by Jo Ann | Feb 19, 2026 | Child Development, Early intervention, News & Articles, Parenting, Playtime for Children, Speech and Language Development
As adults, we often talk about confidence, communication, and connection as skills children need to learn. But before children can build any of those, they need something even more basic and even more powerful. They need to feel safe, seen, heard, and accepted. At...
by Jo Ann | Jan 25, 2026 | Child Development, News & Articles, Parenting, Reading, Speech and Language Development
January has a quiet way of inviting us to slow down.If you’re new here, you can learn more about my work at Talk, Play, and Read , a space dedicated to supporting children, families, and educators through connection, language, and literacy. After the rush of the...
by Jo Ann | Jan 3, 2026 | Behind Cycle Donation, News & Articles, Parenting, Speech and Language Development
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...
by Jo Ann | Nov 26, 2025 | Child Development, Early intervention, News & Articles, Parenting, Speech and Language Development
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...
by Jo Ann | Sep 20, 2025 | News & Articles
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...
by Jo Ann | Aug 31, 2025 | Behind Cycle, Child Development, News & Articles, Parenting, Speech and Language Development
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...
