Inspired by the More Than Words® program
Helping Your Child Communicate - Everyday, Everywhere
The Hanen Strategy Workshop at Developing Hands Pediatric Therapy is designed for parents and caregivers who want practical, research-informed ways to support their child’s language development and social communication skills at home.
In addition, this workshop is inspired by the Hanen More Than Words® approach and is facilitated by a Speech-Language Pathologist who is certified in Hanen’s More Than Words® program. While this is not the full More Than Words® program, however, it uses similar evidence-informed coaching strategies to help families create meaningful communication moments during everyday routines.
As a result, you’ll learn strategies that fit naturally into daily life—such as playtime, mealtimes, reading, bath time, and getting dressed.
What is the Hanen Strategy Workshop?
The Hanen Strategy Workshop is a parent-focused coaching series that helps families support the building blocks of communication—especially social interaction and language development.
Instead of only teaching strategies that stay in a clinic setting, this workshop helps caregivers how to support communication throughout the day. As a result, children get more opportunities to engage, interact, and practice using language in real situations.
For example, this workshop supports skills such as:
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building connection and interaction
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strengthening social communication (back-and-forth)
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supporting language growth through routines
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increasing meaningful communication in everyday moments
If you’re looking for individualized assessment or ongoing support, you can also explore our Speech Therapy Services.
How can the Hanen Strategy Workshop Help my Child?
Overall, this workshop supports the foundations of communication so children can feel more confident and connected during everyday interactions. Most importantly, parents leave with practical strategies they can use immediately at home.
Helping Children SPEAK
Social Communication & Interaction
Social communication includes skills like engaging with others, taking turns, sharing attention, and staying involved in an interaction. For example, small changes in how you pause, respond, and join play can lead to more interaction throughout the day. Therefore, this workshop helps parents support connection in ways that feel natural and motivating.
Parents will learn how to:
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encourage more engagement during everyday routines
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support back-and-forth interaction during play
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strengthen attention and interaction without pressure
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build communication through shared activities
Helping Children SPEAK
Language Development Through Everyday Routines
Language development happens best when children experience communication repeatedly in real moments. In other words, routines you already do at home become natural opportunities to build language. For that reason, this workshop teaches parents how to support language growth through daily routines that already happen at home.
Parents will learn how to:
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model helpful language during play, meals, and reading
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support understanding and expressive language naturally
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encourage communication without making it feel like “practice time”
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build language skills using routines your child already enjoys
Helping Children SPEAK
Recognizing Communication Attempts
Many children communicate before they use full words or sentences. Because of this, caregivers learn what to look for and how to respond in a way that encourages more communication. In addition, communication may look different from child to child. This workshop helps caregivers recognize attempts and respond in a way that encourages growth.
Parents will learn how to:
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notice communication attempts (looks, gestures, sounds, words)
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respond in ways that build confidence and interaction
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support communication at your child’s current level
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help your child participate more during everyday moments
Helping Children SPEAK
Creating Meaningful Opportunities to Communicate
Children communicate more when there is a reason to communicate. As a result, children often begin to participate more because communication feels motivating and meaningful. Because of this, parents learn how to create “just-right” opportunities that invite interaction and language in a supportive way.
Parents will learn how to:
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create simple opportunities that encourage communication
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increase motivation and interaction throughout the day
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support communication for real purposes (sharing, commenting, asking for help)
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build stronger communication habits during everyday routines
Helping Children SPEAK
Supporting Positive Communication and Reducing Frustration
Sometimes communication breakdowns can lead to frustration for both the child and the caregiver. Therefore, supporting communication early can help interactions feel calmer and more successful. However, when adults understand how to support communication early, interactions often feel smoother and more positive.
Parents will learn how to:
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reduce communication breakdowns during daily routines
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support clearer communication in the moment
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help your child feel understood more often
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build confidence for both the child and caregiver
Helping Children SPEAK
Using Language in Social Situations
Language development is more than learning words—it’s also using language with others in meaningful ways. Over time, this can support stronger confidence when communicating during play, routines, and shared activities. In other words, this workshop helps children practice language for connection, participation, and sharing ideas during everyday social moments.
Caregivers will learn how to support:
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communicating during shared activities and family routines
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using language to connect with others (not just to request)
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building confidence in expressing thoughts and ideas
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developing stronger communication during play and conversation
What you will learn:
This workshop additionally focuses on strategies that are easy to use and realistic for busy families. As a result, strategies are taught in a way that makes them simple to practice at home right away.
In this workshop, you will learn:
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research-informed strategies to support social communication development
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practical tools to support language development based on your child’s routines
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ways to recognize and respond to communication attempts
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ways to create everyday opportunities for meaningful interaction
Workshop Details
The Hanen Strategy Workshop includes:
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One 60-minute individual clinic session
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Three 75-minute virtual group sessions
- February 5, 2026 from 7:00pm – 8:15pm
- February 12, 2026 from 7:00pm – 8:15pm
- February 19, 2026 from 7:00pm – 8:15pm
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Additional Workshop Materials
Cost: $450
This fee includes the individual session, group sessions, and workshop materials.
Please note: Missed sessions are non-refundable.
Why Choose Developing Hands?
At Developing Hands Pediatric & Family Therapy, we support families across Mississauga and the GTA using evidence-informed strategies that are practical, family-centred, and built for real routines.
Parents often search for support with:
- Social communication skills for children
- Language development support
- Communication strategies at home
- Parent coaching for communication
- Speech and language support in Mississauga
For these reasons, this workshop is structured and caregiver-focused, it is a helpful option for families who want strategies that can be used right away. Furthermore, the mix of an individual clinic session and virtual group learning helps families feel supported and confident as they practice new skills.
FAQs
What skills does this workshop work on?
This workshop focuses on:
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social communication (interaction, engagement, turn-taking)
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language development (supporting understanding and expressive language)
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building communication through everyday routines and shared moments
What happens in the individual clinic session?
The individual session helps your clinician learn more about your child’s communication strengths and needs. As a result, strategies taught in the workshop can feel more personal and easier to apply at home.
What do I need for the virtual group session?
You’ll need a device with internet access (laptop/tablet) and a quiet space to participate. Most importantly, you’ll leave with practical strategies you can start using right away.
Who is this workshop led by?
The Hanen Strategy Workshop is led by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who is Hanen More Than Words® certified. This means the workshop is guided by a clinician trained in evidence-informed, caregiver-friendly strategies that support communication skills in everyday routines.
How much does it cost?
The total cost of the Hanen Strategy Workshop is $450.
This fee includes:
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one 60-minute individual in-clinic session
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three 75-minute virtual group sessions
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any workshop materials and resources provided
What happens if I cannot attend a group session?
We understand that schedules can change. However, missed sessions are non-refundable. If you know you may miss a date, we recommend reaching out as early as possible so we can discuss next steps and help you stay on track with the workshop content.
Locations We Serve
Please select the Mode of Therapy
NOTE: Clinic visits are by appointment only
