STAR Space - Speech Therapy & Reconnection

Home
New Zealand
Albany
STAR Space - Speech Therapy & Reconnection

Speech therapy & communication coaching for adults & children. Serving Auckland, Christchurch, online NZ and world wide.

Expert care for speech, language, literacy, voice, swallowing & communication. STAR (Speech Therapy & Reconnection) Space (formerly Speech Therapy & Associates) is based in Albany, Auckland. Our expertise spans across early childhood development, school-age communication needs, and adult rehabilitation, particularly in supporting those recovering from neurological events such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. We leverage extensive experience and a deep understanding of these areas to offer tailored, evidence-based therapy. This enables us to work effectively in various environments, from schools and hospitals to homes and clinics, making support accessible wherever our clients need it most. We offer both in-person sessions within Auckland and Hibiscus Coast/Rodney up to Warkworth, as well as telehealth services nationwide, ensuring that individuals across New Zealand can access high-quality therapy, regardless of location. Our team values collaboration, working closely with clients, their families, and other health professionals to provide a well-rounded support network that maximises each client’s potential.

22/11/2025

Speech sound disorders happen when someone has difficulty making certain sounds correctly. This can affect how clearly others understand them.
It’s more than pronunciation - it involves how the brain plans, coordinates, and produces speech.

Every voice deserves to be heard clearly. 💛

21/11/2025

When children learn to notice, play with, and talk about sounds, they’re building the foundation for reading and spelling success.

Phonological awareness is a small step that makes a big difference.

This week’s takeaway: Focus on sounds first - the letters will follow.

20/11/2025

3 Simple Ways to Build Sound Awareness at Home
1️⃣ Sing nursery rhymes or rhyming songs.
2️⃣ Clap out syllables in names: “Jen-ny” or “El-e-phant.”
3️⃣ Play “I Spy” with sounds: “I spy something that starts with /s/!”

Little moments like these build big language skills.

19/11/2025

In therapy, we often begin with listening before looking at print.

That’s because if a child can hear and recognize sounds, they’ll have an easier time connecting those sounds to letters later.

Strong listening skills lead to stronger reading and spelling outcomes.

18/11/2025

Let’s play a quick sound game:

Say three words: cat, car, sun
Which two words start with the same sound?

Answer: cat and car!

Games like this help children tune their ears to sounds - no pen or paper needed.

Try it at dinner time, in the car, or during play.

17/11/2025

Phonological awareness includes a range of listening skills that develop over time:

🔹 Noticing rhymes
🔹 Counting words in sentences
🔹 Clapping out syllables
🔹 Hearing beginning and ending sounds
🔹 Breaking words into individual sounds (phonemes)

Each step helps children make sense of how words work - which supports reading and spelling later on.

16/11/2025

Every rhyme, every clap, every sound game builds a foundation for literacy.

You don’t need worksheets or special tools.
You just need time, play, and curiosity.

15/11/2025

Phonological awareness is a big phrase for a simple idea - it’s the ability to hear and play with sounds in spoken words.

Before children learn to read and spell, they first learn to listen to the sounds that make up language. That’s where it all begins.

This week, we’ll explore what phonological awareness means, why it’s important, and how you can nurture it every day.

14/11/2025

We all have strengths and challenges in communication.
Some of us are great listeners but struggle to find words; others express easily but need time to process.

Both are important - and both deserve support.
Which one comes more naturally to you?

13/11/2025

5 Simple Ways to Support Comprehension and Expression at Home

1️⃣ Use short, clear sentences.
2️⃣ Give time to process before repeating.
3️⃣ Pair words with gestures or visuals.
4️⃣ Rephrase if needed, instead of repeating louder.
5️⃣ Celebrate effort - not perfection.

Small changes can make a big difference in helping someone feel heard and understood.

12/11/2025

How Therapy Supports Both Sides of Communication
Speech-language therapy isn’t just about “talking more.”
We support both understanding and expression - because one relies on the other.

Here’s what that can look like in therapy:
- Starting with comprehension tasks before expressive practice
- Using visuals, cues, and repetition to build meaning
- Helping clients find strategies for both listening and speaking

Rebuilding communication isn’t just about language - it’s about restoring connection, confidence, and participation in everyday life.

11/11/2025

Have you ever had the words right there on the tip of your tongue but they just wouldn’t come out?

That’s an example of an expressive language difficulty.
The person understands what’s being said (comprehension is intact), but finding or producing the right words can be challenging.

Speech-language therapy helps strengthen both sides of communication understanding and expression so people can share their thoughts with confidence.

Address

Regus Business Office Suite, Building 4, Candida Office Park, Parkway Drive, Albany Auckland NZ
Albany
0630

Website

https://www.star-space.co.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when STAR Space - Speech Therapy & Reconnection posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Albany?