Gone are the days when my friends and I would try to bounce each other off a trampoline and over the neighbors fence. Safety is always on the forefront of our minds these days, but as we all know, things happen. More and more kids are enrolling in competitive sports (instead of doing dumb tricks […]
What is Orton-Gillingham reading therapy?
Ashley Hopkins, who was recently trained in Orton-Gillingham, explains how this multi-sensory approach to reading fits into her Speech Therapy sessions. We are proud to offer this service in our Chelsea and Birmingham locations. Reading has always been a passion of mine. I love children’s books and try to incorporate them into my speech therapy […]
Where has the summer gone?!
Here at Child’sPlay Therapy Center, we’re already getting ready for Fall and school schedules. As the summer winds down, and you enjoy these last few weeks of freedom and togetherness, please consider some of these tips for language-packed, summer fun. Play outside- get active with your kids. Get them up earlier to start getting back […]
Fine Motor Milestones & Facilitation
Use this list of the typical progression of grasping patterns that develop in the first year to give your child the most appropriate toys and activities for each stage. There are several motivating ways to help your baby develop the varying grasp patterns which will eventually lead to a variety of fine motor skills as […]
What Can I Do At Home? PLAY!
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Parents often ask what they can do at home to help their child meet therapy goals. As therapists we often have recommendations and strategies for home to give you, and we will certainly send home homework from time to time. But, […]
One-Up Rule
As parents, you are the model for your child’s language. All parents stay busy, but each day is filled with opportunities to teach language skills to your child. Whether in the car, in the grocery store, or at home during daily routines, you have the best opportunity to show your child how to talk! There […]
Promoting Good Behavior
Children “act out” for many reasons and in many different ways. Often, the children we work with at Child’sPlay Therapy Center exhibit behaviors which are the result of their delay or disability. For example, they may be frustrated by difficulty communicating, or they may be reacting to overstimulation due to a sensory processing disorder. Other […]
Straw Cup vs. Sippy Cup
Should I use a straw cup or a sippy cup? When it is time for your child to transition from a bottle to a cup, consider what will be best for the development of your child’s oral structure, oral motor strength and movement, and speech development. The options that are available include various types […]
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month!
Many parents do not recognize the early signs of a critical health issue: communication disorders. Speech, language, and hearing disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States. This month, during the national observance of Better Hearing and Speech Month, we encourage parents to take stock of their child’s communication health. Sometimes, problems […]
Social Skills: A Learned Behavior Or Not?
Social skills are what we use to have positive relationships with others. It involves the ability to communicate, problem-solve, make decisions, self-manage, and control relationships with friends and others. Social skills are a learned skill, and it is more than just having good manners. Social skills are learned from birth, and have to be learned […]