June 10, 2014 – Easter Seals is introducing Toddler Talk, a new group for children age 18 to 32 months and their parent or caregiver.  Toddler Talk focuses on the importance of parent-child interactions for early learning and development.

The group is open to toddlers with or without a language disorder and meets every Thursday, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. for 12-weeks beginning Thursday, June 19.  Sessions are held at Northminster Church in Peoria, and include two nature hikes at Forest Park Nature Center.

Parents will learn to enhance their child’s language skills using play, music, reading and sign language.  Weekly theme-based sessions focus on a variety of ways to use the child’s interest to support communication. Each week a new theme will be introduced and skills modeled.  Parents will be given opportunities to practice the skills in a play-based, natural environment that supports interaction with their child.  Snacks are provided.  Each 90-minute session is directed by an Easter Seals speech-language pathologist with expertise in early childhood language development.

Registrations are being accepted.  There is no cost to participate and the group is limited to eight toddlers and their parent or caregiver.
Details are available on the Easter Seals website at www.ci.easterseals.com <http://www.ci.easterseals.com> .

Call TraceyArahood at 309-686-1177 to request information or to register.