Child's Play Therapy Services, PC

Child's Play Therapy Services, PC Child's Play Therapy Services provides pediatric occupational therapy and speech therapy now serving the Lafayette and Pleasanton, California areas.

Do you and your family struggle with mealtime? Is eating a constant battle?For many families, the dinner table can becom...
03/12/2026

Do you and your family struggle with mealtime? Is eating a constant battle?

For many families, the dinner table can become a place of stress instead of connection. Maybe your child eats only a handful of foods, refuses anything new, gags with certain textures, or becomes upset when it’s time to sit down and eat. These experiences are more common than many parents realize, and they can leave families wondering what’s going on and how to help.

Eating is actually a very complex skill. It involves coordination of the mouth and jaw, the ability to tolerate different textures, smells, and temperatures, and a nervous system that feels calm and regulated enough to explore food. This is why feeding therapy often overlaps with occupational therapy. Occupational therapy helps support the sensory processing, motor coordination, and regulation skills that make eating feel safe and manageable for children.

When children receive support in these areas, mealtimes can gradually become less stressful. Feeding therapy focuses on helping children build comfort with new foods, strengthen oral motor skills, and develop positive experiences around eating. The goal isn’t pressure or forcing bites, it’s helping children feel confident and curious about food at their own pace.

At Child’s Play Therapy Services, feeding therapy is always approached with patience and a whole-child perspective. If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton, California area and mealtimes have been feeling difficult, schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn how Child’s Play Therapy Services can support your child and your family.

Play can look loud, messy, repetitive, or even a little chaotic at times. Blocks get knocked over, toys are lined up and...
03/10/2026

Play can look loud, messy, repetitive, or even a little chaotic at times. Blocks get knocked over, toys are lined up and re-lined up, and games repeat again and again. From the outside, it might seem like “just playing,” but for children, play is one of the most important ways they learn about their bodies, their environment, and how to interact with others.

Through occupational therapy, play becomes a powerful tool for developing foundational skills. Activities like stacking, pouring, climbing, or digging in sensory materials help strengthen fine motor coordination, body awareness, and regulation of the nervous system. These skills support a child’s ability to focus, participate in daily routines, and feel comfortable navigating their world.

Play also connects closely with communication and feeding. When children feel safe and regulated through movement and sensory exploration, they are often more ready to engage with speech therapy activities or try new foods in feeding therapy. The same play-based experiences that build motor skills can also encourage turn-taking, imitation, and curiosity—skills that support both language development and positive mealtime experiences.

At Child’s Play Therapy Services, we believe meaningful development happens through play that feels natural and engaging for each child. If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton, California area and are curious about how occupational therapy, speech therapy, or feeding therapy could support your child, we invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more.

Many parents find themselves wondering about their child’s speech. Maybe your child uses only a few words while other ch...
03/10/2026

Many parents find themselves wondering about their child’s speech. Maybe your child uses only a few words while other children the same age seem to be chatting nonstop. Maybe they understand everything you say but struggle to express themselves, or perhaps they become frustrated when others can’t understand them. These moments often lead parents to the same question: Is this normal?

Speech and language development can vary widely from child to child, but it doesn’t happen in isolation. Communication skills are closely connected to many of the areas addressed through occupational therapy. Fine motor coordination helps children point, gesture, and interact with their environment. Sensory processing supports attention and regulation so children can engage in conversation and play. Oral motor strength and coordination influence how children form sounds and words.

When children receive support that looks at the whole picture, communication often grows more naturally. At Child’s Play Therapy Services, speech development is supported within our occupational therapy framework, along with specialized speech therapy and feeding therapy services when needed. By addressing regulation, motor skills, and sensory needs together, we help create the foundation that allows speech and language to develop.

If you’ve been wondering whether your child’s speech development is on track, you don’t have to navigate that question alone. If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton, California area, schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn how Child’s Play Therapy Services can support your child’s communication and overall development.

As occupational therapists, one thing we want parents to know about speech development is this: communication is about m...
03/04/2026

As occupational therapists, one thing we want parents to know about speech development is this: communication is about more than just words.

Speech is connected to regulation, posture, breath control, sensory processing, and connection. When we support the whole child, language often grows more naturally.

Here are 5 tips to encourage speech development at home:

1️⃣ Follow your child’s lead in play. Get face-to-face and model simple words during activities they already enjoy. Play creates the best environment for language learning.

2️⃣ Strengthen core and posture. Climbing, crawling, animal walks, and playground time build the stability needed for breath control and clear speech.

3️⃣ Support regulation first. If your child is overwhelmed or dysregulated, communication becomes harder. Movement breaks, deep pressure, and predictable routines can help.

4️⃣ Keep oral motor play fun. Blow bubbles, use straws, sing songs, and make silly faces. These playful activities strengthen muscles used for speech.

5️⃣ Model instead of pressuring. Rather than saying “Say it,” expand what your child attempts. If they say “ba,” you can respond, “Ball!” This builds confidence without stress.

If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton, California area and have questions about your child’s speech, feeding, or regulation, we offer free 15-minute consultations. We’re here to support the whole child — and the whole family.

There’s something we wish more parents knew as occupational therapists:If your child is struggling, it doesn’t mean you’...
03/04/2026

There’s something we wish more parents knew as occupational therapists:

If your child is struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

Difficulty with focus, big emotions, picky eating, sensory sensitivities, clumsiness, or meltdowns in public aren’t signs of “bad behavior.” They are often signs that a child’s nervous system is overwhelmed or that certain skills are still developing. Occupational therapy looks beneath the surface to understand the *why* behind what you’re seeing.

We don’t just work on tasks — we support regulation, body awareness, motor coordination, sensory processing, feeding skills, and independence in daily routines. Through play-based, relationship-centered therapy, children build the foundational skills they need to feel more confident at home, at school, and in their community.

Early support can make a meaningful difference, and you don’t need to wait until things feel severe to reach out. If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton, California area and wondering whether occupational therapy could help your child, we invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We’re here to listen and help you find next steps that feel right for your family.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child could benefit from occupational therapy, you’re not alone. Many families reac...
02/26/2026

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child could benefit from occupational therapy, you’re not alone. Many families reach out to us when they notice their child struggling with everyday tasks, things like handwriting, using utensils, getting dressed, managing big emotions, or participating comfortably in play. These skills may seem small, but they are the building blocks for confidence, independence, and success at home and school.

Pediatric occupational therapy supports children in developing the fine motor skills, sensory processing abilities, emotional regulation, and coordination they need to thrive. It can also help children who seem easily overwhelmed by noise or textures, avoid certain activities, have trouble focusing, or feel frustrated by tasks that peers manage more easily. Early support can make a meaningful difference, helping children feel more capable and understood.

At Child’s Play Therapy Services, we use play-based, relationship-centered occupational therapy to meet your child where they are. Through fun, engaging activities, we help children build the skills their nervous systems and bodies need - while honoring their unique strengths and pace.

If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton, California area and have questions about your child’s development, we invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you decide if occupational therapy could support your child’s growth.

At Child’s Play Therapy Services, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel confident, capable, and unders...
02/24/2026

At Child’s Play Therapy Services, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel confident, capable, and understood.

We are a pediatric occupational therapy practice serving children and families in the Lafayette and Pleasanton areas, supporting development through play-based, individualized care. Occupational therapy helps children build the foundational skills they need for everyday life, whether that’s emotional regulation, sensory processing, feeding, fine motor skills, attention, or greater independence in daily routines.

Our approach meets each child where they are. Through meaningful play and connection, we help children strengthen their abilities, navigate challenges, and grow in ways that support both their development and their sense of self.

If you’ve been wondering whether occupational therapy might be right for your child, we’re here to help. Residents in Pleasanton or Lafayette, CA are encouraged to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more and see how Child’s Play Therapy Services can support your family.

02/19/2026

Many parents are told their child is just a “picky eater.” But sometimes, it’s not about behavior, it’s about sensory processing.

Children with sensory sensitivities may experience certain textures, temperatures, or smells as overwhelming. Crunchy foods might feel safe and predictable, while soft or mixed textures can feel uncomfortable or even alarming to their nervous system.

Occupational therapy addresses the root of these challenges. Through gradual exposure, play-based exploration, and nervous system support, we help children build safety and confidence around food. This isn’t about forcing a child to eat, it’s about helping their body feel ready.

Over time, children expand their comfort zones, reduce mealtime stress, and develop a healthier relationship with food.

If mealtimes feel stressful or limited, occupational therapy can help. Child’s Play Therapy Services offers free 15-minute consultations for families in Lafayette and Pleasanton.

Most people have heard of the five senses. But there’s a lesser-known sense that plays a huge role in a child’s emotiona...
02/19/2026

Most people have heard of the five senses. But there’s a lesser-known sense that plays a huge role in a child’s emotional regulation, body awareness, and daily functioning: interoception.

Interoception is the ability to notice internal body signals—like hunger, thirst, needing the bathroom, or even recognizing “my heart is beating fast because I’m nervous.” When a child has difficulty with interoception, they might seem to have “sudden” meltdowns, struggle with potty training, or not notice when their body needs rest or food. It’s not behavioral, it’s neurological.

In occupational therapy, we help children strengthen this internal awareness through playful, body-based activities. Movement, deep pressure, breathwork, and sensory experiences help children learn to recognize their body’s signals and respond in ways that support regulation and confidence.

When children can understand what their body is telling them, everything changes. They gain the foundation for emotional regulation, independence, and self-advocacy.

If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton area and wondering if occupational therapy could support your child, schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Child’s Play Therapy Services.

If you’ve spent days or nights Googling terms and phrases, wondering how to best support their child, you’re not alone!“...
02/18/2026

If you’ve spent days or nights Googling terms and phrases, wondering how to best support their child, you’re not alone!

“Unlocking potential within every child.”
“Occupational therapy in the East Bay.”
“Providing hope for a healthier future.”

These aren’t just search terms. They’re the quiet hopes behind the screen. The belief that with the right support, your child can feel more confident in their body, more independent in their daily life, and more at ease being themselves.

At Child’s Play Therapy Services, occupational therapy is about more than milestones. It’s about helping children build the skills that allow them to participate fully in their world, through play, connection, and meaningful, individualized care.

If you’re in the Lafayette or Pleasanton area and wondering if occupational therapy could help your child, we’re here. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation, and let’s take the next step together.

02/13/2026

To a child, play is joyful. To an occupational therapist, play is information. And for development, play is essential work.

Through play, occupational therapists support motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and independence. At the same time, speech therapists use play to build language, social engagement, and understanding. Feeding therapy often begins with playful exploration, helping children feel safe interacting with new textures, smells, and experiences before a single bite is taken.

Play is not a break from learning — it is learning. When therapy is rooted in play, children build skills naturally while feeling successful and confident.

If you’re curious how play-based therapy could support your child, we’re here to help. Families in Lafayette and Pleasanton, California can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about Child’s Play Therapy Services.

Every child develops differently, but there are moments when additional support can make a lasting difference. Some sign...
02/13/2026

Every child develops differently, but there are moments when additional support can make a lasting difference. Some signs parents notice include avoiding certain textures, difficulty being understood, trouble using utensils, delayed play skills, or frequent meltdowns during everyday routines.

These challenges often share a common thread: the body and brain are working overtime to process information. Occupational therapy helps regulate the sensory system and strengthen motor skills. Speech therapy supports communication and understanding. Feeding therapy addresses oral motor coordination and comfort with eating. Together, this collaborative approach supports the whole child — not just one skill.

Early support is not about labeling a child; it’s about empowering them with tools for success.

If you’ve noticed patterns that concern you, trust that observation. Families in the Lafayette and Pleasanton area are invited to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to explore how we can support your child’s growth.

Address

3687 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 100
Lafayette, CA
94549

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+19259544546

Website

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