For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA
Marketing & Communications Department
973.822-9622 ext. 2241

For Immediate Release 

Empowering Toddlers Through the Use of Language:
Talking Tots Speech Program Enrolling Now at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center

CAPTION: Pediatric speech and language pathologist Margot Tobias, M.S., CCC/SLP, works with Michael Cahill, 2, from Madison in the Talking Tots classroom at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA.

(Madison, NJ) July 21, 2016 – The Kirby Center’s Talking Tots speech program, the only one of its kind in the area, is enrolling children 18 months to 3+ years old for its fall class. Entering its third year at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA, the half-day program has an intensive focus on speech and language acquisition and development and is available 2 to 5 days per week.

The first three years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. Talking Tots is designed for all children to engage in language-based instruction for early language development, for children who may be late or reluctant talkers or when English is the second language at home. Talking Tots promotes early language and communications skills, builds correct speech patterns and reinforces conventional speech intervention program goals. A toddler enrichment program, Talking Tots supplements traditional speech therapy.

Talking Tots is taught by a specially-trained teaching team under the direction of licensed, pediatric speech and language pathologist Margot Tobias, M.S., CCC/SLP.

“With direct one-on-one contact with teachers and peer interaction in a small class size, the program promotes confident social interaction and self-esteem through the use of language,” said Ms. Tobias. “It takes advantage of toddlers’ sensitive period for speech/language acquisition and empowers them to find their voices and be effective communicators. The program essentially develops the whole child using a language-intensive, state-approved curriculum.”

Talking Tots encourages confident and expanded receptive and expressive language through communicative temptations to elicit language while building vocabulary, syntax, semantics and phonology. The program empowers children to find their voices and be effective communicators. Additionally, children develop pre-reading interest and readiness.

Talking Tots is offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to12 p.m. For more information about Talking Tots or to register for the fall class, please contact Linda Bartek-Smith at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center at 973-377-4945.

The Madison Area YMCA is a cause-driven charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Generous donations make it possible for everyone in the community to be enriched by the Y, regardless of ability to pay, to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body at any age.

                                                                    ###