Public Speaking: It’s More Than Just Words

Miscellaneous

Public Speaking: It’s More Than Just Words

By Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP

In a recent article I wrote for the ASHA Leader Blog, I shared Ten Tips for Public Speaking that had nothing to do with the words you’ll say. I’m a light-hearted speaker, using lots of humor and storylines to educate my audiences on pediatric feeding. The tips in my article ranged from how I use inspirational lyrics by Taylor Swift to quotes from Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live to maintain momentum in all-day presentations.

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Nov 22

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Just don’t forget the ketchup… or the wine. 🍷

Thanksgiving and picky eaters … it’s always a good time!🎶🎶 😉

❤️ Please share this with someone who needs a little encouragement to get through the upcoming holiday.

🥰 Many thanks to the inspiration for this post, the wonderful Laura Joffe Numeroff, author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie 🍪 ❤️

😘Melanie
#melaniepotock #thanksgivingwithkids #feedingtherapy #asha2024 ...

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Nov 19

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🤍Want to prevent picky eating in your toddler and preschooler?

🤍🤍🤍Here are 3 resources to guide you. But first, let’s rephrase this. Preventing picky eating IS POSSIBLE if a child doesn’t have medical, motor, sensory or other “feeding” issues that are getting in the way of becoming a picky eater.

So…try these three strategies:

1.✨Invest in a really good book to guide you – COMMENT #BOOKS for all my books. The award-winning Raising a Healthy Happy Eater, written with pediatrician Dr. Yum, is a step-by-step guide to raising an adventurous eater!
2.✨Offer about a tablespoon of new food(s) at each meal. Exposure is everything! One tablespoon isn’t a waste if they don’t eat it, because they SAW IT. That’s the first step. (More in the book above.)
3.✨GET HELP EARLY. Please don’t “wait and see” if your kid’s going to grow out of it. One out of four typically developing kids will develop a feeding disorder, where it’s more than picky. Ask your pediatrician for a referral for feeding therapy is you have any concerns, at all.

🤍✨🤍Bonus Tip:
Mark my page as a FAVORITE please, so you get daily tips. I’m so grateful that you’re following me. Thank you!
😘Melanie
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🥛Milk can provide essential nutrients for kids, but when kids just guzzle & go, it doesn’t leave opportunities to explore new foods & become an adventurous eater. And, after baby’s first birthday, many pediatricians recommend switching from formula to whole milk, or possibly introducing whole milk even if breastfeeding.

Psst…You’re going to want to save this post for later…

🥛But…Milk can cause a sudden decrease in appetite & desire for new foods, because…It’s filling. I challenge you to drink a mere 8 ounces of milk in the span of a few minutes. That’s less volume than a typical tall latte & your stomach has a greater capacity for more. Yet, you’ll feel pretty
full, almost immediately.

🥛Same for kids – they go from hungry to satisfied in a matter of minutes.

💩Milk can be constipating if kids are drinking a lot. Constipation shuts down appetite, especially for new foods. Too much milk can also impact iron absorption.

🤔Wonder what to do? If your child can self-regulate milk & sips on it while eating the other food, then no worries! But if they are too dependent on milk to fill little bellies, then serve milk in a small straw cup with a thin straw, so it’s not as easy to guzzle. When it’s gone, there’s still water that can
be refilled. Parent mindfully & compassionately: “You do love milk! We will have some more with
dinner.”

🍪What about snacks? Limiting milk to mealtimes helps kids focus on trying a variety of snacks. But, if you need a quick boost of energy, a small carton of milk with a straw is a terrific snack on the go.

✨The AAP recommends just 16 to 20 oz of milk for kids ages 2 to 5. Kids ages 1 to 2 only need 16 oz (24 max). Other dairy foods or dairy substitutes can be fine alternatives.

✨BONUS fact (AAP)Children ages 12-24 months are advised to drink whole milk and children 2 and older nonfat (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk”
🥰Melanie
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❤️This is educational content only - not medical advice. ...

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