Meet Jo Ann Gramlich
Speech-Language Pathologist, educator, and creator of the Talk, Play, & Read approach. Helping children build strong communication foundations through simple, everyday interaction.
Little moments matter
In my work as a speech-language pathologist, I’ve seen how much parents want to support their children, but often feel unsure where to begin.
Families are navigating busy schedules and endless advice about what children need most. It can feel overwhelming.
What I saw again and again was this: real progress did not come from adding more pressure. It came from small, consistent moments of talking, playing, reading, and connecting together.
Those everyday moments shape how children communicate, build confidence, and understand the world around them.
That belief became the foundation of Talk, Play, & Read.
The goal has always been simple
To help children feel seen, heard, and confident as they learn to communicate and connect with the world around them.
How Talk, Play, & Read began
My career began in classrooms and therapy rooms, working with children who needed support with language and early learning. Many were already struggling before they even started school.
With large caseloads and limited time, I realized something important. Meaningful progress did not happen only in short weekly sessions. It happened when families felt confident supporting their children at home.
Early on, I began writing parenting articles to help families understand how everyday interaction supports language development. Those articles eventually led to the creation of Talk, Play, & Read With Me Mommy in 2014.
In 2019, an interactive digital version followed, bringing sound, movement, and play into the learning experience. Soon after, fathers began asking for a version designed for them, which inspired Talk, Play, & Read With Me Daddy in 2020.
In 2025, Ruby & Louie were introduced to extend the experience beyond the page, helping children stay engaged through imagination and connection.
What began as a way to support families has grown into a larger mission: helping children feel confident, capable, and supported through the everyday moments that shape how they learn and communicate.
Professional expertise. Practical impact
Jo Ann’s work combines clinical knowledge with strategies families and educators can use immediately.
Supporting the Learning Community
Jo Ann believes that supporting children’s learning goes beyond books and classrooms. Throughout her career, she has contributed her time, expertise, and resources to organizations and initiatives that support early communication, literacy, and child development.
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![Two large plush toys, a boy and a girl, stand next to a pile of brightly decorated gift bags on a wooden floor against a beige wall. The boy plush has blonde hair, a blue shirt, and dark pants. The girl plush has blonde hair with a pink headband and bow, a pink shirt, and pink and dark pants.]()
BPPN + Junior League
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![A woman standing in front of a children's hospital mural, holding toys and gifts, with a cart nearby loaded with presents. The mural features colorful cartoon animals, a helicopter, and cheerful characters with a welcoming message.]()
Oishei Children’s Hospital
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![Two plush dolls, one boy with yellow hair and a blue shirt, and one girl with yellow hair, pink headband, and pink shirt, are standing next to a stack of children's books about reading with parents.]()
GiGi’s Playhouse
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![Woman, Jo Ann Gramlich, smiling at a table with colorful gift baskets, informational pamphlets, and a large pink sign promoting reading, talking, and playing with children.]()
Mall of America – Way to Grow
Start building strong communication from the very beginning
Explore how the Talk, Play, & Read approach supports children through simple, meaningful interaction at home and in the classroom.
