Natalie Vaughn
Child Development Contributor
Natalie Vaughn covers child development topics, classroom readiness, emotional growth, and early learning milestones. Her content connects expert-informed ideas with simple, realistic activities that parents and educators can use with children.
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Parent Self-Reporting for Bilingual Skills
Parent self-reporting can help explain bilingual exposure, proficiency, and support needs when used with other child measures.
Overhearable Speech and Toddler Word Growth
Overhearable Speech may support some toddler word learning after age two, but directed talk still matters. Evidence-based guidance for families.
Bilingual Development Support With Family Partners
Bilingual development support works best when family goals, home languages, and community access are treated as connected resources.
AI Bilingual Vocabulary in Early Learning
AI Bilingual Vocabulary tools may support preschool word learning when paired with play, stories, family language, and careful adult guidance.
Caregiver-Mediated Interventions for Grammar
Caregiver-Mediated Interventions can support at-risk preschoolers, but grammar gains may need time, coaching, and follow-up.
Metacognitive Literacy Strategies for DLLs
Use metacognitive literacy strategies to support DLL reading routines with evidence-aligned tools, prompts, and planning guidance.
Bilingual Narrative Skills: Parent Resources
Build bilingual narrative skills with parent-friendly story retell, home-language reading, open questions, and realistic progress checks.
Speech Practice at Home Should Not Feel Like a Daily Test
When a child is waiting for services or attending speech therapy once or twice a week, parents often ask what they can do between sessions. The answer is not to become a full-time therapist at the kitchen table. The better model is parent coaching speech practice: helping caregivers support specific goals in short, structured, and…
When Toddlers Pick One Parent’s Language, It Is Not Always a Problem
A one parent one language toddler routine can sound beautifully simple until real life gets involved. One parent uses Spanish, the other uses English, and the toddler answers both of them with “no,” “more,” or a determined silence that makes everyone wonder whether the plan is working. The better question is not whether the child…
Feelings Charades & Calm Corner: Build Emotional Vocabulary Through Play
What if understanding your child’s heart is more important than math or reading? Emotional intelligence (EQ) is key. It helps kids know, manage, and understand their feelings and others’ too. Children with high EQ make friends easier. They deal with disappointment well and recover quickly. This starts with naming their feelings. Teaching a child the…