OT Frequency

10/25/2025

How do you feel about sticks and stick play? Some common things we hear around sticks are...
"Put that stick down!'
"You'll poke someone's eye out!"
"They just use them as weapons."
What if, instead as a 'weapon' we think about sticks as loose parts... full of potential!

10/20/2025

What sensory activity does your kid love? Drop it below to inspire other parents!

10/18/2025

Is your child a sensory seer or avoider? Take this quiz!

Sensory Seeker Characteristics
1. Loves loud music: Enjoys dancing or moving to loud sounds.
2. Seeks physical play: Regularly engages in roughhousing, jumping, or climbing.
3. Enjoys messy activities: Prefers art projects that involve paint, glue, or sand.
4. Craves movement: Frequently spins, swings, or plays on playground equipment.
5. Likes strong flavors: Enjoys spicy or tangy foods and seeks out bold flavors.
6. Always on the go: Seems to have an endless supply of energy and does not sit still for long.
7. Attracted to bright lights: Enjoys flashing lights, fireworks, or other bright visual stimuli.

Sensory Avoider Characteristics
1. Dislikes loud noises: Becomes upset or covers ears in loud environments.
2. Avoids physical play: Prefers quiet activities, shies away from rough or boisterous play.
3. Hesitant with messy activities: Avoids art or craft projects that involve tactile mess.
4. Prefers calm environments: Seeks out quiet spaces and feels overwhelmed in busy settings.
5. Picky eater: Refuses foods with strong flavors or certain textures.
6. Avoids social situations: Prefers solitary play or feels anxious in large groups.
7. Sensitive to light: Can be startled by bright lights or prefers dim environments.

Tally the number of checks in each category. More checks in the sensory seeker column may incicate a sensory seeking child, while more checks in the sensory avoider column may suggest a sensory avoiding child.

Comment your results!

10/17/2025

*Sensory Processing 101*
Sensory processing is how our brains take in, organize, and respond to sensory info from our bodies and environment – think sights, sounds, touches, smells, tastes, and movements. For kids, especially your tiny humans in toddler land, this process is super crucial 'cause it helps them make sense of the world and interact smoothly.

Why does it matter for children? Here's why:
- *Learning & Play*: Proper sensory processing helps kiddos focus, learn, and engage in play, which is their jam for development and fun.
- *Behavior & Emotions*: When sensory processing is on point, kids tend to have fewer meltdowns and more happy, regulated emotions – yay for peaceful parenting moments!
- *Daily Routines*: It makes daily activities like dressing, eating, and sleeping smoother for both you and your mini-me.
- *Social Skills*: Helps little ones interact better with siblings, friends, and family – essential for their social growth and your sanity. 😉

Some kids might be super sensitive to certain sensations (think loud noises or tags in clothes), while others might seek out intense sensory experiences (like spinning or crashing into things). Understanding your child's sensory profile can help you support their needs better, leading to more harmonious days and delightful parenting experiences.

Want tips on supporting your toddler's sensory needs or activity ideas for family bonding through sensory play?

10/16/2025

10/16/2025

*Myth: Only kids with diagnoses need sensory activities.*
*Truth: Every child benefits from sensory activities! 🌟*

Every child, regardless of their developmental profile, benefits from sensory activities because these activities:
- *Boost brain development*: Enhance neural connections for learning, memory, and problem solving.
- *Support emotional regulation*: Help kids manage feelings, reduce stress, and build resilience.
- *Encourage exploration and curiosity*: Foster a love for learning through hands-on, interactive experiences.
- *Develop motor skills*: Improve coordination, balance, and fine/gross motor skills through active play.
- *Strengthen parent-child bonds*: Offer opportunities for quality interaction and connection between you and your little one.
- *Promote social skills*: Support turn-taking, communication, and cooperation with peers and family members.
- *Enhance focus and attention*: Help children develop the ability to concentrate and engage in tasks.

*Now, let's chat! 👇*
Share with us: What's your favorite sensory activity to do with your child, or what sensory play are you excited to try soon? Drop your thoughts, tips, or questions in the comments below! Let's connect and inspire each other!

10/14/2025

4 signs your child might struggle with fine motor skills.

Tag someone who needs this

10/14/2025

Hey Toddler Parents! 🌞👩‍👧‍👦 How's your mini-me handling the world of textures and sounds? On our OT page, we're all about supporting you and your little ones in navigating sensory processing.

Kids react in such unique ways to:
- Squishy playdough vs. crunchy leaves underfoot 🌿👣
- Mom's gentle humming vs. sirens blaring outside 🚨🎶

In occupational therapy, we help children develop strategies for:
- Embracing or tolerating tricky textures (think messy play or "yucky" foods 🍝👶)
- Managing loud or unexpected sounds (construction sites, sibling squabbles, etc. 🏗️👫)
- Balancing sensory needs for focus, calm, and fun 🎉🧘‍♀️

Some kids are sensory seekers (bring on the bubbles and music 🎈🎵), some are avoiders (gentle, quiet spaces, please 🙏), and some are a mix (flexible or overwhelmed, depending on the day 🌈👍). We meet them where they are with:
- Fun, engaging activities for motor skills and sensory integration 🎨📝
- Tools and strategies for coping and thriving at home and on-the-go 🏠

Parents of tiny humans, how do your kiddos react to different textures or sounds? Share with us – and let's support each other in this wild, wonderful parenting journey! 💬👍
Tag a parent who needs this!

10/13/2025

Small hands, big potential. OT unlocks it all. 💪