Malta Speech Therapy

12/12/2025

One of the questions we get asked most at this time of year is
“What toys actually help my child’s speech and language?”

The short answer is, you probably already have them at home.

Simple, open-ended toys like cars, blocks, puzzles and pretend play sets are powerful tools for building communication. Not because they talk back to your child, but because they invite interaction.

These toys help children practise
• turn taking and joint attention
• requesting and commenting
• learning new words like colours, actions and positions
• following directions
• early sounds and longer words
• pretend play and storytelling

When children play, they are motivated. When they are motivated, they communicate more. That is where the real language growth happens.

You do not need flashy or noisy toys. You need opportunities to sit, play, talk and follow your child’s lead.

If you are ever unsure what to choose, think simple, flexible and fun. And remember, it is not the toy itself, it is how you play with it that makes the difference.

Save this for later or share with another parent who might be wondering the same thing.

16/11/2025

Did you know?

Singing to your baby is one of the simplest ways to boost early communication.

Your little one learns through the rhythm, melody and repetition in your voice, which helps with listening, turn taking and early language development. It also supports bonding and soothes their nervous system.

Don’t worry. You don’t need to be pitch perfect-Your baby is not judging the performance. They just want to hear you! 🌸

31/10/2025

🎃 This Halloween, let’s lead with understanding.

For many children, trick-or-treating is more than just costumes and sweets, it’s an opportunity to practise social skills, communication, and confidence in a fun, low-pressure setting. But it’s also a time when hidden challenges can show up.

A child who doesn’t say “Trick or treat!” may have communication differences or be nonverbal. Another might hesitate when choosing a sweet because they’re working through fine motor or executive functioning skills. A child without a costume could have sensory sensitivities that make dressing up uncomfortable. And that “too old” teen? They might just be holding onto a bit of childhood joy in a world that asks them to grow up too quickly.

Patience and kindness go a long way. Every child deserves to feel included in the fun of Halloween, on their own terms. Like and share!

🧡

23/09/2025

30/08/2025

Action for stammering children have this great piece of advice.

👉 A little patience goes a long way to a child who stammers. They can tell from our facial expressions if we’re feeling impatient.

✨When a child knows you are really listening they will generally feel more accepted and relaxed.✨

It’s also important not to tell the child to hurry up, or finish their sentences.😀

23/08/2025

🐰 The “R” Sound – Why It Can Be Tricky! 🐰

Did you know the /r/ sound is one of the last speech sounds many children learn?
That’s why “rabbit” sometimes comes out as “wabbit” or “red” as “wed.” This is called rhotacism.

The /r/ sound can be challenging because it needs very fine tongue movements and coordination, much trickier than sounds like /m/ or /p/ which most children learn earlier.

If you are concerned about any speech sounds and language development please reach out a speech therapist.

💡 Fun fact: English /r/ is considered one of the hardest sounds across languages worldwide!

13/08/2025

Play is so important for language development!

When kids play, they’re not “just having fun”—they’re exploring new words, practicing sounds, and building social skills. Whether it’s pretending to be a chef, building with blocks, or making animal noises, play turns language into something real and exciting.

💡 As a speech therapist, I see it every day: when we make learning playful, communication skills grow naturally.

14/06/2025

Is your child getting stuck on words?

Stuttering/Stammering can be a normal part of child development but it can also require help from a speech therapist. If you are unsure speak to a qualified speech therapist ☺️

03/06/2025

Did you know that different speech sounds are produced by using different parts of our mouth? 👄

We use the front and back of our mouth 👄

We use our lips 💋, our tongue 👅 and our teeth 😬 to help us produce sounds.

The picture below shows where each sound is produced in our mouth 🗣️

26/05/2025

Remember childhood is not a race 🌸

24/05/2025

Why is the R sound so tricky? 🧐🤔

Well, R can be tough to master because its pronunciation changes based on:
1️⃣ Where it is in the word
2️⃣ What sounds come before or after it

Let’s break it down! 👇

🔹 Pre-vocalic R is the classic R sound — it comes before a vowel, like in “red” or “rain.” 🌧️

🔸 Vocalic R happens when the R comes after a vowel — and it takes on some of that vowel’s vibe! Think of the difference between “star” ⭐ and “care” 💛 — can you hear and feel it?

When we work on R in speech therapy, we usually figure out which type is easiest for your child to start with, and build from there! 🚀

04/05/2025

✨ Update- The deadline is approaching for our Summer Social Communication Groups ✨

📅 Register your interest by Saturday, May 10th!
📩 DM us your email address and we’ll send you a screening questionnaire.

🗓️ Groups will run for 6 weeks in July & August.

✅ Perfect for kids who benefit from structured, supported social interaction in small groups!

📬 Already reached out? Keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll be in touch soon!

🔍 Check our previous post for more info!