“Helping Children Connect Language, Thought and Nature”
| Hours: | 3pm-4:30pm |
| Ages: | Adults |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor |
| Cost: | $ see below |
| Category: | Lectures/Discussions |
Ann Densmore, Ph.D., a play-based therapist, photographer, and Psychology Today blogger, will speak at Thoreau Farm, the birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA on Sun., May 15, at 3pm.
Densmore, who has a practice in Lexington, is known for using nature as her classroom, most notably Walden Pond Reservation, in helping to give children the tools for speaking.
Densmore works exclusively with young children, ages 20 months to 10 years.
She’s developed a unique approach to speech therapy, inspired by her life-long passion for nature.
Based in New England for the last 35 years, Densmore often takes her young patients to Walden Pond, Drumlin Farm, and other Mass Audubon locations, including tidal pools, woods, parks, playgrounds and even ski slopes.
Unlike conventional speech therapy techniques, where therapists work with patients in their offices, showing cards and asking children to identify pictures, Densmore takes the child outside, and narrates what they’re both seeing.
“By experiencing nature and describing what I see – much as Henry David Thoreau did through his observations and writings – I help children speak from their hearts, in the moment, connecting with me and with their families through mutual experiences,” said Densmore.
Densmore’s passion for photography brings it all full circle.
Her camera is always on her shoulder, so that she can capture moments, gestures, and facial expressions of her patients during their time together.
She makes books of the photos she’s taken, which the children bring home and show their families, sharing and talking about their time with Densmore.
“The family learns how to be fully present with each other,” said Densmore.
“The children continue to practice talking and relating, and the parents learn to experience their child in new ways they’d never thought possible.”
Like Thoreau, focusing on the simple things in life has brought meaning to her work, both as a speech therapist, and a photographer, said Densmore.
Seating at Thoreau Farm, 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA is limited.
For more information and to pre-register, email margaretcb@thoreaufarm.org or call 508-241-9601.
A donation of $15 is suggested.
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| COST | ↑ top |
$15 suggested donation
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
thoreaufarm.org/events-densmore/
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA, 01742 map
Phone: 508-241-9601
Thoreau Farm: The Birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742
| TIPS | ↑ top |
- email margaretcb@thoreaufarm.org to reserve a seat. Limited seating.
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
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