Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development

03/25/2026

We are having SO MUCH FUN at the PA-AIMH x PA Headstart conference! If you are here, give this photo a like, share, and come visit our table for a SURPRISE (while supplies last)!

03/13/2026

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐲 🌱

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month — a time to recognize and celebrate the unique strengths and experiences of individuals with developmental differences.

Every child grows, learns, and experiences the world differently. With understanding, support, and encouragement, children can build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections with others.

At Sprout, we are proud to support children and families as they grow and thrive.

03/07/2026

⏰ 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, which means we lose an hour of sleep.

Even small routine changes can affect children’s mood, focus, and bedtime.
A few simple ways to help the transition go smoothly:

• Move bedtime 10–15 minutes earlier tonight
• Keep evening routines calm and predictable
• Get outside in the morning sunlight to help reset sleep schedules

A little preparation can make the time change easier for the whole family. 🌱

03/06/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 🌱

Last week, therapists from all three Sprout locations gathered at the Brentwood Civic Center for their annual continuing education day. It was a meaningful opportunity to spend time together while strengthening the skills they use to support children and families every day.

Training topics included neurodiversity, ethics, play therapy techniques, and supporting youth in crisis.

Thank you to the speakers who shared their expertise:

• 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐳, of Connection: Counseling and Consultation on neurodiversity
• 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐋𝐏𝐂 with Sprout on Synergistic Play Therapy techniques
• 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤, 𝐋𝐏𝐂, who led the day’s crisis-support training

And a special thank you to Café NikkiP for providing a delicious lunch for the team.

02/27/2026

Between school online,
two-hour delays,
piles of snow,
and wicked cold…

Winter has stretched routines —
and patience.

When schedules keep shifting,
kids feel it.
Parents feel it too.

If everyone seems a little more reactive lately,
that makes sense.

We may not be done with winter yet —
but more light is slowly coming.

Until then: grace > perfection.

02/25/2026

That 4:30 meltdown?
It’s usually a tired nervous system.

They’ve been “on” all day.

Offer a snack.
Lower expectations.
Lead with connection.

02/23/2026

February is full of hearts and sweetness…
but it can also feel heavy.

The winter blues are real — for adults and for kids.
Short days. Less sunlight. Low energy. Big feelings.

So if everyone feels a little extra sensitive lately,
that’s not failure. That’s nervous systems needing warmth.

Love right now might look like:
• Lowering expectations
• Earlier bedtimes
• Slower mornings
• “Let’s try that again.”
• A few extra minutes of connection

Patience in March is built by gentleness in February.

You don’t have to parent perfectly.
You just have to keep showing up with warmth.

🌷

02/06/2026

Here in the Pittsburgh area, Fred Rogers reminded us that play isn’t “just for fun”—it’s how children learn, grow, and make sense of the world around them.

During 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤, we celebrate the role of play as a powerful tool for emotional expression, problem-solving, creativity, and healing. In play therapy, children do their most important work in the way that comes most naturally to them.

At 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭, we’re proud to honor this legacy—because when children are given space to play, they’re given space to grow. 🌱

01/30/2026

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝐻𝐵𝑂 𝑀𝑎𝑥’𝑠 '𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑡' ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑡?

One of our own. 🌱

Sprout’s Elizabeth Patterson contributed real-world mental health and child protective services insight to the writers of 'The Pitt,' helping ensure the stories told on screen reflect authenticity, care, and lived experience.

Now streaming on HBO Max, 'The Pitt' shows the power of including real professionals behind the scenes — and we couldn’t be prouder of Beth’s incredible contribution to an award-winning series.

👏 Join us in celebrating this amazing moment!

01/28/2026

By the end of January, the wonder of winter has worn off — and the season can start to feel long.

If routines feel harder, emotions feel bigger, or patience feels thinner, you’re not doing anything wrong. Winter can be heavy on both kids and parents.

This is your gentle reminder to pause and check in:
• How is your child doing?
• How are you doing?
• What might need a little more support right now?

Mental wellness doesn’t require a big reset. Sometimes it starts with noticing — and being kind to yourself along the way.

Sprout is here to support families through every season. 🌱

01/25/2026

01/21/2026

It’s National Hugging Day 🤍

Safe, supportive connection helps our nervous systems feel calm and secure — especially during the long winter months.

Whether it’s a hug, a kind word, or simply sitting together, small moments of connection matter.