Thanksgiving is a great time to introduce the concept of gratitude to young children. Even babies and toddlers can start learning about appreciation in small ways. Simple, loving activities help build their early social-emotional skills and create special family moments. Here are some easy, age-appropriate gratitude activities for babies and toddlers. Thankful Basket Create a...
As Halloween approaches, many families prepare for a fun-filled evening of costumes, decorations, and, of course, trick-or-treating. For children, especially those with sensory sensitivities, this festive occasion can be both exciting and overwhelming. This trick-or-treating social story is designed to help parents explain what to expect during trick-or-treating in a way that is accessible and...
As your baby grows into a toddler, their communication skills change dramatically. While they might have a few words, much of their communication still comes from nonverbal cues like gestures, facial expressions, and body language. As an occupational therapist, I work with parents to help them tune into their toddler’s cues, fostering more robust interactions...
In the early stages of a child’s life, connection is the foundation of their emotional, cognitive, and social development. For parents, establishing a strong bond with their baby can feel like both a natural instinct and a daunting challenge. Pediatric occupational therapy offers valuable insights into how you can enhance this connection by emphasizing affect—essentially,...
Mutual joy between a parent and baby is a powerful connection that sets the foundation for healthy emotional and social development. This shared happiness is more than just smiles and laughter; it’s a critical aspect of bonding that supports a baby’s growth, well-being, and learning. Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) can play a vital role in...
Joint attention is a crucial developmental milestone in a baby’s growth, laying the foundation for communication, social interaction, and learning. In pediatric occupational therapy, we focus on fostering this skill to help children engage more meaningfully with their environment and the people around them. But what exactly is it and how can parents support its...
As parents, caregivers, or therapists, we all want to give babies the best start in life. Play is a powerful tool that supports their development in countless ways. In pediatric occupational therapy, play is more than just fun; it’s a crucial part of helping babies develop motor skills, sensory processing, and social-emotional abilities. Here’s how...
Here is your gentle reminder to “Get Outside and Play!“ For over 25 years, I’ve practiced as a pediatric occupational therapist and been a homeschool mom. In recent years, I’ve been living the dream! I no longer work in a clinic or school; instead, I’ve taken my therapy services to people’s backyards around my home...
What is Reciprocal Play? Reciprocal play occurs when your child is engaged with another person and participating in some kind of back and forth action or exchange. A classic example of this is peek-a-boo! When your child covers their face and then pops out, you reciprocate with a surprised face and “peek-a-boo”! You initiate the...
In the Bay Area and Mountain View, there are a lot of choices of professionals to work with when your child has been diagnosed with autism. There are ABA behavior specialists, Speech therapists, Occupational Therapists- the list goes on and on. I have been an Occupational Therapist for over 25 years. This means that I...
