Celebrating Better Hearing & Speech Month

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month, a time to recognize the incredible impact Speech-Language Pathologists have on helping children communicate, connect, eat, learn, and thrive.

At Move U Pediatric Therapy in Sioux Falls, we know speech therapy goes far beyond simply helping a child pronounce words correctly. Communication influences nearly every part of a child’s life—from relationships and emotional expression to learning, confidence, feeding, and participation in everyday activities.

That’s why our speech therapy services are designed to support the whole child, not just isolated skills.

Meet Carrie Hartzel, SLP

At Move U, families are supported by Carrie Hartzel, Speech-Language Pathologist, who brings more than 15 years of experience helping children and families navigate communication and feeding challenges.

Carrie combines deep clinical knowledge with a compassionate, child-led approach that helps children feel safe, successful, and empowered during therapy. Her experience allows her to look beyond surface-level concerns and identify the foundational skills impacting communication and feeding development.

Families often come to Move U looking for support with speech clarity or delayed language—but quickly realize speech therapy can impact so much more.

Speech Therapy Is More Than “Talking”

Speech therapy supports a child’s ability to engage with the world around them.

Pediatric Speech Therapy can help with:

• Speech clarity and articulation
• Delayed language development
• Understanding and processing language
• Social communication skills
• Confidence expressing wants, needs, and emotions
• Oral motor coordination
• Feeding and swallowing skills

Communication affects relationships, emotional regulation, learning, and independence. When children can communicate effectively, frustration decreases and confidence grows.

Feeding Therapy: An Important Part of Pediatric Speech Therapy

Many families are surprised to learn that Speech-Language Pathologists also help children with feeding and oral motor development.

At Move U, feeding therapy may support children who:

• Struggle transitioning to solids
• Have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Gag frequently with textures
• Are extremely selective eaters
• Experience oral motor weakness or coordination challenges
• Have stressful mealtimes

Eating is a complex developmental skill involving coordination, strength, sensory processing, and confidence. Our feeding therapy approach focuses on creating positive, supportive experiences while helping children build the skills needed for successful eating.

Why Early Support Matters

Communication and feeding challenges can impact more than just childhood milestones—they can affect confidence, school participation, emotional regulation, family routines, and social relationships.

Early support can help children:

• Build stronger foundational skills
• Reduce frustration and behavioral challenges
• Improve participation at home and school
• Develop confidence communicating and eating

Speech therapy is not just about helping children “catch up.” It’s about helping them feel capable and connected in everyday life.

What Makes Speech Therapy at Move U Different?

At Move U Pediatric Therapy in Sioux Falls, our sessions are:

• Child-led and relationship-focused
• Play-based and engaging
• Sensory-informed
• Individualized to each child’s needs
• Family-centered with practical home support

We believe children learn best through connection, play, and meaningful interaction—not pressure or repetition alone.

Our welcoming, sensory-rich environment helps children feel comfortable exploring communication and feeding skills in ways that feel natural and enjoyable.

Pediatric Speech Therapy in Sioux Falls, SD

If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language, feeding, or communication development, our team is here to help.

At Move U Pediatric Therapy, we are passionate about helping children build the confidence and skills needed for long-term success.

📍 Move U Pediatric Therapy – Sioux Falls, SD
📞 (605) 409-9533

Supporting Communication, Connection, and Confidence

Better Hearing & Speech Month is a reminder that communication is about more than words—it’s about helping children connect with the world around them.

Whether your child needs support with speech, language, feeding, or oral motor development, Pediatric Speech Therapy can provide meaningful tools for growth that last far beyond the therapy room.