Shorkey Center

02/20/2026

Mardi Gras beads don’t have to be packed away yet! Try our Bead Directions game at home: give your child simple directions using leftover necklaces—like “Pick up a green bead, then touch a purple one.” It’s a fun way to practice listening, following directions, and speech skills while keeping those festive beads in play!

02/19/2026

Mardi Gras may be over, but the fun—and the beads—aren’t gone! Today we turned leftover Mardi Gras beads into a playful OT Bead Pick-Up activity at home. Picking up and dropping the colorful beads is a simple way to build hand strength, coordination, and sorting skills.

02/17/2026

02/16/2026

Mardi Gras fun meets physical therapy—right at home! Here are the skills being worked on:
• Balance
• Core strength
• Coordination

What You Need:
• Mardi Gras beads or any necklace/scarf
• Painter’s tape (or imagine a line on the floor)

How to Do It:
1. Place a line of tape on the floor.
2. Have your child wear the beads.
3. Ask them to walk along the line like they’re in a Mardi Gras parade.
4. Encourage different movements:
• Walk forward
• Walk backward
• Take small or big steps
• Do high knees

Make It More Fun:
• Play Mardi Gras music
• Add clapping or marching
• Pretend to wave to the crowd at the end

02/14/2026

Tiny humans, big love here at the Shorkey Center. Thank you for entrusting us with your children.

02/12/2026

This is a quick, fun way to turn your child’s Valentine goodies into a little learning moment—no pressure, just play.
1. Pick 3 Valentines together
Let your child choose their favorites to start things off positively.
2. Open one
Peeling wrappers and opening cards is great practice for little hands. (Fine motor practice)
3. Read or talk about it
Read the card, name pictures or colors, or just chat about what you see. If your child doesn’t talk use this as a chance to model verbally or on their AAC (Speech practice)
4. Sort it
Group candies or cards by color, size, or type—whatever feels easy and fun. (OT and Speech)
5. Eat the sweet treat- it’s just fun

✨ Even a few minutes counts. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection and carryover in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

02/08/2026

🏈 Super Bowl skills we love to see:
✔ Following directions (speech)
✔ Teamwork & turn-taking (OT)
✔ Strength, balance & coordination (PT)

Our athletes train year-round! See everyone this week at therapy to continue to work on these skills.

02/06/2026

Looking for a way to make feeding more fun at home?
Kids chopsticks slow things down, encourage interaction with food, and help build fine motor skills—without the pressure of “taking bites.” Small tools can make a big difference!

02/04/2026

Congrats to this sweet girl on graduating speech therapy! We are so proud of you. We wish you and your family the best.

02/03/2026

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