

To schedule your free consultation feel free to send an email to [email protected] !!

In light of everything going on in the world and especially in Israel we are taking a social media break to take care of
ourselves and our families.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed by the news & social media you’re not alone.

During this time if you or a loved one needs support we can be reached by email at [email protected]

How to talk to your kids about the Israel-Hamas War:

🔹Be Clear, honest & age appropriate

🔹Avoid labeling people as good or bad based on religious beliefs

🔹Reassure them you’re doing everything you can to keep them safe

🔹Provide them a safe space to talk about their fears & thoughts

✌

To celebrate the beginning of the school year and promote our new feelings workbook we offering a chance to win incredible tools ⚒️ to build your child’s emotional and social health.

Enter to win our feelings workbook, & one of our favorite books- a spot of feelings with matching plush toys! With these tools ⚒️ your child will develop the foundation to cope with their feelings in a healthy way!

To win 🏆 ➡️
1. Follow our account
2. Like this post
3. Tag 3 friends below
4. Bonus point for sharing this post! *
5. We will pick 1 winner at random to win all 3 prizes. 2 additional lucky winners will win a copy of our feelings workbook!!

* Enter by October 15th, 2023 12 AM EST

*please note this giveaway is not sponsored by amazon, Etsy or Diane Alber !

There are 6 different types of coping skills-
1. Self -soothing: things that comfort your 5 senses.
2. Distraction: Doing something to take your mind off of what’s bothering you
3. Opposite Action: Doing something that’s opposite your impulse that’s more consistent with a positive emotion)
4. Mindfulness: Tools for centering & grounding yourself in the present moment
5. Emotional Awareness: Tools for identifying & expressing your feelings
6. Crisis plan : Contact information & resources for when coping skills aren’t enough

So which coping skill is for you? Which coping skill is for your child? Check out or stories to find out!!

Back to school gift basket! 🚌✏️📚📓👩‍🏫

School is officially back in session! Gifting your child with a back to school basket is a great way to commemorate and celebrate the start of a new school year.

Start with a cute rope basket and add fun, school-themed items!

Basket includes:
- Fall themed puzzle
- Fuzzy football blanket
- Football F***y pack
- Ninja Turtles mess-free coloring pad
- Paw Patrol electric toothbrush
- Alphabet sweatsuit

All items (including basket) are from

Check out similar items you can find on in our stories!

Consequences vs. Punishments

🟡 A consequence is a direct result of a child’s behavior. For example I didn’t study for math exam and I flunked the exam. F grade=consequence.
🟡 Can be logical (taking away driving privileges when teen misses curfew) or natural (you don’t brush your hair and you get knots in your hair)
🟡Consequences can be effective tools to changing behavior.

🟡 A punishment is not always linked to a child’s behavior and can include yelling, criticizing, embarrassing, threatening, taking away privileges, or physical harm (also called corporal punishment or spanking).
🟡Punishments often make children feel guilt, shame about who they are versus the “bad” behavior.
🟡Punishments can also increase feelings of anger towards parents.

Before becoming a mom, I had everything planned out - I had all the early intervention & behavioral training in my back pocket. I was SO sure that I wouldn’t be co-sleeping or breast-feeding, & was I absolutely certain that I would NEVER choose to be a stay-at-home mom.

Then came Benjamin & everything I thought I wanted changed 😆!! My preconceived notions of motherhood dissolved, and I embraced a different approach. It's perfectly okay (& normal) to deviate from what you once believed to be the ideal path for your family. Real-life situations can shift what you need & want & that is okay!!!. 💛 Jennifer

Happy Tuesday! Please take minute to review our business on Google!! Thank you!

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Speech & Language Development Red Flags 🚩

It’s important to note that a child not meeting his/her milestones does not necessarily mean language delay or disorder is guaranteed!

But if your child is showing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have him/her evaluated by a Speech-Language Pathologist.

To celebrate 🎉 our 3 year anniversary we will be gifting one of our followers a gift card to one of our favorite retailers!!

To win 🏆 ➡️
1. Follow our account
2. Like this post
3. Tag 3 friends below
4. Bonus point for sharing this post! *
5. We will pick 1 winner at random to choose a $50 gift card to Starbucks, Amazon, or Target.

* all entries must be done by 05/31 @ 12 AM!!
*winner will be announced this June!!!

*please note this giveaway is not sponsored by target, Amazon or Starbucks.

New to the Big Little Learners Crew!! 🌈

We finally got our two little ones, Benjamin & Dylan together to play 💛

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR 2023

We are currently accepting new clients for:
💛Speech/language Services
💛Mental Health Counseling

⭐️ Speech/language therapy: private in home 1:1 sessions (in Long Island, NY area)
⭐️Mental Health counseling: individual and/or family counseling services using a cognitive behavioral approach (offered virtually)

Send us an email at [email protected] or fill out the Service Request Form on our website! Biglittlelearners.com

Hi 👋 Jennifer here! As a new mom & a therapist it has been so important for me to protect my mental health. Having Benjamin has been a beautiful but challenging (sleep deprivation is real 🥱)!!

5 ways I protect my mental health as as a new mom & therapist ➡️

1. Set & maintain boundaries. I can’t do everything I did before having a baby and that’s ok. For me that’s meant not driving with the baby at night, saying no to visitors & not taking on more than I can handle.
2. Let go! I love a clean house 🏡 it’s so hard that my space will not be up to my standards right now and letting go of that ideal has been a challenge. I prioritize what would drive me the most crazy and focus on maintaining those areas (for me bathroom/kitchen)!
3. Ask for help!!! We have two dogs 🐶 at home and it’s impossible for me to be their primary caretaker right now so asking my partner to take on that responsibility is so helpful.
4. Having a new mommy squad! Lucky for me two of my best friends had babies at the same time. Without their constant support and love I couldn’t get through everything ❤️
5. Be in the moment! I absolutely adore being a mom & I practice gratitude daily to be able to have my son & spend so much time with him while he’s little 👶

16 GESTURES BY 16 MONTHS

⭐️Gestures 👋 are precursors to words 🗣️
⭐️Children typically have 16 gestures by 16 months (order of acquisition may vary)
⭐️Children learn gestures through observation & imitation
⭐️MODEL gestures often in everyday life to help your child learn them

9 MONTHS
🌟shakes head “no”
🌟give gesture (gives an object when someone has hand out)

10 MONTHS
🌟raise arms (asking to be picked up)
🌟reach (reach for a desired object)

11 MONTHS
🌟show (holds up and shows objects to others)
🌟wave (to greet)

12 MONTHS
🌟open hand point and tap (fingers spread, tapping fingers to draw attention to something)

13 MONTHS
🌟blow a kiss
🌟clap

14 MONTHS
🌟point with index finger
🌟”shh” gesture

15 MONTHS
🌟head nod (to indicate yes)
🌟thumbs up
🌟hand up (to indicate stop)

16 MONTHS
🌟other symbolic gestures (e.g. high 5, peace sign)

Hello 👋 from our newest Big Little Learner, Benjamin ✨

Jennifer gave birth to Benjamin on 02/22/23! Benjamin loves being held, listening to music, bouncing in his rocker and hates sleeping at night 🥱.

💙

MYTH: bilingualism causes language delay

❌ FALSE

✨Research shows that speaking 2 or more languages does NOT cause language delay or disorder

✨Bilinguals and monolinguals typically have the same vocabulary count at a given age

✨Count all words your child knows across all languages when determining vocabulary size

✨TOTAL VOCABULARY = sum of all words in all languages your child says

Your relationship is the foundation 🏡 for your family! By focusing on your partnership first it benefits your entire family 👩‍👩‍👦. Having a stable, healthy relationship helps kids feels secure & safe. It also models healthy relationships for them.

PRETEND PLAY 🧸
Pretend play is how children learn about the world 🌎

Benefits:
💛 Lets children be symbolic and use objects to represents other objects, people & ideas
💛 Expands vocabulary
💛 Helps develop empathy
💛 Helps children understand others’ perspectives
💛 Helps develop social skills

Encourage pretend play:
⭐️ Model pretend play so that children can imitate you!
⭐️ Model real life routines & events that children are familiar with (mealtime 🥘, bath time 🛁, bedtime 🛌)