Educational Archives

Holiday Travel Tips for Children with Sensory Needs

Educational, Featured | Nov 12, 2025 4 min read

Holiday travel can bring excitement and a bit of chaos. For children with sensory needs, unfamiliar environments, loud sounds, and changes in routine can make the experience overwhelming. At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we’ve helped many families prepare for smooth and successful trips by planning ahead, creating structure, and bringing familiar tools from home. Whether you’re heading across town or across the country, these travel tips can help make your journey calmer, happier, and more connected.

1. Prepare Your Child with Visuals and Stories

Children who thrive on routine often benefit from knowing what to expect before a trip. Creating a simple visual schedule or social story can help your child understand each step from packing, driving, flying, arriving, and unpacking. Research shows that using visuals can help reduce anxiety and improve understanding of transitions in children with developmental differences.

Walk your child through what the day might look like, using photos or drawings. You might even watch a short video about airports or road trips together to make the process more predictable and less intimidating.

2. Build a Sensory Travel Kit

Long trips can expose your child to new smells, sounds, textures, and sights, all of which may be overstimulating. A sensory travel kit gives your child tools to regulate and find comfort along the way.

Try including:

Noise-canceling headphones
A small weighted lap pad or favorite blanket
Sunglasses or a hat to reduce bright lighting
Fidget toys or chewy jewelry
Familiar snacks and a water bottle

Every child’s sensory system is unique, so let them help choose what to pack. Having control over their environment even a little can make travel feel more manageable.

3. Choose Travel Times and Routes Thoughtfully

Timing can make a big difference. Traveling during quieter hours, such as early mornings or mid-week days, often means fewer crowds and shorter lines. When driving, plan frequent rest stops where your child can stretch, jump, or move before getting back in the car.

It can also help to avoid rushing. Extra time at each step, boarding, restroom breaks, or security, gives everyone breathing room and helps prevent meltdowns from stress or fatigue.

4. Maintain Familiar Routines

Even away from home, maintaining small pieces of your regular routine can help your child feel grounded. Try to keep consistent meal and sleep times, and bring familiar bedtime items like a favorite stuffed animal or book.

Keeping a short bedtime ritual, such as reading a story together, is not just comforting, it also helps your child transition more easily to sleep in new environments. Predictability builds confidence and regulation.

5. Plan for Quiet Spaces and Calm Breaks

During busy holiday events, identify quiet spots in advance where your child can take breaks. Many airports, museums, and large public spaces now offer sensory-friendly rooms or low-stimulation areas.

If you’re visiting relatives, ask ahead if there’s a calm room or corner your child can use when they need downtime. You can also establish a “quiet signal” with your child, a hand gesture or phrase that means, “I need a break.” Giving them a way to communicate their needs can prevent sensory overload before it escalates.

6. Use Travel as a Language and Learning Opportunity

Every part of your journey can help build speech, language, and social skills. Narrate what’s happening: “We’re putting our bags in the car,” or “The airplane is taking off!” Describe what you see, hear, and feel to model rich vocabulary.

Ask open-ended questions:

“What do you think we’ll see when we land?”
“Can you tell me what’s outside your window?”

These small interactions encourage language use in real-world situations. For children receiving speech or occupational therapy, this kind of meaningful play and communication helps generalize skills beyond the clinic.

7. Be Flexible and Celebrate Small Wins

Even the best-planned trips come with surprises, delays, detours, or changes. Flexibility is key. Offer praise for small victories: getting through a noisy terminal, waiting patiently in line, or using coping tools independently. A calm, encouraging tone helps your child feel secure, even when things don’t go perfectly. Remember that your goal isn’t a flawless trip, it’s connection, confidence, and fun along the way.

Holiday travel with children who have sensory needs doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful preparation, familiar routines, and a bit of flexibility, you can create positive, memorable experiences for your family. At SmallTalk, we support San Diego families, whether at our clinics in La Mesa, Mission Valley, and Scripps Ranch, or through virtual sessions, so your child can keep growing and thriving wherever the season takes you.

Safe travels and happy holidays!

Would you like to start therapy or schedule a virtual appointment during this holiday season?

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Preparing for Insurance Changes in the New Year: A Guide for Parents

Educational, Featured, General | Oct 23, 2025 4 min read

Parenthood is a rewarding journey filled with joy, milestones, and countless decisions. One of the most important (and often overlooked) responsibilities is understanding your insurance coverage, especially when it comes to services like speech and occupational therapy. With a new year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to review your benefits, make any updates, and ensure your child continues receiving the support they need.

Why It Matters

Insurance coverage can change from year to year, especially if you switch plans during open enrollment. Benefits for services like therapy may vary, and delays in updating or confirming your benefits can interrupt care. That’s why we’re encouraging all families to check their insurance details and notify us of any changes as soon as possible.

Insurance Terms Made Simple

Insurance language can be confusing, so here’s a quick glossary to help:

Insurance Policy: A contract outlining coverage, terms, and limits.
Coverage: The medical services your plan will pay for.
Premium: Monthly amount paid to have insurance.
Deductible: What you must pay before insurance starts covering costs. This amount will typically reset in the new year.
Coinsurance: The percentage of costs you pay after your deductible is met (e.g. 30%).
Copay: A set fee paid at each visit (e.g. $25 per session).
Out-of-Pocket Maximum/Catastrophic Cap: The most you’ll pay in a year for covered services (excluding premiums) — after which insurance pays 100%.

Steps to Prepare for the New Year

1. Review Your New Plan

Start by checking if your plan is changing in the new year. If anything about your plan has changed, or you are unsure, please send us a copy of your new insurance card to frontoffice@smalltalkspeech.com.

2. Understand Your Costs

Check what your benefits and patient responsibility are for speech therapy and occupational therapy. This information is typically listed in the “Benefits” section of your plan summary. Ask your insurance provider about:

Copayments
Deductibles
Coinsurance
Out-of-pocket maximums

3. Check for In-Network Providers

Is SmallTalk in-network? In-network therapists generally result in lower out-of-pocket costs.

4. Get a Referral if Needed

Some plans require a doctor’s referral before therapy services can begin. Check with your pediatrician and your insurer.

5. Ask About Pre-Authorization

Certain services require pre-approval before coverage begins. Skipping this step could result in denied claims.

6. Know Session Limits & Rules

Plans may place limits on how many sessions your child can attend or may limit coverage based on diagnosis.

7. What to Do if a Claim is Denied

Denied claims can often be appealed. Don’t give up! Ask your insurer for steps to initiate an appeal if needed.

8. Explore School-Based Services

Your child’s school may also offer therapy services, which can be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to private therapy.

9. Keep Communication Open

Share any insurance changes with us right away so we can help avoid coverage gaps and ensure continuity of care. You can contact us at frontoffice@smalltalkspeech.com or 619-647-6157 ext. 7 if you have any insurance updates or have any questions.

How to Check Your Benefits

When you call your insurance company, here are some helpful questions to ask:

Is SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy in-network with my plan?
- You may need our NPI: 1619298791
What are my benefits for these CPT codes?
- Speech Therapy: 92523, 92507
- Occupational Therapy: 97166, 97168, 97530
Is there a deductible that applies, and how much of it has been met?
What is my copayment per therapy session?
Are there session limits for speech or occupational therapy?
Do I need pre-authorization?
Are there any diagnosis exclusions?

Always call the Member Services number on the back of your insurance card. If you are having trouble finding it, you can also try the numbers below:

Insurance Provider	Member Services Number
Anthem Blue Cross (CA)	1‑800‑967‑3015
Blue Shield of CA	1‑800‑443‑5005
Blue Shield Federal (FEP)	1‑800‑411‑2583
Kaiser Permanente	1‑800‑464‑4000
Sharp Health Plan	1‑858‑499‑8300
TRICARE West (TriWest)	1‑888‑874‑9378
UnitedHealthcare	1‑800‑577‑8539

Final Thoughts

Understanding and preparing for insurance changes doesn’t have to be stressful. Taking the time now to review your benefits, ask the right questions, and share updates with us ensures that your child’s therapy can continue uninterrupted. Please contact us at frontoffice@smalltalkspeech.com or 619-647-6157 ext. 7 if you have any insurance updates or have any questions. We’re here to support you and your family every step of the way.

Let’s work together to make the new year a successful one for your child and their care.

Why Clinic-Based Pediatric Therapy Often Outperforms In-Home Sessions

Educational, Therapy | Aug 27, 2025 4 min read

When your child needs speech-language therapy or occupational therapy, choosing the right setting can make a significant difference in their progress. While in-home therapy can feel convenient, many families are surprised to learn that clinic-based therapy often offers more advantages, both for the child’s development and for the family’s overall experience.

If you’re considering where your child should receive services, here’s why a clinic-based model may be the stronger option for long-term success.

1. Fewer Distractions, More Focus

Home environments are full of everyday distractions such as pets, siblings, television, and toys that aren’t part of therapy. These can make it harder for a child to fully focus on their goals. In a clinic setting, the space is purposefully designed for learning and engagement. Everything from the layout to the materials is tailored to help children stay on task and maximize each therapy minute. At SmallTalk, our toys and activities are chosen with your child’s development in mind. Every single activity has a bigger purpose.

2. Access to Specialized Equipment and Materials

Clinics are equipped with therapeutic tools and activities that most homes simply can’t replicate, think sensory gyms, fine-motor skill stations, and advanced speech-language resources. These specialized materials give therapists more ways to engage your child, challenge their skills, and accelerate progress. Where else can your child build their own obstacle course with multiple swings, ropes, a climbing wall, and more?

3. Opportunities for Peer Interaction

In a clinic, your child can see other children working hard toward their own goals. Even without direct group sessions, watching peers model language, social skills, and cooperation can inspire confidence and motivation.
Peer interaction is especially important for building real-world communication and social skills, something that’s harder to simulate in a one-on-one home setting.

4. Clear Separation Between “Home” and “Work”

When therapy happens at home, it can be hard for children to mentally shift between playtime and “therapy time.” In a clinic setting, walking through the door signals that it’s time to learn, work, and grow. Clinic-based sessions typically operate on a regular schedule, with fewer interruptions from outside factors. This consistency is vital for building momentum in therapy and helping children reach their goals faster.
This separation also helps parents establish a healthy boundary, home remains a safe, relaxed space, while the clinic is where focused skill-building happens.

5. Access to a Collaborative Team

In a clinic, your child’s therapist can collaborate in real time with other speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and support staff. This teamwork means your child benefits from multiple professional perspectives, shared resources, and coordinated care, something that’s much harder to achieve in a home-based model.

6. Increased Parent Support and Education

Clinic visits create natural opportunities for parents to observe their child, connect with therapists, ask questions, and receive hands-on coaching. You will gain access to other in-clinic resources that simply aren’t part of most in-home programs.

Why This Matters for Your Child’s Development

Early intervention matters, but so does the quality and structure of the therapy your child receives. A clinic-based setting creates an environment that’s more engaging, better equipped, and more socially enriching, setting your child up for long-term success.

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we’ve seen firsthand the difference that the right setting can make. Our clinics are designed to be fun, welcoming, and filled with the tools your child needs to thrive. We work closely with families to ensure that every session moves your child closer to their goals, whether that’s clearer speech, improved fine motor skills, or greater confidence in daily activities.

If you’re considering a change in your child’s therapy setting, we’d be happy to answer your questions and show you what’s possible in a clinic-based model.

Give us a call at 619-647-6157 or send us an email at hello@smalltalkspeech.com if you’d like to get started.

Identifying Speech and Language Delays: A Guide for Referring Providers

Educational, General, Speech Therapy | Aug 13, 2025 4 min read

As a pediatrician or primary care provider, you are often the first professional a family consults when they have concerns about their child’s development. One of the most common questions parents ask is:

“Is my child’s speech development on track, or should I be concerned?”

Speech and language delays are among the most prevalent developmental concerns in early childhood, yet many children with delays are not identified or referred for support until after critical early windows have passed. Early intervention and timely referrals can significantly improve long-term outcomes in communication, academic readiness, and social-emotional health.

This guide outlines key speech and language early indicators, supported by current research, to help guide your decisions around when to refer for a speech-language evaluation.

The Prevalence of Speech and Language Delays

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 8-9% of young children have a speech sound disorder, and 7-8% of preschool children have language delays that may affect learning, behavior, and social interaction.

While every child develops at their own pace, persistent delays or lack of progress in key communication areas can indicate the need for further evaluation. Below are typical early indicators that suggest a child may benefit from a referral to a speech-language pathologist.

Early Indicators of Speech and Language Delays

By 12 Months

Does not babble with a variety of sounds (e.g., “ba,” “da,” “ga”)
Does not respond to name or familiar voices
Limited use of gestures (e.g., pointing, waving)

By 18 Months

Says fewer than 10 meaningful words
Does not attempt to imitate words or sounds
Cannot follow simple one-step commands without gestures

By 24 Months

Says fewer than 50 words
Not combining two words (e.g., “more juice,” “mama help”)
Speech is largely unintelligible to caregivers

By 36 Months

Struggles to form simple sentences
Speech is unclear to unfamiliar listeners more than 50% of the time
Limited vocabulary for age
Difficulty answering basic “wh” questions (e.g., what, where)

At Any Age

Regression in language skills
Persistent drooling or oral motor difficulties
Frustration or behavior issues related to difficulty communicating

Why An Early Referral Matters

Research supports early intervention as a key predictor of long-term success in children with language delays.

Children who receive therapy before age 3 make significantly greater gains in expressive language skills than those who begin later.
Without support, early speech and language delays can evolve into academic struggles, including reading and writing difficulties.

The earlier children receive therapy, the more effective and efficient their progress tends to be, both developmentally and from a resource perspective.

Our Approach at SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy

At SmallTalk, we specialize in evaluating and treating children with speech and language delays from infancy through school age. We understand that your time with families is limited, and our role is to support both you and your patients by providing:

Prompt evaluations and clear feedback
Family education and involvement in treatment planning
Collaborative care with pediatricians, early childhood educators, and specialists
Evidence-based, play-centered therapy that fosters engagement and growth

Whether a child is showing subtle signs of delay or more significant concerns, our team is here to help determine whether intervention is needed, and to guide families with care, compassion, and clinical expertise.

How to Refer

Referrals can be sent directly via fax or by calling our administrative team. We welcome direct conversations with providers who may want to discuss a particular case or family dynamic prior to referral.

If you’re unsure whether a child qualifies, we’re happy to offer an evaluation and determine if therapy is appropriate.

You as the primary care provider are the starting point for families. By identifying and referring children early, you play a critical role in shaping their communication journey—and in many cases, changing their trajectory for life.

How Virtual Speech and Language Therapy Can Support Your Family

Educational, Featured, General, Speech Therapy, Therapy | Apr 22, 2025 2 min read

As the world continues to expand its abilities to connect with other people, so has our ability as therapists to connect with you in ways that are flexible, effective, and fun! Virtual visits are a great method of speech-language services that ensure your child’s ability to make progress on their communication goals, while simultaneously supporting your family navigating busy schedules and lives.

What can be accomplished virtually?

There are a variety of benefits that a virtual visit can provide, much like in-person visits:

Assessments: Standardized assessments to determine the diagnosis of potential speech-language delays, as well as implementation of a comprehensive treatment plan are entirely achievable by meeting virtually. Virtual assessment sessions usually include a combination of standardized testing, particularly if your child is of age to participate. Another effective measure is parent interview, hearing from you exactly what your concerns and observations are of your child in their home environment.
Treatment: Virtual speech therapy sessions can be designed to meet the communication-specific needs of your child. Whether it is articulation, expressive/receptive language, social/pragmatic skills, or related areas, tasks developed through various online games, interactive stories, and songs/videos help support the progress of your child. Not to mention, they are designed to be fun and engaging so that your child will want to continue to attend these virtual visits!
Parent Education and Collaboration: Parents are just as important to the process of speech-language development as the therapists that work with your child. Virtual visits allow for private, constructive conversations to give parents suggestions, resources, and in-the-moment opportunities to demonstrate language facilitation strategies with their children right in the comfort of their own home!

So what now?

If your child might need a little guidance in speech and language, receiving services virtually is an effective way to support the communication journey of your child. SmallTalk offers virtual sessions all-week long, including several therapists, like me, who have dedicated an entire day to virtual sessions to connect with more families around the San Diego community. Please consider giving it a try – I hope to see you online!

By Alex Maloney, SLP

Catching Some Z’s

Educational, Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Mar 27, 2025 2 min read

Sleep is extremely important for one’s mood, growth, and overall wellbeing, but sometimes counting sheep just isn’t enough to fall asleep. Falling asleep can be particularly challenging for children with sensory processing differences, developmental delays, or Autism. Working with your family, occupational therapists can develop an individualized plan to help your little one fall asleep and catch some Z’s.

Why Isn’t My Kid Falling Asleep?

Sleep can be challenging for multiple reasons including:

Sensory Sensitivities and Overstimulation: Your child may have heightened or under-responsive sensory processing, which means they can be overly sensitive to certain sights, sounds, textures, or even smells. These sensory sensitivities can make it difficult for them to relax and fall asleep.
Difficulty Regulating Emotions: The transition from daytime and play to nighttime and bed can be challenging for those learning calming strategies for when transitioning can be challenging. Changes to routines from earlier in the day or known changes in future routines can also impact a child’s stress and ability to navigate through challenging emotions before they can calm to fall asleep
Medical Issues: Gastrointestinal problems or other sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea could also be negatively impacting your child’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep (Consult with your child’s pediatrician to rule out any medical issues that may be affecting sleep.)

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

Developing a Bedtime Routine: Having a routine helps kids wind down for the night. They know what to expect and don’t have to use additional brainpower to go from one step to the next.
Creating a Sensory-Friendly Sleep Environment: Occupational therapists can coach you to make your child’s sleep environment the best for them. That may mean using a sound machine, looking at the fabrics of both the child’s clothes and the sheets, and incorporating calming sensory supports prior to bedtime.

Final Thoughts

If your child is experiencing difficulty falling asleep, reaching out to an occupational therapist may be a valuable step towards finding a solution that works best for your family. With the right support, restful nights and more manageable days can be within reach.

By Lauren Fong, OTR/L

Tips For How to Use Books to Target Speech and Language Goals

Educational, Speech Therapy | Feb 27, 2025 3 min read

Life with children can be so busy, sometimes it feels like there’s not enough time in the day to work on speech and language goals. I have a great solution – BOOKS! Books are everywhere! I bet you’ve seen books in the dentist’s office lobby, your child’s pediatrician’s office, schools, and maybe even all over your child’s room! As a speech pathologist, I’m constantly grabbing and using books in my speech therapy sessions. Whether it’s associated with the time of year, a holiday, or just to use a book that is loaded with actions, books are an incredible resource to support your child’s speech and language development. Now, taking a book and putting it into practice whether that’s working on speech sounds, questions, perspective taking, etc. can feel daunting. Let’s make it simple, practical, and of course, FUN! Here is a list of my top 3, go to books, how to work on a variety of goals, and keep your child engaged throughout the process.

Go Away Big, Green Monster

1. Language:

Words have POWER in this book! What your child says goes, if they say “go away!” POOF, it’s gone! How cool is that cause/effect relationship!
Early language, Core word: “go,” this can be a sign, vocalization, word, etc
Identify: work on identifying body parts on the monster
Descriptions: big, green, purple, squiggly, etc.

2. Speech sounds: /g/, “go,” “big,” and “green”

3. AAC Device:

TouchChat WordPower 60 page set has this book programmed into the device!
Go to Read>Early books>Go Away Big, Green Monster

Where is Spot?

1. Language:

Yes/No questions, “is this Spot?”
Actions: knock knock, “open” sign
Answering “where” questions
Labeling animals, furniture, etc
Using prepositions
Animal noises associated with each animal
Gestalts:

– Let’s open it

– It’s not Spot

– What’s inside?

– It’s a X (label animals)

– What’s next?

2. Speech sounds:

/s/ blends (spot)
Multisyllabic words: honey, monkey, alligator, hippo, puppy, mommy, etc

3. AAC Device:

Model language on the animals page after opening each door

Little Blue Truck

1. Language:

Imitation and use of animal and environmental noises! “Beep!” “Croak,” “Neigh,” “Cluck,” etc
Identifying and/or labeling of animals
Variety of questions such as “Where are they going?” “Where are the animals?”
“What happened to the truck?”

2. Speech sounds:

Final consonants: beep, dump, honk, toad
/l/ (little, blue)
/k/ (truck, stuck, duck, honk, cluck, cow)

3. Rhyming

Great book for phonological awareness!

Next time your child brings you a book (or five), to read before bedtime, try to use a tip that best
resonates with you and your child’s needs! Happy reading!

By Brie Russell, M.S., CCC-SLP

What Are Primitive Reflexes and What is Their Impact?

Educational, Occupational Therapy, Therapy | Jan 30, 2025 2 min read

The Basics

Primitive reflexes are involuntary movements that develop in the womb and are present during infancy. They help your child learn to eat, reach for objects, roll over, crawl, and explore or learn their environment. Primitive reflexes are essential for survival and development in early childhood and many are often integrated by 6 months of age. Here are some examples of primitive reflexes:

Rooting: Your baby turns toward an object when their cheek is stroked.
Sucking: Your baby automatically sucks on a nipple or clean finger when inserted into their mouth.
Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex: When your baby’s head turns to one side, the arm and leg on that side extend and the opposite arm and leg flexes.
Tonic Labyrinthian Reflex: When your baby looks down, their arms, hips and legs want to curl in closer to the body and when they look up, their arms and legs tend to move outward.

Retained Reflexes

In some children, these primitive reflexes remain intact and are not naturally integrated. This can impact several aspects of development including:

Motor Planning
Muscle Tone
Postural Control
Balance and Coordination
Bilateral Coordination
Emotional Regulation
Attention
Vision
Spatial Perception

In older children, retained reflexes can result in clumsiness or increased cautiousness, difficulties attending in class, challenges with remaining seated, feeling fidgety, feeling anxious, or having emotional regulation challenges.

What Can I Do at Home?

Engaging your child in a variety of activities and exercises can help integrate retained reflexes. Activities that require crossing the body midline, using both hands together, and crawling scavenger hunts that promote independent head movements are some examples. However, if you suspect that your child may have retained primitive reflexes, consult your occupational therapist. They can best determine which, if any, reflexes your child has retained and provide an individualized treatment program for them.

By Danielle Pham, MOT, OTR/L

Big Voices in Little People: Understanding Vocal Nodules in Children

Educational, Speech Therapy, Therapy | Dec 23, 2024 2 min read

What Are Vocal Nodules?

Vocal nodules, often called singer’s nodules, are callus-like bumps on the vocal folds.
Caused by repeated misuse or overuse of the voice, they prevent the vocal folds from closing completely when producing sound.
Unlike vocal polyps (blister-like growths that can form from a single event, e.g., yelling), nodules develop gradually over time.
Their size can range from a pinhead to a split pea and, if untreated, can lead to further vocal strain and damage.

Common Causes of Vocal Nodules

Vocal Abuse Behaviors in Children:
- Excessive talking for extended periods.
- Loud vocalizations like shouting, screaming, whining, cheering, or crying
- Frequent coughing or throat clearing
- Strained vocal sounds (e.g., imitating vehicles, animals, or superheroes)
Vocal Misuse and Other Contributing Factors:
- Poor breath support during speaking or singing.
- Straining the voice or using incorrect pitch or volume outside of one’s natural range
Environmental and health factors:
- Chronic upper respiratory infections or allergies
- Acid reflux
- Exposure to second-hand smoke or air pollution, which exacerbates swelling and inflammation

Healthy Vocal Practices and Alternatives

To reduce strain and help nodules heal, children should follow these guidelines:

Avoid loud talking
- Family members should take turns speaking so that the child does not need to talk over other members in the family to be heard. Also, the child should walk closer to the listener instead of yelling from a distance.
No screaming when angry
- Offer alternatives like punching a pillow or tearing paper.
Stop imitating loud sounds (e.g., animals, motors, superheroes)
- Use a gentle humming sound instead.
Refrain from talking over background noise
- Turn off TVs or radios during conversations to avoid shouting.
Replace throat clearing with a hard swallow
- This clears secretions without damaging the vocal folds.
Pause singing for now
- Encourage playing a musical instrument or using a whistle instead.
Stay hydrated
- Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated drinks. Caffeine causes dehydration, making vocal folds more prone to injury.

Encouraging Compliance

Positive reinforcement works best. Use tools like sticker charts to track progress.
Offer gentle reminders rather than nagging if rules are broken.

By adopting these practices with consistent effort and patience, vocal nodules will typically heal over time. Your speech-language pathologist can assist your child in regaining healthy vocal habits and preventing future issues.

By Kathleen Winger, M.S., CCC-SLP

Great Games for Gifts from a Speech Therapist

Educational, Featured, Speech Therapy | Nov 21, 2024 3 min read

…and fun ways to target speech and language

The holiday season brings festive lights, cozy family time, and a welcome break from busy school routines. With kids home and more time together, it’s the perfect opportunity to slow down, unplug, and connect through play. Whether you’re looking for thoughtful gift ideas or fun ways to spend screen-free time at home, games can be a wonderful way to keep your child engaged and learning.

As a speech therapist, we love using games in our sessions because they make learning fun and meaningful. Play is one of the most powerful ways to support speech, language, and overall development and it doesn’t have to stop when therapy ends. Below are some of our favorite games that bring joy and skill-building together this holiday season along with goals you can target while you play!

Pop the Pig (ages 4+, 2-6 players)

Turn taking
Two step directions (e.g., roll the dice, then feed the pig; feed the pig, then press his head)
Speech sounds (e.g., say a word before every turn)
Simple “what” questions (e.g., what color did you get?; what number is it?)

Feed the Woozle (ages 3-6, 2-5 players)

Following directions
R words in phrases (e.g., chocolate covered flies, moldy macaroni, spider egg pudding)
L words in phrases (e.g., liverwurst popsicle, lemon flavored underwear, iced garlic
S words in phrases (e.g., sugar coated sardines, baseball sandwich, soggy sausage)

Zingo (ages 4+, 2-6 players)

Naming objects in pictures
Turn taking
Answering yes/no questions for facts (e.g., do you have a tree?)

Tell Tale (ages 5+, 1-8 players)

Using story telling elements
Maintaining conversation topic
Answering wh- questions
Retelling stories

I Spy Eagle Eye (ages 5+)

SP blends in phrases (e.g., I spy…)
Naming objects in pictures
Where questions (e.g., where is it?)

By Jess Wi MS, CCC-SLP

The holidays are the perfect time to reconnect, play, and make meaningful memories together. Whether you choose a game that encourages conversation, teamwork, or problem-solving, each moment of play can support your child’s speech, language, and developmental growth in a natural, joyful way.

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we believe that learning happens best when it’s fun. If you’d like more ideas for play-based learning or have questions about your child’s progress, our teams in La Mesa, Mission Valley, and Scripps Ranch are here to help.