Entry Level Mom Episode 31: Speech & Language Development with Kara Leeper

In this episode, I am joined by Kara Leeper, Kara is a speech and language pathologist.
Kara shares her personal journey of motherhood and the different experiences she had with each of her four children. Kara also talks about her passion for speech therapy, and discusses speech and language development in children.
Kara emphasizes the importance of early intervention and provides insights into speech disorders, particularly stuttering.
She also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on speech development.
Finally, Kara shares her lessons of patience and presence, and not to worry so much.

She shares the quote by Michael J Fox. He says, “Don’t spend a lot of time imagining the worst-case scenario. It rarely goes down as you imagine it will, and if by some fluke it does, you will have lived it twice.”

Takeaways

Speech and language development in children is a fascinating topic that requires early intervention and support.

• Parents should educate themselves about speech and language norms to identify any potential concerns.
• Stuttering is a common fluency disorder in young children, and parents should seek professional help if it persists for more than a month.
• COVID-19 has had an impact on speech development due to reduced social interaction and mask-wearing.
• Motherhood teaches valuable lessons about unconditional love, being present, and being a good listener.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Motherhood Journey

02:35
Speech Therapy and Online Resources

08:13
Speech Disorders and Stuttering

12:26
Speech Development and COVID-19

25:06
Advice to Younger Self