Play 2 Learn 4 Life Childrens Therapy Services

03/13/2026

My photos don’t do this justice. But here’s an example out a cozy nook in our home. My kiddo is always building ‘forts’. Although I’m not a fan of that term. It is her safe sensory space. With pillows and blankets and her fuzzy chair. Fun fact that was MY plush chair from when I was 3 years old. My parents kept it and mom re-upholstered it with faux fur for my kiddo. Upcycling for the next generation
I think my kid needs the heavy work of building things when she gets home from school. And then needs a space that is only hers after having no autonomy in school all day.
We got creative and made this space by moving the couch forward and letting her keep this one up for a few days. Made my living room cozier too. It’s important to ‘let go’ of having your home be fashionable. And let your kids know that your home is theirs too.

03/12/2026

I love this quote: “ a worksheet is a 2D solution to a 3-D”
Printing doesn’t start with tracing letters on paper. It starts with core strength and shoulder stability, hand strength and pencil grasp. 

We need to stop asking if a four year old can write their name and start asking if they can climb a tree or hang from the monkey bars. I know it sounds counterintuitive, especially when we are bombarded with the idea that academic success starts with a workbook, but the science of child development tells a very different story.

I see it so often. A child is struggling with handwriting, not because they do not know the letters, but because they do not have the core strength to sit upright at a desk or the shoulder stability to move a pencil across a page. A worksheet is a 2D solution to a 3D problem. If the foundations of the body are not strong, the fine motor skills will always struggle to follow.

When we push children into academic tasks before their bodies are physically ready, we are not giving them a head start. We are actually setting them up for a lifetime of physical fatigue and frustration. If a child has to use all their energy just to keep their body from slumping over, they have no mental energy left for learning.

Our educators know this. When they choose a morning of climbing, digging in the mud, or navigating an obstacle course, they are doing the deep, essential work of school readiness. They are building the core, the grip strength, and the visual tracking skills that will eventually make reading and writing feel easy.

Educators, what is the one thing you wish parents understood about the importance of play over paperwork?

Parents, what is your biggest worry when it becomes to your child being ready for school?

03/12/2026

If you’re thinking of making a sensory space in your home, FDMT has this nice simple article with links on where to buy some tools. I often purchase from them however it is in Quebec so shipping charges to BC are higher. Odin books also has a nice online store for the similar sensory tools and Vancouver based. I miss their brick and mortar store
Most homes in Vancouver are limited on square footage. I’ve heard of some parents using a nook under the stairs or converting a small closet. Often a smaller space is actually cozier.

Learn how to create a sensory space at home to help your child calm down, manage their emotions, and reduce sensory overload.

01/17/2026

I like having this research to back up one of my handouts on classroom design and sensory spaces for schools. Recommends 20-50% of bare wall or ‘white space’. It is similar in our clinic. We want it to feel calm and simple. Not overstimulating. Keeps the focus on the task/lesson.
I have memories of being a kid and having just learned to read. My brain was compelled to have to read everything everywhere. I recall going into a new classroom with so many posters. Maybe it was another grade and we swapped for a lesson. But I couldn’t focus on what the new teacher was saying as my brain scanned the room and had to read everything.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/dos-and-donts-classroom-decorations?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Q12026&fbclid=IwZnRzaAPYo8RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEerJRIKPkRRRIhPMNusax1BMO0caxZei6d7ai9WPveTgUY9MiI-gkcbcoQi6M_aem_zerulvSxjcfjpiTjqFc74w

What you put on your classroom walls can affect your students’ ability to learn.

01/10/2026

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that returning to school this week was hard. It’s a big transition to go from vacation mode to work mode. And for the late nights and sleep-in’s of winter break to face the harsh timelines of getting to school on time. This is when our sensitive kids typically fall apart. Maybe they can hold it together during the school day. But when you (the parent) picks them up or when they get home, they have a meltdown. Some explode, some crash. Maybe your kid’s teacher says that they were wonderful all school day, suggesting subtly that the parent/home must be the problem if thats where the behaviour is occuring. But we know. We know our smart yet sensitive kids mask all day. Work so hard to be ‘good’ in front of others. But then have nothing left by the end of the school day. So that they save their meltdown once they are in a private space or with a safe person (that they knows loves them and will therefore forgive them). We get you. We got you. This graphic is overly simplistic. Yet acknowledges the struggle and offers some simple yet practical strategies.
Ps ‘deep breathing, etc’ is typically not an appropriate strategy for dysregulated kids. I like blowing bubbles (straw in milk) or blowing into a flying toy (helicopter) as more playful ways to encourage deep breaths. Even Regulation needs to be fun.

01/08/2026

I forgot to do New Year’s resolutions this year. Some years I’ve loved the opportunity to be reflective and say goodbye to a challenging year and let go of the baggage. And then set positive intentions for the upcoming year. OTs are often keeners when it comes to making goals. Other years, I can barely summon the energy to survive winter break. But it’s never too late. You can sit down this weekend or next month and still do that process. Don’t let the false construct of the human derived 12 month calendar define your timeline. Perhaps listen to nature’s seasonal cycle instead. A new moon can harvest energy to start anew (next one is Jan 18). Spring represents regrowth. So maybe think about the equinox (Mar 20). Regardless, here are some conversations to engage a child. Spark their journey to self-discovery while building emotional attachment.

12/13/2025

The zones of regulation is often used in school settings. It is a basic organization of emotions in a linear plane. It can be a good foundation for learning emotions, or a place to start when developing strategies.

Yet for those who are neurodivergent, it might not fit. As emotions are actually more three dimensional. “Where’s the purple zone” is what some of my ND kids ask me. It’s so true. When you are so tired you become wired. Or so hungry you get angry.

Luckily I have many resources to elaborate on this when teaching emotional regulation. Let us know if you’re interested and we would love to share them with you.

12/11/2025

Play 2 Learn 4 Life is expanding. Need an OT in the North Okanagan. Serving families in Vernon, Coldstream, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby, Oyama and Lake country.

We can do home, school and community visits. If parents need help advocating for their child, an OT to attend Family meetings and IEPs. We also offer education to organizations and can do neurodiverse affirming presentations on sensory-based emotional regulation strategies.

12/10/2025

I often remind parents that ANGER is a secondary emotion. It may have come after a primary emotion. First I ask adults to stop (HALT) and review if there is something else really going on
H = hunger, maybe they are low blood sugar and need food
A = afraid, perhaps they are worried they might hurt themselves and need reassurance
L = lonely, is their cup empty, do they need time to connect with a loved one or friend
T = tired, at the end of a long school/work day, or after a bad sleep

Feel free to talk to me more about triggers. We OTs specialize in the sensory realm. Bright lights, loud noises, scratchy clothes. Be gentle on us neurodivergent folk

12/09/2025

I love Cute Christmas crafts. I know I’m a week late. Shush. But this is a good reminder that it is NEVER too late to be inspired and try something new.
Honestly i made this craft in under an hour. As an OT of course i have bins if felt and bags of cotton balls on hand.

I made one of these Santa beards for my daughter. In addition to her advent calendar. Buts its a fun and cute way to count down the days until Santa comes. Yes she still believes in Santa’s magic at age 7 (grade 2). I know the story will be broken soon. But I love magical beings/creatures and the excitement they bring. To be able to believe in some magic is essential to have creativity and imagination.

12/08/2025

I have a kid who still has meltdowns. You are not alone. Sometimes as parents we may think that our kid’s behaviour is our fault if we couldn’t prevent it. Or the meltdown spirals out of control and soon we too breakdown. Maybe breakdowns trigger you or your own childhood trauma and how your parents responded to your meltdowns. It’s heavy stuff. So try to go easy on yourself and your kid. Meltdowns are not always avoidable. Sometimes it’s a neurological release and it just needs time to clear. Have compassion for you and your kid. It’s okay to admit that you didn’t handle it well and parents can also apologize to kids. We got you

12/07/2025

Exciting news announcement. Zoe will be working at mountain resort in Vernon this winter. Come up and experience the magical and therapeutic power of snow. The mountains in winter are such a sensory vibrant and grounding place for me that I want to share it with my clients. Honestly one if my favourite parts of being up there is the smell. So clean and crisp. And I love a fresh breeze. The cold makes me feel alive. And who doesnt just want to eat all the white stuff: make a snow cone, crunch on a snowball, or suck on an icicle. Let’s do some OT in natures sensory gym. Maybe even throw in a private snowboard or ski lesson. Make sure to request to book me (Zoe Raffard)

The official website of SilverStar Mountain Resort. Welcome to the Okanagan's favourite family ski and bike resort.