Simmons Early Intervention Therapy

01/21/2026

How does reading verse audiobooks compare and how to use both effectively with speech therapy!

Reading with a child is more helpful for speech therapy than audiobooks alone but audiobooks are still valuable when used the right way.

Reading Aloud (MOST Helpful for Speech Therapy)
Why it’s powerful:
* Models correct pronunciation, grammar, and sentence structure
* Allows for back-and-forth interaction (the biggest driver of speech growth)
* Encourages children to imitate words and phrases
* Builds vocabulary tied to real-time conversation
Speech skills it supports best:
* Expressive language (speaking in sentences)
* Articulation (how sounds are made)
* Turn-taking and conversational skills
Gold standard for speech development

Audiobooks (Helpful — but Not a Replacement)
What audiobooks do well:
* Improve listening comprehension
* Expose kids to rich vocabulary and storytelling
* Help with attention and narrative skills
* Support language learning during car rides or quiet time
Limitations for speech therapy:
* No natural pauses for child responses
* No modeling of interactive conversation
* Doesn’t require the child to speak
Audiobooks help language understanding more than speech production.

Why Interaction Matters So Much
Speech therapy relies on:
* Hearing → processing → responding
* Imitation and feedback
* Adjusting speech in real time
A live reader can:
* Slow down
* Repeat words
* Ask questions
* Expand the child’s responses
An audiobook can’t do that on its own.

Best practice is to use BOTH together!

01/19/2026

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed deeply in the power of voice, that every person deserves to be heard, understood, and valued.

On this MLK Day, we’re reminded that speech therapy is about more than words. It’s about:

Helping children find their voice
Giving them the tools to express their needs, thoughts, and feelings
Creating a world where every voice matters, no matter how small or how long it takes to be heard

When we support children through speech therapy, we’re honoring Dr. King’s vision of dignity, equity, and opportunity for all—starting with the ability to communicate.

Because when a child can find their voice, they can change their world. 💬

01/19/2026

01/16/2026

Playing UNO as a family is more than just fun—it quietly builds a lot of important skills while strengthening family connection. Here’s a clear list of the biggest benefits:

❤️ Emotional & Family Benefits
Strengthens family bonds through shared laughter and competition
Creates traditions kids remember and look forward to
Builds positive parent-child connection in a low-pressure setting
Boosts confidence when kids experience success and inclusion

🗣️ Communication & Social Skills
Encourages turn-taking and listening
Teaches appropriate reactions to winning and losing
Builds sportsmanship and empathy
Promotes conversation, humor, and storytelling

🧠 Cognitive & Learning Benefits
Improves color and number recognition
Builds pattern matching and categorization skills
Strengthens working memory (remembering whose turn, rules)
Encourages strategic thinking and planning

Have FUN playing!

01/15/2026

Are family game nights important?

Game nights matter because they do something rare and powerful for families: they create shared joy with full attention. Here’s why they’re so important especially long-term.

-Strengthen Family Bonds
Game nights put everyone on the same team (or at least the same table). Laughing, competing, and problem-solving together builds trust and emotional closeness that busy schedules often erode.

-Improve Communication
Games naturally spark conversation strategy talk, playful banter, storytelling. Kids often open up more during side-by-side play than in direct “how was your day?” conversations.

-Teach Life Skills (Without Lectures)
Through games, kids learn:
* Taking turns & patience
* Winning with humility
* Losing with grace
* Critical thinking & decision-making
* Following rules & fair play
These lessons stick because they’re experienced, not preached.

-Create Screen-Free Connection
Game nights offer a built-in break from phones, TVs, and tablets modeling healthy tech boundaries while replacing them with meaningful interaction.

-Reduce Stress & Build Joy
Laughter lowers stress hormones. A relaxed, playful environment helps both kids and parents decompress and associate home with warmth and safety.

-Build Family Traditions
Consistent game nights become anchor memories. Years later, kids don’t remember the busy weeks—but they remember Friday night Uno or Sunday board games after dinner.

-Support Emotional Security
When kids know there’s predictable, positive time with family, it strengthens their sense of belonging and emotional resilience especially during tough seasons.

-Level the Playing Field
Games put parents and kids on equal footing. Kids feel seen and respected when adults play with them not just supervise them.

�Game nights aren’t about the game. They’re about presence, connection, and creating a family culture where people enjoy being together.

01/14/2026

Contact SEIT Today! www.simmonseitherapy.com

01/12/2026

Happy Monday - SEIT is HERE for you!

01/09/2026

15–25 min Game Ideas to create Movement or Silliness
This resets energy and attention of the family.😀

Examples:
Simon Says
Charades (animals only)
Freeze Dance
Balloon volleyball
Go Fish

01/07/2026

Speech and mental health are deeply connected.
When we support communication, we also support confidence, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

01/06/2026

Struggling to find the right words?
Feeling misunderstood at work or in relationships?
Early support can prevent small challenges from becoming lifelong barriers.
Connect with us today, https://www.simmonseitherapy.com/mentalhealth

We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of behavioral health and wellness services to our community, including substance abuse treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), peer support, and DWI education.