Joy’s Favorite Toys

If you’re looking for simple, meaningful ways to support play, I’ve gathered all of my favorite toy ideas in one place. Instead of searching through multiple posts, you can now click on the category that fits what you’re looking for and find my go-to recommendations for that type of play. Whether you’re thinking about sensory […]

Vestibular & Proprioceptive Toys

Our vestibular system and proprioceptive system are two of our 8 senses. It’s something I didn’t learn about until I started working with children and working with an occupational therapist. However, it’s something I start to teach parents about during our first session because it’s so important to understand in child development. The vestibular system […]

Developmental Skills Reference Guide

Have you ever found yourself wondering “Is my child developing at the right pace?” or “How can I help this child who seems stuck in one area?” -You’re not alone. As parents, teachers, therapists, or caregivers, we all want to give the kids in our lives the very best start. The early years are when […]

Parts Of The Brain

The more I learn about the brain, the more I realize how important it is for kids to learn about their brains. There is so much power in knowing how your brain works, and yet it’s not something taught in many schools.  Many of us working with kids didn’t learn about the brain in school, […]

Preschool Music

Music is a powerful tool that helps many of us teach young kids all kinds of skills. You can teach colors, shapes, numbers, ABCs, social skills, language, motor skills, etc. all through music. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, therapist, or early childhood educator, incorporating simple songs, rhythms and movement can boost skills across multiple areas […]

Exercise Ball

An exercise ball is one of my must-haves when working in Early Intervention or Preschool Classes.  This is a great activity IF your child enjoys vestibular or proprioceptive input. If your child avoids these types of activities, you can still try it, but you’ll need to be sensitive to your child’s preferences and go at […]

Obstacle Course

First off, what is a gross motor skill? Gross motor skills are activities that involve the large muscles of the body. In child development, it’s so important to be exposed to activities that help develop all the muscles in their bodies. As adults we try implementing exercise regimens, but even as adults we have a […]

Balloons

How to Increase Expressive Language With a Simple Balloon I always love activities that can target multiple developmental skills at the same time—and balloon play is one of those. This simple, play-based activity can support engagement, attention, communication skills, and both fine and gross motor development. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, playing with […]

Blanket Swing

How Swinging In A Blanket Can Help Increase Communication I know I say this about a lot of activities, but swinging in a blanket is one of my favorites for a neurodivergent child that is working on communication, particularly initiating (opening circles). Here are just a few reasons why I love this activity: It’s fun […]

Sensory Scavenger Hunts

Exploring Our Senses With Scavenger Hunts Our senses are how we take in information from our world. Some kids are more sensitive to their senses and may become overwhelmed easily, and others seek out a lot of sensory input. I love scavenger hunts in general because they’re a very low-prep  way to make learning interactive […]

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