Category: blog

  July means ice cream cones, popsicles, and fun summer treats! But did you know speech-language pathologists (SLPs) also play an important role in pediatric feeding and swallowing? Eating safely requires strength, coordination, and timing of the lips, tongue, and throat muscles. When children frequently cough, gag, pocket food, or strongly avoid certain textures, an SLP is one of the professionals trained to evaluate those skills. In pediatrics, SLPs assess oral motor function, sensory responses to food, and swallowing safety, and they collaborate closely with pediatricians and other specialists when concerns arise. If summer mealtimes bring up questions about how your child eats and drinks, an SLP can help determine whether feeding skills are developing as expected and provide guidance

As older students return to school, reading becomes more complex and understanding what they read is key. One helpful strategy is visualization, or creating a “movie in your mind” while reading. Encourage your child to pause and describe what they picture: the setting, characters, and actions. Ask questions like, “What do you see happening?” or “How do you think the character feels?” You can also have them draw a scene or summarize what they read in their own words. These strategies strengthen comprehension and help your child stay engaged and confident with grade-level texts.

Summer is a wonderful time for kids to relax, explore, and have fun—but it’s also important to keep practicing the speech and language skills they’ve worked so hard to develop throughout the school year. Just like reading or math skills, communication skills can become rusty without regular use. The good news is that practice doesn’t have to feel like homework. Spending just 10–15 minutes a day talking, reading together, playing games, or practicing speech sounds during everyday activities can help your child maintain their progress and continue to build new skills. Small, consistent moments of practice can make returning to therapy or school in the fall a smoother transition. Here are a few easy ways to practice speech and language

  A speech therapy session is designed to feel engaging and supportive while targeting your child’s specific communication goals. Sessions often begin with a quick check-in or warm-up activity to help your child feel comfortable. From there, a variety of play-based activities, games, books, or other materials are used to practice skills such as speech sounds, language, or social communication. Each activity is carefully chosen to match your child’s needs while keeping them motivated and engaged. Throughout the session, the therapist models correct speech and language, provides feedback, and adjusts support as needed so your child can be successful. Parents may be invited to observe or participate, and you’ll often receive simple strategies to use at home to reinforce progress.

Songs That Support Early Speech and Language Development Many caregivers underestimate the role of musical input in early communication development. From a speech-language perspective, songs provide young children with a rich, multimodal language learning context by combining repetition, predictable syntax, gesture, rhythm, and prosodic (tonal) components. These features support joint attention, auditory discrimination, vocabulary acquisition, and early expressive language development. Below are some of the most widely supported children’s songs and the explanation for why SLPs love them: 1. Baby Shark This highly repetitive song supports early vocabulary, including family member labels (baby, mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa) and action verbs (swim, hunt, bite). Its predictable structure and exclamatory words (“doo doo doo,” “yay”) encourage vocal participation, turn-taking, and early sound imitation.

  Today’s children are growing up in a world that is more structured, scheduled, and digital than ever before. Research from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shows that the average child spends about seven hours a day in school and five or more hours in front of screens. Teenagers, in particular, average nearly seven hours of daily screen time, not including time spent on screens for schoolwork. In contrast, studies suggest that parent–child interaction often averages only 37 to 40 minutes per day, and in some cases, children spend as little as four to seven minutes in unstructured outdoor play. These numbers paint a concerning picture. While children are constantly engaged—with school, devices, and activities—the time they spend connecting meaningfully with their parents

  Many parents of 2-year-old children worry when they see speech or language delays. It’s a common question: “Is my toddler too young for speech therapy?” The short answer? No — two years old is not too young, and in many cases, early speech intervention can make a significant difference. Why Early Years Matter So Much Research shows that a child’s brain is uniquely receptive to language development during the first few years of life. Neural pathways related to speech, language, and cognitive skills are forming rapidly in this early period, making it one of the most effective windows for helping children learn and grow. Delaying evaluation or therapy can mean missing out on this critical period of high neuroplasticity — essentially the brain’s

Kids don’t always have the skills to manage big emotions on their own, and sometimes they need support right in the moment. These strategies are simple, practical, and can help your child calm down, focus, and make thoughtful choices. 1. Name the Feeling Out Loud Help your child identify their emotions as they happen. For example: “I see you’re feeling angry because your toy broke. That’s frustrating.” Labeling feelings helps them understand what’s happening and begins the process of regulating. 2. Deep Breathing Together Guide your child through slow, intentional breaths. Inhale for 4 counts Hold for 2 counts Exhale for 6 counts Make it fun by pretending to blow up a balloon or sniff a flower. 3. “Stop and

  May is a special time as we celebrate graduations—not just in school, but in speech and language milestones too! Just like students walk across the stage to mark the end of a school year, many of our young clients “graduate” from therapy after reaching their communication goals. Every speech and language achievement is worth celebrating with pride and joy.  We love seeing children gain the skills they need to succeed in the classroom, with friends, and at home. Graduation from therapy is not the end of the journey, but it’s a stepping stone toward continued growth, confidence, and a lifetime of effective communication. It’s time to celebrate all that you and your child have accomplished!

Why Does National Speech, Language, & Hearing Month Matter? Speech and language skills don’t just affect how a child talks—these skills influence how children understand others, express their ideas, and succeed across environments. Hearing also plays a critical role in children’s development. Even mild hearing impairments can impact speech development and learning. Early Signs to Watch For: Parents are often the first to notice when their child isn’t hitting developmental milestones. Consider seeking guidance if your child: Isn’t babbling or using gestures by 12 months Has limited vocabulary compared to their same-aged peers Struggles to follow directions Is difficult for others to understand Talk, read, and sing with your child regularly Encourage turn-taking in conversations (pause regularly to allow your