Sunflower Speech, PLLC.

09/07/2025

🌊🚣‍♀️ The Cozy Canoe Swing is more than just fun—it’s therapy in disguise! 💙

Kids love the gentle rocking and “boat ride” adventures, while parents love knowing it’s helping with:
✨ Calming and regulating big feelings through deep pressure input
✨ Building strength, balance, and coordination (without feeling like “work”)
✨ Boosting focus and attention so they’re ready to learn
✨ Sparking imaginative play and storytelling (“Are we sailing to a pirate island today? 🏝️🦜”)

We’re so excited to share that we just got the Cozy Canoe Swing at Sunflower Speech—and we can’t wait to start setting sail with our clients! 🌻⚓️

09/05/2025

🚫🗣️ Don’t Say “Say” 👂💡
One of the biggest tricks in helping kids build language is… not saying “say”!
❌ “Say ball.”
❌ “Say thank you.”
❌ “Say hi.”
Why? Because language grows best when it’s natural and connected to real experiences—not when it feels like a test.
✅ Instead, model the word yourself in a fun way:
👩‍👦 Child points to a ball → You say: “Ball! Wow, a big red ball! Let’s roll the ball!”
By hearing the word in context (and without the pressure), kids are more likely to use it on their own. 🌟
👉 Remember: Kids learn to talk by listening, watching, and engaging—not by being quizzed. So fill their world with rich words and playful interactions, and those “sayings” will come naturally. 💬✨

09/02/2025

🌻✨ Shouting Congratulations from the rooftops to Noelle! She is celebrating 3 years with Sunflower Speech and we are Enchanted to have her!✨🌻
She helps kids Shake It Off when words feel tricky, brings fearless fun to therapy, and makes every day feel like The Best Day. 💛
Here’s to our Swiftie SLP and all the sunshine she brings—We are definitely The Lucky One! 🪩💬🎶

08/27/2025

✨ A huge thank you to Ms. Rina ✨
It’s been such a joy working with you — your energy, kindness, and fun spirit made every day brighter. While we’re sad to see you go, we’re so excited for you as you head back to your hometown and start this next chapter. 💛
You’ll be missed more than you know, but you’ve left a lasting mark here. Wishing you all the happiness and success in this new journey! 🌟

08/25/2025

Everyone please wish Ms. Rayna a HAPPY ONE YEAR anniversary with Sunflower Speech! Rayna, you are a DREAM of a coworker and a brilliant therapist. Thank you so much for giving it 100% every day!!

08/15/2025

It took me a while to process this incredible African experience I had this summer. One of my favorite parts of the trip was meeting these incredible people who are doing amazing work on the other side of the world. I had the pleasure of introducing Gestalt Language to this brilliant group of speech therapists from Hope Speaks. They were inquisitive and engaged. I am grateful for their patience and grace as they waited on my 3+ hour delay in getting to them from the airport! I wish I had more time with them. Maybe I'll find myself in Uganda again at some point and get to see their clinic and meet some of their kids. Biggest thanks to Likana Safaris Uganda who helped to establish this connection and hosting this event! They display incredible leadership and forward-thinking in making connections for the well being of Uganda and the people who live there. If you ever want to see the most amazing country with the most amazing group of people, contact Bonny with Likana Safaris Uganda. You will not be disappointed! If you are looking for an organization to support, please donate to Hope Speaks so they can continue grow their organization to support special needs children in their area.

08/12/2025

Please share with any AMAZING speech therapists that may be looking to join a fun and passionate group of therapists!

07/26/2025

Welove using pretend play to support language development—and one of our favorite themes is playing doctor! 🩺👩‍⚕️💬

Pretend play creates natural opportunities for children to:

🗣️ Use and expand vocabulary
Words like stethoscope, thermometer, check-up, heartbeat, bandage, and patient become meaningful as kids use them in context.

For example, a child might say: “I need the thermometer! Your temperature is too high!” 🌡️
📖 Practice narrative skills
Children learn to tell stories with a beginning, middle, and end.

“First I check your heart. Then I give you a shot. Now you feel better!” This sequencing helps develop storytelling and comprehension skills.
🧠 Understand and use different sentence types
They use questions (“Where does it hurt?”), commands (“Open your mouth!”), and descriptions (“You have a big owie!”).

👫 Use social language (pragmatics)
They learn to take turns, use polite language (“Don’t worry, you’ll be okay!”), and even adjust their language depending on who they’re "treating"—a stuffed animal, a parent, or a peer.

💡 Develop symbolic thinking
Using a spoon as a pretend thermometer or a box as a doctor’s kit strengthens their ability to use symbols—just like we do in language!

🧒✨ When we follow the child’s lead during pretend play, we open the door to meaningful, joyful communication. It’s not just play—it’s language in action! 💬💉🧸

07/19/2025

💧 Why We Love Water Play in Therapy! 💬🖐️

🌊 Encourages Sensory Exploration – Helps children tolerate different textures, temperatures, and sensations.
🗣️ Boosts Language Development – Natural opportunities for requesting (“more water!”), labeling, and following directions.
🧠 Builds Cognitive Skills – Promotes cause-and-effect thinking and problem-solving through playful experimentation.
✋ Strengthens Fine Motor Skills – Pouring, squeezing, and scooping develop hand strength and coordination.
👫 Supports Social Interaction – Promotes turn-taking, joint attention, and cooperative play.
📏 Improves Motor Planning – Helps children learn how to plan and carry out multi-step movements.
🧘 Regulates Emotions – The calming effect of water can help children stay focused and regulated.
🎯 Functional and Fun – Easy to adapt for different goals while keeping kids engaged and motivated!
💦 Water play isn’t just fun – it’s powerful therapy in disguise! 💙

07/16/2025

Water play all day! Weather was sunny and smiles were big. We love supporting kiddos in a fun and inclusive way, during water play!

07/14/2025

Water week is on! Day one was a whole lotta fun! 🫶 /OT

04/15/2025