Finding Your Thankful Voice: Speech Therapy In NYC: Encouraging Communication & Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to start a gratitude practice with your child at home! !
In this blog I will describe a few multisensory activities that combine a variety of textures, sights and sounds to explore the idea of thankfulness and to begin building the foundations of a daily gratitude practice with your child.
Simple Gratitude Activities for Children of All Ages:
A Thankful Turkey – use a paper plate and colored paper to cut out the feathers of the turkey. Glue each feather onto the turkey plate. Create a silly turkey face.
Remember to have your child name things – big and small – that they are very thankful for (in that singular moment) as you place each feather on the turkey.
The Gratitude Rock – grab a rock from the ground, then wash and dry it off. Start to create a super special gratitude rock. Paint the rock different colors using either paint, markers, or even colored glue!
When the gratitude rock is complete you can encourage your child to hold the rock and think of 3 things that they are thankful for that day.
The Tree of Blessings – draw a tall tree with many branches.
Then cut out different hued leaves with construction paper – and place the gold, brown, orange and red colored leaves on each branch.
When the tree is filled with leaves – take a magic marker and write on each leaf – different moments, people, places, and things you are thankful for as a family.
Encourage your child to be mindful of even the tiny things to be thankful and grateful for –
Focus on the tiny blessings and pleasures that can be appreciated everyday in a small way.
I invite you to simply notice and give thanks for the small moments of enjoyment in life – like …
the feeling of the warm sun on your neck
the tickle of a small breeze in your hair
the taste of freshly made soup on a chilly fall day
the sound of a crisp, tart apple piece snapping – as you take your first bite
the laughter your family – as it fills your kitchen
May we all pause and give thanks this Thanksgiving Season for all the small pleasures and moments that may usually go unnoticed.
May everyone have a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday!
And please feel free to share your best Thanksgiving Day recipes with me!
((I am a huge fan of sweet potato pie!))
Sincerely,
Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP
Empowering Kids to Flourish: Holistic Support at Chatty Child
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves the confidence and tools to express themselves with joy, curiosity, and connection. Our speech therapy approach goes beyond words. We help children strengthen the communication, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.
Our therapists collaborate closely with families to create individualized plans that foster growth, self-expression, and confidence in every setting.
- InterAct – A playful, story-driven program combining imagination, role-play, and collaboration to enhance language skills, confidence, and social connection.
- Occupational Therapy – Builds sensory awareness, fine motor coordination, and independence across everyday routines.
- Teletherapy – Convenient online speech and occupational therapy for families throughout New York State, bringing expert care right to your home.
- Tutoring – Personalized academic support in reading, writing, and problem-solving that inspires curiosity and builds learning confidence.
- Functional Nutrition – Tailored strategies to enhance focus, self-regulation, and emotional balance through key developmental stages.
- Consulting – Expert guidance for parents, educators, and professionals to maintain consistent support across environments.
- Group Programs – Interactive, play-based sessions that nurture communication, social-emotional growth, and teamwork through creativity.
By blending evidence-based methods with imaginative, compassionate care, our team empowers children to find their voice, build resilience, and grow with confidence.
Inside the World of Pediatric Speech Therapy: Meet the Therapist
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified and New York State–licensed speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience providing pediatric speech therapy in NYC. Alongside her clinical expertise, Heather is a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor, a trauma-informed provider, and a proud neurodiverse, differently-abled individual. These are perspectives that deeply shape her compassionate and holistic approach to care.
Inspired by her own experiences as a differently-abled person, Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, an inclusive practice dedicated to empowering children through individualized and heart-centered support. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that celebrates confidence, learning, and friendship, complete with a teaching guide for parents and educators.
Heather and her team provide services both in-person at their Tribeca, Manhattan clinic and virtually across New York State, helping children strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and express themselves more freely every day.
