Cozy chats about speech, language and learning

Literacy

Unlock Literacy and Language Growth with Multi-sensory Learning

Unlock Literacy and Language Growth with Multi-sensory Learning

Multisensory learning—pairing visual, auditory, tactile, and movement-based experiences—has become one of the most powerful trends in education, and for good reason. Research consistently shows that students learn more effectively when they see it, hear it, touch it, and do it. For Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and…

Bridging Sound and Symbol — One Voice at a Time

Bridging Sound and Symbol — One Voice at a Time

Discover how the Lively Letters multisensory reading program builds sound-symbol awareness, articulation, and confidence for students with speech and language challenges.

Beyond the Screen: Fueling Language, Literacy, and Brain Growth Through Human Connection

Beyond the Screen: Fueling Language, Literacy, and Brain Growth Through Human Connection

One of the greatest misunderstandings in early childhood education is the belief that language development will happen naturally—even when environments are overstimulating, under-connected, and increasingly reliant on technology. But as we’re learning from both practice and science, language doesn’t simply “happen.” It is built, brick…

📉 When the Environment Changes: Understanding the Language Impact of Pandemic-Era Childhood

📉 When the Environment Changes: Understanding the Language Impact of Pandemic-Era Childhood

As a speech-language pathologist committed to supporting both language and literacy development, I found the SpeechPathology.com course Obstacles to Language-Rich Environments and Why It Matters for Educational Success by Angie Neal to be especially impactful. It pulled together current research, developmental benchmarks, and social shifts…

Unlocking Language Growth Through Storybooks

Unlocking Language Growth Through Storybooks

In my work as a speech-language pathologist, literature is at the heart of everything I do. It’s not just a vehicle for vocabulary—it’s the bridge to listening comprehension, inferencing, narrative structure, receptive and expressive language, and so much more. My therapy units often span several…

From Paper to Possibility: How AI is Transforming Note-Taking for SLPs and Learners Alike

From Paper to Possibility: How AI is Transforming Note-Taking for SLPs and Learners Alike

In today’s fast-paced, tech-integrated world, note-taking has evolved far beyond pen and paper. For speech-language pathologists (SLPs), this shift is more than just a convenience—it’s a call to action to explore how AI can transform note-taking. I recently completed a compelling course led by Joan…

🐦 Bring Stories To Life: Bird-themed Literacy Center with Make Way for Ducklings

🐦 Bring Stories To Life: Bird-themed Literacy Center with Make Way for Ducklings

A thematic literacy center is a powerful way to bring learning to life—and when it comes to engaging young learners, few topics capture their imagination quite like animals. In particular, birds offer a rich foundation for integrating fiction and nonfiction texts, building vocabulary, and practicing…

Multi-Sensory Strategies for Story Sequencing

Multi-Sensory Strategies for Story Sequencing

Helping children understand and sequence the beginning, middle, and end of a story is a crucial skill for developing literacy and comprehension. For children who thrive on sensory experiences, incorporating multi-sensory strategies can make this process more engaging and effective. Here are some creative and…

Boost Your Vocabulary: How Semantic Maps Can Enhance Language Learning

Boost Your Vocabulary: How Semantic Maps Can Enhance Language Learning

Word maps, also known as semantic maps or vocabulary maps, are effective tools for teaching vocabulary and writing for several reasons: Word or semantic maps are a great strategy to assist students in both understanding vocabulary and in using more descriptive words in their writing.…

Unlock Your Student’s Learning Potential with Story Grammar & Graphic Organizers

Unlock Your Student’s Learning Potential with Story Grammar & Graphic Organizers

Story grammar plays a crucial role in enhancing children’s listening and reading comprehension for several reasons: Incorporating graphic organizers is particularly helpful in this process: Overall, understanding story grammar and using graphic organizers are essential tools in developing children’s listening and reading comprehension skills. They…