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Mighty Minds Speech Therapy, 1 Mount Quray Street, Midstream Estate, Midrand (2025)

29/11/2025

What is cluttering? Understanding a lesser-known speech disorder. 🤔

Cluttering is a fluency disorder, but it’s different from stuttering. Children (and adults) who clutter may speak rapidly, unclearly, or in a disorganised way.

Key features of cluttering:
✨ Speech may have excessive breaks or seem disorganised.
✨ Words can be rushed or spoken in spurts.
✨ The speaker may struggle to plan what to say, rather than being unable to say the words.

By contrast, a person who stutters usually knows exactly what they want to say but experiences a temporary block.

Because cluttering is less well-known, it’s often misidentified as stuttering, even by those who experience it themselves. Understanding the difference is the first step to supporting clear and confident communication.

27/11/2025

🗣️ How do you know if your child is really stuttering?

Many young children go through a normal stage of speech disfluency, especially between the ages of 2 and 3, when their language skills are developing rapidly. These “bumpy” moments are usually gentle, effortless, and come and go as your child thinks and speaks.

True stuttering, however, can sound and feel quite different. Speech may feel tense, stuck, or effortful, and your child might repeat sounds or syllables, stretch out words, or seem to get “stuck” mid-sentence.

You may notice: 👇
- Repetition of sounds or syllables (e.g. “b-b-ball”)
- Stretching out sounds (e.g. “ssssun”)
- Speech that feels tense, rushed, or blocked
- Avoidance of certain words or sounds

About 5% of children begin to stutter, usually between ages 2–4. The encouraging news? Around 75% of them outgrow stuttering naturally within 12–24 months.

While it’s not always possible to predict which children will recover on their own, research suggests that a child may be more likely to outgrow stuttering if:
- There’s no family history of stuttering
- The stuttering began before age 3
- It has lasted less than 6 months

If your child has been stuttering for more than 6 months, or shows signs of tension, frustration, or word avoidance, it’s best to consult a speech therapist who has experience in stuttering. Early support makes a real difference. 💛

25/11/2025

📱 Does screen time affect children’s language development?

Research shows that more screen time does not support language growth, in fact, it may hinder it. Studies consistently find:

A 2020 review of 42 studies reported that children who spent more time on screens had lower language skills.

Another study of 157 toddlers found that increased screen exposure was linked to poorer language development.

💡 Why? Language grows through interactive experiences, like talking, reading, and playing, not passive screen watching. Limiting screen time and engaging in conversation-rich activities can boost vocabulary, listening skills, and communication confidence.

24/11/2025

How do children develop the sound skills that lead to reading? 👂

Before children learn to read and spell, they first need to understand that words are made up of smaller sounds. This is called phonological awareness, and it’s one of the strongest predictors of later reading success.

As children grow, these sound skills develop step by step. At first, they might enjoy clapping out syllables or playing with rhyming words. Later, they start noticing the sounds at the beginning or end of words, and eventually, they can break words into individual sounds (like hearing that “dog” has three sounds: d–o–g).

Here’s what many children can do at different ages:

5️⃣ By 5 years:
- Clap or count syllables in words (e.g. com-pu-ter)
- Recognise or produce words with the same starting sound (e.g. cat – cup)
- Begin counting the sounds in short words (e.g. dog = d-o-g → 3 sounds)
(around 50% of children reach this by age 5)

6️⃣ By 6 years:
- Recognise words that rhyme and spot the odd one out (e.g. cat – hat – big)
- Identify the first and last sounds in words (e.g. “dog” → d, g)
- List words that start with the same sound (e.g. pet, pin)

These early sound skills form the foundation for reading and spelling. Supporting them through songs, rhymes, and play-based sound games can make a big difference in a child’s confidence when learning to read. 🌱

22/11/2025

Ways to help your child learn to combine words. 💬

Supporting early word combinations doesn’t require structured lessons, just everyday interaction. Here are simple, evidence-based ways to boost expressive language:

🌈 Model and expand.
When your child uses a single word, repeat it back and add one more. If they say “more!”, you might say “more milk!” This shows them how to link words meaningfully and provides an easy model to imitate.

🌈 Read together.
Books expose children to new vocabulary, sentence patterns, and ideas. Use short 2–3 word phrases as you describe the pictures (“big truck,” “baby sleeping”). Choose books your child loves to keep them motivated and engaged.

🌈 Play with language.
Play is a natural setting for learning words and building sentences. Describe what you’re doing or what your child is doing with simple phrases (“push car,” “open box,” “teddy eat”). Follow their interests, this boosts attention and learning.

🌈 Sing songs.
Songs are repetitive and predictable, which helps children anticipate the next word or phrase. Pause during familiar songs to give them the chance to fill in the missing words.

🌈 Talk about everything.
Narrate daily life - getting dressed, preparing meals, going outside. The more language they hear in meaningful contexts, the more opportunities they have to learn how words fit together.

20/11/2025

🧩 Let’s talk about phonological awareness, the foundation for learning to read and write!

Phonological awareness is a child’s ability to hear, play with, and recognise the sounds in words, like rhyming, blending sounds together, or breaking words into smaller parts.

These early sound skills are the building blocks for reading and spelling. When children can tune in to how words sound, it helps them understand how letters and sounds work together.

Here’s why it matters:
🤍Building blocks for reading: It helps children connect letters and sounds more easily.
🤍Growing vocabulary: It supports how children recognize and remember new words.
🤍Preventing literacy challenges: Strengthening sound awareness early can help prevent reading difficulties later on.

Helping kids “tune in” to sounds sets the stage for confident, joyful readers! 📚

19/11/2025

🗣️ 5 Tips for talking with a child who stutters.

Stuttering can make communication stressful, but small changes in how we interact can make a big difference for children. Here’s what research suggests:

1️⃣ Reduce the Pace – Speak slowly and calmly, pausing after your child finishes. Your relaxed speech models fluent communication better than reminders like “slow down.” For some children, easing the pace of daily life can also help.

2️⃣ Full Listening – Give your child your undivided attention when possible. Really listening shows them their words matter and reduces pressure to rush.

3️⃣ Mindful Questions – Instead of rapid-fire questions, comment on what your child says and pause. This allows them time to respond comfortably.

4️⃣ Turn-Taking – Encourage family members to take turns speaking and listening. Fewer interruptions create a safer space for your child to express themselves.

5️⃣ Building Confidence – Use descriptive praise to highlight strengths, not just speech: “I like how carefully you set the table!” Recognising talents unrelated to talking boosts overall self-esteem.

These strategies support communication, reduce stress, and help children feel confident using their words.

17/11/2025

💬 Calling all Speechies!

Over the past few months, I’ve poured my heart into creating something I wish I had when I first started my private practice: a practical, step-by-step course on how to set up, run, and manage a paediatric speech therapy practice with confidence.

It’s packed with real examples, templates, and systems I use every day in my own clinic, from admin and billing to assessments, reports, and therapy planning.

Before deciding whether to share it more widely, I’d love to know:
👉 Would you be interested in a course like this?
👉 What format would work best for you (online videos or live sessions)?

🧩 Modules include:
Starting & running a private practice
Assessments & reports
Early intervention, language, literacy & more
Stuttering assessment & therapy

Your feedback will help shape what comes next! 💡

11/11/2025

When speech sounds aren’t quite perfect (yet!)

It’s very common for young children to pronounce words differently from adults - speech development happens gradually as their mouth muscles strengthen and they learn to coordinate sounds.

For example, many children might say “tat” for “cat” or “poon” for “spoon”, these are called speech sound errors, and they’re a normal part of learning to talk.

You don’t need to correct every mistake. Instead, model the correct pronunciation naturally.
👉 If your child says, “I saw the tat,” you could respond, “Yes, you saw the cat! What was the cat doing?”

This gives them a clear, positive example to hear and repeat, without creating frustration or interrupting their confidence.

Every gentle model you give helps your child’s brain and speech muscles learn how to form sounds more accurately over time. 💛

10/11/2025

🎈 Play is your child’s most natural form of expression.

Through play, children explore, experiment, and communicate, often long before they have the words to do so. Every giggle, pretend scenario, or block tower is a chance to learn new skills: how to take turns, problem-solve, express emotions, and use language meaningfully.

In speech therapy, play isn’t “just for fun” - it’s how we connect, teach, and grow communication skills in a way that feels safe and enjoyable for your child. 💛

When children play, they’re not only learning what to say, but also how to share their ideas with the world.

31/10/2025

Your Child’s First Words: One of the Sweetest Milestones! 🥰

That magical moment when your little one says their first word is more than just adorable; it’s a huge step in communication and connection.

Here’s what to know:
- Most children say their first word around 12 months, but anywhere between 10–15 months is typical.
- First words are often simple and meaningful: mama, dada, ball, more, bye-bye.
- Before words come, you’ll see signs like babbling, pointing, and lots of imitation. These are all building blocks for talking!

Encourage first words by:
- Talking to your child throughout the day,
- Labelling what they see and do,
- Responding with excitement when they try to communicate.

Every little “ba!” and “uh-oh!” counts, it’s all part of their beautiful journey into language ❤️

27/10/2025

🎲 Fun Games to Boost Your Child’s Speech and Language Skills! 🎲

Speech therapy doesn’t have to feel like work; it can be playtime with purpose!

Here are some simple, fun games that help little ones find their voice:

1. I Spy
Great for: Vocabulary & sentence building
👉 “I spy something red!” helps kids describe, name, and think about what they see.

2. Sound Hunt
Great for: Speech sounds
👉 Pick a sound (like “s”) and find things around the house that start with that sound: “sock,” “spoon,” “sand.”

3. Animal Sounds Game
Great for: Early speech & imitation
👉 Take turns making animal noises: “moo,” “woof,” “meow!” Kids love it, and it builds early sound skills.

4. Story Time Switch-Up
Great for: Language & imagination
👉 Read a short story, then let your child “change” the ending or describe what might happen next.

5. Pretend Play
Great for: Conversation & social language
👉 Set up a shop, doctor’s office, or restaurant, and use role play to spark back-and-forth talking.

6. Sing-Along Songs
Great for: Rhythm, words, and memory
👉 Repetition in songs helps your child learn new words and phrases naturally.

Every giggle, sound, and word is progress. Keep it playful, that’s where learning truly happens!

Mighty Minds Speech Therapy

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