Speech Language Network

01/28/2026

🌟 I was deeply grateful to join the University of Winnipeg’s College of Education and Developmental Studies Community Day as a guest presenter this past weekend. With more than 120 engaged participants, the energy, curiosity, and commitment to early learning were truly inspiring.

🌟 The day opened with remarks by leaders who continue to shape Manitoba’s early childhood landscape, including
- Dr. Sheri‑Lynn Skwarchuk (Director, Developmental Studies),
- Dr. Laurie‑Ann Hellsten (Dean of Education), and
- Dr. Sarah Whiteford (Assistant Deputy Minister for Early Learning and Child Care).

🌟 I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this incredible learning community through two sessions:

- Speech–Language Fundamentals in Early Childhood Education: A deep dive into the essential building blocks of early communication, developmental milestones, and how SLP-informed strategies can elevate early childhood practice.

- From Play to Pragmatics: How Children Build Social Language Through Everyday Interactions: An exploration of the role of play, relationships, and naturalistic environments in shaping pragmatic language and social‑communication abilities.

🌟 Thank you, University of Winnipeg, for inviting me and for hosting such a thoughtful, well‑organized day. And thank you to every student and educator who attended, your questions, insights, and dedication remind me why this work matters so much. It was a privilege to be part of a day devoted to strengthening the future of early learning in Manitoba. ❤️

12/15/2025

🎄The holidays are here - and we're ready to sprinkle some cheer! We’ve gathered our team’s favorite tunes, quotes, and traditions to share a little joy with you. We hope these little glimpses into our holiday cheer bring a smile to your day.

🎄Wishing you peace, joy, and a sprinkle of glitter this season!

Kara & the SLN team

11/10/2025

🌟 More Than Therapy: The Moments, Milestones & Magic of Communication

❄️ As the snow begins to fall and the year winds down, we’re reflecting on the joy and privilege of walking alongside our incredible clients—children, teens, and adults—and their families.

❄️ At SLN, we don’t just work with sounds, sentences, reading, or strategies—we work with stories. Your stories. The quiet wins, the big breakthroughs, and the moments that spark confidence and connection.

❄️ Whether it’s a child saying “spaghetti” for the first time, a teen navigating social language skills, an adult strengthening their voice or fluency, or a parent watching their child light up with pride—we’re here for it all.

❄️ Our team of SLPs, Occupational Therapist Meagan, and Reading Interventionist Lindsay supports communication, literacy, sensory regulation, executive functioning, and more. From zipping coats to cracking the code of reading, we help build skills that matter.

❄️ Thank you for letting us be part of your journey. Every milestone matters.

💬 Winter 2026 Group Registration is NOW OPEN! Fun, targeted programs for kids and teens—designed to build real-world skills in a supportive, engaging environment. https://lnkd.in/gTSgYXPC

                         

10/17/2025

🎉 October is Occupational Therapy Month! 🎉
We’re celebrating the incredible work of pediatric OTs who support kids and teens in doing the everyday things that matter — everything from playing and dressing, to tying shoes, copying from the board, using utensils, joining in with peers, regulating emotions, and building routines.

🎉OT helps kids participate, connect, and grow through meaningful activities that support their development and independence.

OTMonth

09/18/2025

🌟Today is the day....It’s surreal. It’s incredibly emotional. It’s finally here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ao_f-D5YA&t=4s
👉After decades of waiting, Saskatchewan’s first-ever Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program is launching at USASK—and applications open this Thursday, September 19.
👉This program was built for Saskatchewan. For the communities—urban, rural, and remote—who’ve faced long waitlists and limited access to care.
👉For the families who’ve been searching for answers.
👉For the educators, health teams, and caregivers who’ve been doing their best with what they have.
💚It’s a commitment to the people of this province. To train clinicians who understand Saskatchewan, who stay, and who support their communities. And as the years pass, this program will grow—ensuring that people get the support they need, when they need it.
👉We’ve welcomed brilliant faculty. We’ve built something bold.
❤️And now—we begin. Let's make history.
Let's go USASK - Kara "speechie by training and heart"
MSLP

09/17/2025

🌟It’s surreal. It’s incredibly emotional. It’s finally here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ao_f-D5YA&t=4s
👉After decades of waiting, Saskatchewan’s first-ever Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program is launching at USASK—and applications open this Thursday, September 19.
👉This program was built for Saskatchewan. For the communities—urban, rural, and remote—who’ve faced long waitlists and limited access to care.
👉For the families who’ve been searching for answers.
👉For the educators, health teams, and caregivers who’ve been doing their best with what they have.
💚It’s a commitment to the people of this province. To train clinicians who understand Saskatchewan, who stay, and who support their communities. And as the years pass, this program will grow—ensuring that people get the support they need, when they need it.
👉We’ve welcomed brilliant faculty. We’ve built something bold.
❤️And now—we begin.
Let's go USASK - Kara "speechie by training and heart"

MSLP

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/02/2025

✏️ As your child heads into kindergarten and early elementary, their grasp of complex concepts becomes key!

Words like before/after, fewer/more, equal, left/right, and between pop up in everything; from classroom routines to math problems.

💡 But if your child struggles with following multi-step directions or concepts in context, it might be time to check in with an SLP.

🎲 Bonus tip: Board games are a fantastic way to sneak in concept practice while having fun!

08/02/2025

🌞 We’re out of office for August Long!
Spending time with our families so we can come back refreshed & ready to support yours 💛
See you after the long weekend! ✨

07/31/2025

🧠 Ages 3–4 are all about asking questions, sorting the world, and making sense of new ideas!

At this stage, your child is learning concepts like same/different, full/empty, over/under, and first/last. These concepts set the foundation for school readiness, from following directions to understanding stories.

🎯 Try asking: “Can you put the same socks together?” or “What’s under the table?”
💬 Learning through play makes it stick!

07/29/2025

👶 Did you know? Around the ages of 1–2, children begin to understand basic concepts such as in/out, up/down, and big/little, and they learn best through play and repetition.

🔁 Simple games like peekaboo, stacking blocks, or putting toys “in” and “out” of a bin build essential language and thinking skills.

✨ These little moments = BIG milestones!

07/24/2025

📄You think an OT helps your kid write a resume? Close, but not quite! 😉

What people think we do:
🧐 Find your toddler a 9-to-5.
🎨 Are professional glitter glue artists.
🤫 Just play with toys all day.

What we ACTUALLY do:
🤯 Help with the "WHY WON'T YOU WEAR SOCKS?!" moments. (Sensory processing)
👟 Conquer the shoelace boss battle. (Fine motor skills)
😤 Turn "I can't!" meltdowns into "I did it!" celebrations. (Emotional regulation)

Basically, we help kids succeed at the "job" of being a kid! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️
To learn more about our Occupational Therapy Programming - please visit www.thesln.com.

07/22/2025

🗣️Speech therapy is more than just correcting speech sounds.

🤟It also addresses language development, communication skills, and even eating and swallowing difficulties.

❤️Not sure where to start? We’ll help you figure it out.