Hi, I’m Tor!

My name is Victoria Matkowski, but everyone calls me Tor. I’m a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist with 13 years of experience in the field. After doing a deep-dive into all things gestalt language development a few years ago, I overhauled my approach to supporting the gestalt language processors on my caseload. I quickly saw the power and value of supporting kids through child-led therapy and using the Natural Language Acquisition framework as my guide. After a light bulb moment where I thought “We know that a lot of gestalt language processors pick up language from media, why don’t I create videos FOR them? It would probably help adults become better language partners, too!”, my YouTube channel, Playtime with Tor, was born.

In my videos, I model strategies that are aligned with the Natural Language Acquisition (Marge Blanc, 2012) framework. Here's what I do in my videos (and what you can do!)  to support a GLP in the early stages of language development:

• Use easily mitigable phrases

• Use lots of declarative language

• Use 1st person pronouns (I, me, we)

• Use phrases for a variety of purposes

• Use language that sounds natural

• Use varied and interesting intonation

• Sing songs with familiar melodies

I’m assuming you’re here because you've begun the GLP journey! The journey of educating yourself about gestalt language processing and implementing the knowledge to support a GLP, or maybe a few of them, with this new understanding! A journey that involves lots of learning and maybe some unlearning, advocating, and spreading the word!

No matter where you are on the journey so far or what that journey looks like, the GLP or GLPs in your life are SO lucky to have you! They are so fortunate to have people on their team that are striving to understand their language development and support them the best they can. I hope, with my videos, I can be part of both your journey and their journey, too!