Valentine’s Day often brings to mind cards, hugs, and saying “I love you.” But for many kids, especially young children, love doesn’t always show up in words. It shows up in play. Play is how kids connect. It’s how they feel safe, understood, and emotionally close to the people they care about most. Play is...
If you’re parenting a toddler, chances are you’ve wondered at least once: Is this normal… or should I be worried? One day your toddler eats everything on the plate. The next day, they survive on crackers and air. Add strong opinions, food refusals, and power struggles—and mealtimes can quickly feel stressful. Here’s the reassuring truth:...
If you’ve heard of DIR/Floortime, you may be wondering what it actually looks like once you’re home with your child—no therapy room, no special toys, no therapist sitting next to you. Here’s the good news: DIR/Floortime isn’t something you add to your day. It’s something you layer into what you’re already doing. Let’s break it...
This month in our Nature-Based Therapeutic Groups, we leaned fully into what nature does best—inviting movement, curiosity, connection, and regulation through play. This is the heart of nature-based therapy for kids, where learning and growth happen through meaningful outdoor experiences. Each session was intentionally designed by our occupational therapists to support sensory processing, motor development,...
(Part 3 of Our Hand Manipulation Development Series) By 12–18 months, toddlers want to do everything themselves, and toddler hand development plays a big role in how smoothly feeding, play, and communication unfold. When hand skills lag behind that drive for independence, frustration often follows. This stage isn’t just about milestones, it’s about how well...
Bedtime is suddenly a battle.Meals feel chaotic.Meltdowns seem to come out of nowhere. If your toddler feels “off” after the holidays, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not doing anything wrong. The break from routine, extra stimulation, travel, and social time can be a lot for young children to process. Many toddlers rely on predictability...
Every child learns differently, and some may find it challenging to stay engaged, manage big emotions, or use new skills outside of therapy. That’s where outdoor Occupational Therapy groups make a difference. By bringing therapy into natural, playful environments, children can practice important skills while exploring and having fun. Why Some Kids Find Skill-Building Challenging...
The holidays are meant to be joyful, but they can feel surprisingly hard. If your child is suddenly: Your child isn’t misbehaving. Young children experience stress just like adults do. The difference is they don’t yet have the words or coping tools to explain how they’re feeling. Instead, stress shows up through behavior. Why the...
The holidays are here and if you’re doing some last-minute shopping, you’re not alone! If you’re wondering what gift your child will actually play with, especially if your child has special needs, this guide is for you. After more than 25 years as a pediatric occupational therapist, I’ve learned one thing: the best gifts aren’t...
(Part 2 of our Hand Manipulation Development Series) Between 6–12 months, your baby moves from simple grasping to intentional, coordinated hand skills. This stage is full of exploration — banging, transferring, dropping, poking, and picking up smaller items with more precision. But when certain skills don’t appear on time, it’s worth paying attention. These early...
