04/28/2026
Just a reminder: kids often play longer and communicate more when only a few toys are available at a time.
Not your typical advice from a speech therapist? Probably not, but it’s important.
I see this all the time. And sometimes I do it myself during therapy sessions. 😅
When there are too many options, kids move quickly from one thing to the next.
They dump, wander, or lose interest, and it feels like they “just won’t play.”
But a lot of the time, it’s not that they won’t play, they just have too many options.
When you simplify what’s available they are able to:
stay a little longer
start to explore
look up more
engage more
And that’s where communication starts to happen.
If you try this at home, don’t be surprised if it feels hard at first.
Your child might look for more, ask for something else, or seem unsure.
That’s okay.
Stay nearby. Give it a minute. Let it settle. But don’t give in;)
That’s usually when you start to see the difference.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
This is exactly why I keep things simple in my sessions, classes, and groups.
It’s also a big part of how I set up things like therapy and Little Stars Language Camp—fewer options, less overwhelm, and more opportunity for kids to actually settle, play, and connect.
If you’re looking for something like that for your child this summer, comment “CAMP” and I’ll send you the details.
