Mabel L. Toledo M.S., CCC-SLP, Bilingual Speech and Language Pathologist, leads a child abuse prevention and awareness workshop at Daegu The workshop was hosted by ACS, Camp Henry.
DAEGU GARRISON — “Parenting is one of the hardest jobs and responsibilities that we’ll ever have, and the one that also has the most love.” These words are from Barbara Thompson, Director of DoD’s Office of Family Readiness in a recent news interview. Across the Department of Defense April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention month. Thompson’s expression gives everyone an opportunity to think of what that means, as well as what people should do to make a better family life—as parents or pre-parents.
In celebration of this month, USAG Daegu and Area IV has variety of activities scheduled. Hosted by the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) on Army Community Service (ACS), one such important workshop, “Guest Speaker throughout Area IV” was held. With years of experience to her credit, Mabel L. Toledo M.S., CCC-SLP, Bilingual (English/Spanish) Speech and Language Pathologist, who has been assessing and treating children with communication disabilities for the past 29 years, in support of the scheduled ACS activities, gladly flew to Daegu, South Korea from Connecticut, to be a guest speaker for military parents.
Toledo had three workshops in USAG Daegu and Area IV during the month of April. Her first workshop was for the Daegu American School (DAS) Sure Start Program at Camp George on April 14. That workshop was followed by one for children and parents and professionals at Chinhae Navy Base, and one at ACS on Camp Henry, in support of a Community Baby Shower for pregnant Soldiers.
“The purpose of workshop is to prevent child abuse and educate people on how to handle their child rightly. Most parents can’t remember how they grew up. So, through appropriate workshops and education, they can learn how to prevent tantrums, how to handle a child’s getting frustrated when parents don’t understand him or her, how to teach new words and the reason why they should play with their child, and how to turn a daily routine into a learning opportunity and so on,” Toledo stated.
There are two other workshop sessions that Toledo oversees. She said, “One workshop is aimed at parents of children ages 2 to 5 years of age. Toddler Behavior is challenging. They’re not called the ‘Terrible- Twos’ for nothing. As a parent, you know that the problems often start about 18 months, and some children have issues beyond the third birthday, but the principles are the same whatever the age of your child.”
The guest speaker added that the session focuses on specific strategies that promote and support appropriate behaviors for young children. Participants learn how to focus on the positive behaviors of their children, and are given specific tools to manage the negative behaviors. Tips for supporting self-regulation were given, as well as opportunities for parent reflection.
Continuing to explain the purpose behind the sessions, Toledo pointed out that another invites parents of children 1 to 5 years of age to focus on strategies to help children enhance their communication interaction, language use and understanding. “Research and practice during this workshop has shown that these strategies are effective in promoting the communication of infants, toddlers and young children with and without disabilities.” Toledo said.
Wrapping up the interview, Toledo shared that the workshop defines strategies and describes why they are important for helping young children develop stronger communication skills. She said these strategies may be used at home, during such activities as mealtime, diapering, in the car, playtime, and their night routine. In closing she said, “Appropriate communication development helps children to engage appropriately in social interaction and helps prevent problem behavior.”
