At Turning Tides Speech Therapy, we spend our days on the floor, following children’s lead, and using play to build real-language and real-life skills. As SLP-moms, we know firsthand which toys get pulled out again and again, both in our therapy sessions and in our own living rooms.

This holiday season, we’ve handpicked our favorite toys and games that support communication, early literacy, fine motor skills, social language, pretend play, and more. Whether you’re shopping for a neighbor’s child, a long-distance relative, a friend’s little one you’ve never met, or your very own kiddo, these gifts are developmentally rich, engaging, and sure to be well-loved in any home.

Explore the full list below to see why SLPs love these toys and how you can use them to spark connection, learning, and play this season.

When your little one moves on from a bottle, a sippy cup might seem like the obvious next step, but speech therapists say it’s worth rethinking. While sippy cups are convenient, they can actually slow your child’s progress in speech and feeding development. In this article, you’ll learn why straw and open cups are better choices for building strong oral muscles, encouraging proper tongue placement, and supporting clear speech. Plus, get practical tips for making the switch smoothly. With a little patience (and a few spills), your child can thrive!

Strong communication skills are the foundation for learning and confidence. At school, children rely on speech and language to follow directions, participate in lessons, share ideas, and connect with friends. At home, communication skills help them express their needs, join in family routines, and build independence. When these skills are difficult, children may feel frustrated, struggle academically, or pull away socially. That’s where private, in-home speech therapy can make a big difference.

Discover how in-home speech therapy helps children build stronger communication skills that carry over into the classroom and daily life. Learn how parent involvement and personalized support can boost academic performance, social confidence, and language development. Ideal for families seeking practical, effective solutions for speech and language challenges.

Wondering which cup is best for your toddler? A speech-language pathologist breaks down the pros and cons of all the options. Learn why cup choice matters and how to make the switch with confidence. Ideal for parents transitioning toddlers from bottles to big-kid cups.

As parents, you want the best for your child. And that includes the tools that support healthy growth and development. One everyday choice that makes a bigger impact than you might expect is the type of cup your toddler uses. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), I talk with families all the time about how different cups affect their child’s muscle development, feeding skills, and even speech down the road. Let’s break down the options together.

Struggling with picky eating or mealtime meltdowns? Learn five fun, sensory-friendly activities that help children with sensory aversions feel more comfortable around food. From no-pressure food play to sensory bins; these gentle and therapist approved strategies support positive feeding experiences, without the stress. Ideal for parents and caregivers of children with feeding challenges, sensory sensitivities, or selective eating habits.

Feeding time should be a learning and nourishing experience, but for some children, it’s a major source of stress due to sensory aversions. This is when certain textures, smells, colors, or temperatures of food feel overwhelming to your child. Whether your child gags at the sight of vegetables or avoids all wet foods, you’re not alone. The good news is, there are gentle, play-based strategies that can help.

Learn how to strengthen parent involvement in speech and feeding therapy with practical, research backed coaching strategies for SLPs. This guide shares 5 essential tips for effective communication with families, including building trust, collaborating on goals, and integrating therapy into daily routines. Perfect for speech-language pathologists looking to boost confidence and create meaningful progress through parent coaching. Empower families, enhance outcomes, and transform everyday moments into lasting developmental gains.

As speech-language pathologists, we know that parent involvement is crucial to a child’s progress in both language development and feeding. Parent coaching allows us to extend therapy beyond the session, turning everyday moments into meaningful learning opportunities. But coaching isn’t just giving instructions. It's a collaborative, respectful, and supportive relationship. Whether you're supporting a toddler with limited expressive language or a picky eater struggling with food variety, effective communication with parents makes all the difference.

At Turning Tides Speech Therapy, we believe that supporting your child’s language development starts right at home with everyday interactions, play, and lots of love. Whether your child is just beginning to babble or is starting to string words together, you can make a big impact on their communication skills. Here are three simple, evidence-based tips to help encourage early language development in your little one:

Worried that your child’s eating or speech challenges might be due to a tongue tie? In this post, we’ll break down what tongue tie really is, how it can affect feeding and oral development, and when to consider speech therapy in Pensacola. Whether you’re navigating picky eating, messy mealtimes, or speech delays, this guide will help you understand the signs and take the next step with confidence.

New to feeding therapy as an SLP? You’re not alone. In this post, I’m sharing simple, practical strategies for getting started with pediatric feeding therapy — from what questions to ask parents to how to structure your sessions without feeling overwhelmed.

Not sure whether school-based or private speech therapy is right for your child? This post breaks down the key differences—pros, cons, and everything in between—so you can make an informed decision. Plus, learn why you don’t have to choose just one and how in-home therapy can complement school services for even better results.

Did you know the right nutrients can boost your child’s language development? In this post, we explore 8 essential vitamins and minerals that support brain growth and communication skills—plus whole food examples and parent-friendly tips to help your child thrive naturally. Written by a licensed pediatric speech therapist in Pensacola, FL, this guide is perfect for families looking to support speech and language through nutrition and holistic care.

Boost your child’s speech and eating skills with 3 easy, natural tips—no sippy cups needed! Learn how to support oral strength at home.

Did you know your child’s speech and eating skills are more connected than you think? From the way they chew to how they form words, these everyday actions share a secret link that can shape their growth. At Turning Tides Speech Therapy, we’re peeling back the curtain on how feeding challenges—like picky eating or trouble swallowing—can tie into speech delays, and what you can do to help your little one thrive.

Does your child breathe through their mouth, snore at night, or struggle with picky eating? These could be signs of an underlying myofunctional disorder. Myofunctional therapy helps strengthen the muscles of the face and mouth, improving speech, eating, and even sleep quality.