Explore our Early Learning Tips, where you’ll find a collection of insightful posts written by our dedicated early learning interventionists, designed to support families during their children’s development across countless essential topics.
Send an email to emontelongo@wavesinc.com for any questions/example requests.
Let’s Be Friends 🫶
By Jen Choate
Making friends takes some practice. 🧡 One way to teach your child about making friends is to read books about friendship. 📚
Check out this reel for some suggestions & visit the link in our bio for more titles! 🔗
#WavesServes #EarlyIntervention #EarlyLearning #Friendship #Nonprofit
Teaching Kindness
By Jen Choate
As our kids are settling into the new school year, they may encounter new friends and notice things that are different from themselves. Let’s promote positive relationships by teaching our children how to treat others kindly. 🧡
EarlyIntervention #BackToSchool #Kindness #Nonprofit #FranklinTN
Make a Referral 📝
By Jen Choate
What do I do if I have concerns about my child’s development? It is better to address these concerns sooner rather than later. You might hear “wait and see” but we feel like “check and see” is the way to go! 🧡
#EarlyIntervention #TEIS #WavesEarlyLearning #EarlyLearning #Referral
New Baby 🍼
By Jen Choate
Welcoming a new baby to your family? Here are some ideas to help your older child with this transition!
#EarlyLearningWaves #FranklinTN #NewBaby #EarlyIntervention #Nonprofit
Back to School = Tired Kids!
By Jen Choate
When your child starts back to school, be prepared that she will be extra tired! 😴 Here are some tips for how to navigate those low-energy times.
#WaveServes #BackToSchool #EarlyIntervention
Back to School – Promoting Independence
By Jen Choate
As your child starts school, start practicing a few things at home so that he can do them more independently. 🎒
EarlyIntervention #BackToSchool #Nonprofit #WavesServes #FranklinTN
Back to School – Bedtime
By Jen Choate
Have the lazy summer days changed your child’s bedtime and morning routines? 💤 We are sharing some tips to get ready for school schedules! 📚
EarlyIntervention #BackToSchool #FranklinTN #Nonprofit #DevelopmentalTherapy
Sibling Support
By Jen Choate
Sometimes kids can be the best teachers! 🧑🏫 When you are working with your child on a specific skill, consider how to involve siblings rather than exclude them. 🧡
#EarlyLearning #DevelopmentalTherapy #WavesServes #FranklinTN #Nonprofit
Potty Training
By Jen Choate
Potty Training Tips – Part 2!
We’re back with more helpful advice to support your potty training journey 🚽 Don’t miss this follow-up!
#EarlyIntervention#PottyTraining#WavesServes#Nonprofit#FranklinTN
Potty Training
By Jen Choate
If your young child is headed to preschool this fall, there may be a requirement that he is potty trained. 🎒 Don’t wait until it is too close to the start of school in case this takes a little longer than you might expect. ⏰ Here are some tips for you! 💡
If you need help, submit a question in the comments or DM us! 📥
#EarlyIntervention#PottyTraining#WavesServes#Nonprofit#FranklinTN
Happy 4th of July from Waves Early Learning! 🎆
By Jen Choate
As you gear up for the fun, don’t forget B.L.A.S.T. to help your celebrations go smoothly. Wishing you a safe and joyful Fourth! 💥
EarlyLearning #WavesServes #FourthofJuly #FranklinTN #Nonprofit
Summer Play & Sensory Activities
By Jen Choate
We are wrapping up our Summer Play with sensory activities! 🌟🕶️☀️
EarlyLearning #TuesdayTips #WavesServes #Nonprofit #FranklinTN
Summer Play & Communication
By Jen Choate
Today let’s talk about talking during summer play time! 💬☀️
#EarlyLearning#WavesServes#TuesdayTips#EarlyIntervention#SummerPlay
Summer Play – Fine Motor Skills
By Jen Choate
Our summer play focus for today is on fine motor activities. ☀️ Just a little prep can provide lots of fun for those little hands and fingers! ✨
#EarlyLearning#WavesServes#SummerPlay#FineMotorSkills
Summer Play – Gross Motor Skills
By Jen Choate
Let’s talk about summertime play! 😎 Today we will look at gross motor activities involving large movements with arms and legs. Have some fun while you get your child moving! 🏃
#EarlyIntervention #WavesServes #WavesEarlyLearning #GrossMotorSkills #SummerActivities
Summer Routine
By Jen Choate
⏰ Schools here are out for the summer and with that may come a more relaxed schedule. ☀️ That sounds fun, but most of us still need some sense of routine! Check out these ideas for summer survival! 💡
#EarlyLearning#WavesServes#EarlyIntervention#SummerIsHere#FranklinTN
Speech, Language & Hearing Month
By Jen Choate & Tara Gilbert
You may get into a pattern of asking yes/no questions or relying on your child’s gestures to know what he wants. Asking open-ended questions or offering choices can encourage your child to try out new words. 🗣️
Watch here for some ideas! 👆
#EarlyLearning #WavesServes #Nonprofit #FranklinTN #SpeechLanguageHearingMonth
Speech, Language & Hearing Month
By Jen Choate & Tara Gilbert
As your child begins to talk, you will most likely hear single words before phrases begin to emerge. Help expand his language by modeling a phrase that is one word longer than what your child currently says. Watch for more details on this “one-up” strategy! 🗣️
#EarlyIntervention #DevelopmentalTherapy #WavesServes #SpeechLanguageHearingMonth #FranklinTN
Speech, Language & Hearing Month
By Jen Choate & Tara Gilbert
May is Speech, Language, and Hearing Month! 🗣️👂
Before a child learns to talk, he may learn to use gestures or signs. Using a gesture or sign is an effective way to communicate and can help avoid your child’s frustration if he can’t tell you what he wants. 🧡
#EarlyLearning #WavesServes #SpeechLanguageHearingMonth
Autism Awareness Month – How to be Neurodiversity Affirming
By Jen Choate
At Waves, we strive to be neurodiversity affirming which means honoring the different ways brains can work. 🧠 As Autism Awareness month comes to an end, here are some ways you can be neurodiversity affirming. 💙
#EarlyLearning#AutismAwarenessMonth#NeurodiversityAffirming#WavesServes#EarlyIntervention
Rainy Day Fun
By Jen Choate
April showers seem to be happening a lot around here 🌦️When you can’t get outside, try some water play indoors!
#EarlyLearning#WavesServes#SpringActivities#FranklinTN#Nonprofit
Autism Awareness Month
By Jen Choate
One great way to show autism acceptance is by supporting loved ones with their special interests. 🌟 Special interests are highly focused and often intense passions around specific topics or activities. Special interests should not be discouraged but rather embraced and celebrated. 💙
#AutismAwarenessMonth#WavesServes#SpecialInterests#EarlyLearning#Nonprofit
Easter Fun
By Jen Choate
Easter egg hunts are often a part of spring activities! 🐰 How can we help our little ones have a fun, successful experience with this event that only comes around once a year? Check out these tips for practicing at home! ✨
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Characteristics of Autism
By Jen Choate
April is Autism Awareness Month!
Let’s recognize this by learning more about Autism. It is estimated that 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the US have Autism. Are you aware of the identifying characteristics of Autism?
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#AutismAwarenessMonth
Mealtime Tips – Get Creative!
By Jen Choate
Change things up to get your child’s attention and make meal or snack time fun. Swipe for suggestions!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Mealtime Tips – Include Your Child in Food Prep
By Jen Chaote
Involving your child in food prep can be helpful to encourage him to try new things. He can see the ingredients individually, before they are combined or touching other ingredients. He can explore each food during prep – see last week’s post about the 5 senses! Set him up with a safe place to stand at the counter or a child’s sized table and chair near where you are working. Swipe through for ideas of how to let your child help!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Mealtime isn’t just for tasting!
By Jen Choate
Help your child explore foods by using all 5 senses. Allowing him to use all of his senses may help to make foods feel safe and may help him try new things. Be sure to model these actions so he can imitate what you are doing!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#MealtimeSenses
Tiny Tasters
By Jen Choate
March is National Nutrition Month – let’s talk about mealtime strategies!
We are starting today with portion sizes. Check back each Tuesday this month for more mealtime tips!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Taking Turns
By Jen Choate
Sharing is a tough concept for our littlest ones to learn! Start by practicing some turn taking using these strategies. 🙌
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Face to Face Interactions
By Jen Choate
You are your child’s best toy! Your expressions, words, and responses are different every time. Get face to face and have some fun! This encourages communication, eye contact, and interaction.
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#FaceToFace
First…Then… 🤔
By Jen Choate
Here are some magic words to help your child move through non-preferred activities with a little motivation. ✨ Simply state “first ________, then _________.” Be sure to name the non-preferred activity first and the preferred activity last. Don’t add any extra words, just use that simple phrase. 🙌
Swipe for some examples! ↗️
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Say What You Mean!
By Jen Choate
How often do you say “No climbing!” or “Stop throwing!” and your child continues to do that behavior? Children do not understand negative phrases and may just hear the last word!
The key is to state your directions by telling your child what you want him to do. Swipe through for some examples.
It is a hard habit to develop because our first reaction is to say “no” in the moment. Try this out and see if your child is better able to follow directions!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#Communication
Winter Indoor Active Play
By Jen Choate
As the winter season continues on and you have done all the cold outside play you can stand, what do you do to keep your child active on days when you have to stay inside? Swipe for some ideas!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#InDoorActivities
Kindness
By Jen Choate
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our children pay attention to the words we use and the ways we treat our family, friends, and people we encounter in the community. ✨ Let’s be the light and show love to those around us. Maybe modeling for our kids will make us better people, too. Some simple things can make a big difference. 🙌
🔎 What are you doing to be a light and show love to those around you?
#MakeWaves#EarlyLearningTips#LearningwithWaves
Kids, Car Seats, and Coats
By Jen Choate
We want our kids to stay warm, but we also want them to stay safe. A bulky winter coat interfered with the safety of the car seat buckles. Buckle your child safely and cover her with a blanket or her coat.
Follow the link in our bio and make an appointment for a car seat check to be installed and buckling your child are set up to keep her safe!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
New Year, New You! 🎉
By Jen Choate
It is the time of year that we tend to think about changes we might need to make in our lives. 💭 Let’s apply this idea to our parenting and family priorities by setting some intentions for the new year. 🧠 Think big picture or consider small changes you would like to make with your family. Here’s to a happier new year! ✨
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Manage the Toy Chaos
By Jen Choate
✨Happy New Year! We hope your holidays have been merry and bright. Do they also leave you feeling overwhelmed with all of the toys? Let talk about managing the chaos so that your child will actually play with those toys! 🧸
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention
Get Ready for Gifts
By Jen Choate
Tis the season for giving gifts! There can be a lot of pressure around giving the perfect gift and sharing a moment of unwrapping pretty packages. If things don’t go as we imagine they will, it can create disappointment for everyone. Here are some tips for our young children and maybe some adults as well. Hope you enjoy this holiday season! 🎄✨
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#HolidaySeason#GiftGiving
Tips for Santa!
By Jen Choate & Nicole Marin
Does Santa need some ideas for a little one on your shopping list? Here are some suggestions from our EI Nikki for different age groups. These are primarily low-tech, interactive toys that create opportunities for interactive play and encourage progress toward developmental milestones. Check out the links for lots of great ideas!
#LearningWithWaves #EarlyLearningTips #MakeWaves #EarlyLearning #FamilyTips #EarlyIntervention #GiftIdeas
Pace Yourself During This Holiday Season! ✨🎄
By Jen Choate
The holiday season brings so many fun things – gifts, food, and activities. The events are endless! These events are all great things, but trying to do them all will wear out your family quickly. Plan ahead to make the season manageable!
For the slides: (maybe a picture of a family/person with a calendar??, happy family at the end!)
#LearningWithWaves #EarlyLearningTips #MakeWaves #EarlyLearning #FamilyTips #EarlyIntervention #HolidaySeason16w
Prep for Holiday S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
By Jen Choate
Holidays are special times, but they can also be stressful. Plan ahead to help make these days a success! ✨🎉
#LearningWithWaves #EarlyLearningTips #MakeWaves #EarlyLearning #FamilyTips #EarlyIntervention #HolidayPrep
Fall Fun!
By Jen Choate
Where we are, the leaves are beautiful colors and are falling as the temperatures cool. There are more things to do with leaves than just raking them and jumping in the pile!
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#FallSeason
Tech Time Q&A
By Katie McDonald
📱✨ It’s time for *Tech Time Q&A* with our amazing Early Learning Interventionist, Katie! Swipe through to review some tips Katie has developed during her time supporting families. 🧠👶 Have more questions about tech time and kids? Drop them below or tune in to tomorrow’s podcast episode of *Waves of Awareness* 🎧 where Katie dives even deeper into all things screen time!
📅 New episode drops TOMORROW! Don’t miss it!
#TechTime #EarlyLearning #ParentingTips #WavesOfAwarenessPodcast #TechAndToddlers
Happy Halloween!🎃🧡
By Jen Choate
Or is it? Keep your expectations reasonable and have an alternative plan in place. Don’t be afraid to change plans if things are not going well. This is all just for fun! 👻
#LearningWithWaves#EarlyLearningTips#MakeWaves#EarlyLearning#FamilyTips#EarlyIntervention#HappyHalloween
Sensory Sensitive Halloween
By Jen Choate
The sights and sounds of Halloween can be fun or frightening. It is just too much for some of us, especially some little ones. Plan ahead to make it a fun night!
AAC Awareness
By Cheryl Vooris
October is AAC Awareness month. What is AAC? It stands for augmentative and alternative communication and describes any methods that support or replace verbal speech. In short, AAC helps people communicate!
Taking First Steps
By Jen Choate
Your baby is almost a toddler! Practice these ideas to help her become strong and secure enough to take those first steps. Feel free to reach out to us at the link in our bio for any questions/example requests! 🧡
Standing Alone
By Jen Choate
Your little one is cruising and may be walking if you hold her hands. You can help her get ready for taking independent steps! Swipe through our post to learn tips for getting your child to stand alone. 🧡
Pulling to Stand and Cruising
By Jen Choate
Your baby is crawling and getting more curious. She will start to use the furniture to get up into a standing position. Teach her the best way to do this for success.
Kneeling
By Jen Choate
Kneeling may not be a milestone you are anticipating, but it is a skill that helps prepare your child for pulling to stand and standing with support. ✨🧡
Keep an eye on our story for visual examples! 🔎
Crawling
By Jen Choate
Now that your baby is rolling and sitting, watch for her to begin getting up on all fours and move toward crawling. Get ready – life is about to become more challenging!
Sitting
By Jen Choate
Watch for signs that your baby is ready to practice sitting by propping with her hands on the floor. You can help her gain strength in sitting alone by trying these strategies.
Rolling ✨
By Jen Choate
As your baby gets stronger while propping up during tummy time, she may be ready to start to roll. You can help her learn to do this! Swipe through the post for tips on helping your child go from tummy time to rolling time!
Tummy Time
By Jen Choate
👶 Tummy time is important for building strength in the upper body to help prepare your baby to roll, sit, and crawl. Sometimes this is a challenge because your baby may not enjoy tummy time or might fall asleep in this position. Let’s talk about how to make tummy time more successful! 🎉
📷 Photo Credit – Baby Ball Exercise : National Foster Care Association Malta Website
Back to School Survival
By Jen Choate
Back to school days can be challenging for everyone! Keep these things in mind for the first few weeks of school.
Your child and family will adjust to the patterns of this school year. Be kind to yourselves as you settle into a new normal!
Make A Referral
By Jen Choate
As the school year starts, you might be thinking about the milestones your child has met and some that he is still working to accomplish. If you have concerns about your child’s development, it can be helpful to have someone take a closer look. In Tennessee, it just takes a few steps!
↗️ Swipe through the slides to learn more! For more details about the process in Tennessee, comment 👟 STEPS and we’ll send you more information. If you don’t live in Tennessee, search for “Early Intervention” and include your state name to find out how to access the services available where you are!
Starting School!
By Jen Choate
School will be starting soon! Whether your child is starting school for the first time, going to a new school, or returning to a familiar one, there is always a transition into something different. Make the beginning of this year go more smoothly with some preparation you can do at home right now! 🎒📝
Our Early Learning team chats about more Back to School Suggestions on Waves of Awareness. Follow the link in our bio to listen now! How will you help your child be ready to start school? ✏️
Mix It Up!
By Jen Choate
Are things getting stir-crazy at your house this summer? Change things up to create some fun experiences! Swipe through the post for ideas! Even little changes can make everyday routines a little more fun. 🤩
Beat the Heat on Hot Summer Days
By Jen Choate
Swipe through the photos for some fun ways to stay cool on these hot days!☀️🍧 What are you doing with your child on hot summer days?
Taste the Rainbow
By Jen Choate
Summer means gardening at our house! 🥕We look forward to picking fresh fruits and vegetables and eating these seasonal foods at their very best. The taste is better! The colors are vibrant! What better time to expose your child to some different foods?
You don’t have to have a garden to do this! Just pay attention to which foods are in season and eat them during that time.
Swipe through the post to see ways to engage your child in eating summer produce. Hope you have fun exploring seasonal foods! 🍓
