Monmouth Speech & Cognition

07/29/2026

Speech-language pathologists change lives — helping kids find their voice, communicate with confidence, and reach milestones that open doors for their whole future. Right now, the Quad Cities doesn’t have enough of them, and hundreds of kids are stuck waiting. We need more people to answer this calling. 💙 Read the full story:

A national shortage of speech-language pathologists is resulting in long wait times for services. Learn about the local impact and why early therapy is important.

07/29/2026

Summer reading doesn’t have to be a chore! Try this simple challenge to keep books fun and engaging all season long. Each book is an opportunity for vocabulary, comprehension, and connection.

Make it even more language-rich by talking about the story after you read:

What was your favorite part?
Who was the funniest character?
What do you think happened after the story ended?

How many will you complete? Let us know! 📚

07/27/2026

Alliteration—the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words—is a great way to build phonological awareness, which is a key skill for reading!

Try this silly tongue twister with your child and see how fast you can say it. Then make up your own! Let’s hear your best summer alliteration in the comments! 🎵

07/27/2026

Long car rides are the perfect setting for language-building games! Pass the time and build skills with these simple, screen-free activities. 🚗🗣️

🔹 20 Questions: “I’m thinking of something that’s yellow and round...” (inferencing, describing)
🔹 Story Chain: Add one sentence each. “A cat went to the beach...” (narrative, turn-taking)
🔹 License Plate Hunt: Find letters and say a word that starts with each! (letter-sound awareness)
🔹 Would You Rather: “Would you rather swim with dolphins or fly with birds?” (reasoning, social language)
🔹 I Spy: “I spy something green and tall...” (descriptive vocabulary)

No worksheets, no flashcards—just connection and conversation. And the best part? The learning happens naturally while you’re having fun together.

Save this for your next trip! Which game will you try first? 🚙

07/26/2026

A hike is more than fresh air and exercise—it’s a language-rich adventure! Nature provides endless opportunities for vocabulary, describing, following directions, and storytelling.

The best part? No prep required. Just step outside and start talking about what you see, hear, and feel. Small moments add up to big progress.

What do you notice on your family hikes? Share with us! 🌲

07/24/2026

Did you know feeding and speech share the same muscles? The lips, tongue, jaw, and palate are used for both eating and talking. That’s why children with feeding challenges often have underlying oral motor issues that also impact speech clarity.

In therapy, we work on strengthening oral motor muscles, expanding food exploration, and building coordination—which often supports speech development too!

Swipe to learn more about the connection. 💙

07/22/2026

Amazing video that breaks down the journey of speech therapy in such a short time

Credit: Jessie Ginsburg, Sensory SLP

07/22/2026

Did you know “speech” and “language” aren’t the same thing? Many people use the words interchangeably, but understanding the difference is important—especially when you’re trying to figure out what kind of support your child might need.

Speech is the physical production of sounds—how we SAY words. Language is the meaning behind the words—what we UNDERSTAND and EXPRESS. A child can have challenges in one area, the other, or both.

Think of it this way: speech is the vehicle. Language is the destination.

Swipe to learn more! 💙

07/18/2026

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is one of the most common childhood conditions, affecting approximately 7% of children,yet it’s widely underrecognized.

DLD is a neurodevelopmental condition where a child has persistent difficulties understanding and/or using language, despite having average intelligence.

It’s not caused by hearing loss, autism, or intellectual disability. It’s a language disorder on its own. And with the right support, children with DLD absolutely thrive.

Swipe to learn the signs and how therapy helps. 💙

MonmouthSpeech