What Parents Need to Know:

Language development is one of the most exciting parts of early childhood—but it can also bring up lots of questions for parents. Is my child on track? Should they be talking more? Is it okay that others her age are talking so much more? 

The good news? Building strong communication skills doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be fun, natural, and rooted in connection. Most importantly, parents do not need to answer these questions on their own. 

A Play-Based Speech Therapy Approach

At the heart of everything we do is play. At New Hope Healing, Speech Therapist Allyssa Richards believes that every speech and language goal can be met through meaningful, joyful interaction. Whether it’s stacking blocks, pretending to cook, or heading out on a backyard adventure, play creates the perfect environment for kids to express themselves.

“Language is best learned through natural play and in a natural environment,” Allyssa says. “When a child is interested and engaged, that’s when real communication begins.”

Therapy sessions are child-led and flexible. If a child wants to run in the gym, that becomes the session; if they’re in the mood to sit and play a game, that’s where the work happens. Allyssa’s role is to weave their communication goals into whatever sparks their curiosity that day. And because therapy looks and feels like play—on purpose—kids stay engaged while practicing essential skills.

What Speech Therapy Really Supports

Speech therapy is about so much more than just speech. Allyssa works on a wide range of skills including:

• Talking and expressing thoughts
  
• Understanding and processing language
  
• Listening and following directions
  
• Social interaction and communication
  
• Early literacy and pre-reading skills
  

Every child’s plan is uniquely tailored to their strengths, challenges, and the way they learn best. No two sessions look the same—because no two kids are the same. “We’re not just building words—we’re building confidence, connection, and a foundation for lifelong communication,” Allyssa explains.

How Parents Can Support Language at Home

You don’t need special tools or hours of extra time to make a difference. Even five to ten minutes of intentional interaction each day can go a long way. Allyssa encourages parents to make speech practice part of daily life. Here are some ideas she likes to share with parents:

Narrate your day: “We’re brushing your teeth—up and down!” This helps kids connect words with actions and routines.

Read together with curiosity: Look at pictures, make predictions, or make up your own story. Let your child turn the pages—even if you haven’t finished reading. 

Get on their level: Sit or kneel so you’re face to face. It builds connection and makes play more meaningful.

Be silly, not scripted: Instead of asking a lot of questions or prompting them to repeat words, let the conversation flow naturally. If they don’t answer a question, model the response yourself and move on.

Avoid pressure: Phrases like “Say this” can feel stressful. Instead, create space for spontaneous language by modeling rich, engaging talk.

When to Consider Extra Help

All children grow at their own pace—but some signs may mean your child could benefit from a speech-language evaluation. Trust your instincts.

“Parents usually know when something is off,” Allyssa says. “If you’re concerned, it’s worth looking into. Your gut feeling is usually right.”

Here are a few signs to watch for:

• By 12 months: Not babbling or using gestures like waving or pointing
  
• By 18 months: Using fewer than 10 words
  
• By 2 years: Not combining two words (like “more juice”)
  
• By 3 years: Hard to understand or using only short/simple sentences
  
• Any time: Sudden loss of words or frequent frustration when trying to communicate

You’re Not Alone

Getting support early can make a big difference—in school, friendships, and beyond. And it doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” It just means your child might need a little extra help finding their voice.

“Progress is often slow and steady,” Allyssa reminds families. “Every small step matters. And when parents and therapists work together, that’s when we see the biggest growth.” Allyssa’s favorite part of the job? “I love giving parents hope for their child’s future. Seeing the joy on their faces—and their child’s—when progress is made, even in the smallest ways, is what it’s all about.”