From Theory to Practice: CLEO Days Launch in MHSc SLP Program

By: Jessica Boafo

A new addition to the MHSc Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program is giving students the earliest opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into action, even before their first clinical placement! Launched this year, the Child Language Experience and Observation (CLEO) Days offer hands-on learning during Unit 1 of the program.

Developed through the integrated efforts of SLP1505: Child Language Development and Assessment, taught by Monika Molnar, and SLP1520: Principles of Clinical Practice, taught by Emily Wood, CLEO Days bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Each Year 1 student spends a day at the University of Toronto Daycare, supervised by instructors and teaching assistants, to observe and assess children.

Over the course of the day, students conduct informal observations of language and play with toddlers (18 months–2.5 years), practice administering and scoring standardized language assessments with preschoolers (ages 3–4) and elicit language samples from both age groups. The day concludes with small group debrief sessions led by an SLP, allowing students to reflect and consolidate their learning.

Having wrapped up its inaugural run earlier this month, CLEO has already made a strong impression on students.

Zayd, a first-year student, shared:

“Overall, my CLEO day was a fun, welcome, and low-pressure opportunity to start building my clinical thinking and problem-solving skills this early in the program. It helped consolidate knowledge from our courses and made me feel more prepared for my first clinical placement.”

Christiana highlighted the real-world perspective CLEO offers:

“I really enjoyed CLEO because it gave me a realistic look at what working with young children is actually like. It was unpredictable and full of learning moments. Seeing child-development concepts play out in real life was invaluable.”

For Sarah, the experience was confidence-building:

“Given that Unit 1 is very content-heavy, I appreciated having the chance to apply my knowledge. CLEO enriched my learning and helped me feel more confident in conducting assessments and interacting with young clients.”

By integrating theory and practice so early in the curriculum, CLEO sets the MHSc SLP program apart as a leader in experiential learning. Students leave Unit 1 not only with foundational knowledge but also with practical skills and confidence, ready to thrive in their first clinical placements.