Early Start Speech Pathology

04/03/2026

🦖 DINOSAURS 🦖 Incorporating the interests of our little Owl, Esther and her client practiced vocabulary, compared how the dinosaurs were different and similar and followed instructions to create a dinosaur zoo. If you look closely, you will see they are separated by carnivores and herbivores. 🦖

01/03/2026

For children, therapy sessions at Early Start looks like play — games, movement, toys, interaction, regulation. We follow your child’s interests while building skills. Play is crucial for connection, learning and engagement.

Children learn best when they feel safe, engaged, and successful.

Early Start will always follow your child's interests, create sessions meaningful and engaging and your child won't know they are actually doing speech therapy. Because, who doesn't love play and fun?

27/02/2026

Sounds & Ages
Some sounds develop later than others — but if your child is avoiding sounds, swapping them, or getting frustrated, it’s worth a check in.

Clear speech isn’t just about pronunciation — it affects confidence and being understood socially.

Early therapy is often quicker and easier than parents expect.

What age did you think s and r should be developed? Check out our speech sounds download. https://www.earlystart.com.au/free-downloads/

25/02/2026

MEET THE TEAM WEDNESDAY - TABITHA!
Tabs has been an Early Start Team member for 8 and a half years! Tab manages the Maitland clinic, and works in our Woodberry Preschool and Public School Projects as well as half a day at Lambton. Tab loves her preschool and school projects and doesn't allow any of us to come and help her somehow managing it all herself with pride and expertise. When Tabs not across offices, she is enjoying the outdoors with her hubs, her sassy twin-nagers and 2 beautiful pups. I would name the rest of her animal patrol, but we would be here for days..

23/02/2026

NEW TOYS It's always so much fun playing with new toys and including them into our session goals! Here Esther used the duckling eggs to practice the 's' sound and then had lots of giggles trying to catch them in the nets!

19/02/2026

17/02/2026

Wishing our wonderful Claire, a very Happy Birthday! Claire is one of our fantastic reception team members who help make Early Start run as smoothly as it does.

17/02/2026

This Week we shine the spotlight on our Wonderful Libby! Libby works from the Lambton clinic 3 days a week. Lib is kind and gentle but has the most wicked one liners that makes you giggle for days. Libby has been part of the Early Start Team for 5 years. We don't do short term therapists here. When Lib isn't working hard with her clients, she is organising her 3 big kids or exploring parts of Australia and dreaming of the next country to visit. We love you Libby.

16/02/2026

The first few weeks of school can bring on some big feelings, especially for our little Owls starting Kindy. Kids can be tired and dysregulated, and it's been great to meet them where they are at, using lots of hands on, grounding activities like Playdough. In the session here, Esther and her client were practicing vocabulary (nouns, verbs and describing words).

12/02/2026

Hearing this can feel worrying — but it’s actually helpful. Teachers often notice when speech is affecting reading, spelling, or classroom participation.

Most of the time speech difficulties don’t just correct themselves with time and it can impact learning. The earlier we support children, the easier school becomes.

A simple assessment or speech screener can answer a lot of questions.
Unsure where to start? Give us a call we can help you.

11/02/2026

“Strangers can’t understand my 4 year old… is that normal?”

Many 3 and 4 year olds are still learning sounds — but by this age, familiar adults should understand most of what they say. If grandparents, teachers, or other parents often say “...what?” it might be worth checking in.

Speech clarity affects confidence, friendships, and learning later on. The good news? Early support can and will make a big difference.

💬 If you’re unsure, a speech assessment can give clarity and peace of mind.
📍 Appointments available in Warners Bay, Lambton & Maitland

09/02/2026

We jumped on the AI viral "...create me as a caricature at my work based on everything you know about me..." look how much we love our jobs! 😆 🤣 💜💚 🧡❤️