Koze Speech Therapy

Koze Speech Therapy Award-winning play-based & child-led, concierge speech therapy for kids in Bergen + Essex County, NJ.

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03/16/2026

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Sometimes a stick is not a stick… at least not to your child.It can be a telescope, a magic wand, a baton, a fishing pol...
12/10/2025

Sometimes a stick is not a stick… at least not to your child.

It can be a telescope, a magic wand, a baton, a fishing pole or whatever their imagination decides in that moment. And that’s the beauty of play.

Your child doesn’t need special toys to learn and grow. What matters most is how you play together. A simple object opens the door for language:

👀 “I see you looking…”
🤺 “You’re pretending it’s a…”
🪄 “It can be a…”

When we let kids lead the play, they naturally explore new words, ideas, and stories. This kind of open-ended play is powerful for building language because it encourages creativity, problem-solving, turn-taking, and imagination — all through everyday objects.

At Koze Speech, we use this type of play in therapy to help children learn language in ways that feel natural and joyful.

For play tips you can use at home, feel free to reach out to us or check the resources in our link in bio.

Some toddlers and preschoolers need a little extra support feeling comfortable talking in new places or around new peopl...
12/05/2025

Some toddlers and preschoolers need a little extra support feeling comfortable talking in new places or around new people.

That’s why, when we evaluate for selective mutism, we bring materials that help kids relax and have fun, partner games like Zingo, pretend-play sets, Mr. Potato Head, and silly books to help break the ice and make the evaluation feel fun.

When we look into selective mutism, we keep things very gentle and play-based. We spend time getting to know how your child communicates at home, at school, and in other settings.

We also look at their language skills, gather information from teachers if needed, and consider things like big life changes or whether your child is learning more than one language.

Sometimes we even break the evaluation into smaller visits to build trust, because anxiety can play a big role in selective mutism.

At Koze Speech Therapy, our goal is to make the process feel warm, supportive, and truly child-centered for toddlers and preschoolers in Bergen and Essex County, and virtually for families anywhere.

If you’re wondering whether your child’s shyness is typical or if it could be something more like selective mutism, feel free to send us a message or check our link in bio.

You’re not alone. we’re here to help you take the next step.

12/02/2025

😮 Did you know pretend play and language development grow side by side?

Most little ones start pretending around the same time they say their very first words (usually between 11 and 18 months). As they learn that one object can stand in for something else (a block becomes a phone), they also start to understand that words can stand in for thoughts and ideas. 💡

Here’s what research tells us about children who engage in lots of pretend play compared to children who don’t:

🔆 They use words and phrases to talk about things they’ve never actually seen, like dragons, unicorns, or going to outer space.

🔆 They play with language more, making up silly words that fit the scenario like “space guy” or “mask guy.”

🔆 They use a wider variety of words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns) and get better at putting them together in phrases and sentences.

So how can you support your child’s language during pretend play? Here are 6 play tips you can use right away:

1️⃣ Set up a simple pretend scenario (like a tea party) and then let your child take the lead.
2️⃣ Use descriptive language to add new words to their play.
3️⃣ Ask who, what, where, and “what doing” questions and model how to answer them.
4️⃣ Use story prompts to help your child build their own story.
5️⃣ Sing familiar tunes but change the lyrics to match your pretend play.
6️⃣ Get into character! Dress up and act out everyday roles like a cashier, firefighter, or teacher.

When we support our little clients in speech therapy here in Bergen County, pretend play is one of our favorite ways to build language naturally. It keeps things fun, low-pressure, and full of opportunities for your child to learn new words in real time. 💛

For a list of pretend play toys we love, comment PRETEND or check out our favorite toys list in the link in bio!

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Englewood, NJ
07631

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm

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