Supporting Communication at Home: How Parents Can Become Partners in Pediatric Speech Therapy in NYC

As a pediatric speech therapist in NYC (with over 20 years under my belt), one of the most common questions I get asked from parents is …

How can I help reinforce my child’s speech therapy goals at home?

At Chatty Child, we work very closely with every parent, caregiver, doctor, and teacher on your child’s team. This is to ensure that every child is being treated holistically and cohesively as a collaborative and creative team.

Every person on the therapeutic team may be working on slightly different goals. They also may use a variety of approaches and modalities.

It is equally important to remember that, as speech therapists, we must work collaboratively and cohesively together as a team. This is to ensure the holistic and effective treatment of every child in our care.

As parents, you are the most crucial members of the team in your child’s pediatric speech therapy journey!

The Role of Parents and Caregivers: Pediatric Speech Therapy in NYC

Parents and caregivers are with a child the most. They can have an extremely beneficial role in the positive trajectory of their development.

Each child in speech therapy has a unique set of goals and motivations, as well as approaches that will be beneficial.

At Chatty Child, your speech therapist will review appropriate take-home exercises. They will also give activity suggestions to incorporate and generalize the learned skills outside of the therapy room.

Each child is their own unique being. They require their own unique supports needed to unlock their fullest potential.

After each session, our speech therapists and occupational therapists will review appropriate activities to practice at home. This is designed to help reinforce identified therapeutic goals.

A Speech Therapist’s Tips for Fostering Communication Skills at Home

Here are 10 general tips to help build and foster successful communication skills at home with your little ones:

Positively reinforce all communication attempts with praise and love.
Encourage all modes of communication. This includes gestures, sign language, vocalizations, pictures, picture boards, and of course, words!
Model the words and language you would like them to produce.
Get on your child’s level & play with them on the floor.
Engage in fun turn-taking games.
Create pretend play schemes with your child, like cooking, shopping, doctor, and school. Act out everyday activities with your child.
Practice giving your child simple directions while playing.
Encourage your child to be a Job Helper. Give them different jobs and tasks to assist you with around the home or classroom.
Make reading a book a special activity before bedtime or during the day. Start to expose your child to literacy and the love of reading early in their development.
Most importantly, provide a safe, loving, and fun environment for your child to learn and play together!

These are just a few examples of the home activities that I suggest to foster a strong language foundation.

Final Thoughts from a Speech Therapist in New York City

If you have any specific concerns about your child’s speech, social communication, or play skills, it is always best to obtain a professional speech and language assessment by a licensed speech-language pathologist to determine if there is a need for intervention and support.

Chatty Child’s speech therapists can assess your child’s speech and language developmental needs and craft an individually tailored treatment plan to address any areas of concern, while working seamlessly with your child’s medical team to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes for your child and family.

To book an in-person or online speech therapy assessment and treatment sessions with Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP, please visit our website at: www.chattychild.com; email: info@chattychild.com; or call: 347 491 4451

Sincerely,

Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP

Support Your Child’s Speech Development with Speech Therapy in NYC

If you’re looking to feel more confident in supporting your child’s communication journey, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. At Chatty Child, we believe that parents are powerful partners in progress. Through pediatric speech therapy in NYC, we help families build strong, supportive routines at home that complement therapeutic goals and spark meaningful growth.

Here’s how to get started:

Call us for a 15-minute phone conversation to share your child’s needs and learn how we collaborate with families through every step.
Book a comprehensive evaluation session to assess communication strengths and identify areas where support can make a difference.
Begin individualized speech therapy sessions rooted in connection, empathy, and evidence-based care.
Watch your child build confidence at home, in school, and beyond.

More Ways to Support Your Child at Chatty Child in NYC

In addition to our integrative speech therapy services, Chatty Child offers a broad range of programs crafted to promote development and empower families throughout the journey:

InterAct – A unique creative arts therapy experience blending storytelling, performance, and language-building exercises to strengthen communication skills through play.
Occupational Therapy – Helps children refine fine motor abilities, regulate sensory input, and gain greater independence in everyday tasks.
Teletherapy – Accessible virtual sessions in both speech and occupational therapy, available across New York State for added convenience.
Tutoring – Personalized academic support focused on reading, writing, and creative expression to boost learning and self-assurance.
Functional Nutrition – Nutritional counseling tailored to support both physical health and emotional balance in developing children.
Consulting – Collaborative guidance for families, educators, and care teams to align strategies across home, school, and therapy settings.
Programs – Group classes and activity-based labs that encourage playful exploration, emotional growth, and social engagement.

Let’s work together to help your child build confidence, connection, and a lifelong love of learning.

Meet the Author: A Dedicated Pediatric Speech Therapist in NYC

Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP, is a nationally certified, New York State licensed speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience in pediatric speech therapy in NYC. A certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, trauma-informed provider, and proudly neurodiverse and differently-abled individual, Heather draws on both personal and professional experience to guide her care.

Her own journey as a differently-abled person inspired her to found Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, an inclusive practice focused on empowering children through compassionate, individualized support. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that fosters confidence and learning, complete with a guide for parents and educators.

Heather and her team provide services in person at their Tribeca clinic and virtually across New York State, helping children build communication skills, confidence, and self-expression.

Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC

Creating Possibilities .. one child at a time ..

Chatty Child Provides Pediatric Speech & Occupational Therapy & Classes in Tribeca, Manhattan, NYC – In Person at 325 Broadway Suite 403 New York, NY 10007 & serving the entire state of New York including: NYC, Westchester, Hudson Valley, Long Island via online therapy in New York State.