Author: Elizabeth Novak-Czech MA CCC SLP

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) helps children communicate more clearly and confidently. Their work includes much more than “fixing sounds”. They support speech, language, social skills, and feeding.  Speech Sounds SLPs help kids learn to say sounds correctly so others can understand them.  Language Skills They teach children how to understand and use words, make sentences, follow directions, and answer questions.  Social Communication SLPs help children learn the social rules of communication such as taking turns, staying on topic, and understanding feelings.  Literacy Support Because language and reading are connected, SLPs may help with early reading skills such as rhyming, sounds, and story comprehension.  AAC (Communication Devices) SLPs support children who use picture systems or speech-generating devices to communicate.  Fluency (Stuttering) They help kids

  Spring scavenger hunts are a fun, low-prep way to target speech and language goals while getting kids moving. With just a short walk outside, you can turn everyday objects into powerful learning opportunities. Skills you can target: Vocabulary: Describe items by color, size, function, or category Articulation: Search for objects with a target sound (e.g., sun, flower, grass) Following directions: Practice 1-step to multi-step directions Grammar: Use complete sentences (“I found…”, “It is…because…”) Social skills: Take turns, give clues, and ask questions  Spring scavenger hunts are an easy way to make practicing speech and language meaningful and engaging. 

Play is one of the most effective tools in speech therapy because it creates natural and meaningful opportunities for communication. When children play, they are more engaged, motivated, and willing to use their words. Play encourages requesting, commenting, turn-taking, problem-solving, and social interaction are all essential communication skills. Play also builds confidence. In a fun, low-pressure environment, children feel safe trying new sounds and words, which leads to more practice and more progress. Through play, therapists can target speech, language, and social goals at the same time, without it feeling like work for the kids. Most importantly, play makes learning meaningful. Skills practiced during play are easier to carry over into everyday life at home, school, and with peers. In

The holidays are a perfect time to teach kids about gratitude and communication! Saying “thank you” is more than good manners; it’s a great way to build social skills and language skills. 1. Model It Often. Let your child hear you use “thank you” in natural ways (e.g., “Thanks for helping me,” or “I love this gift, thank you!”). 2. Practice Beforehand. Role-play gift exchanges or family visits. Try short exchanges like: * Adult: “Here’s your present!” * Child: “Thank you! I love it!”   This builds confidence before real-life situations. 3. Expand on ‘Thank You’. Encourage kids to add details to make it a mini conversation: * “Thank you for the book. I love dinosaurs!” * “Thanks for coming

The holidays are full of chatter at family dinners, parties, and get-togethers. For some kids, that can feel overwhelming.  A little preparation helps make these moments easier and more enjoyable. 1. Practice greetings and polite phrases. Rehearse short, simple lines like “Hi, it’s nice to see you!” or “Thank you for the gift.” Role-play at home to build comfort. 2. Plan conversation starters. Give your child a few easy topics such as favorite foods, decorations, or holiday movies to help them join in naturally. 3. Practice turn-taking. Use fun games like *Would You Rather?* to build listening and back-and-forth conversation skills. 4. Take breaks. If things get loud or busy, it’s okay for your child to find a quiet spot.

Receptive vs. Expressive Language: What’s the Difference? When we talk about language development, two key skills come up often — receptive and expressive language. These work together but serve different purposes in communication. Receptive Language: Understanding Receptive language is how we understand what others say. It includes listening, processing, and making sense of words and sentences. For example, a child uses receptive language when they follow directions (e.g., “Get your shoes”), identify objects (e.g., “Where’s your nose?”), or understand a story being read aloud.  Expressive Language: Communicating Expressive language is how we use words, sentences, and gestures to share thoughts and ideas. A child uses expressive language when they ask for help, name things, or tell a story. Why It

  It is important for a child to follow directions because it is how learning takes place. Following directions directly impacts a child’s academic success, social development, as well as performance on daily routines. If a child displays difficulties with following directions, it may not only affect a child’s functioning at home and school, but also affect his/her self-esteem and social life. Why does this happen?  A child may struggle to follow directions due to a hearing impairment, language processing disorder, poor attention span, sequencing difficulties, and/or memory deficit. Milestones for Following Directions  1:0-2;0 Years Following 1-step commands “Get your shoes” 2;0-3;0 Years Following 2-step related commands “Get your shoes and bring to me” 3;0-4;0 Years Following 2-step related and

  Sequencing means putting events in order—an important skill for understanding stories, following directions, and organizing ideas. Easy Ways to Practice: Talk about routines: Describe daily tasks step by step. “First we brush our teeth, then we wash our face.” Retell stories: After reading, ask, “What happened first? What happened next?” Use pictures: Mix up simple picture cards and have your child put them in order. Cook or craft together: Recipes and crafts are great real-life practice. Tips: Start with 2–3 steps. Use words like first, next, and last. Praise their efforts!

Game play can be a way to support expressive language growth in older children. Language games can help keep practice interesting as well as be highly effective in enhancing communication skills. *Scattergories – Vocabulary Building -List related words under a given category, each starting with a specific letter. -Engaging in vocabulary learning and word-finding abilities. *Two Truths and a Lie – Sentence Structure and Grammar Fun -Share three statements, two true and one false. -Targets sentence structure, grammar, and inferencing skills. *Headbanz – Describing and Categorizing Challenge -Wear a picture on your head and ask yes-or-no questions to guess its identity. -Enhances understanding and expression of descriptive terms. *20 Questions/Would You Rather? – Conversational Language Skills -Practice social skills, sentence structure, grammar,

  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a powerful tool used to support communication. AAC can be used to support connection, learning, and independence. Yet, despite its benefits, AAC is often surrounded by myths that can delay or prevent it’s use. Here are some of the most common AAC myths. Myth 1: “AAC will stop my child from talking.” Truth: AAC supports speech—it doesn’t replace it. Research shows that AAC can actually help kids develop spoken language. Myth 2: “AAC is a last resort.” Truth: Don’t wait! AAC can and should be introduced early. It’s a valuable tool, not a backup plan. Myth 3: “AAC is only for nonverbal kids.” Truth: Anyone with communication struggles can benefit. Many AAC users speak but need