SLP blogger Chain Letter Link-Up

Teach Speech 365 started this chain letter link-up in order to connect various speech and language bloggers and their fan base to other bloggers.  The wealth of information on speech and language therapy services and ideas grows with each additional blogger.  Please check out these mentioned blogs to find more information!

Let’s Talk Speech-Language Pathology invited me to join in this blog link-up!  This blogger does a great job proving free speech and language materials and activities on her weekly “Materials Monday” posts.  If you haven’t read this blog previously, I recommend you check it out by clicking on the link above.  She has great ideas and fun simple activities that can be done weather you are an SLP, special or regular educator, or parent!

Let’s Talk Speech-Language Pathology interviewed me about my blog.  If you want to know what drives me to do what I do click here and read all about it!

The two bloggers I am going to feature today are:  Speech2me and [Simply Speech.]  Read on to find out why they do what they do!

Communication that is functional and fun!
Speech2me
1. Your name, email, and TpT store if you have one. If not, feel free to leave me your blog link.
Nanette Cote from Speech2me
Blog address: speech2me.blogspot.com 

2. When and why did you start blogging?
I started my blog, speech2me, in May of 2012 for several reasons.  First, I wanted to promote my private practice, Naperville Therapediatrics.  Second, I hoped to educate caregivers about topics such as interpreting audiograms and writing social stories.  Finally, I intended to connect with more SLP bloggers and app developers to support my continuing education.

3. What is your favorite population to work with?
Pediatrics

4. How much time per week do you spend blogging and/or creating materials?
I spend a couple hours weekly blogging and creating materials.  Having worked in this field for a couple decades, I have a decent collection of activities and games.  This past summer, I spent some time writing blog posts, so all I need to do during the school year is post my collection;)

5. What’s your favorite topic to create materials for?
Expressive language

6. What’s the best thing about blogging?
All the amazing connections that I have made with dynamic SLPs across the country!  I have also enjoyed reviewing so many apps over this past year and educating my peers and caregivers about the best educational tools that are out there!

7. Do you have any blogging tips?
Keep lesson plans simple, functional and easy to generalize.  Also, don’t be afraid to ask other bloggers about any technical questions (ie., adding buttons to your page, using Rafflecopter.)

8. What are your hopes for your blog in the future?
I would like to participate in more product reviews from companies like Super Duper.  Next month, I will be posting a review of the Speech Buddies product that I have had the opportunity to review over the last couple months.  

I was asked to join this chain link by the fabulous, Maria Del Duca, M.S., CCC-SLP at communicationstationspeechtx.blogspot.com.  Maria is one of the many SLPs that I have had the pleasure of knowing through blogging this year!


[Simply Speech.]

1. Your name, email, and TpT store if you have one. If not, feel free to leave me your blog link.
Kristin Cummings 
2. When and why did you start blogging?
My first blog post was August 12, 2011. Pinterest had a huge part in me starting a blog. I found SO many cute activities and ideas on the site that always lead me back to teacher blogs. I noticed there were not many speech blogs (my how times have changed!!) so I decided t start one of my own.
3. What is your favorite population to work with?
I love working with young children. Right now I have the most experience with PreK- 2nd grade. They are always so excited to come to therapy and I get to do the cutesy games and activities with them! 
4. How much time per week do you spend blogging and/or creating materials?
Finding time for blogging and creating materials has been a tough task during the last 7 months. My daughter was born in April and she gets the majority of my time after I get home from work. I blog and create materials after she goes to bed (if I can stay awake!) so I would say about 5 hours a week. 
5. What’s your favorite topic to create materials for?
So far I have had the most fun creating materials that go along with books! I currently have story companions for Elf on the Shelf and Stone Soup available in my store. 
6. What’s the best thing about blogging?
The best thing about blogging has been meeting so many talented and creative people!! I feel like I have grown as a therapist in the last year and a half because of other bloggers.
7. Do you have any blogging tips?
One thing that I have learned about blogging is that photos get more readers. You can have a great blog post, but if there is too much writing and no photos, people often skip over it! Also, if you use someone’s idea or download their activities, leave them a comment letting them know. Those little comments go a long way!
8. What got you into the field of speech language pathology?
Growing up, I was dead set on being a classroom teacher until a close friend of the family had a son with Apraxia of Speech. His mother encouraged me to attend his therapy sessions at All Children’s Hospital because she thought this may be a field I would be interested in. To be honest, I had never considered speech language pathology and had hardly heard of the field. Well, needless to say, after attending the first session, it was love at first sight! I am so thankful for her and her son for leading me into this field!

I hope you enjoyed these featured bloggers!  There’s so information out there for professionals and parents.  It’s all just a click away.  Go to the links above and check out some of these blogs.  It will be worth it!

Enjoy and as always….Happy Talking!!!