N8 Speech Pathology

18/03/2026

What is Swallowing Awareness Day?
Itis an opportunity to bring attention to people with swallowing needs and connect them with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help.

Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. People swallow between 500–700 times a day, around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more during meals.
Over one million Australians have a swallowing difficulty (also known as dysphagia).

Dysphagia can occur at any stage of life.
Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) is any problem with sucking, swallowing, drinking, chewing, eating, controlling saliva, taking medication, or protecting the lungs from food and drink 'going the wrong way'.

Who can help with these …. A Speech Pathologist can!

11/03/2026

Here is a joke to see if your children understand.
Being able to understand jokes helps memory, language, problem-solving skills as well as flexibility in thinking.

04/03/2026

Wacky Word of the Month!

This month the wacky word is:

“Anthracite” ……. a hard natural coal of high shine differing from common coal as contains little volatile matter and burns very cleanly

Can you do the challenge and use this over the next few days?

25/02/2026

Boost problem-solving and learning with block floor puzzles—

This may not be your typical puzzle that you think of for young kids. Make a block floor puzzle with a simple shape and fill it in!

18/02/2026

Knowing the things to say to kids can be challenging. Each month this year a one-liner, to have in your tool-box, will be shared that helps you connect with your kids as they grow and mature. These lines can be powerful and make them feel safe in a world that at times can feel anything but.

This month the line is……. “I love being your….. (Dad, Mum, Aunt, etc)”

Kids can often compare themselves to other kids. Letting them know this helps build their self-esteem and reinforces their sense of belonging.

11/02/2026

Following the child’s lead means letting the child start the conversation and responding with genuine interest in what they say and do. This helps create more meaningful back-and-forth interactions, which are key to building strong language skills.

04/02/2026

Wacky Word of the Month!

This month the wacky word is:

“Uhtceare” ……. Is an Old English word for the anxiety experienced just before dawn, when you wake up worrying about the day ahead and can't get back to sleep.

Can you do the challenge and use this over the next few days?

28/01/2026

Knowing the things to say to kids can be challenging. Each month this year a one-liner, to have in your tool-box, will be shared that helps you connect with your kids as they grow and mature. These lines can be powerful and make them feel safe in a world that at times can feel anything but.

This month the line is……. “I am listening”

By letting kids know we are listening communicates value and can ease their frustration.

21/01/2026

n8 Speech Pathology returned last week and our first post for 2026 is ……..our Wacky Word of the Month!

This month the wacky word is:

“Ultracrepidarian” ……. Someone who has no special knowledge of a subject but who expresses an opinion about it.

Can you do the challenge and use this over the next few days?

17/12/2025

Thank you for your support throughout the year. n8 Speech Pathology is now on leave for Christmas and will be back in the clinic again from Wednesday 14th January.
I hope you all have a very special Christmas and safe New Year!

10/12/2025

An activity idea leading up to Christmas – make homemade wrapping paper!
Make it for teachers, family members or presents for friends.

You can adapt this for children of any age by offering stamps Vs paint and leaving to their imaginations.

I was gathering supplies to give to Henry's teachers for Christmas. They have asked parents for gifts for their classrooms instead of gifts for them

03/12/2025

Sometimes finding the right words for talking to children can be really, really challenging. When choosing how to respond to texta on the wall, or the unending ‘why?’ battle, or simply trying to keep healthy open communication with the child who doesn’t want to talk, the words don’t always come so easily.

Each month this year a phrase will be shared that may help in such moments.

“Thank you ….’
Just like we like to to know our hard work is appreciated every day, our children want to know that their effort is noticed as well. For example, “Thank you for helping your sister.” “Thank you for doing your jobs. I know you wanted to do other things first.” “Thank you I really appreciate you doing that even though it was hard.”