Growing Voices Speech and Language Therapist Chelmsford

18/05/2026

16/05/2026

Before becoming a mum, I was SO against dummies… then I became a parent 😂

As a SALT, I knew the possible impact dummies can have on speech and language development — but as a mum, I also experienced the comfort and relief they can bring.

They helped with sleep, cluster feeding, soothing, and honestly just made some days easier.

I always planned to get rid of them by around 1 year old, and I worried so much about how it would go. But both my children gave them up far easier than expected — my daughter at 10 months and my son at 12 months.

What I actually realised? Maybe *I* relied on the dummy more than they did 😅

From my perspective, of someone who is both a mum and SALT, I’ve found the earlier you stop, the easier it often is. Younger babies tend to forget them quickly, while older children can become much more attached.

One of the biggest impacts of prolonged dummy use is fewer opportunities for talking, babbling, copying sounds, and interacting. It can also affect mouth movements, speech clarity, and even dental development over time.

Personally, I’d aim to ditch the dummy by around 1 year old — and definitely avoid children talking with one in their mouth.

Just my personal experience and reflections, not judgement ❤️

07/05/2026

😂🌍 Happy World Laughter Day! 🌍😂

Laughter is so much more than fun — it’s a powerful part of communication and connection. From a baby’s first giggle to sharing jokes with friends, laughter helps children develop important speech, language and social communication skills. 💬✨

When children laugh and play with others, they are learning to:
🗣️ Take turns in interaction
👂 Listen and respond to others
😊 Read facial expressions and emotions
💭 Understand humour and social meaning
🤝 Build relationships and confidence

For many children, especially those with speech, language and communication needs, playful moments filled with joy can create the best opportunities for communication to grow naturally.

So today, make time for silliness, funny faces, favourite jokes, or a good old belly laugh — because communication develops best when children feel connected, relaxed and happy. 💛

💛 If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication development, don’t hesitate to get in touch for support and advice — early support can make a big difference.

06/05/2026

Not all lisps are the same 👅

If your child’s “s” or “z” sounds don’t sound quite right, it can be hard to know…
Is this normal? Or do they need support?

In this post, I break down:
✨ The different types of lisps
✨ What’s typical in development
✨ When to seek advice

The key thing to remember:
👉 Some lisps are part of normal development
👉 Most developmental lisps resolve by around 4–5 years
👉 Others (like lateral lisps) usually need support

And early support really does make a big difference 💛

If your child is over 4.5–5 years and still lisping, or if their speech is hard to understand, it’s worth getting advice.

You don’t have to “wait and see”.

💬 Feel free to message me with questions
📩 Or book an assessment if you’d like tailored advice

Save this post for later & share with a parent who might find it helpful 🤍

30/04/2026

**Not all late talkers are the same… 👇**

Some children are simply developing language more slowly (*language delay*)
Others have more persistent difficulties with understanding and using language (*language disorder*)

Knowing the difference matters 💬

✨ A *language delay* = follows the usual pattern, just slower
✨ A *language disorder* = differences in how language is understood and used

In this post, you’ll see what language disorder can actually look like in preschoolers—because it’s often missed or misunderstood.

🚩 If a child is:
• struggling to understand
• using very simple or unusual sentences
• finding conversations difficult
• becoming frustrated or withdrawn

…it might be more than just a delay.

💡 Early support can make a huge difference

If you’re worried, trust your instincts and seek advice from a Speech & Language Therapist.

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**Save this post** to come back to later
**Share** with a parent or carer who might find it helpful 🤍

23/04/2026

Play is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s language development 💬🧸

Small changes in how you play can make a BIG difference—without adding pressure or turning it into “work.”

Follow their lead, keep it simple, and most importantly… keep it fun ✨

Save this for later & share with a parent who might need it 💛

23/04/2026

249 Followers, 495 Following, 19 Posts

22/04/2026

20/04/2026

Every interaction really does matter 💬

A recent feature from BBC News highlights research showing that the way we communicate with children can shape their brain development.

Children who experience more engaging, responsive interactions show greater myelination—supporting faster, more efficient communication between brain cells.

This is exactly where Speech and Language Therapy can make a difference 👇
✨ helping you tune into your child’s communication style
✨ building strong foundations for language and understanding
✨ supporting confidence in speaking, listening, and social interaction
✨ giving you practical, everyday strategies that actually work

You don’t need hours of “teaching”—small, meaningful interactions every day can have a big impact.

If you’re worried about your child’s communication, or want to know how to support them better, we’re here to help ❤️

📩 Get in touch with Growing Voices to find out how we can support you and your child.

16/04/2026

🎒 School places have officially been announced today… such an exciting milestone! ✨

But alongside the uniforms, book bags and first-day photos…
**is your child really school ready?**

Being ready for school isn’t just about recognising letters or numbers.
Strong **speech, language and communication skills** are what help children:
• Understand instructions
• Make friends
• Join in with learning
• Feel confident in the classroom

The reality is, many children start school without the language skills they need — and this can impact their learning, confidence and progress from day one.

💬 If you have any concerns about your child’s understanding, talking, or interaction — don’t wait. Early support can make a huge difference.

📩 If you’re based in Chelmsford or Essex and would like advice or support, feel free to get in touch