With Fall coming to a close, we’re spending more days indoors and looking for meaningful ways to enjoy that precious time with our little ones. For new parents, it may feel overwhelming to learn so much at once. That’s why we created a supportive community where parents can connect with their babies and meet other families. Our Baby and Me support group is a free, weekly meetup for parents with babies ages 0-5 months. This warm, welcoming gathering, held at our Brooklyn Heights office, features a child development expert who shares their knowledge and answers questions. We are thrilled to host EMpower PT, a local pediatric physical therapy practice, which will be visiting during the November 5th support group.

We invite you to explore our groups, classes, and services. Read below to learn more.

Sincerely,

Meghan O’Grady from Speech Language Play NYC

Baby and Me Provider Spotlight: EMpower PT

EMpower Physical Therapy is a small private practice providing in-home pediatric physical and occupational therapy to families across Manhattan and Brooklyn. We meet each family where they are and focus on steady, consistent growth for every child. We work with children who are having trouble meeting milestones, and often answer questions like “Do you think his head is too flat?” “She’s 15 months and still not walking. Should I be worried?”, or “He’s 3 and runs fast, but he’s really pigeon-toed. What should I do?”. We also treat children who are neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, etc.) and children with neurological or genetic diagnoses.

Learn more about EMpower here and email or call them at (201) 591-5253.

Support group for parents with newborns to 5-month-olds held on Thursdays, 11/5 - 12/17, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

November 5th will feature EMpower PT

RSVP here for Baby and Me

Join our upcoming classes!

It’s not too late to join our Mini Mae-Mae Class. Learn how simple moments of play can inspire language learning. Connect with your child, meet other families, and discover how movement, music, play, and books support early communication development.

Not sure if your child is the right fit for our class? We offer a $50 drop-in rate if you’d like to try it out.

For ages 10 - 16 months. Held on Wednesdays, 10/21 - 11/25, 12:00 pm - 12:35 pm, and Saturdays 11/14 - 01/9, 12:05 pm - 12:40 pm

Register for Mini Mae Mae here.

For ages 12 - 24 months.

Our Mae Mae and Me class is currently full. Please email us to reserve your spot for the next group.

Blog post: Questions to ask a Speech Therapist

We often hear from families who wonder about aspects of their child’s speech and language development. In today’s blog, we answer common questions.

When does my child need to see a speech therapist? This varies based on a child’s age and overall development. We consider all aspects of a child’s development when guiding families because there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Here are a couple of common speech and language topics that families share and what we advise before meeting the child:

My 2-year-old is not talking; do I need to see a speech therapist? Speech therapist’s advice: Speech therapy will likely be very helpful for this child!

My child has a made-up language- no one understands what they’re saying. Speech therapist’s advice: It’d be helpful to learn more about this child’s age, language and speech skills, and other communication skills. Sometimes this is “jargon,” — a developmental stage toddlers progress through. Other times, children may need support to progress through the phase or could be developing in a way that warrants a different approach to speech therapy.

My child understands everything but is not talking - do they need speech therapy? Speech therapist’s advice: It’d be helpful to learn more about this child’s age, language and speech skills, and other communication skills. Reach out to a speech therapist for a free consultation.

My child is hard to understand- do they need speech therapy? Speech therapist’s advice: This also depends on a child’s age! For young children (less than 2 years old), this may be developmentally appropriate. For older children, speech therapy is likely helpful. A speech therapist will assess the sound errors the child is presenting with and determine both if the child would benefit from speech therapy at that time and what approach to therapy would be best.

My child repeats quotes from television shows, like Ms. Rachel, or my child can sing their ABCs and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but doesn’t say other things- do they need speech therapy? Speech therapist’s advice: Schedule a consultation with a speech therapist who understands and treats gestalt language processors. Children can develop language in different ways, and working with a provider who understands both developmental approaches will help you find the best guidance and support for your child.

What other questions do you have about your child’s speech and language development? Feel free to email us or schedule a consultation.

We hope you and your little one are enjoying a playful Halloween season! Exciting news—tomorrow, October 21st, marks the start of our new classes at our Brooklyn Heights clinic. Join us for a fun, engaging semester focused on meaningful play that supports early communication development. Secure your spot for 6 sessions for $300, or try a $55 drop-in class.

We’re also thrilled to introduce “Baby and Me”—a free, weekly Infant-Caregiver Group for families with newborns to 5-month-olds. Connect with other new parents and learn from a visiting guest expert, including lactation consultants, occupational therapists, social workers, and more. Keep reading to learn more and register below.

Sincerely,

Meghan O’Grady from Speech Language Play NYC

Mini Mae Mae Class — (ages 5 months - 1 year)

Classes held on Wednesdays, 10/21 - 11/25, 12:00 pm - 12:35 pm, and Saturdays 11/14 - 01/9, 12:05 pm - 12:40 pm

This class is designed for babies ages 5–12 months and their caregivers, blending play, toys, movement, music, and books to nurture language development. Led by an early childhood development specialist, each class provides hands-on activities to build your baby’s communication skills before they say their first word. Ignite your child’s imagination as they discover the world through purposeful play and sensory-rich activities that support development.

Learn to play with your baby at home, connect with other families, and watch your baby’s confidence and communication begin to flourish. Help set your baby on the path to success with meaningful play that stimulates future speech and language.

Register here

Mae Mae & Me Class — (ages 1 - 2 years)

Classes held on Tuesdays, 10/27 - 12/1, 10:05 am - 10:40 am

Mae Mae & Me is a speech and language class where little ones (12- 24 months) and their caregivers learn together. We focus on building connection and confidence, while also developing first words and phrases.

In each class, you’ll learn simple, effective strategies to support your child’s communication during everyday moments. This class is especially supportive for toddlers who are working on developing their first words and/or beginning to combine words into simple phrases. We’ll share a strategy to frame the class, then use play, sensory experiences, music, and movement to support your child’s language development!

Register here

Baby and Me Infant-Caregiver Group — (newborn - 5 months)

Support group held on Thursday, 11/5 - 12/17, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Join this free cozy gathering for new parents and their little ones to connect, share, and feel supported during the early weeks and months of parenthood. Each meetup will feature a different local provider, such as a lactation consultant, occupational therapist, social worker, or other child and family specialist, who will stop by to share helpful information and answer questions related to their field.

Come for the conversation, enjoy an inviting space to hang out, and learn about your child’s development. Baby & Me is a chance to meet other new families, learn something new, and enjoy time together with your baby.

Register here

All groups take place at:

Speech Language Play NYC

32 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn

Current clients and siblings receive 25% off groups ✨

Spots are limited! Email meghan@speechlanguageplaynyc.com to register

Fall is here, bringing new beginnings and big transitions. With school on everyone’s mind, your child may have just returned to class, or you may be anticipating their first school day. Since speech and language are vital for lifelong success, you might also be eagerly awaiting your baby’s first words as you look forward to their bright future.

As we welcome this new season, we’re sharing our newly designed newsletter. In this issue, we highlight key developmental milestones, what to know about late talkers, and how to recognize when a speech therapist’s guidance is helpful.

We’re also delighted to announce our new semester of early language classes: Mini Mae Mae (ages 6–12 months) and Mae Mae & Me (ages 12–24 months). These engaging, play-based classes nurture speech and language development for babies and toddlers at any stage.

Please read on to learn more, and contact us for a consultation if you need personalized help for your little one.

Sincerely,

Meghan O’Grady from Speech Language Play NYC

Learn about Mini Mae Mae

Learn about Mae Mae & Me

Featured Blog Post

Around 12 months, many children begin using their first words. These might be spoken words or signs. Over the next year, children typically begin using more and more words and eventually start combining words into short phrases.

But what happens when a toddler isn’t following this expected trajectory? In particular, what does it mean when your toddler seems to understand everything but isn’t talking yet?

For some children, expressive language develops more slowly than receptive language. A toddler may understand much of what is said to them but have a harder time expressing themselves in words.

If you’re wondering, My toddler understands everything but isn’t talking- is this normal?, it’s important to look at the whole picture of communication, including the ways your child is already communicating.

Signs to look for include:

✔ Imitating - Does your child imitate your actions, sounds, or facial expressions?

✔ Babbling and jargon - Is your child experimenting with different sounds or using speech-like strings of sounds?

✔ Gestures - Does your child point, wave, reach, or shake/nod their head to communicate?

✔ Joint attention - Does your child look between you and an object or activity to share attention?

✔ Understanding - Does your child understand familiar words, routines, or simple directions?

What if my toddler understands everything but doesn’t talk?

It’s very common for children to understand more language than they can express. In fact, this is true for people of all ages, including adults learning a new language!

When we understand language, we benefit from its context. We can listen to what someone says, watch their facial expressions and gestures, and use the situation around us to figure out what they mean.

Expressing language is a different task. Your child has to come up with an idea, find the words to communicate it, organize those words, and coordinate all the movements needed to produce speech sounds.

For some toddlers, this expressive side of language develops more slowly than their understanding. A child may demonstrate a strong understanding of language while still using relatively few spoken words.

Children with relatively limited expressive vocabulary, despite otherwise age-appropriate development, are often described as late talkers.

Being a late talker does not necessarily mean that a child will have a long-term language difficulty. However, it is worth paying attention to how your child’s communication develops over time and to seek support when you have concerns.

When should I see a speech therapist for my toddler?

If you’re concerned about your child’s communication, you don’t have to wait until they reach a particular age or word amount before reaching out to a speech-language pathologist.

You may want to talk with a speech therapist if your toddler:

✰ Isn’t using words or word approximations to communicate

✰ Isn’t gaining new words over time

✰ Rarely uses gestures such as pointing, waving, or reaching

✰ Isn’t imitating sounds, actions, or gestures

✰ Has difficulty understanding familiar words or directions

✰ Seems frustrated when trying to communicate

✰ Has stopped using words or communication skills they previously had

A speech-language pathologist will look at more than how many words your child says. They may consider your child’s:

✰ Understanding of language

✰ Use of gestures

✰ Imitation skills

✰ Sounds, babbling, and word attempts

✰ Social communication

✰ Play skills

✰ Ability to communicate wants, needs, and ideas

✰ Overall developmental history

A Speech Therapist uses this bigger picture to expertly understand how your child communicates, not just how many words they speak.

Looking for support with your toddler’s language?

At Speech Language Play NYC, we offer individual speech-language therapy and caregiver-and-toddler classes designed to support early communication through play.

Mae-Mae & Me is a small-group, speech-therapist-led class for toddlers and their caregivers. We use songs, movement, sensory play, and everyday routines to help caregivers learn practical strategies they can use with their children at home.

If your toddler is beginning to use words, you’re concerned about their language development, or you want to learn more about supporting communication, Mae Mae & Me can be a great place to start.

Baby/Caregiver Early Language Class

Designed for babies ages 6–12 months and their caregivers, this interactive class combines movement, music, play, and books to support the earliest stages of communication development. Connect with your baby, meet other families, and discover how simple moments of play can lay the foundation for communication and learning.

☺ A speech-language pathologist leads each session

☎ Provides opportunities to build and encourage speech and language

✎ Learn everyday strategies and routines that support language growth

Early Language Class

Mae Mae & Me is a speech and language class where little ones (12- 24 months) and their caregivers learn together. We focus on building connection and confidence, while also developing first words and phrases.

In each class, you’ll learn simple, effective strategies to support your child’s communication during everyday moments. We’ll share a strategy to frame the class, then use play, sensory experiences, music, and movement to support your child’s language development!

➜ Ideal for late talkers, and just as beneficial and fun for any toddler-aged child

♡ Caregiver-focused so you leave knowing how to help

❁ Rooted in real-life strategies

Additional Resources

View other blog posts and view our resources page.

Thank you for reading!

Visit our website to learn more or book a complimentary consultation.