When Kids Play Pediatric Therapy

05/01/2026

✨ Wrapping up an incredible few days at the AOTA Conference ✨

From meaningful conversations to powerful education sessions, we’re leaving inspired, re-energized, and more passionate than ever about supporting children through play 💛

Dr. Leilani Brown is sharing a few of her biggest takeaways, practical tips, and “take-it-home-and-use-it” strategies from this year’s conference, because when we learn, our kids win.

To everyone we had the chance to meet—thank you. Your passion, your stories, and your dedication to this field are what make this community so special.

👇 We’d love to keep the conversation going:
If you attended AOTA, drop your biggest takeaway in the comments or share your experience and tag us

We’re actively supporting and connecting with fellow therapists, because growing together matters.

Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep sharing.
And most importantly… let’s keep helping kids thrive through play.

04/30/2026

This looks great! Have you tried it?
LET ME KNOW
if you have and how it works in therapy 🐰🐱🐶

04/30/2026

We love making a mess!!
💕🫟

Why Messy Play Is Worth It 🧼🎨

What may look like a mess is actually rich play-based learning in action! When children explore materials like mud, water, paint, and sensory bins, they are discovering the world through hands-on messy play experiences.

Messy play supports many important areas of early childhood development. As children scoop, pour, mix, and experiment, they strengthen fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and creative thinking while building confidence and curiosity.

Why messy play matters:
🖐 Encourages sensory exploration and body awareness
✏️ Strengthens hands and fingers for early writing skills
🔬 Supports STEM thinking through experimenting and problem solving
💬 Builds language, storytelling, and social interaction

Messy play also invites children to imagine, test ideas, and tell the story of their creations—turning simple materials into meaningful learning experiences.

Sometimes the best learning moments happen when children are free to explore, experiment, and embrace the mess. 🌈✨

04/30/2026

04/28/2026

Immediate need in Burleson, TX & Benbrook, TX.
Always looking in DFW. 💕

04/28/2026

04/26/2026

I haven’t gotten a chance to play with this toy yet myself… but it looks great! Comment and tell me if you have used it and what your thoughts are on it! Should I buy 1? Or 10? 🥰😂😎

04/26/2026

These creative activities promote an open thumb web-space-a fine motor skill that is often times lacking in a child's pencil grasp. Try some of these ideas to open up the web space and allow for more pencil control when writing. 👌

https://www.theottoolbox.com/activities-improve-open-thumb-web-space/

12/21/2025

Winter fine motor fun! I love snowflake and snow man activities after Christmas… January and February are cold! But fun!!

11/01/2025

Love this toy!