What is a Speech & Language Capsule?

I like to think that holding onto every speech and language material I've ever created, purchased or used in my public school speech room is because I'm resourceful - or maybe a bit sentimental - NOT because I'm a hoarder. In grad school, we were taught to create treatment ideas on the fly with nothing more than a paperclip and a piece of string, so the idea of having SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM, when I'm 20 years into my career, feels so freeing and amazing, right?

SLPs end up collecting a LOT of STUFF - especially considering how broad our field is - from the range of diagnoses we address, to the diverse populations we serve across the life span.

Any Marie Kondo fans out there?

But the reality is, these moments do NOT spark joy. They often lead to analysis paralysis, as I waste countless minutes sifting through shelves, drawers and binders of my materials, only to feel as though I still haven't found the perfect activity to address the goal at hand.

This tendency to "collect" extends to my personal wardrobe as well - I hold on to bygone sizes and styles of clothing because, "What if I lose weight one day?" Or, "What if THESE become trendy again?" (If either of those scenarios happened...I'd be SO prepared!)

In order to get beyond the WHY of my ways when it came to my closet's contents, I became fascinated by the idea of HOW to create a capsule wardrobe - a minimalist collection of versatile clothing pieces that work together for a variety of outfits and occasions.

Then it hit me!

What if I applied this same minimalist mindset to my speech and language materials?

What if I could curate THE. MOST. ESSENTIAL. collection of streamlined, versatile resources that could serve my ENTIRE caseload, for decades to come?

Timeless. Classic. Evidence-Based. Kid-Tested. SLP-approved.

I realized that having an immediate, go-to collection of engaging and effective materials for every target goal - whether for preschoolers or fifth graders - could completely transform my day. Suddently, the rest of my schedule WOULD spark joy. I would no longer be scrambling to find time to bill Medicaid, draft IEPS, or correspond with parents because my lesson planning would essentially already be done! If every treatment material I needed was instantly available, it would save me time and stress.

That's when I knew the key was creating a comprehensive Speech and Language Capsule - a streamlined, essential set of resources that could meet the needs of my entire caseload.

With this system in place, my office could be organized, my materials streamlined, and my lesson plans complete! I'd be ready to handle whatever the day threw at me with confidence and more time to dedicate to my students' successes in the moment.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this pastel aesthetic? Organized, functional and oh-so-pretty!

I want to hear from you! What do YOU wish was at your fingertips to include in your Speech and Language Capsule? Is there a topic in our field where you struggle to find great resources? Or do you have trouble letting go of outdated materials in your speech room? Share your thoughts in the comments - I'd love to know!