Sprout Learning Speech Pathology

I’ve been really enjoying speaking with so many families through our complimentary phone consultations lately.

Some are seeking a second opinion. Some are wondering whether their child actually needs therapy. Others simply trying to make sense of all the information they’ve been given and work out the next step for their child.

As parents, we’re all trying to do the very best for our children. Choosing the right therapist is an important decision, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re not quite sure what to look for.

If you’re currently searching for a speech therapist, I hope these green flags can help guide your decision.

And if you’re not sure where to start, our complimentary phone consultations are a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about our approach and decide whether we’re the right fit for your family.

What would you add to this list of green flags? 🌱

As a speech pathologist and mum of two, this sale gets me every single year.

These are my topics this year to support communication and connection all through play (which is exactly how children learn best!).

Alongside these purchases, there may also be a Disney Princess item (or three) added to my cart.

I’d love to know what you have got your eye on in the sale? Any hidden gems we should know about?

The Reading Guarantee, published by the Grattan Institute in 2024 found that a third of Australian children can’t read proficiently.

That statistic is not a reflection on children not trying hard enough and it’s not about parents failing at literacy homework.

Many of these children and their families are working incredibly hard behind the scenes every single day.

Learning to read requires explicit teaching and support that is evidence based, individualised and compassionate. At Sprout Learning, we’re passionate about helping children, their families and teachers build literacy skills that support development and build confidence.

What is the worst literacy advice you’ve heard? 😅 Let’s myth bust together!

A little peek into our week at Sprout Learning 🌱

The 50 minutes your child spends with us each week? Powerful. But what happens the rest of the week? That’s where YOU come in.
Home practice doesn’t need to be flashcards or worksheets.
It just needs to be consistent and woven into the everyday moments you’re already having.

Save this post and try one today. Then tell us how it goes in the comments!

Over the April holidays, our World Adventurers social skills group took off on a whirlwind trip across the globe!

From snow-making adventures in Antarctica to dinosaur fossil hunting in the Sahara Desert, creativity and curiosity were all around. Our adventurers teamed up to build elephants in India and put their mechanic hats on in Italy while designing cars (Ferraris were a crowd favourite!).

Along the way, our explorers built confidence and connection through play-based learning, supporting them to:
Connect and interact with peers in meaningful ways
Work together as a team
Share ideas and discover each other’s interests, and
Problem-solve collaboratively when challenges arose.

We love seeing these skills come to life through play, creativity, and shared adventures. Our clinicians even picked up some fun geography facts from our budding explorers!

Where should we travel to next?

You’re not the only one wondering…

“Is my child’s language on track?”

Some children just need a little more time.
Others benefit from the right support early and it’s not always obvious which is which.

These are 3 simple strategies we use every day in therapy and
they’re a great place to start at home.

But if you’re still unsure… that’s exactly what we’re here for.

We offer a free 15-minute chat with our Clinical Director, Grace — so you can:
✔ Get clear answers
✔ Understand what’s typical
✔ Know exactly what to do next

No pressure. Just honest guidance.

Tap the link in our bio to book your free chat

(Spots are limited each week)

“How many words should my child have?” is one of the most common questions parents ask.

So we created this easy reference guide for 12 months to 3 years showing typical vocabulary development.

Use it as a rough guide to see how your child’s language is growing.

Remember:
✨ Children develop at different rates
✨ Word counts don’t tell the whole story
✨ Early support can make a big difference

If you’re ever unsure about your child’s communication, a speech pathologist can help you understand their development and give you practical strategies to support language at home.

💾 Save this post so you have it when you need it.

How clear should my child’s speech be?

One of the most common questions parents ask us is:
“I can understand my child… but other people can’t. Is that normal?”

Speech clarity develops gradually, but there are some general guidelines:

• By age 2 – listeners understand about 50% of what a child says
• By age 3 – about 75% of speech should be understood
• By age 4 – speech should be mostly clear, even to unfamiliar people

If your child is becoming frustrated, difficult for others to understand, or still using many speech sound errors after age 4, it may be worth looking into further.

Speech sound difficulties are very common, and early support can make a big difference.

A speech pathologist can help by:
🌱 Identifying which sounds are tricky
🌱 Explaining what is developmentally typical
🌱 Giving you practical strategies to support clearer speech

Sometimes reassurance is all that’s needed. Other times, early therapy can help children feel more confident communicating with others.

If you’re unsure, that’s exactly when it’s helpful to ask.

At Sprout Learning we offer:
• Initial consultations
• Kindergarten speech and language screeners
• A 15-minute chat with our Director if you’re unsure where to start

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

At Sprout Learning, we believe support works best when it meets children where they are and families where life is happening.

That’s why we offer flexible speech therapy options designed around you.

🌱In-clinic sessions
A calm, welcoming space where children feel safe to play, learn and grow with parents included every step of the way.

🌱 Online via Zoom
Perfect for busy families, nap schedules, illness, travel or school-aged children who thrive in their own environment.

🌱 Community-based support
We see children in childcare, kinder and schools to support skills in the place places they use them most and collaborate closely with educators.

📩 Enquire via the link in our bio

🌱 Let’s sprout together.