Speech and Language Kids Podcast

Ever given a child a two-step direction and watched the second step vanish before they got started? That's working memory at work, the brain's mental sticky note that holds information just long enough to use it. In this episode, Carrie explains what working memory is and why so many kids struggle with it. She covers the slow development of the prefrontal cortex, how ADHD, dyslexia, and language d...

Why does a child who knows the rule still grab the toy, blurt out the answer, or melt down when things get hard? In this episode, we break down self-control and inhibition: what they are, why they take years to develop, and how we can support them in therapy sessions and at home. We talk about the brain's "brake system" (the prefrontal cortex) and why executive function skills grow gradually, with...

What is cognitive flexibility, and why do so many kids struggle with it? In this episode, we break down a kid-friendly definition of cognitive flexibility, explore why children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or executive function delays often find it hard to switch gears — and share practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies speech-language pathologists, teachers, and parents can use to build thi...

Ever have a client shove their materials away and say "I can't do this"? This episode of Speech and Language Kids dives into growth mindset for speech therapy: what it actually means (beyond the buzzword), why it's especially critical for kids with communication differences, and exactly how to teach it in session tomorrow. We cover why so many SLP caseloads carry a fixed mindset around communicati...

Group speech/language therapy can be hard.  But when done correctly, it can also be a highly effective way of helping children get caught up with their speech and language skills.  On today's episode of the Speech and Language Kids podcast, I'll be giving you my best tips, tricks, and hacks for group speech/language therapy.   I'll be sharing hacks for... Group structure and scheduling Materials a...

IEPs and Paperwork got you down?? In a recent survey, only 3.5% of our School SLPs said they felt that their workload was manageable. Holy. Smokes. But don't worry, Speech and Language Kids has decided to take on the mission of fixing school speech this year. And we're starting with IEPs and other annual service plans. Join us on today's podcast as we discuss how to create systems that make our IE...

What if your entire speech therapy caseload could be supported by one organized clinical curriculum instead of dozens of disconnected resources? In this episode, we're talking about what a clinical curriculum is, why school-based speech-language pathologists and SLPAs need one, and how using a structured system can make therapy more effective, consistent, and easier to plan. We'll review the most...

You asked for it — so here it is. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the full Carrie Clark Method and showing you exactly how all the pieces fit together into one simple, repeatable system. We're talking about how to run your sessions without burning out on prep, how to find and use teaching materials that actually move kids through goals, how to plan an entire month in about 15 minu...

Ever set up an amazing organization system…only to completely abandon it by October? In this episode, Carrie breaks down the summer planning hack that SLPs are using right now to set themselves up for a smoother, less chaotic school year — and it works even if you don't have a ton of planning time, your caseload is out of control, or your admin keeps moving the goalposts. The secret? A simple spee...

This episode is a little different — it's one you can play directly for your clients! Today I'm introducing a new friend to the podcast: Buttercup the Speech Gnome. My sons James and Oliver join me as helpers, and together we read Buttercup's origin story out loud — the tale of how she traveled from the land of Gnomewood, where a creeping darkness called "the Silence" was swallowing every sound, t...

Themes are one of the best tools in an SLP's toolkit. They keep kids engaged, tap into what's happening in their world right now, and make sessions feel fresh and fun. But if you've ever spent a Sunday night frantically hunting for a "dinosaur-themed articulation activity" only to find... nothing useful... you know the burnout is real. In this episode, I'm breaking down three practical ways to bri...

Have you ever wished you could take your therapy kids on a field trip without the permission slips, the bus rides, or the chaos? In this episode, we're talking about one of the most underrated tools in your therapy toolkit: the virtual field trip. From live zoo webcams to immersive museum tours, these experiences bring the outside world right into your therapy room — and they pack a serious punch...

What if the most powerful therapy tool in your session was already sitting on the floor? In this episode, we're talking about play — not as a reward for "real" practice, but as the practice itself. We'll dig into why kids learn and retain skills so much better through play, and exactly how to make it work: modeling with exaggeration, recasting errors naturally, creating communication temptations,...

What if September didn't wreck you this year? Most SLPs spend summer telling themselves they'll get organized when school starts — and then August hits and there's no time, no bandwidth, and no plan. Sound familiar? In this episode, we're introducing the Unstressed Speechie and flipping the script on how you use your summer. Because here's the truth: June and July are the only time you actually ha...

If your students are melting down, shutting down, or refusing to cooperate during the last weeks of school, you're not alone — and it's not a reflection of your skills as a speech-language pathologist. End-of-year behavior challenges are one of the most common struggles SLPs face, and in this episode, we're breaking down exactly why it happens and what to do about it. The truth is, kids aren't act...

Want to see my favorite speech/language therapy materials, games, books, and more?? I'm opening up my therapy bag today to show you what's inside! Take a peek inside on today's episode of the Speech and Language Kids Podcast!

Before you quit SLP to raise goats and maybe open a yoga studio, listen to this. Your burnout isn't about your career — it's about your routine. And your routine? It's fixable. This episode breaks down the one therapy routine swap that helps overwhelmed SLPs simplify their sessions, clear the clutter, and actually leave work at work. Start here. We're talking about why survival-mode routines keep...

Redeem your $200 Credit for the SLK Curriculum -- Promo Code: SURVIVE https://hub.speechandlanguagekids.com/ Offer Ends April 15th!   If you're an SLP or SLPA who works in the schools, you know that this time of year is pure chaos! Behaviors are amping up.  Progress reports are due. And your groups are out of control. There's no time to reheat your coffee, let alone get everything done! So this ye...

What if your therapy session had a opening chime, a themed activity waiting on the table, a magical d20 for turn-taking, an AI that generates custom word lists and social scenarios on the spot, and a fireworks celebration at the end? That's exactly what I built — and in this episode, I'm taking you inside your brand-new Virtual Therapy Table dashboard, a one-stop interactive hub designed to make e...

It's almost April… The kids are feral. The paperwork is multiplying. And somehow this part of the year feels harder than all the rest. So instead of pretending it's fine… let's call it what it is—and make a plan to survive it. In this episode, I'm kicking off our End-of-the-Year Survival Extravaganza and showing you exactly what support is available (and how to choose what you actually need right...

If you feel like you're constantly just spinning your wheels or constantly stuck on the struggle bus as a speech-language pathologist…. Well… You're not alone.   The struggle is real. And there's no shortage of others who feel the same way. But today…I'm gonna get real with you. Cause I've been struggling. And I think I finally figured out why. And my revelation may just help you as well. I'm shar...

Want to save hours every week without sacrificing therapy quality? In this episode, I'm sharing 5 practical ways speech-language pathologists can use ChatGPT to streamline planning, generate materials faster, and reduce the time spent staring at a blank screen. You'll hear real examples of prompts you can copy, paste, and customize—whether you need quick session ideas, therapy materials, goal writ...

A new study out of Canada found that higher screen time in elementary school is linked to lower reading and math scores.  And the more researchers dig, the more concerning the pattern becomes. In this episode, we break down what the research is saying about screens in schools , including: why even "educational" technology may not improve outcomes how digital reading compares to print reading for c...

Are you collecting way too much data in speech therapy? If you've ever tried to take detailed data while also running a great session… you already know it's basically impossible. It's like trying to parallel park while writing down how many times you turned the steering wheel. 😅 In this episode, I'm breaking down a super simple data collection system that helps you: Track progress clearly Make co...

Imagine being a child who knows what they want to say … but has no way to say it. No words. No voice. No control. In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite AAC app that helps nonspeaking children communicate, connect, and feel safer in their world: Grid by Smartbox . We'll break down: What AAC actually is (and who it's for) The question I always get: Does AAC prevent kids from talking? Why Grid is...