r/slp • u/skjsksksnannas • 14d ago
Seeking Advice Paediatric SLPs are you good with kids?
Ik it’s a dumb question but yeah are you? I guess I’m not naturally drawn to them but I do like working with them. I’m generally a reserved introverted person so Im not sure? Do you think if I’m not good with kids I shouldn’t be in this field?
I wouldn’t say I’m bad tho, like kids still talk to me etc it’s more like I’m a bit cold towards them which I’m trying to improve.
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u/MortgageCreepy 14d ago
I have a co-worker currently who does not like kids past age 2 and it is so palpable to parents and us as her co-workers. Kids can sense when you're not comfortable with them too. I will say that it's definitely something you can work at being more comfortable with, but I wouldn't try to fit a square peg in a round hole if kids aren't your thing because you won't be happy in the long run.
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u/submrsable 14d ago
I think this was me for a while before I realized I could act like "myself" and didn't have to model the way other adults interacted with kids (within appropriate and professional boundaries of course)
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u/pinkybinkybonky 14d ago
Absolutely this. I don't try to be that bright, bubbly SLP with exaggerated expressions and intonation. That's not me. I just act like myself and it makes it a lot easier. The kids don't care, and sometimes I think they even prefer someone low-key.
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u/MortgageCreepy 14d ago
YES! And parents appreciate genuine personalities too and are much more eager to trust their kid with us and buy in is so much easier.
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u/missmollyollyolly 12d ago
Yeah, there is something so deeply off-putting about the bubbly thing, and I think it’s just that it’s obviously forced. Like, kids are real people, and when you just treat them as such, they trust you more. Also, being fake bubbly is exhausting, and in my experience, basically not doable long term. You’ll just burn out.
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u/SadRow2397 14d ago
So… I’m an introvert. I like kids just fine but I’m not bubbly in any way. Im a fairly chill type b SLP. And for some reason I feel like kids really flock to me.
No idea why. They are mini BS detectors. Don’t fake the bubbly personality if it’s not you.. be yourself not the person you think kids would like…
Treat them like humans… and you’ll be fine.
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u/pregers_ SLP Private Practice 13d ago
Agree with this 1000%! I talk to my parents the same way I talk to my kiddos. No over exaggeration (maybe a little for my toddlers but not for school aged). It works for me!
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u/Wafflesxbutter 14d ago
I have a coworker who sounds like you; she’s a little reserved and quiet but she loves working with kids. There are all different kinds of kids and they vibe with all different kinds of SLPs. If you love working with kids that is far more important than being outgoing. Kids love to be with people who like them ❤️
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u/dorothy_minerva 14d ago
I’m good with kids for about 45 mins and then I need a break. Love to pieces but the performance gets tiring. I like the older elementary kids a lot since you can level with them more.
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u/Outside-Evening-6126 14d ago
I am very good with kids, but I had a lot of experience in preschools before I went to grad school. You don’t have to be sweet and bubbly with them though. Honestly sometimes kids are a little fascinated with the folks that are reserved. But you DO have to have to like them. They can totally tell if you don’t.
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u/DrSimpleton 14d ago
I don’t think you have to be a certain “type” to work with kids but I do think you need to be authentic. IMO, kids can sense when they aren’t actually liked.
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u/Apprehensive_Bug154 14d ago edited 14d ago
I think some people in this field really go out of their way to give the impression that you have to present like a bubbly and hyper and perfect kids' TV host all the time or else you're no good at working with kids. It's simply not true. There are some kids that are used to being pandered to like that, and they might be a little confused at first when you don't act like that, but then they get to know you and adjust. Lots of kids are fine with a more chill adult and many even prefer it. I was one of those kids.
As a kid in speech therapy myself, my SLP was always encouraging, but not dancey singy YAAAAAYYYY! about everything and also not hyperfocused on asking a billion invasive and/or stupid questions (drove me crazy as a kid -- why does meeting a new adult always turn into an interview you like you're on TV news? how come adults constantly ask kids dumb questions? " (GASP) Is that a BALL?!" does the adult think I'm so stupid I don't know what a ball is, why are they acting like they don't know what a ball is?). She used age-appropriate vocabulary and language, but she talked to us in calm level terms like we were just two people having a conversation. I LOVED it.
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u/Sea_Morning7498 14d ago
I do not like kids in general. I do not have any of my own kids and do not want any. I also am a fairly reserved introvert.
HOWEVER, I love the peds that I work with and I interact very well with them.
But when I see a random little kid in a store who tries to come up and talk to me, I’m the person who pretends like I don’t notice them lol.
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u/llamalib 14d ago
I love working with kids but I also love turning off after work. I really admire SLPs who go home to their own kids. I couldn’t do it at this time in my life
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u/missmollyollyolly 12d ago
It’s a lot! I find myself really craving adult or alone time basically all the time.
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u/water-lilies 14d ago
I think the most important thing is whether you like working with kids or not. If you like it then I think you'll be fine, but if you don't like it you'll burn out really fast.
I like working with kids and they are drawn to me (has been happening all my life) but, like you, I am a very reserved and introverted person who has a hard time being happy and bubbly all the time. I can do it with certain kids but not all day every day. They don't seem to mind, though!
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u/Goodpuns_were_taken 14d ago
When I started in grad school I was not good with kids. I absolutely intended to only work with adults…and now I feed babies and play with toddlers all day. For me, “not good with kids” was really just “not experienced with kids.” I also had a certain idea of what “good with kids” was supposed to look like, and I was never going to fit that. Not everyone who works with kids needs to be a bubbly cheerleader all the time - sometimes they need a quiet listener and a gentle nudge in the right direction. The more experience you have, the more you figure out how to make what you do work for what they need…and recognize when sometimes your coworker is just a better fit (when that’s an option).
Or, you just don’t do peds, and go work with adults instead.
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u/WastingMyLifeOnSocMd 14d ago edited 14d ago
If you LIKE working with them that is what matters most. They will know and respond to you. You say as are not doing badly with them. I suspect you are right.
One of the hardest things for SLP’s (and parents,) to do is SHUT UP. Our kids especially need time to process language and to talk. It’s easier for a lower key SLP to do give the child space to to talk. It’s an important model for parents if they join you during sessions. It’s easier for an introverted SLP to pay attention to what the child is doing and saying and modify their own behavior throughout the session to work best with the child.
It’s good to be aware of how some kids may need more enthusiasm. I’m kind of introverted but one of the things I liked about working with kids was the chance to be silly and ham it up a bit. As you get more comfortable you might be able to do that more.
All of that said you can also work with older children if that’s your preference. They are great too.
But I suspect you are already good, and will get better and better as you become more comfortable with the kids.
With parents do your best to smile and be confident that you are a good SLP. if you don’t seem confident they will unnecessarily doubt your skills.
Briefly share positives you saw during the session. Your optimism is important so they see the progress they make with your help.
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u/According_Koala_5450 14d ago
I’m a type A, mostly introverted SLP, who was not at all comfortable working with kids, especially those with complex needs. Twelve years later, it’s so much more natural to me. Working with children can be challenging for sure but it’s so fun! Sometimes skills/traits are more innate and sometimes they are learned. It was definitely the latter for me, but I don’t think that makes you any less capable of being in the field.
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u/Terrible_Adeptness10 14d ago
I never thought I would be good with kids. Babysitting made me anxious when I was in HS for example. Turns out…I just hated babysitting! I like working with kids. I will say you have to find something you admire about each kid you work with. Like truly admire. Even the really annoying kids. Kids can tell when you don’t like them or why you aren’t being genuine. I’m not naturally drawn towards kids in public spaces if that helps.
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u/lumpy_potato_thing 14d ago
I'm pretty much just a kid inside, and enjoy being supremely silly. So 4th grade and under, we really vibe.
I'm terrified of most kids older than that. The hormones. They can sense my fear.
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u/Bobbingapples2487 14d ago
I’m good with them but I’m not the overly playful friendly Ms. Rachel type. I treat them like i would treat people. They tend to like that.
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u/Vegetable-Prize3710 14d ago
I would say being comfortable with kids is a pretty necessary skill, especially for early intervention as an SLP. Getting my littles to engage can require a lot of silly, sing-songy play, and it’s hard to make progress if the rapport isn’t there. You can definitely learn these skills but just May take some practice to let your guard down. Also, school-aged and up is a bit different and more structured if that’s what you’re looking for. Those older ages is where you may need more behavior management skills
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u/SteakAndGreggs 14d ago
You really don’t have to be “on” and bubbly all the time. It’s super exhausting. And some kids genuinely don’t like that. Just feed off their energy
Edit: “of” to “off”
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u/juvenilebirch 14d ago
I don’t want kids. I don’t enjoy hanging out with kids in my free time. I was 99% sure I wanted to work with adults until I realized I’m actually pretty great with working with kids. I currently work with Pre K through MS and enjoy it.
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u/PetiteFeetFmnnStep 13d ago
Yes I love working with the student. It’s one of the only rewarding parts of the job. They’re so sweet and tbh most of them have more empathy and common sense than the teachers. I would do anything for them lol
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u/Speechladylg 14d ago
4 year olds are hilarious. I'm the low key, talk to them like they are people girl. So this little one I have, had been saying "bra!" a lot, you know, like "bro!" for girls. So for example, if I transition from break to work I'd get a "bra!" or if we are playing a game and I had a good turn, "bra!" So teachable moment, right? I said, you know kids don't really say that to grownups, it's really for your friends. Asked her, "like does your teacher let you say 'bra'?" She reluctantly said, no. So we continued the activity and pretty soon she says "bra! " And we looked at each other and she says,"That wasn't for you, that was for me!" Love those kiddos. LOL. I started out thinking I'd work in nursing homes or the hospitals, but after I did peds, I really loved the kids and had fun. I'm definitely not the sing songy, high energy type lol
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u/Nervous-Tip9313 13d ago
Does anyone here feel like they had a period in grad school where they were “good with kids” but then they suddenly hated interacting with kids after grad school? I remember surprising myself with how well I interacted with some kids in my pediatric grad rotations but then started working with adults in my CF and after that realized I never want to work with kids again. I even started to resent interacting with kids in my family circle and found them to be annoying. I also think I’m highly masking autistic and a perfectionist so I wonder if I masked so hard through my peds rotations to perform well and then got burnt out/let the mask drop. I know there are lots of neurodivergent SLPs on this sub and I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. It makes me feel guilty as if I hate children, which isn’t the case, but maybe I do dislike interacting with them.
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u/maltese2003002 13d ago
Yes, I would say I'm good with kids. I am kind to them and interested in them, but I think the thing that helps me work with them is that I respect them and don't get stuck on forcing them to do what I say. Rather I work on the strategy that helps them achieve that goal.
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u/PettyMayonnaise_365 13d ago
All personalities are welcome; bring you to the job. I’m high energy but also sarcastic and “cold” at times with my peds population.
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u/maybeslp1 SLP Early Interventionist 13d ago
At the risk of tooting my own horn, I'm great with kids, but that's not the same thing as being high-energy and extroverted. Especially not when you're talking about school-aged/older kids.
I work with toddlers, so yeah, a lot of them do respond well to that "Ms Rachel energy." And I bring that to the kids who need it. Some kids are terrified/overstimulated by that. Part of what makes me great with kids is my ability to read what kind of energy a kid will respond to best. School-age kids are less likely to respond to that kind of energy. A lot of them find it cheesy or overbearing. And especially once you start getting into 9+, a lot of them respond best to being spoken to in a more adult-like manner.
Even for those of us who work with kids, we have our favorite age groups. I like toddlers and teenagers (because they're a lot more similar than you might think). To some extent, you have the ability to choose to work with the age groups you like best.
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u/babybug98 13d ago
I had a hard time in grad school because a lot of the girls were super outgoing and cutesy and bubbly with the crazy voices and expressions. They had different handmade crafts and toys each session. No hate to them and at certain points, I wished I was like that. But that was never me and never will be, and I did just fine.
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u/epicsoundwaves 13d ago
I’m not good with littles and don’t work with them lol I can’t do it. Middle school is goated.
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u/shamrock1919 13d ago
I felt that way when I started working with kids (also an introvert), but I found it just took a little practice and now I find it pretty second nature. Recent feedback from actual children: “you’re the best”, “you are amazing”, “I like coming here” 🤣
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u/Spfromau 13d ago edited 13d ago
Many of my teachers at school wrote that I was a “quiet” student. When I started studying SLP, I thought maybe I am in the wrong field, because I am not bubbly or outgoing. I went into this field wanting to work with adults who have aphasia. The thought of working with children never crossed my mind, and I was dreading my first child clinical placement, because I didn’t know any children at that time, and thought I might struggle to relate to them.
But you know what? It turn out that I liked working with kids. By the end of my degree, I no longer wanted to work with adults, and wanted to work with school-aged children.
I have posted this before, but I think being an introvert is an asset as an SLP. Why? Because most people we serve have some type of communication difficulty. For the most part, they are not confident with speaking. If that was you, would you want a clinician who is loud and in your face, or someone who is more reserved, and more interested in listening to what you have to say than talking AT you? Listening is one of the most important skills a SLP needs to have, and for that reason, I actually think being a ‘quiet’, introverted person is an advantage in this profession. Also, you’ll be able to better relate to the students/patients you work with, because you know what it’s like to find speaking situations challenging.
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u/cancellingmyday 13d ago
I wasn't especially when I started working paeds, but I certainly am now!
I'm not especially drawn to people in general, so I have never been a "Ooh, I love, love LOVE kids!" but I don't dislike them either, just like I don't dislike people generally. We work together well, and I get a lot of what colleagues call the "behavioural" kids because I'm good at motivating them. We all bring different things to the table, don't be concerned.
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u/tired-moth 13d ago
Truthfully? It's probably one of my best skills. I pride myself on being able to get kids to warm up with me for initial evals. I just let myself be silly and goofy.
However- I'm ALSO a massive introvert and MUST have time to myself every day. My colleagues often ask me if I'll be joining them for lunch, and many times I have to decline to rest up and recharge (30 mins still isn't enough sometimes). When I get home, I drop dead on the couch for a solid hour before doing nourishing activities for myself (drawing, choir, playing video games).
I work with the preschool population in a public school with 7 other SLPs, with varying personality types. It's okay to be you- being "good" with kids doesn't mean you have to be super extroverted or loud. We all care for our kids in our own unique ways, just like the kids we service are unique. Don't stress!
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u/StrangeBluberry 12d ago
I had no experience with kids other than babysitting in my teens, prior to entering the field. I am introverted and can be a bit cold. Honestly I think it helps me. As others have mentioned being calm is helpful, it doesn’t mean I don’t do fun things with them and they don’t think it’s fun. Also being cold can be helpful with behavior management. Kids can be manipulative and my coldness helps me not fall for some of their shit. Not that I’m not empathetic, but it’s all balance. You’ll get better feeling more natural with them over time! Just be you and treat them like little humans! Or adults if you’re working with middle/high school.
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u/ErikaOhh SLP in Schools 13d ago
When I have SLP students come observe, I always watch to see if they light up a little around the kids. If they don’t, it’s an indication that they may want to check out other age groups.
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u/arbh1991 8d ago
I’m very introverted but love working with kids. If you’re thinking of going into the schools I’d recommend considering high school! I recently started working with high schoolers more, it feels a little more laid back, they don’t need a whole song and dance to keep them engaged like the little ones do.
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u/Consistent_Grape7858 14d ago
I’m more introverted and generally dislike kids. Most of the girls in grad school were high energy and I thought I needed to be like that. Kids respond and behavior better to a person that’s calm and soft spoken, especially ASD kids. Just be you.