Cozy chats about speech, language and learning
Literacy growth in the elementary years shapes everything that followsāconfidence, communication, academic momentum, and a childās 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…
As we wrap up another literacy unit, Iām reminded why I love using book companions for language development in my speech and language therapy sessions. Each one becomes its own little adventureāfilled with stories, vocabulary, discussion, and connection. Over the years, Iāve developed a structure…
One of the greatest misunderstandings in early childhood education is the belief that language development will happen naturallyāeven when environments are overstimulating, under-connected, and increasingly reliant on technology. But as weāre learning from both practice and science, language doesnāt simply āhappen.ā It is built, brick…
In my work as a speech-language pathologist, literature is at the heart of everything I do. Itās not just a vehicle for vocabularyāit’s the bridge to listening comprehension, inferencing, narrative structure, receptive and expressive language, and so much more. My therapy units often span several…
A thematic literacy center is a powerful way to bring learning to lifeāand 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…