Thanksgiving is a joyful time of connection and celebration, but for toddlers (especially those who are sensitive to new people, noises and environments), the holidays sometimes feel overwhelming. If your toddler is prone to sensory sensitivities you might wonder how to make the day less stressful while still being fun. With a little planning and...
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...
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...
