Play It ForWords Therapy

01/17/2026

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01/16/2026

Ever wonder what we’re doing in there ? This offers some insight !

01/13/2026

And the word of the day is:
INTEROCEPTION

Our What Is.... Series - today, INTEROCEPTION.

The hidden sense behind emotional regulation.

If a child seems to “go from 0 to 100” with no warning…

If they melt down suddenly…
If they struggle to tell you what’s wrong until they’re already overwhelmed…

There’s often a hidden sense behind it — interoception.

Today’s one-page visual breaks down what interoception is, why it’s so important for emotional regulation, and how you can gently support a young person whose internal signals feel confusing or too loud.

If you’d like the free parent information sheet to go with it, follow the directions in the visual, ensuring you LIKE the post and I’ll send you the Dropbox link. ⬇️

01/11/2026

Hugs are your superpower ! 🦸‍♂️ 🦸‍♀️

When a child is dysregulated, logic won’t land — connection will.

A hug isn’t about stopping the feeling or fixing the behaviour. It’s about helping a child’s nervous system feel safe enough to settle. In those moments, their body is asking for reassurance, grounding and calm before words ever matter.

A hug can slow breathing, lower stress hormones, ease anxiety and remind a child they’re not alone — even when emotions feel overwhelming. It’s one of the simplest, most powerful tools for co-regulation.

Not every child wants touch, and consent always matters — but when it’s welcome, a hug can be the bridge back to safety.

Managing big feelings isn’t about control. It’s about connection.

If you want practical, brain-based tools to support children through emotional overwhelm, our Managing Big Feelings toolkit is available — link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

01/01/2026

As I bid farewell to 2025, I reflect on all the children and families I have had the honor and privilege of working with. I am so grateful to be a part of your journey. Embracing 2026 with hope, optimism, and belief in the power of change. Cheers !

12/22/2025

Today is my birthday too ! Michele was an exceptional colleague who helped me understand many of my clients needs from an OT perspective. Please take a moment to play today !

✨ Take Time to Play – December 22 ✨

Join us in honoring Michele Parkins' legacy by intentionally setting aside time to play today. In a special podcast episode, AnnMarie Murphy shares how Michele’s belief in play, relationships, and sensory-emotional connection shaped Great Kids Place and touched thousands of lives.

December 22nd—Michele’s birthday—is officially recognized as Take Time to Play Day. Whether through movement, creativity, laughter, or trying something new, play helps us connect, heal, and grow.

🎧 Listen
💛 Take time to play
🧡 Share the joy & tag us

🔗 https://greatkidsplace.com/podcast/

12/10/2025

✨When we shift the lens from “What’s wrong with this kid?” to “What state is their nervous system in?” everything changes.✨

What looks like “defiance” or “shutting down” is often a nervous system doing exactly what it’s designed to do...protect.

📣📣In The Regulated Classroom, our four core practices meet these states head-on:

🤝 Connectors help bring students out of dorsal shutdown through safe human connection.
⚡ Activators support students stuck in sympathetic energy by giving that activation somewhere to go.
🌊 Settlers help everyone return to calm, grounded regulation.
🙏 Affirmations reinforce safety, belonging, and co-regulation.

12/06/2025

“squirm to learn!”

New research conducted at UCF shows that if you want ADHD kids to learn, you have to let them squirm.

12/05/2025

Is your child “screen addicted”… or is something else happening underneath?
Here’s the checklist every parent should see — and the part that matters most:

WHAT THIS CHECKLIST MEANS
If you’re nodding along, your child probably isn’t “addicted”.
They’re dysregulated. Overwhelmed. Seeking stimulation because it feels easier than slowing down.
What they need most is support, co-regulation and realistic boundaries — not shame or fear.

Please comment Screen for our free information sheet.

11/22/2025

11/18/2025

A simple infographic that perfectly explains the, “but my child is ‘perfect’ at school, why does he act this way at home” mystery !

So many parents ask why their child seems fine all day but unravels the second they get home. The answer lies in safety, connection, and how the brain processes stress — this visual explains it clearly.

Full After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit available via the link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.