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2012 PAL Awards
Play on Words speech and language expert Sherry Artemenko recognizes exceptional toys, games and books that encourage language, spark fun and invite creative play.
all PAL Award winners
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Win a PAL Award for toys, books & games:
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PAL tips
Video reviews of our PAL Award winners with tips on how to advance language through play • see PAL tips... ►
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new reviews
Read our reviews of the latest in toys, games and books • read reviews... ►
sherry in the news
Get the Flash Player to see this player.In this interview, Sherry Artemenko tells News 12 Connecticut about the latest toys that can help children’s development and learning. See more Sherry’s news... ►
- “Thank you Sherry! You are a BIG help and Max adores you.”
Maria, mother of a 5 year-old boy
Fairfield, CT
Category Archives: Preschool
“Little Kids’” Bubbles for Speech Therapy
Most parents think of bubbles as a summer activity–kids chasing down the clear, multi-sized spheres to pop in delight. Certainly they are a great source of outside entertainment, but speech therapists use bubbles all year round and bubbles are one … Continue reading
Best “Toy Story 3″ Toys for Creative Play, Speech Therapy
Wow, Toy Story 3 has only been out a few weeks and I am seeing products everywhere. I even went to the grocery store and saw Toy Story cookies and cakes. How do parents sift through all the offerings and … Continue reading
Costumes Transform Toddlers to Imaginary Land
Pretend play begins after a child’s first year as they offer an empty cup to a teddy bear or cover him up with a washcloth to stay warm. Little kids love to act out their everyday experiences, copy Mom and … Continue reading
Play-Doh Uses in Speech Therapy and Play
Once again, I saw the advantages of having a ittle Play-doh on hand. One of my more creative players, Duncan, was setting up his Playmobil boat, van and trailer, As he was requesting the Mom figure and then the Dad … Continue reading
Typical Peers Helpful to Children with Autism in Speech Therapy
This is part two of my blog about the advantages of having a typical peer join your speech therapy session. Yesterday I talked about the impact a typical peer can have on a child with autism in play. In my … Continue reading
Autistic Kids and Typical Peers for Play in Speech Therapy
It is well known that providing typical peers for play with children on the autism spectrum is helpful as they learn from models of appropriate play. Good programs for ASD children provide for “reverse mainstreaming” where typical peers enjoy the … Continue reading
Conversation in Pretend Play
When parents and therapists model conversation in pretend play, kids start to imitate them and learn to take turns in conversation with their little toy pets or people. Caroline’s mom had asked me what things she could be doing with … Continue reading
The Influence of TV on Preschoolers
When I was visiting 3 year-old Will, he requested that we have a “scavenger hunt.” Now I have been known for my “candy hunts” I conduct on family vacations where I send kids off with a set of clues to … Continue reading
Putting Little People in Preschool Play
I have several parents who encourage me with their application of ideas that I have taught them. I am always trying to teach parents what to look for in a toy that builds language and how to set up great … Continue reading
Kids’ Dollhouses From Homes to Treehouses
Kids’ dollhouses provide a wonderful backdrop for pretend play, as children re-enact their common experiences of eating, dressing, cleaning up, going out to play, taking naps and bathing. Dollhouses come in all sizes and levels of complexity. I have used … Continue reading
