Cozy chats about speech, language and learning
Literacy growth in the elementary years shapes everything that follows—confidence, communication, academic momentum, and a child’s belief in themselves as a learner. As educators and speech-language pathologists, we know that literacy is not built through one program or one method. It develops through consistent, evidence-based…
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…
Why Growth Mindset Matters in Speech and Language Therapy In every school, there are children who need a little extra support developing their communication skills. As a speech-language pathologist, I believe deeply in the power of a growth mindset—the belief that ability can improve through…
Language development unfolds in remarkable stages during early childhood, and one of the most important building blocks is a child’s ability to use grammar—especially verb tense (when something happened) and subject-verb agreement (making verbs “match” the subject). These skills help children tell stories, share experiences,…
Discover how the Lively Letters multisensory reading program builds sound-symbol awareness, articulation, and confidence for students with speech and language challenges.
In early education, inclusion isn’t just a setting — it’s a mindset. It’s the belief that every child brings unique strengths, perspectives, and ways of learning that enrich our classrooms. Today, more educators and speech-language pathologists are embracing the concept of neurodiversity — the understanding…
As we wrap up another literacy unit, I’m reminded why I love using book companions for language development in my speech and language therapy sessions. Each one becomes its own little adventure—filled with stories, vocabulary, discussion, and connection. Over the years, I’ve developed a structure…
On September 27, 2025, I had the wonderful opportunity to once again be honored at WaterFire in Providence as a finalist for Rhode Island Teacher of the Year. The evening was nothing short of magical—surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family, with the glow of firelight…
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…
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…