Communication Breakdown or Sensory Breakdown Understanding How to Best Support Your Child As parents, one of the hardest moments is watching your child struggle—especially when you’re not sure why it’s happening. Is it frustration because they can’t express themselves? Or are they overwhelmed by their environment? Understanding the difference between a communication breakdown and a…
What is Occupational Therapy? Celebrating OT Month By Jessica Tallent, OTR/L Kids Place Pediatric Occupational Therapist Since 1980, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has recognized April as occupational therapy month. But what exactly do occupational therapists, specifically pediatric occupational therapists, do? The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (OT) defines occupational therapy as a “client-centered…
How Frustration and Communication Are Connected in Children (And How to Help Your Child) If you’ve ever watched your child melt down when they couldn’t express what they needed, you’re not alone. Many parents notice that when communication breaks down, big emotions quickly take over—tears, yelling, shutting down, or acting out. What can feel confusing…
Is your toddler having a meltdown? Is your 6 year old slamming doors? In these moments, caregivers face two difficult tasks: Taking a moment to keep themselves calm Meeting the child where they are to help them learn skills to self soothe and face future challenges Emotions are powerful. They can prompt us to do…
Some children may have a difficult time regulating their emotions. This could stem from being unable to communicate their feelings or not understanding how emotions affect how their body feels. The Zones of Regulation curriculum developed by Leah Kuypers helps us teach children how they are feeling by categorizing emotions into zones that correlate with…
5 Sensory Strategies to Explore Food For children with sensory feeding difficulties or limited diets, mealtime can be a challenging experience. Whether it’s the texture, smell, or taste, that triggers discomfort, many kids can struggle to engage with food in ways that promote healthy eating habits and a balanced diet. What if we could help…
Improving Pencil Grasp Development Through Play Before children are developmentally ready to grasp a pencil correctly, there are milestones they must complete in order to build the necessary strength and fine motor control for proper handwriting. Pre-school age children need to be able to stack blocks, grasp small items, and engage in messy play without…
10 Fun Summer Activities to Promote Child Development As summer rolls around, finding engaging activities to keep your kids busy and entertained can feel daunting. Luckily, there are countless summer activities you can do at home that are both fun and support important developmental skills. Below are ten therapist-approved ideas that promote child development in…
Making Slime Improves Child Development – Easy DIY Recipe & Benefits Making slime with your child is a fun activity targeting fine motor skills, direction following, sequencing, tactile processing, and emotional regulation. Slime offers a sensory experience while also working on various skill areas that are important for your child’s overall development. Why Slime Supports…
The Link Between Posture and Handwriting in Children: How Sitting Up Straight Can Improve Penmanship As parents, educators, and caregivers, we often focus on helping children develop good handwriting skills. We provide them with the best pencils, practice sheets, and handwriting exercises. However, one crucial aspect of handwriting that is often overlooked is posture. Proper…
