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https://bio.site/kozespeechtherapy

Koze Speech Therapy, Englewood, NJ (2025)

12/23/2025

Research shows that the variety of words toddlers hear in their second year ✌️ really matters.

Why? ⬇️

Around 2️⃣4️⃣ months, many toddlers start putting two words together once they know about 50 words.

This stage is a big language growth phase 📈. Toddlers are learning new words all the time!

At first, kids use lots of nouns (like “dog,” “baby,” or “car”) to get their message across. But to start combining words, they need to hear more than just names of things.

To support two-word phrases, try mixing in different kinds of words when you talk:

☀️ action words (like “go” or “want”)
☀️ describing words (like “big” or “red”)
☀️ how-to words (like “slowly” or “fast”)
☀️ ownership words (like “my” or “your”)

Little changes in how you talk can make a big difference 💛

Did you know this?

12/10/2025

In today’s speech therapy session, we used The Very Hungry Caterpillar props 🐛 to make practicing speech sounds feel playful and natural.

Using books this way is a great way to blend reading with speech sound practice because your child gets to enjoy the story while also getting lots of meaningful chances to practice their sounds.

And the best part is that it works with any speech sound.

If you want to try this at home with your child at home, here are a few simple ideas to keep things fun (and not drill-like):

🥄 Feed the sound to a puppet or prop.
Say the sound or word together, then “feed” it to a hungry caterpillar, stuffed animal, or even a cup. Kids love the silly routine and the repetition happens naturally.

🔎 Make a sound hunt in the book.
Flip through the pages and look for pictures or words that start with your child’s target sound. You can model phrases like, “I found one!” or “Here it is!”

👩‍🚀 Turn it into a pretend-play moment.
Act out parts of the story using toys or simple items at home. Each time your child interacts, you can model their sound in short, playful phrases.

When you mix reading with play and sound practice, your child gets to learn in a way that feels natural and fun 🤸🏿

If you’re not sure where to start or want personalized ideas for your child, feel free to send us a message. We’re here to help make speech practice feel easy and fun!

12/10/2025

Sometimes a stick is not a stick… at least not to your child.

It can be a telescope, a magic wand, a baton, a fishing pole or whatever their imagination decides in that moment. And that’s the beauty of play.

Your child doesn’t need special toys to learn and grow. What matters most is how you play together. A simple object opens the door for language:

👀 “I see you looking…”
🤺 “You’re pretending it’s a…”
🪄 “It can be a…”

When we let kids lead the play, they naturally explore new words, ideas, and stories. This kind of open-ended play is powerful for building language because it encourages creativity, problem-solving, turn-taking, and imagination — all through everyday objects.

At Koze Speech, we use this type of play in therapy to help children learn language in ways that feel natural and joyful.

For play tips you can use at home, feel free to reach out to us or check the resources in our link in bio.

12/05/2025

Some toddlers and preschoolers need a little extra support feeling comfortable talking in new places or around new people.

That’s why, when we evaluate for selective mutism, we bring materials that help kids relax and have fun, partner games like Zingo, pretend-play sets, Mr. Potato Head, and silly books to help break the ice and make the evaluation feel fun.

When we look into selective mutism, we keep things very gentle and play-based. We spend time getting to know how your child communicates at home, at school, and in other settings.

We also look at their language skills, gather information from teachers if needed, and consider things like big life changes or whether your child is learning more than one language.

Sometimes we even break the evaluation into smaller visits to build trust, because anxiety can play a big role in selective mutism.

At Koze Speech Therapy, our goal is to make the process feel warm, supportive, and truly child-centered for toddlers and preschoolers in Bergen and Essex County, and virtually for families anywhere.

If you’re wondering whether your child’s shyness is typical or if it could be something more like selective mutism, feel free to send us a message or check our link in bio.

You’re not alone. we’re here to help you take the next step.

12/03/2025

Toddlers don’t like to talk when they feel pressured, and honestly, none of us do. They learn and open up so much more when the moment feels positive, easy, and fun.

When we ask too many questions, it can start to feel like a quiz. That pressure can make it harder for your toddler to join in or try new words, especially if they’re a late talker or a little hesitant to speak.

Here are a few gentle ways to keep the conversation going:

👉 Make comments instead of asking questions. Try “I see a cow,” “You’re building a tower,” or “The horse says neigh!” instead of “What’s this?”

👉 Pause and wait. Give your toddler a chance to jump in. Instead of “What does the cow say?” try “The cow says… (wait a few seconds)… MOO!”

👉 Mix it up. A balance of comments and occasional questions keeps things relaxed and playful. When we coach families in Bergen and Essex County through in-person therapy — and families everywhere else through virtual coaching with Koze Speech — we teach the simple 3:1 rule: three comments for every one question.

These simple shifts help your toddler learn new words without feeling like they’re being “tested.”

If these tips helped, share 📨 this post with another parent!

For more support, you can schedule a video consultation in the link in our bio or grab our free talking tips, also in the link in our bio.

12/02/2025

😮 Did you know pretend play and language development grow side by side?

Most little ones start pretending around the same time they say their very first words (usually between 11 and 18 months). As they learn that one object can stand in for something else (a block becomes a phone), they also start to understand that words can stand in for thoughts and ideas. 💡

Here’s what research tells us about children who engage in lots of pretend play compared to children who don’t:

🔆 They use words and phrases to talk about things they’ve never actually seen, like dragons, unicorns, or going to outer space.

🔆 They play with language more, making up silly words that fit the scenario like “space guy” or “mask guy.”

🔆 They use a wider variety of words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns) and get better at putting them together in phrases and sentences.

So how can you support your child’s language during pretend play? Here are 6 play tips you can use right away:

1️⃣ Set up a simple pretend scenario (like a tea party) and then let your child take the lead.
2️⃣ Use descriptive language to add new words to their play.
3️⃣ Ask who, what, where, and “what doing” questions and model how to answer them.
4️⃣ Use story prompts to help your child build their own story.
5️⃣ Sing familiar tunes but change the lyrics to match your pretend play.
6️⃣ Get into character! Dress up and act out everyday roles like a cashier, firefighter, or teacher.

When we support our little clients in speech therapy here in Bergen County, pretend play is one of our favorite ways to build language naturally. It keeps things fun, low-pressure, and full of opportunities for your child to learn new words in real time. 💛

For a list of pretend play toys we love, comment PRETEND or check out our favorite toys list in the link in bio!

12/01/2025

Animal words and sounds are usually kids’ first words because they are easy to say!

As speech therapists, we love making up songs with familiar tunes to help kids say animal words and sounds. These are called piggyback songs.

Here are some tips for making the most out of this song:

1. PAUSE AND WAIT
You can pause and wait before the animal name or the animal sound and see if your child will jump in and say it! Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect to count.
▶️ “The cow says _____.” or “The _____ says moo!”

2. USE SILLY VOICES AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Use a deep voice when you moo like a cow or a high-pitched voice when you baa like a sheep to keep things fun and encourage your little one to jump in.

3. USE SIGNS AND FUN GESTURES
Use the signs for the animal names as you sing the song to give your child different ways to show you what they know. Remember: Your child will use gestures to communicate before they use words.

Try singing this song today and come back and share what your child did in the comments. Remember to save this post so you know where to come back to! 💛

And if you want support using music and play to build your little one’s language, reach out to schedule a video consultation. We’ll walk you through strategies you can use right away in your everyday routines.

11/18/2025

Singing is such an easy way to boost your child’s language, and you don’t have to sound like a pro to make it work! When you sing, you’re helping your little one hear new words, practice sounds, and stay connected to your language.

Try singing “The Wheels on the Bus” in the car, or make up a silly song while you’re getting dressed in the morning. Your child doesn’t care what it sounds like as much as they just love hearing your voice.

Little moments like this add up 💛🎶

If you want more simple, everyday ideas to help your child talk and understand more, we’d love to support you. Tap the link in our bio to book a video session and a list of our favorite language-boosting songs!

11/18/2025

🛝 Practicing speech sounds can happen anywhere! Share this post with a parent friend, if you found it helpful ☺️

What would you add? ⤵️

11/18/2025

Many little ones need more than one way to share their thoughts, wants, and ideas, and that’s where AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) can make a huge difference 💛

AAC helps to support speech, and for some minimally speaking children, introducing an AAC system early can open the door to real communication breakthroughs.

Here are a few powerful benefits of AAC:

✨ It gives your child a voice right now, so they don’t have to wait to “talk more” to start expressing themselves.

✨ It reduces frustration.
When kids can communicate their needs, we often see fewer big behaviors and more connection.

✨ It supports language communication development.
Many children actually say and attempt to say words once they have a reliable way to communicate.

In our practice, we include AAC options in early language sessions when appropriate. After your child’s initial evaluation, we can also guide you through a referral to an AAC specialist and help you find the right fit for your family.

If you’re wondering whether AAC could help your child, or if you just have questions about their speech and language development, we’re here for you.

You can schedule a video consultation through the link in our bio anytime 💛

Koze Speech Therapy

12/23/2025

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Monday	10am - 7pm
Tuesday	10am - 7pm
Wednesday	10am - 7pm
Thursday	10am - 7pm