We were pleased to welcome Adina Soclof, MS, CCC-SLP, to our production studio. Adina sat down and had a chat with us after we finished filming to discuss her course and her experience with HomeCEUConnection.com.
Was there a defining moment that led you to create the course you filmed with us today or was it a need that developed from your work as an SLP?
I was working as a parent educator, teaching classes to parents mostly. However, most of the parents I taught were also professionals that worked with children. They were teachers, social workers, physicians, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and physical therapists. They started using the skills they learned in my parenting classes with their clients. Many of them encouraged me to develop these classes for professionals. They have been very successful.
I see that you have educated at many parenting workshops during your career. Do you find that you need to adapt your teaching style when your audience is composed of professionals rather than parents?
I do but I try not to. I have found the best way to give parenting classes is to create a very relaxed and fun atmosphere. I want parents to get comfortable, open up and share what they are going through with their kids. There is usually a lot of laughter. When my audience is made up of professionals I tend to be a little more serious but I still like to try to keep the tone fun and natural. Professionals can relax and be able to learn a lot too.
If you could choose just one piece of advice to both parents and professionals for creating a strong and trusting relationship with their spirited child, what would it be?
Try to appreciate your child/client for who they are. Try to see their best qualities and cultivate their strengths. Every child has something that they are good at or special interest. Learn what it is and start connecting with them using that knowledge. A child who is quiet and shy with you might blossom when you start talking to him about his Lego collection. A child with a short attention span might be able to attend to you when you start talking about his favorite animal. An adult who really listens and searches for ways to connect has the best chance of creating a strong and trusting relationship with children.
Is this your first experience with online teaching? How have you found the experience?
No, I have given parenting classes via webinar and some professional classes as well. This is the first time not in my own home in front of my own computer. I had a great time. Your staff was friendly, kind, and helpful. I felt comfortable immediately. I really appreciate all the effort that went into making me feel so welcome. Can we look forward to filming more courses with you? I would love to. I am definitely thinking about what to do for my next course.
About Adina Soclof, MS, CCC-SLP
Adina Soclof, a certified Speech Pathologist, received her master's degree from Hunter College in New York in Communication Sciences. Adina worked as a Speech Pathologist in preschools for the developmentally disabled in the New York area before staying home full time with her family. She reentered the workforce as a Parent Educator for Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau facilitating "How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk" workshops as well as workshops based on Siblings Without Rivalry and "Raising a Spirited Child". She has been featured at numerous nonprofit organizations and private schools in Cleveland. Adina developed TEAM Communication Ventures and conducts parenting, teacher and clinician workshops via telephone nationwide Look for Adina's courses coming to our online course catalog in the near future. In the meantime, we have a large selection of awesome continuing education courses for Speech-Language Pathologists.
Search the Speech-Language Pathology Continuing Education Course Catalog