South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy

02/04/2026

Understanding how words fit into different semantic categories is an important part of developing language. Strong categorization skills help support long term memory, receptive and expressive vocabulary development and integration of new information. Talking about words in a way that develops your child’s categorization skills will help them build stronger language skills.

Image credit: Allison Fors - Speech Therapy

01/04/2026

Children can need 15 to 20 food exposures before trying a food. Keep offering different foods for your child to explore at mealtimes without pressure to eat the food. 😀

Image credit: Feeding Littles

31/03/2026

30/03/2026

Unless you are specifically working on question skills with your child, focus on commenting and talking about things that interest your child. Children learn language best by hearing language, not by answering questions.

Image credit: Coventry Children's Speech & Language Therapy

28/03/2026

Selective mutism is often mistaken as shyness, but beneath the silence is a more complex set of symptoms based in anxiety and (in some cases) difficulties with receptive, expressive and/or social communication. There are strategies parents and teachers can put in place to support children with selective mutism to find their voice in situations they find challenging.

Read South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy's post this week to find out more (link in the comments).

26/03/2026

Children learn language by hearing language during meaningful interactions. Modelling simple language about things that interest your child helps them develop their communication skills.

Image credit: Mrs Speechie P

25/03/2026

South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy will be at Kendal Parent Network's New Parent Support Group today to answer questions about children's feeding and communication. Please come say hello and have a chat if you have any questions about your child's feeding or communication development. I look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesdays | 12:30-14:00 Outside-In, Kendal This is a supportive group aimed at parents of babies under 1, now funded by Frieda Scott Charitable Trust. This funding allows us to offer: FREE entry f…

21/03/2026

Gagging in children is common during early feeding. While it can be alarming to witness, gagging is a protective reflex that helps prevent choking and supports a child’s learning process as they explore new textures and foods. Understanding the difference between gagging and choking and feeling confident when supervising your child with food and drink is an important part of supporting early feeding development.

For more information, read South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy's latest post (link in the comments).