Hands on Play Pediatric Therapy

03/30/2026

🎉 March Birthday Celebrations at Hands On Play! 🎉

This month we are celebrating two amazing members of our team, Ms. Rebekah and Ms. Courtney!

Both of these therapists bring so much dedication, creativity, and heart to the children and families we serve. Every day they help kids build confidence, strengthen skills, and experience the joy of play and connection.

We are so grateful to have them as part of the Hands On Play team.

💗 Happy Birthday month, Ms. Rebekah and Ms. Courtney!

Help us celebrate them in the comments! 🎂

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

A growing body of research shows that proprioceptive training...like joint position exercises and target-reaching tasks...can make a big difference in how kids move and function. These activities support body awareness, coordination, and movement control, laying the foundation for strong motor skills 🧠💪

As occupational therapy providers, weaving proprioceptive activities into our sessions is effective AND can be fun too!

Think obstacle courses, movement games, and hands-on challenges that help kids feel more confident in their bodies 🤸‍♀️🎯 Let’s keep using these playful, evidence-based strategies to help our kiddos grow, move, and thrive!

💪https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-activities-improves-body-awareness/
💪https://www.theottoolbox.com/heavy-work-activities/
💪https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-sensory-activities/
💪https://www.theottoolbox.com/self-awareness-games/

03/27/2026

This is your weekly reminder from The Regulated Classroom that the 3 minutes you spend doing something joyful and silly with your class (like one of our Four Core Practices) is doing more for their nervous systems than the next hour of instruction.💛✨

Play activates the ventral vagal state, the only state where children feel safe enough to learn, connect, and grow.

03/27/2026

03/25/2026

03/25/2026

03/24/2026

In pediatric OT, communication is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Young children are still developing language, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. The way adults communicate with them can either escalate or support regulation.
Three simple strategies that make a big difference:
Acknowledge feelings with words
Use short, clear reminders
Offer choices to increase cooperation
These approaches support connection, reduce power struggles, and help children build the skills they need for everyday routines.
Save this for later if transitions are a struggle in your house.

03/21/2026

Big behaviors aren’t bad behavior.
They’re often a nervous system asking for support.

When we talk about sensory processing, we’re not just talking about touch or sound.

We’re also talking about:
1.The vestibular system (movement and balance),
2. Ths proprioceptive system (body awareness and pressure),
3. Interoceptive system (how we feel things inside our body like hunger, discomfort, or emotions).

When these systems are overwhelmed or under-supported, behaviors get big.

Not because a child is choosing it.

But because their body is struggling to regulate.
Understanding this changes how we respond.
And it changes everything.

03/21/2026

🎶✨ Camp Empowerment is BACK! ✨💃

We’re so excited to partner with Star City School of Ballet for the 6th Annual Music Therapy & Dance Camp for Kids with Diverse Abilities—and we’d love for your child to be part of it!

🗓 July 13–16
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Roanoke, VA

This unique camp is designed to help children of all ability levels build confidence, express themselves, and connect with peers through music therapy and dance in a safe, supportive environment.

💛 Led by experienced professionals who understand how to meet kids where they are
🎵 Encouraging creativity, movement, and joy
🤝 Building friendships and meaningful experiences
Spots are limited, so don’t wait!

👉 Register here: www.amusictherapy.com/summer-camp
(or scan the QR code on the flyer!)

Know a family who would love this? Tag them or share this post!

03/21/2026

Children rarely have the language to tell us they're overwhelmed, anxious, or in need of connection.

They won't say, "I'm struggling. Can we sit down and talk about it?"

Instead, they reach for us the only way they know how:
"Will you play with me?"
"Watch this."
"Come see."

These aren't just invitations to play.
They're bids for presence.
For closeness. For co-regulation.

Moments where they're asking, "Are you here with me?"

So when the day is long and the toys are loud - pause. Tune in.

Because behind the question is often a deeper one:
"Can I count on you?"

And your "yes" —
in whatever form it comes —
might be the anchor they didn't know how else to ask for. ❤️

Quote Credit: ❣️

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