Blog
Speech Resources From Jo Ann
Welcome to our children’s speech therapy blog — a space for parents, caregivers, and educators to explore expert tips, fun activities, and trusted strategies to support your child’s communication skills. Whether you’re looking for early intervention advice or ways to boost language development at home, you’ll find easy-to-follow guidance and inspiration here.
A Season of Giving: Supporting Children and Families
On December 21, 2025, I had the honor of donating 10 holiday gift bags featuring Ruby & Louie, each paired with a Talk, Play, and Read book, to support children and families through Oishei Children’s Hospital and Back to Basics Outreach Ministries during their...
How Does a Speech Therapist Help a Child Talk? by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
When a child is struggling to talk, parents often feel worried or unsure. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) help guide children step-by-step toward stronger communication. Here’s how we help children learn to talk. 1. We Start by Understanding Your Child’s...
When Is Speech Therapy Needed for a Toddler? by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
Watching your little one grow and learn to communicate is one of the most exciting parts of early childhood. From their first “mama” or “dada” to the joy of complete sentences, each word feels like a milestone. But what if your child’s speech and language skills don’t...
News 4 WIVB Buffalo’s Wake Up: Award-winning author supports children through ‘Talk, Play, and Read’ books
Long before a child raises their hand in class, they need to find their voice at home. For many kids, those first words come late or not at all, leaving them playing catch-up by the time school starts. This can create gaps in confidence, connection, and...
Turning Pages, Changing Lives: My Mall of America Experience
This summer, I had the joy of joining an unforgettable event at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. As part of the “Turning Pages, Changing Lives” story time celebration, I stepped on stage to connect with children and families. Together, we brought my...
Ruby & Louie: Inspiring Kids to Love Reading by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
Meet Ruby & Louie, two adorable pals who make reading, playing, and learning feel like a joyful adventure! With their bright smiles and playful spirit, they don’t just sit on a shelf. They come alive in children’s imaginations, helping families create magical...
Studio 17: Helping Kids Break the “Behind Cycle” in Reading
As kids across the country head back to school, experts are sounding the alarm on a growing crisis: nearly 70% of children globally aren’t reading at grade level. On Studio 17, children’s speech-language pathologist Jo Ann Gramlich joined Kait to share how early...
Honored to Give Back: Donating 20 Books to Way to Grow
On August 9, 2025, Jo Ann Gramlich and The Behind Cycle were honored to donate 20 copies of Talk, Play, and Read books to Way to Grow during the Turning Pages, Changing Lives event at the Mall of America. Way to Grow is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that empowers...
Why Play Matters in Learning and Language Development by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
When we talk about preparing children for school and life, our minds often go straight to ABCs, numbers, and structured lessons. But here’s a truth. We can’t afford to overlook teaching play skills. It’s a real concern. In our rush to give kids a head start, we may be...
Is Child Speech Therapy Covered by Insurance? by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
If you're a parent, caregiver, or educator navigating concerns about your child's speech and language development, you may be wondering: Is speech therapy covered by insurance? The answer depends on your provider, plan, and location, but with a bit of research,...
Celebrating Jo Ann Gramlich’s Involvement with 262 Women’s Group & Empowering Women Through Purpose and Connection
Jo Ann Gramlich, an award-winning author and speech-language pathologist, is no stranger to inspiring others through her work. Known for her impactful Talk, Play, And Read book series—which supports early childhood speech and language development; Jo Ann has devoted...
How to Identify if My Child Needs Speech Therapy by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
As a speech-language pathologist, one of the most common questions I receive from parents is, “How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?” It’s a great question and an important one! Every child develops at their own pace, but there are a few signs that...
How Does Speech Therapy Help Toddlers? By Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech therapy is one of the most powerful ways to support toddlers as they grow, explore, and learn to communicate. For children who struggle to express themselves, understand others, or pronounce words clearly, speech therapy can make a huge difference, not only in...
How Just a Few Minutes a Day Can Build Your Child’s Language Skills for Life by Jo Ann Gramlich, MS, CCC-SLP
Did you know that just a few minutes of intentional interaction each day can shape your child’s communication for years to come? In a world filled with distractions and busy schedules, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have enough time. But the truth is, you don’t need...
Why Reading Matters: A Lifelong Gift That Begins at Birth by Jo Ann Gramlich, M.S., CCC-SLP
Reading isn’t just about books, it’s about brain development, confidence, and connection to the world around them. From the moment a child is born, they begin to absorb language. And one of the most powerful ways to nurture that development is by simply reading to...
Breaking the Behind Cycle: How Early Language Builds Lifelong Success, by Jo Ann Gramlich, M.S., CCC-SLP
Did you know that 66% of children aren't reading at their expected grade level? That’s not just a number, it’s a wake-up call. When children struggle to read, they fall behind. Not just in reading, but in every subject that relies on it. Over time, this gap grows...
Jo Ann Gramlich, Award-Winning Author, Invited to Spotlight ‘Talk, Play, and Read’ at Enchant Premier Celebrity Gifting Lounge During Oscars Week 2025 and Attended eZWAY Golden Gala Awards and Oscar Viewing Fundraiser
I was absolutely thrilled to attend the Enchant Celebrity Gifting Suite, presented by The Marianna Group, on February 27, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Marriott. Organized by the wonderful beauty entrepreneur Heather Marianna, this fabulous event brought together a...
OpenPR: Jo Ann Gramlich & Enchant Celebrity Gifting Suite
I was honored to attend the Enchant Celebrity Gifting Suite, presented by The Marianna Group, on February 27, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Marriott. This luxurious event, produced by beauty entrepreneur Heather Marianna, brought together celebrities, influencers, and...
REEL360: Jo Ann Gramlich Attends Enchant Celebrity Gifting Suite
I was honored to attend the Enchant Celebrity Gifting Suite on February 27, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Marriott, a dazzling pre-Oscars event hosted by The Marianna Group. This luxurious gathering brought together celebrities, influencers, and industry professionals...
Jo Ann Gramlich to Showcase at the 2025 Celebrity Gifting Lounge
I am very excited to have had a feature this week at OpenPR! Award-Winning Author Invited to Spotlight 'Talk, Play, and Read' at Enchant Premier Celebrity Gifting Lounge During Oscars Week. "Beverly Hills, CA, USA - February 25, 2025 - Jo Ann Gramlich, renowned...
Meet Jo Ann Gramlich: A Passionate Voice for Early Childhood Communication
Jo Ann Gramlich has worked as a children's speech-language pathologist for almost 30 years! She enjoys working and interacting with children and providing speech-language therapy for little ones with communication delays and disorders. She uses her optimistic nature...
I’m Attending the Show Up, Stand Up, Speak Up Summit – And You Should Too!
I am beyond excited to be attending the Show Up, Stand Up, Speak Up Summit on March 7th & 8th for International Women’s Day! 🌍✨ This isn’t just another event—it’s a powerful movement bringing together incredible women, powerhouse speakers, and game-changing...
Join Us at the EZWay Golden Gala Awards Fundraiser – and Make a Difference!
Get ready for a night of glamour, purpose, and impact at the EZWay Golden Gala Awards Fundraiser! This star-studded event is more than just a celebration—it’s a chance to come together and support children in need. I am so honored to be attending the Ezway Awards...
My book is going to the Oscars!
I’m so honored to say that my books will be hand-gifted to many walks of life at the Enchant Oscars Gifting Lounge Event on February 27. Grateful and thankful beyond belief to have been chosen to participate in such an amazing celebration!! This is such an incredible...
A Heartfelt Thank You for an Opportunity as an Enchant Celebrity Gift Lounge Sponsor!
I am beyond honored to be invited to gift and promote Talk, Play, And Read at the Enchant Premier Celebrity Gifting Lounge in Beverly Hills during Oscars week 2025! This incredible experience will be filled with wonder, magic, and the chance to share the importance of...
Talk, Play, and Read To Be Featured in Oscars gifting lounge
Exciting news! Jo Ann Gramlich’s award-winning Talk, Play, And Read series is heading to Hollywood! These beloved books, designed to support children’s speech and language development, will be featured in the exclusive Oscars Gifting Lounge....
Helping Your Child Break Free from Falling Behind by Jo Ann Gramlich, M.S., CCC-SLP
Did you know that 66% of children are not reading at their expected grade level? This can be a heartbreaking reality for many families. When a child struggles with reading, it can feel overwhelming as they fall further behind their peers. The unfortunate truth is that...
More About Speech-Language Pathologist Jo Ann Gramlich
Jo Ann Gramlich has worked as a children’s speech-language pathologist for almost 30 years!! She enjoys working and interacting with children and providing speech-language therapy for little ones with communication delays and disorders. She uses her...
Talking Some Sense: Parental Communication Through the Ages
Photo by Natasha Hall Talk, Play, and Read with Me Daddy by Jo Ann Gramlich is a great way for new parents to practice the correct methods of parental communication with their children. Parental communication is an extremely important aspect of raising a child. For...
Setting a Good Example: How Children Inspire Adults
Photo by Naomi Shi Jo Ann Gramlich has always been an advocate for children, setting a good example for them and inspiring them to be more—but it's no secret that children inspire her too. Having worked as a children's speech-language pathologist for almost three...
