Hallie chats with Julie Barber-Bristol about using children's books to target language and literacy.
In this fun and heartwarming episode of SLP Coffee Talk, we’re hanging out with the fabulous Julie L. Barber-Bristol, M.S., CCC-SLP—a children’s literature-loving SLP with 20+ years of experience and a passion for making speech therapy magical. From New York to Pennsylvania to Texas, Julie’s done it all—private practice, schools, hospitals, even nursing homes. Now rocking it in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, she shares how she takes just one picture book and spins it into a month-long adventure full of language goals, classroom collabs and sensory fun! If you love kid lit, creative therapy ideas, and real talk from a seasoned SLP, you’re in for a treat!
Bullet Points to Discuss:
- Why children’s books are her go-to therapy tool
- How one book becomes a month-long therapy adventure
- Bringing therapy to life with props, movement, and multi-sensory fun
- Collaborating with teachers, paras, parents, and even librarians
- Mixing literacy with social-pragmatic and emotional learning
Here’s what we learned:
- One great book can fuel weeks of creative, effective therapy.
- Books are packed with visuals, vocab, and built-in engagement.
- Collaboration = magic. Don’t go it alone!
- You don’t need fancy materials—just creativity and a good story.
- Social thinking and emotion skills pair perfectly with literacy.
- When therapy is fun, students (and staff!) want to be part of it.
- The speech room isn’t the only place great therapy happens—get out there!
Learn more about Julie Barber-Bristol:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieb2slp/
Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:
📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/
🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup
Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets
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