Speech and Language Kids Podcast

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  Struggling with Problem Solving? 5 Steps to Teach Children and Teens 05.10.2026 16Min.

  "How do I teach problem solving?" is one of the questions I get asked most, and it's a tricky one, because problem solving isn't just one skill. Kids have to work through disagreements with friends, figure out puzzles, advocate for themselves when they need help, and break big tasks into manageable pieces. So instead of teaching each type separately, this episode gives you one simple framework that works across all of them. In this episode, you'll learn the 5 steps: Name it Brainstorm ideas Think through the ideas and choose one (pros, cons, and what might happen) Try it Did it work? If not, go back to step 2 I'll also walk you through how to teach the framework, including introducing the steps, posting a visual, practicing with pretend scenarios, and bringing it up naturally when real problems pop up. You'll hear how social stories can help the skill stick, plus practical activity ideas like building a LEGO bridge over a drawn river, pausing a storybook to brainstorm solutions for the characters, and working through social scenarios together. Inside Speech and Language Kids, members can grab our Navigating Disagreements social story and use our AI tools to create custom social stories and social scenarios for their students. Perfect for SLPs, educators, and parents who want a simple, flexible way to help kids become more independent problem solvers.
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  Working Memory: Helping Kids Hold Onto What They Hear 28.09.2026 22Min.

  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 disorders can overload that mental scratchpad, and how stress, fatigue, and a noisy room can crowd out instructions. The good news is that you don't need a separate goal to address it. Carrie shows how to weave working memory support into the therapy you're already doing: point out strategies as they come up, and help kids understand that everyone's brain sometimes needs extra tools. You'll hear practical, kid-friendly strategies from Buttercup's Working Memory poster, including writing it down, making it a song, using your body, picturing it, and linking it to something familiar. She also shares additional techniques like chunking, mental rehearsal, mnemonics, consistent routines, and teach-back. These work well for SLPs, teachers, and parents.
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  Helping Children and Teens Learn Self Control and Inhibition 21.09.2026 22Min.

  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 big leaps around fourth and fifth grade. We also look at what can make self-regulation harder, including ADHD, autism, sensory overload, temperament, limited language to express big feelings, chronic stress, and lack of sleep. Understanding the "why" helps us respond with support instead of frustration. Then we get practical. You'll walk away with ideas you can use in your very next session: How to introduce, name, and revisit inhibition so it becomes part of your therapy language Fun inhibition games that build skills through play, like Red Light Green Light, Simon Says, Freeze Dance, Jenga, Fruit Ninja, Don't Laugh, and Don't Pop the Bubbles The "Pause and Plan" method: noticing body cues, taking a beat, and using self-talk to stop, think, then do How to give specific, curious feedback, like "I saw you pause there. What were you thinking about?" Ways to set up the environment with clear expectations, visual cues, and adults who model their own pauses out loud Whether you're an SLP, educator, or parent, this episode will help you see self-control as a skill we can grow together, with connection and play.
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  Go with the Flow: Teaching Cognitive Flexibility to Children and Teens 14.09.2026 19Min.

  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 this skill. You'll learn the different types of flexibility skills to target (shifting attention, perspective-taking, generating alternatives, and more), how to work cognitive flexibility into existing therapy goals instead of treating it as a separate target, and simple affirmations kids can use when facing change. Plus, get a peek at our themed weekly activities designed to build executive functioning skills one at a time.
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  Stuck to Unstuck: Teaching Growth Mindset in Speech & Language Therapy 17.08.2026 23Min.

  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 communication: years of correction, comparison, and struggle can leave kids believing "I'll never get this sound" or "I'm just not a good talker." You'll learn the neuroscience-friendly way to explain brain plasticity to kids, the language shifts that move a child from "I can't" to "I can't do this yet," and how to keep growth mindset work fully neurodiversity-affirming — focused on strategy and effort, never on masking or "fixing" who a child is. The heart of the episode is Stuck Sticks: a simple, hands-on tool using labeled popsicle sticks that give kids a physical toolkit of coping and problem-solving strategies to pull out the moment they feel stuck. We walk through how to build a set, how to introduce them collaboratively so they feel kid-owned, and how to fade the prop over time so the strategies become internalized. Whether you're a speech-language pathologist, SLP assistant, teacher, or parent of a child who shuts down when things get hard, this episode gives you a concrete, easy-to-implement framework. No extra prep required!
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  Hacks for Group Speech/Language Therapy ~ Make it Effective, Make it Fun! 10.08.2026 29Min.

  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 and routines Behavior and engagement Flexibility and support and Generalization of skills And if you're ready to dive in, check out our Communication Labs Program inside the SLK Curriculum.  It's our complete program for group speech/language therapy.  We've done all of the hard work for you.  All you have to do is plug and play!  Get the Full Program Guide at Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com
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  The SLP's Guide to Automating IEPs with Checklists and AI Tools 20.07.2026 22Min.

  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 IEPs and annual service plans go quickly and smoothly. We're using pre-made checklists and AI tools to save hours and create therapy plans that help clients move through and OUT of therapy so that they can get back into the classroom and we can finally manage to breathe again.
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  The Best Clinical Curriculums for School SLPs in 2026 07.07.2026 29Min.

  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 popular clinical curriculums and talk about which population each one is designed for. I'll give you the pros and cons of each of these. Then, I'll introduce the SLK Clinical Curriculum—a comprehensive system designed specifically for school-based SLPs and SLPAs. It supports your entire caseload, from articulation and language to fluency, AAC, social communication, literacy, motor speech, and more, with clear pathways from evaluation to dismissal. If you've ever wished you had one roadmap for your therapy instead of reinventing the wheel every week, this episode is for you.
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  The Carrie Clark Method for Doing Awesome Speech Therapy 29.06.2026 25Min.

  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 minutes, and how to collect meaningful data without making it the center of your universe. This is the Summer Reset wrap-up you didn't know you needed — and I'm ending it with a big announcement about what's coming for the 2026-2027 school year. (Hint: it's designed specifically for school-based SLPs, and I want your input on what it becomes.) If you've ever felt like you're spinning your wheels in sessions, piecing together materials from a hundred different places, or dreading data week — this episode is your permission slip to simplify everything. Hit play, then come find me inside the Hub. Big things are coming.
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  The Summer Planning Hack that SLPs are Doing Right Now to Set Up their Whole Year for Success 22.06.2026 15Min.

  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 speech folder system that separates your teaching materials from your engagement activities — so your prep stays low while your sessions stay fresh. You'll learn: How to set up a speech folder box (and the teletherapy-friendly version) A one-skill-per-month planning approach that actually sticks How to run sessions that alternate between practice and fun without burning yourself out on prep Why Buttercup's Speech Quests might just become your new best friend Whether your brain works against you or your schedule does, this system is designed to flex around real life — so you can actually stay organized, not just get organized. Ready to set up your speech box? Let's go.
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  Meet Buttercup the Speech Gnome! (And Hear her Story) 15.06.2026 13Min.

  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, to find humans brave enough to speak their "Words of Power" (aka their speech and language skills) and help push the Silence back for good. If you've never heard of Buttercup before, here's the quick version: inside the Speech and Language Kids Hub, Buttercup goes on daily speech quests with kids working on their communication goals. After practicing their target skill with their SLP, kids get to roll the Resonance Stone — a d20 that triggers something fun, silly, or magical depending on the number rolled, anything from a tiny chime to Buttercup literally crying happy tears. James and Oliver try it out live in this episode so you can hear exactly how it plays out. This episode works great as a fun listen for SLPs curious about the Speech Gnomie world, or as a read-aloud/play-along for clients who are just discovering Buttercup for the first time. After listening, visit http://Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com to grab Buttercup's Welcome Kit — including a coloring page and an Official Speech Gnomie Membership Certificate — and join the Speech Gnomie Crew.
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  3 Ways to Use Themes in Speech/Language Therapy (Without Burning Yourself Out) 26.05.2026 21Min.

  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 bring themes into your therapy sessions without adding a ton of extra work to your plate. We're talking about using AI to generate themed materials on the fly, the magic of one themed activity that works for every kid on your caseload, and simple themed props that do the heavy lifting for you. I'll also be kicking off our Summer Reset series: 8 steps to help you finally become an Unstressed Speechie before the new school year sneaks up on you. Whether you want to overhaul your session notes, streamline your IEP process, or just stop dreading Monday mornings, this series is for you. Themes don't have to mean more work. Let me show you how.
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  Virtual Field Trip Ideas for your Speech/Language Therapy Sessions 19.05.2026 25Min.

  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 when it comes to building background knowledge and creating meaningful opportunities to practice speech and language skills. We'll walk through some favorite virtual destinations, including the San Diego Zoo, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Smithsonian, the Louvre, and even the ruins of Pompeii, and talk about why experiences like these matter so much for language development. Background knowledge is one of the biggest predictors of language and literacy success, and virtual field trips are a surprisingly powerful (and free!) way to build it. But this episode isn't just about clicking around on a webcam — it's about making it therapeutic. We'll cover practical strategies for weaving your students' speech and language goals right into the experience: using targeted prompts, retelling activities, nonfiction read-alouds, and even writing thank-you notes to zookeepers and park rangers. Plus, we'll share how our new printable activity sheets make it easy to keep kids engaged and practicing their skills the whole time. Whether you're a school-based SLP looking for a fresh way to engage your kiddos or a private practitioner wanting to bring more meaning into your sessions, this episode is for you. Pack your bags — we're going on a field trip.
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  How to Use Play to Work on Speech/Language Skills 12.05.2026 25Min.

  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, and building in just enough structure to get the repetitions you need. You'll also get practical strategies for older kids and skills that don't come up organically, including turning practice into timed challenges, pairing reps with games, and using sensory tools to keep focus without the fight. This one's a game-changer — pun fully intended.
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  Join our Summer Reset! Become an Unstressed Speechie by Next School Year 04.05.2026 18Min.

  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 have the mental space to build the systems that will save you all year long. August is already too late for calm. We're breaking down the 8 steps that transform a stressed, reactive SLP into one who walks into September prepared, confident, and actually excited to see her caseload — and we're sharing exactly how we're going to walk through them together this summer, step by step, in a way that's manageable, fun, and dare we say it... a little bit like a game. Because play is the opposite of stress. And you deserve both. If you've ever thought "next year will be different" — this is how you make it different. In this episode: Why summer (not August) is the secret window for SLP systems The false beliefs keeping you stuck in the same cycle every year A preview of all 8 steps of the Unstressed Speechie framework How we're doing this together in June and July — baby step by baby step
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  The Simple Fix for End-of-the-Year Behavior Challenges 27.04.2026 20Min.

  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 acting out randomly. As the school year wraps up, many students experience real anxiety about transitions, schedule changes, and saying goodbye to familiar routines and trusted adults. Some push back hard — not because therapy isn't working, but because it is. In this episode, we unpack the attachment and anxiety behind end-of-year behaviors so you can stop taking it personally and start responding in a way that actually helps. We're sharing Survival Tip #2 from the Savvy Speechie's End-of-Year Survival Kit: managing behaviors by doing less. You'll learn how to lower the sensory and emotional "vibe" in your sessions using predictability, visual supports, and simple low-prep materials — without sacrificing structure or consistency. We talk about why paper beats screens for dysregulated kids, how a simple packet can double as a behavior management tool, and why now is the perfect time to lean into calming make-and-take activities, fidgets, and movement breaks. Whether you're a school-based SLP drowning in end-of-year paperwork, an SLP assistant trying to hold it together through the chaos, or a special education teacher wondering why your kids have suddenly lost their minds, this episode gives you practical, immediately usable strategies to survive — and even enjoy — the final stretch of the school year. Topics covered in this episode: Why students show increased challenging behaviors at the end of the school year The attachment and anxiety behind refusals and meltdowns How to use predictability and visual countdowns to reduce dysregulation Simple, low-prep session structures for dysregulated students Why printed materials calm kids down better than screens End-of-year celebration ideas that double as behavior incentives No-prep activity ideas for speech therapy sessions in May and June
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  What's in Carrie's Therapy Bag? 20.04.2026 19Min.

  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!
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  Burned Out on SLP? Try This Simple Swap Before You Run Off to Become a Goat Farmer Burned Out on SLP? Try This Simple Swap Before You Run Off to Become a Goat Farmer 13.04.2026 21Min.

  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 SLPs stuck, and the one simple therapy routine swap that can change your entire week — no big overhaul required. If you're managing a caseload of 50+ kids and wondering if you chose the right career, this episode might just change your mind. $200 Credit for the Lifetime Access Plan Going on Now through April 15, 2026! Go to Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com and enter this promo code at checkout: SURVIVE
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  SLP End-of-Year Survival Guide - Live Event Recording! 07.04.2026 1Std. 3Min.

  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 year, I'm throwing you a lifeline! Listen to this recording of our End-of-Year Survival Event with plans, tools, and shortcuts to help you survive the end of your school year!   We'll be showing you exactly how to…  Make quick and easy plans for the rest of your school year Reduce those "end-of-the-year" behaviors and boost engagement (without spending extra time planning and prepping) Use shortcuts for all of your year-end admin tasks like data collection, progress notes, and homework packets   Don't spend the rest of this year stressed out and overwhelmed.  Grab the tools that thousands of SLPs and SLPAs are already using to find more joy and fulfillment in the work they do:  Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com
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  Chimes, Dice, Fireworks, and Word Lists - Inside my AI-Powered Virtual Therapy Table 06.04.2026 16Min.

  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 every session feel intentional, engaging, and a little bit magical. Whether you're prepping back-to-back sessions with no time to breathe or just tired of hunting down the same kinds of materials week after week, this episode will show you what's possible when you stop building therapy tools from scratch and start letting smart systems do the heavy lifting. In this episode, you'll hear: What the Virtual Therapy Table actually is (and why kids love it) How each element — the chime, worksheet, dice, prompt generator, and finale — serves a therapeutic purpose How I built it and how SLK members can access it What this means for the future of SLP session prep If you've ever wished your therapy room could just... set itself up, this episode is for you.