Learning in Steps

06/11/2025

04/11/2025

🧩 Using Interests to Build Speech and Language Skills! 🎯

Did you know that your child’s interests can be one of the most powerful tools in speech and language therapy? 💬

When children are engaged in something they love — whether it’s dinosaurs, cars, cooking, or superheroes — they’re more motivated to communicate, learn new words, and take part in conversation! 🚗🦖🧁🦸‍♂️

✨ How we use interests in therapy:
• Follow your child’s lead during play 🧸
• Model new words and phrases around what they love
• Expand on their ideas (“Wow, your dinosaur is running fast! Where is he going?”)
• Use their favourite themes for books, games, and activities

❤️ When therapy feels fun and meaningful, progress comes naturally!

03/11/2025

🌈 Learning “Same” and “Different” in Speech Therapy!

Understanding same and different helps children build important thinking, language, and categorisation skills — all foundations for learning and communication! 💬✨

🧠 Why it’s important:
• Builds vocabulary and concept knowledge
• Supports comparing and contrasting skills
• Helps with describing and classifying objects
• Prepares children for literacy and maths concepts

🎯 In therapy, we might:
🔹 Sort pictures or toys into groups (same vs. different)
🔹 Find matching pairs 👯‍♀️
🔹 Talk about how things are the same (“both are red”) and how they’re different (“one is big, one is small”)
🔹 Play “odd one out” games!

💬 Encourage your child to use these words at home!
Try asking:
➡️ “Which one is the same?”
➡️ “What’s different about these two?”

28/10/2025

🧩 Sequencing Skills in Speech Therapy 🧩

Why they matter:
Sequencing helps children understand order, logic, and time — essential for storytelling, following directions, and daily routines!

Examples of sequencing goals:
✨ Identify what happens first, next, and last in a simple story
✨ Retell a short story or event in the correct order
✨ Use sequencing words like first, then, next, finally
✨ Describe steps in familiar routines (e.g., “First we brush our teeth, then we rinse.”)

Why we target it:
Strong sequencing skills build the foundation for:
💬 Clearer storytelling
📚 Reading comprehension
🧠 Critical thinking

Therapy tip:
Use pictures, story cards, or even daily routines (like making a sandwich 🥪) to make sequencing fun and meaningful!

⸻

Caption idea:
Helping kids understand the order of events is key for language growth! 🌟 Sequencing skills support storytelling, comprehension, and problem-solving — all while making communication clearer and more confident.

27/10/2025

🌱 What is a Developmental Language Delay?

Some children take a little longer to develop their language skills — this is known as a developmental language delay. It means a child’s understanding and/or use of language is behind what’s expected for their age.

💬 Common signs might include:
• Limited vocabulary for their age
• Difficulty putting words together into sentences
• Trouble following instructions
• Frustration when trying to communicate

👂 Early support makes a big difference! Speech pathologists can help your child build the skills they need to understand and express themselves confidently.

✨ Every child’s journey is unique — progress at their own pace is still progress.

21/10/2025

🗣️ Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder that makes it hard for children to plan and coordinate the muscle movements needed for clear speech.

💬 Children with CAS may:
• Know what they want to say but can’t get the words out
• Have inconsistent speech errors (words sound different each time)
• Struggle with longer or more complex words
• Use fewer words or sounds for their age

🌟 How therapy helps:
Speech therapy for CAS focuses on repetition, movement practice, and visual or tactile cues to help your child’s brain and mouth work together.

With consistent support and practice, progress is possible ❤️

👩‍⚕️ Speak to a speech pathologist if you notice your child having difficulty coordinating speech movements or making consistent sounds.

16/10/2025

🗣️ What are WH Questions & Why Are They Important?

WH questions are the ones that start with words like:
❓ Who – asks about a person
❓ What – asks about a thing or action
❓ Where – asks about a place
❓ When – asks about time
❓ Why – asks about a reason
❓ How – asks about a process or way something happens

These questions help children:
💬 Build their understanding and expression of language
🧠 Develop thinking and reasoning skills
👫 Take part in conversations and social interactions
📚 Strengthen comprehension for stories and everyday situations

🌟 Supporting your child to answer and ask WH questions helps them become confident communicators!

14/10/2025

📚 Signs your child may need literacy support

Literacy skills are the foundation for learning — but sometimes, children need a little extra help to build them. Here are some signs your child may benefit from support from a Speech Pathologist:

✨ Difficulty recognising letters or sounds
✨ Trouble blending sounds to make words
✨ Avoids reading or writing activities
✨ Struggles to spell simple words
✨ Has a limited sight word vocabulary
✨ Finds it hard to understand what they read

Speech Pathologists can help develop the skills needed for confident reading, writing, and comprehension. 🌟

👩‍🏫 Early support makes a big difference!

14/10/2025

✨ How Sensory Tools Support Speech Therapy ✨
Sensory tools aren’t just for play — they can make speech therapy more effective and engaging! 💬🖐️

🎨 Why they help:
• 🧠 Regulate attention: Fidgets or weighted items help kids stay calm and focused.
• 👄 Support speech sounds: Tools like chewies or bubbles can strengthen oral muscles.
• 🤝 Encourage participation: Sensory play builds comfort and confidence during sessions.
• 🎯 Boost engagement: Hands-on activities make learning fun and meaningful!

💡 Every child’s sensory needs are different — the right tools can make a big difference in their communication journey.