http://www.speech-learning.com.au/

Speak Learn Grow, 304-318 Kingsway, Kingsway (2026)

28/05/2026

Your speech therapist might mention “minimal pairs” - but what does that actually mean? 🤔

Minimal pairs are words that sound almost the same, except for one small sound change… like “tea” and “key” or “bat” and “pat.” 🗣️

We use these in therapy to help children hear and notice the difference between sounds. When kids realise that changing one sound can change the whole meaning of a word, it helps them produce clearer speech. 💡

So if you hear your child practising pairs of words that seem very similar, there’s a good reason for it - it’s helping their brain tune into speech sounds in a really powerful way!

Check out this blog to learn more about ‘How Phonological Therapy Helps Kids Speak Clearly’ https://speech-learning.com.au/2026/02/how-phonological-therapy-helps-kids-speak-clearly/

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

26/05/2026

Happy Birthday to our beautiful therapist Julia! 🎉

Last week we celebrated Julia’s birthday with a Frangos lunch and donut tower!
Your hard work, positive energy, and team spirit don’t go unnoticed — we’re lucky to have you with us. Here’s to another year of big wins, great moments, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Hope your day was as awesome as you are! 🥳🎂

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

22/05/2026

🏴‍☠️ One game, FIVE speech & language goals?! 🎯

Pop Up Pirate isn’t just fun - it’s a therapy goldmine. Here are some ideas for speech and language goals we can target with just one game 👇

🔤 1. Speech sounds (/s/)
“sssword” - practicing a strong, clear /s/ sound

💬 2. Sentence building
“I put the sword in the barrel.”

🗣️ 3. Expanding utterances
From “sword” ➡️ “blue sword” ➡️ “I got the blue sword!”

📚 4. Vocabulary
pirate, barrel, wonder, spring, top, bottom

👫 5. Turn-taking & social skills
“Your turn!” “My turn next!”

✨ Simple game. Powerful learning.

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

13/05/2026

📚 3 Literacy Myths (Busted!) 🇦🇺

❌ Myth 1: “Reading more = better reading skills”
✔️ Truth: It’s not just about quantity - kids need the right level of challenge and explicit support (like sounding out words and understanding meaning).

❌ Myth 2: “They’ll grow out of it”
✔️ Truth: Some children do make progress over time, but many need targeted teaching to catch up. Early support makes a big difference.

❌ Myth 3: “Good readers just ‘get it’ naturally”
✔️ Truth: Reading is a learned skill - even strong readers benefit from direct instruction in phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Check out this link to read our blog about the importance of synthetic phonics https://speech-learning.com.au/2024/07/unlocking-reading-success-the-importance-of-synthetic-phonics/

💡 If you’re unsure about your child’s reading, it’s always okay to ask questions and seek support early.

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

08/05/2026

Stronger together 🤝

Last week Speak Learn and Grow had our team building day. It was all about stepping away from the day-to-day and reconnecting with what really drives us — our values:

- Growing continuously
- Relationships first
- One team
- Work together
- Thrive through play
- Heart of community

From collaboration and trust to innovation and accountability, every moment reminded us why we do what we do.

Great teams don’t just happen — they’re built, nurtured, and empowered 💡

Here’s to growing together, supporting each other, and continuing to turn our values into action. 🚀

30/04/2026

Storybooks are one of the easiest (and most effective) ways to build speech and language skills 📚✨ Here are some simple ways to use them in sessions or at home:

• Expand language 🗣️: If a child says “dog run,” model back “The dog is running fast!”
• Ask WH questions ❓: Who is in the story? What happened? Where are they?
• Build vocabulary 💡: Pause and explain new words (e.g., “enormous = really, really big”)
• Work on sounds 🔤: Pick target words from the book (e.g., /s/ in “sun,” “snake”)
• Encourage prediction 🔮: “What do you think will happen next?”
• Retell the story 🔁: Use pictures to support sequencing (first, next, last)
• Link to real life 🌏: “Have you ever been to the beach like this?”

Keep it fun, interactive, and follow the child’s lead!

Check out this link to read our blog “Top 10 Tips for Meaningful Shared Book Reading” ➡️
https://speech-learning.com.au/2024/01/top-10-tips-for-meaningful-shared-book-reading/

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

24/04/2026

Last week two of our therapists, Julia and Nicole attended Rebecca Reinking course on phonological interventions.

They spent the day diving deep into one of the trickiest (and most important!) parts of our work — choosing the right phonological intervention for each child 🧠💬

This workshop was a great reminder that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. From cycles to minimal pairs and everything in between, it’s all about understanding the child’s unique sound system and making evidence-based decisions that truly make a difference.

Feeling inspired, refreshed, and ready to bring even more intention into our sessions, well done Julia and Nicole! 🙌✨

21/04/2026

Looking for easy ways to build your child’s vocabulary at home? Try these 3 fun ideas:

🗺️ Treasure Hunt Talk
Hide objects around the house and give clues using describing words (e.g., “Find something soft and blue”). Encourage your child to describe what they find!

🍳 Cooking Conversations
Get your child involved in the kitchen and talk through each step. Use words like mix, pour, chop, and describe textures, colours, and tastes.

📖✨ Story Swap
Take turns adding a sentence to a made-up story. This helps build vocabulary, sentence structure, and creativity - all while having a laugh together 😄

Check out this blog to find out more about enriching your child’s vocabulary ➡️ https://speech-learning.com.au/2023/10/enriching-your-childs-vocabulary/

Small moments = big language growth 💬💡

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

16/04/2026

April is Autism Awareness Month 💙

At our paediatric speech pathology clinic, we celebrate the unique strengths, perspectives, and voices of every child on the autism spectrum. Communication looks different for everyone—and that’s something to be embraced, not changed.

Our role isn’t to “fix” children, but to support them in expressing themselves in ways that feel meaningful and authentic. Whether it’s through words, gestures, AAC, or play, every form of communication matters.

This month, we encourage our community to move beyond awareness and toward acceptance, understanding, and inclusion. Let’s listen more, assume competence, and create spaces where all children feel seen, heard, and valued.

💙 Different, not less
💙 Every voice counts
💙 Acceptance makes a difference

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

15/04/2026

🗣️ Receptive vs Expressive Language - what’s the difference?

Ever wondered what the difference is between understanding language and using it? 🤔 Let’s break it down:

👂 Receptive Language = what your child understands
This includes:
• Following instructions (“Put your shoes on”)
• Understanding questions (“Where’s your teddy?”)
• Making sense of stories and conversations
💬 Example: Your child goes to get their hat when you ask - even if they don’t say anything back 🎩

🗨️ Expressive Language = what your child can say or communicate
This includes:
• Using words, signs, or gestures
• Putting words together into sentences
• Asking for things or sharing ideas
💬 Example: Your child says “more juice” or points and says “ball” 🧃⚽

✨ Key thing to remember:
Children often understand more than they can say - so receptive language usually develops first!

If you’re ever unsure about your child’s communication, a speech pathologist can help guide you ❤️

🌐 https://speech-learning.com.au/contact-us/
☎️ (02) 95262788
✉️ [email protected]

Speak Learn Grow

28/05/2026

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22/05/2026

13/05/2026

08/05/2026

30/04/2026

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