Itty-Bitty Babies: A Group Language Enrichment Program for Children 14-20 months

Itty-Bitty Babies is a fun, group language enrichment program designed for children 14-20 months of age who are developing their language through song, movement and play. This program will focus on exploring communication using sounds, gestures, early words and word combinations. This semi-structured play group will include a brief circle time with music and movement, sensory play, and facilitated play with peers. Play will incorporate summer themes such as water play, outdoor splash pool, shaving cream and beach balls!

Parents are encouraged to participate with their child throughout each session. Direct instruction will be provided as to how to use songs and play as effective tools to facilitate language development, as well as how to encourage natural communication opportunities. Parents' concerns regarding language and speech development, as well as sensory and motor development will be addressed at the end of each session and formal discussions will take place as needed throughout the program.

Little Buddies: A Group Language Enrichment Program for Children 20-48 months

Little Buddies is a fun, group language enrichment program designed for children 20-48 months of age who are developing their language through song, movement and play. This program will focus on exploring communication through theme-based activities and building social relationships with peers. This semi-structured play group will include a brief circle time with music and movement, sensory play, and facilitated play with peers.

Parents' concerns regarding speech, language and social development will be addressed at the end of each session and formal discussions will take place as needed throughout the program.

Chef Buddies: For Ages 3 through 4

A small feeding group focused on encouraging positive interactions with both food and friends. This group focuses on developing strategies for the positive interactions with non-preferred foods and models the "language of food" within the context of positive peer interactions. Weekly food recommendations will be provided to encourage your child to be involved in planning meals at home.

For more information about any of these program, please contact:

Caroline Ferguson, Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

847-480-8890 x27

Amy Levin is a bilingual (English-Spanish) speech-language pathologist. She works with children in a variety of programs and settings throughout Chicagoland including the Erikson Institute, Early Head Start Center in Pilsen, Early Intervention, and at the Cawn-Krantz West Loop location.

Prior to going back to school for speech-language pathology, Amy was a preschool and primary school teacher, as well as a coordinator for educational programs for migrant farmworkers and their families. Speech-language pathology offers Amy the perfect mix of working with families, supporting social development through communication, and creative problem-solving. 

In addition to her work in Chicago, Amy also volunteers with the International Extremity Project in Vietnam, where she works with an international team of surgeons, nurses, and other pediatric rehabilitation therapists to train Vietnamese therapists in speech-language therapy approaches and techniques. She just returned from her fourth trip to Vietnam in January 2013.

Amy received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and earned a Masters' degree in Bilingual/Multicultural Education from the University of Arizona. She also has a Masters' degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University. 

We are so fortunate to have Amy on the Cawn-Krantz team!