The SLP Book Club
The SLP Book Club is a community of speech therapists, parents, and educators who read and discuss science-backed books on child development, behavior, communication, mindset, and productivity. Hosts Laura Geissert and Adrianne Frost, both pediatric speech-language pathologists, share thoughtful discussion, learning materials, and practical strategies for working with children. Each month, the club focuses on one book and offers insights that can be used immediately in daily interactions with kids.
Episodes
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 8
This week, we’re wrapping up our deep dive into The Secondary SLP Roadmap by covering Chapters 13, 14, and the conclusion. We’re talking all about what it really looks like to target articulation and social skills with secondary students, especially when time is limited and goals need to feel functional and relevant. We also dive into one of the most important (and often overlooked) areas in secon
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 7
In this week’s episode, we’re diving into Chapters 11 and 12 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap, where we tackle two major pain points for secondary SLPs: overcomplicated materials and the challenge of mixed groups. We talk about how to adapt what you already have so you can use fewer resources without sacrificing effectiveness, and how simplifying your approach can actually lead to better student engag
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 6
In this episode, we’re diving into Chapters 9 and 10 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap, all about work life balance and planning without relying on a traditional curriculum. We talk about how to move away from the pressure to constantly prep and instead create sessions that are functional, flexible, and sustainable. This conversation is especially for SLPs who feel overwhelmed, behind, or like they’re
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 5
In this episode, we’re diving into Chapters 7 and 8 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap, all about building rapport and creating effective routines. We talk about what rapport actually looks like with middle and high school students and how to build real connection without it feeling forced, then shift into how clear routines and expectations can make sessions run so much more smoothly. If your sessions
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 4
In this episode, we discuss Chapters 5 and 6 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap by Hallie Sherman, which focus on connection over data collection and the importance of incorporating students’ interests into therapy. We talk about why building trust and rapport with secondary students is such an important part of meaningful intervention and how relationships can support engagement and progress.
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 3
In this episode, we discuss Chapter 4 of The Secondary SLP Roadmap by Hallie Sherman, which focuses on practical strategies for working with middle and high school students. We talk about how therapy with secondary students often looks different from elementary speech therapy and why choosing strategies that support real classroom demands is so important. This chapter highlights approaches that he
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 2
In this episode we discuss chapter three of The Secondary SLP Roadmap by Hallie Sherman, which focuses on where to start when working with secondary students and how to set meaningful therapy goals. We talk about how shifting toward functional, real world communication goals can help therapy feel more relevant for middle and high school students. This chapter encourages SLPs to look at the bigger
The Secondary SLP Roadmap Episode 1
We're finally back with a new book! In this episode, we kick off our discussion of The Secondary SLP Road Map by Hallie Sherman, starting with the introduction and first two chapters. We talk about the unique role of the secondary school SLP, including the shift from early language development to supporting academic, social, and functional communication skills for older students. We also explore c
Free to Learn Episode 10
This week we're reading Chapter Ten from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Trustful Parenting in Our Modern World." In this chapter, Gray explores what it means to practice trustful parenting in today’s world. He describes how trusting children’s natural abilities to learn and grow (rather than controlling or over-directing them) creates space for independence, confidence, and responsibility. We discu
Free to Learn Episode 9
This week we're reading Chapter Nine from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Free Age Mixing: A Key Ingredient for Children's Capacity for Self-Education." In this chapter, Gray focuses on the unique value of age-mixed play, where younger and older children learn together. He shows how younger kids benefit from observing and modeling older peers, while older children gain patience, empathy, and leaders
Free to Learn Episode 8
This week we're reading Chapter Eight from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "The Role of Play in Social and Emotional Development." In this chapter, Gray explains how play is essential for children’s social and emotional development. Through play, kids practice cooperation, negotiation, empathy, and conflict resolution in ways that can’t be taught through direct instruction. We discuss how these exper
Free to Learn Episode 7
This week we're reading Chapter Seven from Free to Learn by Peter Gray. In this chapter, Gray explores the “playful state of mind,” showing how play supports creativity, flexibility, and resilience in learning. He explains that play isn’t just an activity but a mindset where mistakes become opportunities and curiosity leads the way. We talk about how this state helps children take risks, problem-s
Free to Learn Episode 6
This week we're reading Chapter Six from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "The Human Educative Instincts." In this chapter, Gray explains that humans are born with powerful instincts that drive learning, including curiosity, play, and sociability. He shows how these natural tendencies have been essential for survival throughout history, helping children acquire the knowledge and skills of their commun
Free to Learn Episode 5
This week we're reading Chapter Five from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Lessons from Sudbury Valley: Mother Nature Can Prevail in Modern Times." In this chapter, Gray shares insights from the Sudbury Valley School, a self-directed learning environment where students choose how to spend their time. He describes how, even without traditional classes or grades, children naturally develop critical ski
Free to Learn Episode 4
This week we're reading Chapter Four from Free to Learn by Peter Gray. In this chapter, Gray lays out what he calls the “seven sins” of our current education system, each one showing how forced schooling undermines children’s natural drives to learn. He critiques practices such as coercing children to work, segregating them by age, judging them through constant testing, and replacing curiosity wit
Free to Learn Episode 3
This week we're reading Chapter Three from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Why Schools Are What They Are: A Brief History of Education." In this chapter, Gray traces the history of formal education and explains how schools developed to meet the needs of agricultural and industrial societies rather than children’s natural ways of learning. He shows how early schools emphasized obedience, memorization
Free to Learn Episode 2
This week we're reading Chapter Two from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "The Play-Filled Lives of Hunter-Gatherer Children." In this chapter, Peter Gray describes the play-filled lives of hunter gatherer children, using the story of Kwi, an eleven-year-old Ju/’hoansi boy from the Kalahari, to illustrate his points. In these societies, children grow up without formal schooling and instead learn throu
Free to Learn Episode 1
New book alert! For the next couple months, we're reading Free to Learn by Peter Gray. We kick off this week with the Prologue and Chapter One. In the Prologue, Gray introduces his concern that modern schooling suppresses children's natural curiosity, playfulness, and drive to learn. He explains that his perspective shifted dramatically after witnessing how his own son thrived in a self-directed l
The Anxious Generation Episode 11
This week we're wrapping up The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In Chapter 12, titled "What Parents Can Do Now," Haidt contrasts the controlling "carpenter" parenting approach with a "gardener" mindset that fosters children’s natural development through a nurturing environment. For young children (ages 0-5), he recommends prioritizing interactive real-world play with diverse age groups and l
The Anxious Generation Episode 10
This week we're covering chapter 11 from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, "What Schools Can Do Now." In this chapter, Haidt outlines actionable steps schools can take to address the mental health crisis among youth caused by the shift to a phone-based childhood. He strongly advocates for phone-free schools, recommending the use of phone lockers to eliminate distractions and foster face-to
The Anxious Generation Episode 9
This week we're covering chapters nine and ten from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In chapter nine, "Preparing for Collective Action," Haidt emphasizes the urgent need for societal cooperation to address the mental health crisis caused by the phone-based childhood. He proposes four types of collective responses: voluntary coordination, shifting social norms, technological solutions, and
The Anxious Generation Episode 8
This week we're covering chapter eight, "Spiritual Elevation and Degradation" from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In this chapter, Haidt explores how the decline of spiritual and communal practices has impacted the mental health of young people in the digital age. He argues that humans have a natural inclination toward spiritual experiences, which historically provided meaning, connecti
The Anxious Generation Episode 7
This week we're covering chapter seven, "What is Happening to Boys?" from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In this chapter, Haidt examines the mental health crisis affecting boys, driven by the shift to a phone-based childhood. Since the early 2010s, boys have experienced rising depression and anxiety, though less severely than girls, alongside a long-term decline in school engagement and
The Anxious Generation Episode 6
This week we're covering chapter six from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, "Why Social Media Harms Girls More." In this chapter, Jonathan Haidt explores the disproportionate negative impact of social media on girls' mental health. He argues that girls are more vulnerable to social media's effects due to their heightened sensitivity to social comparison and relational aggression. The chapt
The Anxious Generation Episode 5
This week we're covering chapter five from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, "The Four Foundational Harms." In this chapter, Jonathan Haidt outlines four foundational harms of the phone-based childhood: social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, and addiction. He argues that excessive smartphone use reduces face-to-face interactions, critical for social development, le
The Anxious Generation Episode 4
This week we're covering chapter four from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, "Puberty and the Blocked Transition to Adulthood." This chapter explores how the shift to a phone-based childhood disrupts the critical developmental transitions of puberty, delaying adolescents' progression toward adulthood. Haidt argues that the over-reliance on smartphones and social media reduces real-world ex
The Anxious Generation Episode 3
This week we're covering chapter three from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, "The Great Rewiring: How Childhood Changed, 2010–2015." This chapter examines the rapid shift from play-based to phone-based childhoods during the early 2010s, which Haidt calls the "Great Rewiring." He argues that the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media fundamentally altered how children socializ
The Anxious Generation Episode 2
This week we're covering chapter two from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. This chapter is titled "What Children Need to Do in Childhood," and in it, Haidt explores the essential developmental needs of children, emphasizing the critical role of play in fostering resilience and social skills. He argues that unstructured, independent play allows children to test limits, navigate risks, and
The Anxious Generation Episode 1
We're back after a two month hiatus and ready to tackle The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. This week we're covering the Introduction and Chapter One. The introduction outlines how the shift from a play-based childhood to a screen-dominated one has disrupted healthy development. Haidt argues that this "great rewiring" of childhood, starting around 2010, correlates with increased anxiety, dep
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 8
This week we're finishing up How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. We cover the final section, "The Next Generation," which was written by Adele Faber's daughter. We learn about how this style of parenting impacts children, and how those children later parent their own children. We also discuss tips and tricks she's learned as she's ca
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 7
This week we're reading chapter seven from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish: Putting It All Together. We discuss how to incorporate all the strategies we've learned in this book into our interactions with the kids we work with. We also cover some of the additional information from the end of the book, including the afterword, lette
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 6
This week we're reading chapter six from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish: Freeing Children from Playing Roles. This chapter emphasizes how kids often get stuck in labels like "the shy one" or "the troublemaker," which can limit their growth. The authors suggest practical ways to help children break free from these roles by noticin
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 5
This week we're reading chapter five from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish: Praise. This chapter emphasizes the importance of using praise effectively to build a child’s self-esteem and motivation. The authors caution against vague or excessive praise, which can feel insincere or pressure children to constantly meet high expectatio
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 4
This week we're reading chapter four from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish: Encouraging Autonomy. This chapter focuses on helping children develop independence and decision-making skills. It emphasizes avoiding over-controlling behavior, which can undermine a child’s confidence and growth. Instead, the chapter suggests empowering k
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 3
This week we're reading chapter three from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish: Alternatives to Punishment. We discuss the authors' suggestions for what to do when children misbehave or get into trouble, including letting kids face the natural consequences of their actions and problem solving with the child to find solutions that work
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 2
This week we're reading chapter two from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish: Engaging Cooperation. We discuss how challenging it can be at times to respond to children empathetically, and then impact it can have when we don't. We cover the authors' five techniques for engaging cooperation: describing the problem, giving information,
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Episode 1
We've started a new book: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. We'll be reading this book for the next two months and discussing it in our online book club community each week! In this episode, we cover chapter one: Helping Children Deal with Their Feelings. We discuss the connection between how a child feels and the way he behaves, h
The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology Episode 5
This week we're finishing up The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology by Phuong Lien Palafox. Her final chapter is called "I See You, SLP" and truly captures the heart of our work. Phuong acknowledges how hard we work and how we go above and beyond for our students/clients. We discuss this chapter and our final thoughts on the book. We're taking November off and will be back to discuss How
The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology Episode 4
This week we're covering chapter six from The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology by Phuong Lien Palafox. This chapter focuses on cultural competency, the importance of names, and the role of kindness in speech language pathology. Phuong emphasize the need for understanding diverse backgrounds and the significance of names in identity, advocating for compassion and equity all that we do.Cl
The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology Episode 3
This week we're covering chapter five from The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology by Phuong Lien Palafox. Chapter five is called "Family Centered Practice" and focuses on the importance of building relationships with the families of the children we support. We discuss the importance of collaboration, trust, and respect when working with families. We start out this episode with a discussio
The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology Episode 2
This week we're covering chapters three and four from The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology by Phuong Lien Palafox. Chapter three is called, "Lessons for Your Career" and in it, Phuong describes how to handle grief at work and the five most important lessons she's learned about being an SLP. Chapter four, "Effective Strategies for All Sessions," provides Phuong's approach to building con
The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology Episode 1
We're baaaaaack! In October we're reading The Heartbeat of Speech-Language Pathology by Phuong Lien Palafox. This book is written BY a speech-language pathologist FOR speech-language pathologists, and we're loving it. This week we cover the prologue and chapters one and two. We start out by discussing Phuong's family history and her journey to becoming an SLP. We cover the importance of knowi
Katie Hamlin-Pacheco from The Brain Executive Program
Today we're bringing you a special bonus episode, our interview with occupational therapist Katie Hamlin Pacheco. Katie is a former teacher turned occupational therapist and the author of "How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp!" If you support children who would benefit from understanding more about how their brain and sensory system work, you're going to love this interview with Kati
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 9
This week we're wrapping up Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. We start with a conversation about Adrianne starting the new school year as a teletherapist (very demure, very mindful). Then we get into the recent news about Better Speech's AI speech therapist, Jessica. Will artificial intelligence replace speech therapists? Not likely. Then we cover the conclusion of Lisa Murphy, going through he
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 8
This week we're covering chapter nine from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. This chapter covers the seven things: making sure children have time to move, create, sing, discuss, observe, read, and play EACH and EVERY day. We go through each of the seven things, linking activities children engage in to the four developmental domains of DAP. We also discuss the 16 different types of play categori
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 7
This week we're covering chapter eight from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. The philosophical attribute of being child-centered in this chapter is, "Adults Are Aware of the Importance of Keeping it Real." We discuss the importance of real, relevant experiences for the young children we work with. No more plastic apples, cookie cutter craftivities, and worksheets! Give them real apples to pick
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 6
This week we're covering chapters six and seven from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. Chapter six is called "Adults are able to articulate the intention behind their words and actions." We discuss intentional teaching and the importance of asking yourself why you're doing activities and who they're for. Chapter seven is "Adults are familiar with the key contributions of historical child develo
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 5
This week we're covering chapter five from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered: "Adults Serve as Facilitators Within the Space." We discuss letting go of your need for control, how to "take ten" when making changes to your program, and how to anticipate the outcomes of these changes. We go over how this information applies to our work as SLPs and how we can let go, control the environment, and rea
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 4
This week we're discussing chapters three and four from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. Chapter three is called "Children Are Able to Explore the Environment with Few Restrictions, or You Really Don't Need a Lot of Rules." We discuss the idea of letting go of some rules we have in place, analyzing WHY we have the rules we have, and whether all of our rules are developmentally appropriate for
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 3
This week we're discussing chapter two from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. The philosophical attribute covered in this chapter is "Children Have Lots of Outdoor Time." Sounds simple, right? This seems to be a topic Lisa Murphy is incredibly passionate about, and we can see why. She dispels myths and rumors surrounding outdoor play (can cold weather really make you sick??) and encourages us t
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 2
This week we're discussing chapter one from Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered. This chapter covers her first philosophical attribute of being child-centered, "Children are provided long periods of uninterrupted free time to explore their environment." Lisa challenges us to rethink the idea that young children should learn in 20 minute chunks of time. When every minute of their day is micromanage
Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered Episode 1
She's baaaaaaack! In July and August, we're reading Lisa Murphy on Being Child Centered and we couldn't be more excited! This week we covered the introduction to the book (parts 1-4) where Lisa sets the stage for what we'll be reading. We discuss why Lisa wrote this book, the origin of her nine philosophical attributes, and what it REALLY means to be child-centered. We're just getting started
The Knowledge Gap Episode 8
Today we're wrapping up The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler. In chapter 12, "Scaling Up: Can It Be Done?," Natalie describes schools, districts, and states that are all working to overcome the knowledge gap. We discuss additional knowledge-rich curricula that are currently being used with good results. In the epilogue, Natalie concludes her book with her vision for the future and the directio
The Knowledge Gap Episode 7
This week we're covering chapter eleven from The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler, "Don't Forget to Write." This chapter tells the story of Judith Hochman, a curriculum coordinator at a school for children with learning disabilities who pioneered a way of teaching children to write that improved reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills. We go over The Hochman Method, Lucy Calki
The Knowledge Gap Episode 6
This week we're covering chapter ten from The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler, "No More Jackpot Standards." This chapter covers the story of a school district in Washoe County, Nevada, where teachers and administrators worked together to uncover how best to apply the Common Core Standards in the classroom. We found this chapter to be inspiring and full of hope, showing how teachers can fundam
Bonus Episode: Yellow Finch Learning
We're so excited to bring you this fun conversation with Kailey Riker and Kat Bezek from Yellow Finch Learning. Kailey is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who has worked in schools and private practice and is passionate about supporting literacy in speech therapy sessions. Kat is a K-2 teacher with experience using many approaches to literacy instruction from balanced literacy to the scienc
The Knowledge Gap Episode 5
This week we're covering chapter nine from The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler, "The Common Core: New Life for Knowledge, or Another Nail in its Coffin?" This chapter dives into the story of David Coleman, who was primarily responsible for the literacy standards in the Common Core. We discuss his love of close reading, his admiration for E.D. Hirsch, and his quest to integrate knowledge build
The Knowledge Gap Episode 4
This week we're covering chapters seven and eight from The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler. We've started part two of the book: "How We Got Here: The History Behind the Content-Free Curriculum." In chapter seven, Natalie takes us through the history of child-centered education and teachers' aversion to teacher-directed, content-focused instruction. We discuss Rousseauian principles, social ef
The Knowledge Gap Episode 3
This week we're covering chapters five and six from The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler. Chapter five, "Unbalanced Literacy," is about the history of the balanced literacy movement, specifically the curriculum created by Lucy Calkins and the impact it had on education here in the United States (hint: it wasn't great). Chapter six is titled "Billions for Education Reform, but Barely a Cent for
The Knowledge Gap Episode 2
This week we're covering chapters three and four from The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler. These chapters are about the history of reading instruction in the United States. How have ideas about how to teach reading evolved? What is the whole-language approach? What happens when phonics are taught systematically to children, and what happens when teachers stop teaching phonics? We discuss the
The Knowledge Gap Episode 1
Throughout May and June, we are thrilled to discuss The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler with you. If you're an SLP who works in schools, you're going to want to read this book! This week, we're starting with chapters one and two. Chapter one is called "The Water They've Been Swimming In" and covers the way educators are currently teaching children in schools. Natalie discusses the move toward
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 9
This week we're discussing the end of Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Chapter 15 is called "The Ancient Antidote for Depression." Michaeleen discusses her own postpartum depression and her realization that what she was missing early on in Rosy's life was community and support in the form of "alloparents." She gives us ways that we can create networks of support in our own c
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 8
This week we're discussing chapters 13 and 14 and TEAM 3 from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Michaeleen and Rosy head to Tanzania to live with the Hadzabe. We learn about how our ancient ancestors parented and how to raise confident, competent children with little interference. We discuss the difference between autonomy and independence, and why that difference is key when
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 7
This week we're covering chapters 11 and 12 from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. We kick off this episode with our thoughts on YouTube star Ms. Rachel (you might be surprised by how we feel), then we dive into the book. Chapter 11 is called "Tools for Sculpting Behavior: Stories" and it's a fun one. Michaeleen has fully embraced the idea of using stories to shape her daught
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 6
Today we're discussing chapter ten from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. This chapter is an introduction to parenting tools and covers Michaeleen's tools for tantrums and tools for everyday behaviors. We discuss using calmness, physicality, and awe to transform behavior. We also discuss how to ignore bad behavior like the Inuit, and when we think that tool might not be appropriat
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 5
This week we're discussing chapters eight and nine from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Chapter eight explores the Inuit parenting approach of never yelling at children and instead speaking in a calm voice. The chapter emphasizes that yelling only hinders communication. Chapter nine delves into the author's personal experience of yelling at her own child and the struggle to cont
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 4
This week we're discussing chapters six and seven from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Chapter six is called "Master Motivators: What's Better Than Praise?" We discuss the three ingredients needed to spark intrinsic motivation, and how praise might undermine it. We cover how simple acknowledgement can be a more powerful motivator than praise. We also cover Michaeleen's three ste
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 3
This week we're covering chapter five and TEAM 1 from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Chapter five is titled, "How to Raise Flexible, Cooperative Kids." We discuss the importance of making a child a member of your team and emphasizing how valuable their contributions to the family are. We also discuss ways to reduce the amount of "child-centered" activities you do (Laura has an
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 2
This week we're discussing chapters two, three, and four from Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Where do our current parenting practices come from? In chapter two, we take a look at the origins of things like sleep training and feeding schedules. You'll be surprised when you hear where they came from and how long they've been around. We also discuss whether toys are really as
Hunt Gather Parent Episode 1
We're starting a new book for March and April: Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. To write this book, the author lived with Mayan families in Mexico, Inuit families from above the Arctic Circle, and Hadzabe families in Tanzania. From these families, she learned a universal way of parenting that produces kind, generous, helpful children. She documents how she used the techniqu
Age of Opportunity Episode 8
This week we're covering chapter ten and the conclusion from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. Chapter ten is called "Brains on Trial" and discusses the way we handle adolescents in the legal system here in the United States. We go over how attraction to immediate rewards and difficulty weighing consequences leads to impulsive (sometimes criminal) behavior in adolescence. We discuss
Age of Opportunity Episode 7
This week we're covering chapter nine from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. This chapter is called "Winners and Losers" and discusses the gap between socioeconomic classes in our society and how it impacts adolescence. We cover how some children enter adolescence with an advantage, self-regulation and crime, the four rules, the coercive cycle, how poverty impacts puberty, and the pr
Age of Opportunity Episode 6 and ASHA Dues Increase Discussion
This week we're covering chapter eight from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. This chapter is called "Reimagining High School." In this episode, we discuss where American teens stand in relation to teens around the world and how schools can help build self-control. We discuss specific strategies for supporting teens as they develop self-regulation, including executive function traini
Age of Opportunity Episode 5
This week we're covering chapter seven from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. This chapter is called "How Parents Can Make a Difference." It's a chapter about parenting, but it applies to us as SLPs and educators! In this episode, we go over the characteristics of caregivers that are most likely to lead to strong self-regulation skills in children. Parents (and educators) need to be
Age of Opportunity Episode 4
This week we're reading chapters five and six from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. Chapter five is titled "Protecting Adolescents from Themselves." We discuss some statistics related to adolescent behavior, deterring risky behavior, the peer effect, and how the social brain impacts the way adolescents think and behave. Chapter six is called "The Importance of Self-Regulation." We g
Age of Opportunity Episode 3
This week we're reading chapters three and four from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. Chapter three is titled "The Longest Decade." We cover how the length of adolescence has changed over time, the reasons for this change, how puberty happens, why early puberty matters, and the impact of delayed adulthood. Chapter four, "How Adolescents Think," is all about the adolescent brain. We
Age of Opportunity Episode 2
This week we're reading chapter two from Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. This chapter is called "The Plastic Brain" and really gets into how malleable the brain is during adolescence. We discuss the reminiscence bump, the different types of neuroplasticity, experience expectant vs. experience dependent abilities, how the brain works, the zone of proximal development, how to take ad
Age of Opportunity Episode 1
New year, new book! Throughout January and February, we're reading Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. We're starting out in this episode by covering the introduction and chapter one. We discuss the state of adolescence today and how our traditional approaches to raising and working with kids in this age group are misguided. We cover how the period of adolescence has grown: puberty is
Bonus Episode: Year in Review
This week, we thought we'd do something fun and a little different. We're looking back on 2023 and reflecting on our favorite books, what we've learned, and the best SLP Book Club moments. We discuss Lisa Murphy on Play, The Seeds of Learning, Beyond Behaviors, Smart but Scattered, and The Whole-Brain Child. Reading NINE books this year has changed us as people and as therapists. Enjoy this recap
Uniquely Human Episode 8
This week we're wrapping up Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant. Unfortunately, Laura has the old, outdated version of the book, so she'll be covering chapters 11 and 12 from that version. Adrianne weighs in with important information from the updated and expanded version. We discuss the harmful effects of programs that claim to "cure" autism, the importance of developing a program that works for
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