Speak To Me Kids

The key to language development is repetition! Repetition is crucial in helping children build strong language skills. The more they hear and practice words, the more confident and communicative they become. Whether it’s reading the same book, singing the same song, or repeating key phrases, these consistent patterns help reinforce learning. So, don’t be afraid to repeat, repeat, repeat—it's a powerful tool in your child’s speech and language development journey!

Let’s talk about how to boost your child’s language development.

One effective strategy is "sabotaging" the environment—placing favorite toys and items just out of reach in order to create natural opportunities for communication.
When a child sees a desired object but can't access it, they are motivated to use language to request help. This simple technique encourages children to express needs, ask for assistance, and practice important communication skills. By carefully setting up such moments, we can gently push children to use their words, helping them build confidence and develop essential language abilities

These key skills are vital for your child's language and social development. Here’s how:

Turn-taking- helps children learn patience and respect in conversations

Sharing- fosters empathy and cooperation

Modeling- demonstrates proper communication and behavior

Reciprocal play- builds interaction and strengthens language skills through back-and-forth activities

Our speech-language pathologists incorporate these elements to create engaging and effective therapy sessions, promoting your child's growth and confidence.

Let's play, learn, and grow together!

Speech sound disorders can make it challenging for children to produce specific sounds correctly, affecting their communication and confidence.
Speech sound disorders may include difficulties with:

Articulation- making sounds
Phonology- sound patterns
Motor planning- coordination of mouth movements

Our expert speech language pathologists specialize in identifying and treating these disorders, helping your child develop clear and effective speech. Contact us to learn how we can support your child's journey to better communication

Is your child struggling with communication?

Speak To Me Kids is here to help! Our experienced speech-language pathologists provide personalized support to boost your child's confidence and skills.

Right away, you can choose to schedule a free 30-minute consultation or a comprehensive speech and language evaluation. So, take the first step towards a brighter future for your child, and call us today at (856) 983-3390.

Play is essential for a child's growth and development, and it plays a crucial role in speech and language therapy. Here’s why:
* Language skills- through play, children learn new words, practice sentence structures, and improve their overall communication
* Social interaction- play encourages turn-taking, sharing, and understanding social cues, all of which enhances social skills
* Cognitive development- problem-solving, imagination, and critical thinking skills are all boosted through playful activities
* Motivation and engagement- play makes therapy sessions enjoyable, keeping children motivated and engaged in their learning
At Speak To Me Kids, our speech-language pathologists use play-based therapy techniques to create a fun, effective, and supportive environment for your child’s speech and language development. So come and learn with us !

Feeding therapy- what to know

At Speak to Me Kids, we utilize the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding therapy for children with feeding aversions and sensitivities. The SOS approach is a comprehensive program that addresses feeding difficulties in a playful and interactive manner. This method emphasizes:
* Sensory exploration- encouraging children to touch, smell, and interact with food before tasting it
* Gradual progression- moving from less challenging to more complex foods at a comfortable pace
* Positive reinforcement- creating a fun and pressure-free environment to reduce anxiety around eating
* Family involvement- empowering parents with strategies to support their child's progress at home
We will show you how the SOS approach to feeding therapy can transform mealtime struggles into joyful experiences!

We are thrilled to announce the official opening of our new office in Voorhees! With this new location, we now have three convenient offices to better serve your children.
📍 Marlton: 851 North Route 73, Suite C
📍 Collingswood: 523 Haddon Avenue, Second floor
📍 Voorhees: 1000 White Horse Road, Suite 502
At Speak to Me Kids, our dedicated team is committed to providing top-notch speech, language, and feeding therapy services to help your children communicate confidently and effectively. Visit us at any of our locations and take the first step toward better communication !

Check out our latest newsletter! Read all about what’s happening at STMK!

Spread the word! Our Voorhees office is open! We are accepting new clients to begin in July! Call now to schedule!

Save it to your GPS! Our third location will open in mid- June. Our dedicated and hardworking Miss Jamie will be running this new office but do not worry she’ll still be in Marlton! With Miss Jamie and Miss Kaitlyn starting in Voorhees this summer, we know the STMK families will be in the best hands! Call the office today to schedule your appointment!

Happy Friday!! We are so excited to be announcing that a new location will be opening this summer! This will be our 3rd location in the South Jersey area! We can not wait to start serving more families in our community! Details to come soon!!

"I'm a Speech-Language Pathologist."

"So you teach people how to talk?"

"Sit back for a moment and let me tell you what a Speech-Language Pathologist pours their heart into day after day... We help a person, whose brain can no longer send the correct signals to produce basic sentences, answer the simplest of questions so he can participate in social activities with others... We teach memory strategies to someone with dementia so she can remember the names of her grandchildren... We help a child on the autism spectrum with their social skills, in the hopes that the bullying will stop and they will make one friend before the end of the school year... We rehab someone's swallowing muscles so they can have a sip of McAlister's ice tea, because it is their absolute favorite... We give hope to the parents who have finally accepted their child is delayed, after the doctor repeatedly tells them he is just a late talker... We teach someone with new cochlear implants how to communicate without sign language after a lifetime of deafness being all they know... We ease a stuttering child's anxiety when they are preparing to stand up in front of their class to give a book report... We show someone how to apply a passy-muir valve to their tracheostomy so they can use their voice to tell their family "I love you."... We have the difficult conversation with a family to tell them that grandma's cognitive impairments make her unsafe to go back to her home alone... We help a child pronounce certain sounds correctly, after years of others reinforcing the wrong way, when they reach an age where their impairment is no longer considered cute... We help a young, intelligent woman who has had a massive stroke learn to use a speech-generating device so that she can return to her vibrant and capable self...We place voice prostheses to allow a Laryngeal Cancer survivor to tell his family he loves them after cancer so cruelly took his voice from him....and we think about these people when we're falling asleep at night and we pray for them and we spend time off the clock and our own money on things that we think may help them even the slightest... and we are often misunderstood and overlooked. So if you know a Speech-Language Pathologist, tell them thank you and give them a hug, because I promise you, after spending their days pouring their hearts into others, they need someone to replenish theirs.”

❤ Happy Better Hearing & Speech Month! ❤️

- Source unknown

Exciting things are in the works! Be sure to check back next week!

Be sure to check us out in South Jersey Magazine! Women Owned Businesses section! 🙌

Good morning STMK families!
Did you know that coloring with your child is more than just for fun? It is also a great way to enhance speech and language skills.
As your child picks colors, describes shapes, and talks about their picture, they are practicing important language concepts like vocabulary, sequencing, and storytelling. Coloring is also a wonderful bonding activity that encourages conversation and imagination.
So grab those crayons, create, and communicate!

Hello STMK families!
It’s time to hop on the speech train and celebrate staying on track towards communication success! Whether it's mastering new sounds or conquering language goals, every milestone reached brings you closer to your destination. Keep chugging along, because with determination and teamwork, there's no limit to where your speech journey can take you !
We are proud of you! 👏

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!

Did you know that sidewalk chalk is more than just drawing? It’s a powerful tool for promoting communication skills in children !

Here’s how:
Sidewalk chalk expands vocabulary → it offers endless opportunities to name objects, colors, shapes, actions, etc.

Sidewalk chalk enhances sentence/story creation → encourage your children to describe their drawings or tell stories about them

Sidewalk chalk improves phonological awareness → drawing letters and words with chalk strengthens phonological awareness and literacy skills

Sidewalk chalk strengthens fine motor skills → holding and drawing with chalk strengthens hand muscles and improves coordination

Sidewalk chalk enhances social interaction → it fosters collaboration and communication while working with siblings or peers to create an art project, play games like hopscotch, etc.

So, grab some chalk and turn the sidewalks into speech and language masterpieces. Just remember to take the time to talk 😀

Today is World Book Day

Did you know reading to your child increases their language development? It also helps them develop empathy and emotional awareness, helps increase discipline and concentration skills as well as
improves imagination and creativity!

Children who regularly read for enjoyment have higher test scores, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures!

Take time to read today!

Let's talk about the power of mealtime conversations. Did you know that mealtime is not just about nourishing little tummies? It's also the perfect time to promote speech and language development!
Here's why
Language rich environment- Mealtime offers a relaxed setting where kids can engage in conversation without pressure
Turn-taking- Mealtime discussions encourage turn-taking and listening skills essential for effective communication
Building connections- Connecting over food strengthens family bonds and creates a positive atmosphere for communication
Modeling communication- Parents play a vital role in modeling effective communication, especially at the kitchen table
So remember, spice up your meal times today with a dash of conversation !

Weekends at my house means car rides to sports, play dates and more!

Let’s talk about speech on the road!

Ready to rev up your child’s speech and language skills on the road? Whether you're cruising cross-country or simply running errands, make every drive a journey filled with speech and language learning fun!

Here’s what to do:

Sing songs- singing along to favorite tunes will boost your child’s mood, hone in on vocal skills, and encourage speech production

Play “I Spy”- it will spark conversations and expand vocabulary; encourage use of target sounds and descriptive language as you hunt for objects

Read road signs and billboards- it provides real-world examples of written language, aids in vocabulary expansion, and promotes literacy skills

Engage in dialogue about your destination- discuss plans and what you hope to do once you arrive; your child will fill with anticipation and keep the conversation going

No more boring car rides here 😀

Rain is in our future! Let’s play a game!

STMK is here today to share the benefits of playing board games with your children. Board games are powerful tools for building speech and language skills!
Here’s how:

Turn-taking- board games teach the art of waiting and taking turns in a timely fashion, a valuable conversational skill

Vocabulary- board games expand vocabulary in a playful way, whether it be naming colors, counting spaces, or describing objects

Problem-solving- board games involve decision-making and critical thinking, which helps sharpen cognitive skills

Social skills- board games encourage social interaction with players of all ages
Winning/losing- learning the dynamics of winning and losing instills essential life skills, including emotional resilience, social adeptness, perseverance, and humility
So let the games begin. Just remember to take time to talk !

What is AAC? According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), AAC, or augmentative and alternative communication, is defined by “all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills.”
There are many different types of AAC, including low-tech and high-tech options:
* Low-tech AAC
* Gestures
* Communication boards
* Picture exchange systems
* Writing/spelling
* Visual schedules
* High-tech AAC
* Speech-generating devices
* Tablet/iPad applications
* Eye gaze systems
AAC is a game changer for those who struggle to communicate verbally. From low-tech to high-tech devices, AAC opens doors to expression, connection, and independence. At STMK, we help amplify voices and ensure everyone's story is heard loud and clear !

Let’s take this rainy Friday to acknowledge the hardworking SLPs at STMK. Please help us to acknowledge their hard work with google reviews, recommendations on Facebook groups and word of mouth! We love what we do and look forward to continuing to help many more families in the future!

Call us today to find out about what we can do to help your child achieve their utmost potential! Achievement beyond expectations!!

Remember to take time to talk!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 36 children in the United States had been identified as having ASD as of April 2023.² Given the prevalence of ASD, encouraging education, providing resources, and working to remove the stigma of autism becomes all the more important. (https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder/autism-acceptance-month-history-and-impact/)

Be sure to tell your friends about our services! We have morning and early afternoon openings available!

Call us today to find out about what we can do to help your child achieve their utmost potential! Achievement beyond expectations!!

Remember to take time to talk!