see full child development video archive below
Ask your Child Development questions anytime here.
Who hasn’t had questions about their child’s development? This free virtual workshop series will feature specialists such as Physical and Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Developmental Specialists, and Behavioral Health Clinicians. They will cover frequently asked questions, offer video and other presentations, as relevant, and answer questions directly from attendees. This community supports aim to integrate resources for families to achieve optimal physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development for their children, and easily accessible education for themselves.
Workshops will be held on the Second Friday of each month, see upcoming workshops below. Check back periodically or visit our Events Calendar to see the upcoming workshops.
Workshops:
Second Friday of Every month
from 10:00 AM to 11:00 am
Ask a Specialist Topic
Interactive workshops led by early childhood professionals address a wide range of topics related to child development and parenting strategies.
Fourth Friday of every month
FROM 10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM
ASK A SPECIALIST - DROP-IN
Have questions about your child’s development? For one hour every fourth Friday of the month you can drop in and connect with a Development Specialist to get your specific questions answered. This services is completely free of charge
ABBIE NELSON, Development Specialist
I graduated with a double major in Behavioral Science and Health, and Sociology, from the University of Utah. I worked as a Social Worker with teens, before moving to Los Alamos. I have 4 children, 3 of which are on the Autism spectrum. I have worked locally in Early Intervention for over 5 years.
Past specialist workshops
What is Neurodiversity? How can you support someone with neurodiversity traits?
Max Darling and Jess Brennan cover many topics around Neurodiversity (ND):
•What is ND?
•Obsticals for ND
•ND inclusive play
•Sensory aides
•Harmful stemming
•Frequent areas of strength for autistic children and the way they play
•Language and behaviors
•Body and body autonomy
Sources:
"This Graphic Shows What the Autism Really Looks Like." - Nera Birch
"Autistic Adults" - Louise Bradley
Support related to infant feeding
Our lactation specialist talks about options for feeding infants and finding support to help with this stage of child development.
Find more family services Las Cumbres Offers
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/community-services
INFANT MASSAGE - Ask a Specialist
Why should I think about massaging my infant?
When is massage a good option for an infant?
How do I Massage my infant?
Related video
Ask your child development questions anytime
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/ask-a-specialist
ORAL MOTOR MILESTONES
FOR CHILDREN 0 TO 3 YEARS
What to expect, when to get help
In this video we will answer:
What is Oral-Motor Development?
What should I expect at each stage of development?
When should I seek developmental support?
Ask your child development questions anytime:
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/ask-a-specialist
Picky eating video
CORE STRENGTH
Playful ways to get your infant to improve their core strength and why it is important.
Ask your child development questions anytime.
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/ask-a-specialist
See workshop about kids in containers
Videos featured in workshop
Flying Baby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWgPmXLurjs
Wrestle Play - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1MB7_1zvRs&t=79s
Say What? Support clearer communication for children ages 0 to 3.
Teal Radford, Speech-Language Pathologist, discusses Speech Intelligibility and answers some critical questions when it comes to assisting your child in developing their speech.
What is intelligibility? Does it relate to intelligence?
When is a good time to start working on speech articulation with a child?
Video Links
Practice word list for toddler vocabulary
Resources Las Cumbres Community Services provides
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/las-cumbres-resource-guide
We want to hear from you!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SpeechIntelligibility
Gross Motor - Why kids shouldn't be in containers all the time (Jumpers, exersaucers, carseats)
Workshop links:
Can DBT skills help you?
Do you have everyday stresses? Feel like you should have approached social situations differently?
This is an overview of DBT to show what a session looks like and how it could possibly help you.
Free Virtual DBT Group Every Thursday
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/dbt-skills
Find other workshops and groups
How does language develop differently when learning more than one first language? What’s the best method for teaching my kid to be bilingual? Why does my child understand both languages but prefer speaking English? In this Ask A Specialist workshop we hear from a speech-language pathologist to answer these questions and more!
How did we do? Send us your feedback. Let us know any workshops you would like to see.
Feeding Series • part one
Understanding why children will not eat. What are mealtime myths?
How to support children during meals. When should I see a specialist?
Show links
Informative Facebook groups for parents of picky eaters
Send us some feedback
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCCS_PickyEaters
How do I get my child to touch new textures? I'm stuck in a rut - what are some new ideas for sensory play? What are some ideas for incorporating smell, sound, touch, or movement?
Ask your child development questions anytime
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/ask-a-specialist
Vision links
https://www.webmd.com/baby/video/video-newborn-vision
https://youtu.be/MitrzhlwWYE
Obstacle Course links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fkIXxkzPcc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLXVmVMgmV4
Want to learn more about Occupational Therapy?
Let us know how this video worked for you
LEGS AND MOVEMENT DEVELOPMENT
Including toe walking and W sitting. Why does my child walk with his feet pointing in? (pigeon toe). Is walking on tiptoes typical? Why does my child roll his ankles in?
Have questions about a child's development? Ask us!
https://www.lascumbres-nm.org/ask-a-specialist
Let us know how if this video was informative and fill out a short survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Lower-Extremities
Las Cumbres Los Alamos Center
https://goo.gl/maps/xXUtPmD98gANBD2q9
Physical Therapy Workshop - mentioned in video
Kids in Containers Workshop - mentioned in video
GENDER AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Our Behavioral Health Specialist and Development Specialist discuss how to support the gender/social-emotional development of children.
Workshop links
Gender Unicorn - Defining the difference between gender identification, sex, gender expression
Tell us how we did - workshop survey
Ask your questions about child development here
APPS & TECHNOLOGY SCREENTIME
• A PANEL DISCUSSION •
What is ideal for use of screentime & technology for children? This question has multiple answers.
A Development Specialist, Occupational Therapist, and Speech-Language Pathologist discusses
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendation
A free virtual workshop featuring a Speech-Language Pathologist & Development Specialist that addressed detecting early signs of childhood autism and what you can do to support your child.
Links:
5 Signs of ASD in Babies Two Years or Younger
Resources:
www.autismspeaks.org
Cari Ebert Seminars
Various autism blogs
CDC – lots of free handouts
www.super-duper.com
Local School District
www.autismlink.com
The Autism Navigator - videos
Does the back-to-school and activities schedule bring along stress & anxiety? Our Behavioral Health team discusses ways to combat stress and planning ways to reduce your weekly stresses.
Let us know how we did, please fill out survey
CIRCLE OF SECURITY® PARENTING™ PROGRAM
Overview of a popular program that strengthens your relationship with your child. Understand the connection between your child’s behaviors and their emotional needs. Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions now and into the future.
Workshop Links
Circle of Security Diagram
https://circleofsecurityinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/toddler-diagram.png
Tell us how we did
PRACTICING MINDFULNESS WITH TODDLERS & YOURSELF
Our Behavioral Health Specialist discusses the use of mindfulness with toddlers and how it could benefit you as a caregiver.
Workshop Links
Dr. Gabor Maté Mindfulness Movie Trailer
https://thewisdomoftrauma.com/portfolio-item/about-the-film-3/
Using the Whole Brain - Mindfulness Chart
https://lascumbres.squarespace.com/s/Whole-Brain-Child-summary-chart.pdf
I am Peace - A Mindfulness Book
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnR5HDfR3JI
https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Peace-Book-Mindfulness/dp/141972701X/
Let us know if this workshop is helpful
In this workshop, we will describe what skills are foundational to communication and how these skills build on each other to prepare your toddler to speak! Have you ever wanted to translate that "bah bah bah" language your baby is making? Well, you may have a better idea of what they are telling you after this workshop. Links for workshop
Links for Communication Milestones Workshop
Example of social skills: Communicating without words • Example of reduplicated babbling • Example of variegated babbling • Example of jargoning • Common First Words • Vocabulary Milestones
Was this video helpful or fall short? Let us know click here
Additional Resources
Vision & Development in Infants & Toddlers
A look at how vision develops and what to do when there are concerns.
Friends from New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired teach us how vision develops in infants and toddlers and behaviors to look out for.
Links for workshop
New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Facilitators
Amber Ohlinger, Developmental Vision Specialist
amberohlinger@nmsbvi.k12.nm.us
Sarah Langley, Developmental Vision Specialist
sarahlangley@nmsbvi.k12.nm.us
Padres Unidos is Las Cumbres’ Fatherhood program concentrating on giving insights on parenting and emotion regulation skills, to give fathers the tools to be present in a child’s life. Questions/topics willing to discuss: Family Court, CYFD process, Substance abuse, emotion regulation.
Workshop links:
What to look for, and how to encourage fine hand skill development for young children Did you know that Kindergarten teachers have noticed steep declines in fine motor skills over the past several years? Why is this and what can parents and caregivers do to help children develop these skills? Join us as we discuss normal fine motor development in infants, toddlers, and young children. Discover fun and easy ways to incorporate activities that build hand skills into your daily routines
Let us know if this video was helpful or offer feedback.
Links for Hand Skills Workshop
Link to Happy Handwriter video • Milestones for Fine Motor skills • 50 Activities for Fine Motor Activities 30 more activities for Fine Motor Activities
What is an Occupational Therapist and why would your child need one? Find that out plus answers to why your kids bouncing off the walls or you can't get them moving. All it might take is an adjustment to their senses. Camille & Abbie discuss the ways your five senses affect mood and behavior.
Let us know how we did. Click here to fill out survey.
Workshop Links
Motor Skills Checklist • Pooh photo • YouTube Smash Cake • Changing Alertness Level
Las Cumbres Community Services Fatherhood Program - Padres Unidos
Program Manager, Angelo Sandoval, covers the benefits of having an active father figure in a child's life.
GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW • PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Who hasn’t had questions about their child’s development? This free virtual workshop series features a Physical Therapist and Developmental Specialists. They will give an overview of gross motor development for infants and address typical and atypical movements for toddlers. If you find this video helpful please let us know!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCCSGrossMotorFeedbackSurvey
Questions or for more information contact us by filling out the form below