Northern Star Therapy

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Bellville, OH
Northern Star Therapy

✨Play-based, speech language therapy: 1-1 therapy, groups, camps, music classes
✨Parent tips for promoting language at home.

03/06/2026

I’ve heard this quite a few times in my 26 years as a speech therapist:

“He can talk… he just won’t.”

I get why it feels that way.

When a child understands a lot of language but isn’t using many words yet, it can look like they’re choosing not to.

But understanding language and producing language are two very different skills.

A child can know a lot of words before they’re able to pull those words out and say them on their own.

And sometimes children just need a little help learning how to turn the language they understand into language they can use.

If you’re noticing your child understands a lot but isn’t using many words yet, I put together a free guide called “10 Ways Your Child Might Be Communicating Without Words.”

It helps you recognize the communication that’s already happening and gives you a few simple ways to support language from there.

You can grab it through the link in my bio.

Save this for the next time someone says your child is “just being stubborn.”

03/03/2026

If your child can sing every word to their favorite song… but won’t answer simple questions, that doesn’t mean they can talk and are just refusing.

It usually means singing is easier.

Songs are predictable.
The rhythm tells them what comes next.
The words are stored together.

Answering a question?
That’s a different skill. They have to think of the word and pull it out on their own.

So instead of worrying that they’re being stubborn, try this:

👉 Pick one favorite song.
👉 Pause before the last word of a line.
👉 Wait (longer than feels comfortable).

That pause is where independent words start.

If this sounds like your house lately, you’re in the right place. I share simple ways to build language through play, connection, and everyday routines.

Save this to try later. 💛

02/26/2026

You’re watching:

• Did he look at that kid?
• Did he answer their question?
• Did he say “hi” back?
• Should I intervene?
• Is this age-appropriate?
• Is this something more?

You’re not overthinking.

You’re just paying attention.

When you’re worried about your child, you don’t really relax at the playground.

You’re noticing everything.

But here’s what matters:

Early social skills don’t usually start in big, unpredictable groups.

They start in simple back-and-forth.
With one safe person.
With repetition.
With familiarity.
With staying longer.

The playground isn’t the test.

Connection is.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.

02/24/2026

When parents tell me they’re worried their child won’t make friends, what they’re really saying is, “I just want them to belong.”

And I get it.

But social confidence doesn’t start in a group of ten kids.

It starts with one safe person getting down on their level, following their lead, and staying longer than might feel natural.

If your child is having a hard time socially, we don’t jump straight to “more exposure.”

We build connection first.

That’s the foundation everything else grows from.

If this feels familiar, you’re in the right place.

02/18/2026

Parents say this all the time — usually without a second thought.

But sometimes it’s not just about attention.

Sometimes it’s a child who still needs to move.
Or a body that hasn’t burned off enough energy to sit and play.
Or too many toys out at once for their brain to settle into one thing.

If you’ve ever looked around your living room thinking,
“We have everything… why won’t they stick with anything?”

You’re not alone.

Play gets longer when the body feels steadier.

Be honest — how many toys are out right now? 👀

02/12/2026

This is what “meeting kids where they are” actually looks like.

And sometimes that means sitting in places your back did not sign up for. 😅

Being close.
Being on their level.
Staying in the moment instead of trying to create a new or different one.

For late talkers especially, language grows from connection — not pressure.

Stay a little longer and engage.

Parents of littles… you get it.

Address

Bellville, OH
44813

Telephone

+14199822352

Website

http://www.northernstartherapy.com/, https://linktr.ee/northernstartherapy

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