A children's book with a focus on functional first words and language enhancing strategies. This book is ideal for:
 
Children 0-4 years of age
Caregivers eager to support the speech language skills of their child
Speech-Language Pathologists
Early Childhood Educators
New parents
 
The idea for Nixon's Engine Words came to me during my first year in motherhood. I had the privilege of implementing specific strategies to support Nixon's speech and language skills because of my career as a speech therapist and I wanted to find a way to share these strategies with other families. I realized I had only ever educated families whose children were already in therapy with identified language delays, but language enhancing strategies are for all children.
 
Each page in my book features an Engine Word. Engine Words are powerful, single words that fuel your child's communication skills. They are words like "help" and "want" that can stand alone to communicate your child's wants and needs, and be generated into longer utterances as your child grows.  The Engine Word is always used by Nixon during a daily activity that is likely part of your daily routine at home. This is intentional - I want to show families that first words and language enhancing strategies can be implemented during small, everyday activities.
 
At the bottom of each page is a caregiver tip - think of this like me being in your home modeling language strategies! Since I can't coach each family who purchases my book (although I would if I could), I designed each caregiver tip to be demonstrated through the dialogue or the illustrations. This way you can see how each tip or strategy is implemented and replicate it in your home with your child. I am so excited to share this book with you and can't wait to see it in your hands! 
 
With gratitude,
Mika