Talitha Koum Institute

Talitha Koum Institute Birth to five therapeutic brain development program focused on self-regulation and whole-family health.

Talitha Koum Institute (TKI) is a mental health therapeutic Nurture Center focusing on the brain development of at risk children. Through an intensive care program involving the HighScope® cognitive curriculum layered daily with 3 1/2 hours of sensory modulation activities, TKI's program also extends to weekly parent education, a mentoring program for TKI school-age children, and community trainings regarding trauma-affected children and their care. TKI's goal is to send children to public school Kindergarten able to self-regulate and ready to learn from the calm-alert state. The Talitha Koum Institute opened its Therapeutic Nursery in 2003 with funding from Waco’s Cooper Foundation and later Waco Foundation. The founders of Talitha Koum Institute, CrossTies Ecumenical Church, purchased the former Gonzales Boys & Girls Club building which is located in the South Waco community, at the corner of 13th and Clay where a strong use of that facility continues to productively support children.

Little ladybug chefs at work. 🐞👩‍🍳It may look like simple play, but something powerful is happening here.When children f...
03/10/2026

Little ladybug chefs at work. 🐞👩‍🍳

It may look like simple play, but something powerful is happening here.

When children feel safe enough to laugh, pretend, and explore, their brains begin building the neural connections that support learning, emotional regulation, creativity, and healthy relationships for the rest of their lives. 🧠

For many children, spaces like this are more than a classroom.
They’re a place where stress settles, confidence grows, and joy returns.

Moments like these help build strong brains, resilient hearts, and hopeful futures.

At Talitha Koum, we believe every child deserves a safe place to play, grow, and flourish.

Your generosity helps create the safe, nurturing environments where children can simply be kids—and where their development can truly thrive.

🧠 When a child has lived through hard things, their brain learns one job: Stay safe.Their body stays on alert.Their hear...
03/03/2026

🧠 When a child has lived through hard things, their brain learns one job: Stay safe.

Their body stays on alert.

Their heart beats faster.

Their mind scans for danger.

That’s why some children struggle to sit still..
to focus… or to trust adults.

It’s not bad behavior.

It’s a brain trying to survive.

But here’s the beautiful truth: When a child experiences steady love, safe adults, and consistent care, their brain begins to calm. 🕊

They don’t just “feel better.”

Their nervous system actually rewires.

They learn they are safe.

They learn they matter.

They learn they can rest.

That’s what happens every day at Talitha Koum.💙 And that’s what your support makes possible.


We had the joy of welcoming Leadership Waco for Nonprofit Day last week, and what a gift it was to share the heart of Ta...
02/17/2026

We had the joy of welcoming Leadership Waco for Nonprofit Day last week, and what a gift it was to share the heart of Talitha Koum. Inviting developing leaders into the world of early childhood development is always meaningful to us - this work is sacred, tender, and full of hope. We’re grateful for rich conversations, joyful moments (yes, even dancing), and the reminder that this calling is something we get to carry together. 🤍

Deep pressure hugs aren’t just sweet — they’re regulating.When children seek tight hugs, they’re often looking for deep ...
02/10/2026

Deep pressure hugs aren’t just sweet — they’re regulating.

When children seek tight hugs, they’re often looking for deep pressure input. This type of sensory input can help calm the nervous system, improve body awareness, and support emotional regulation.

Sometimes a hug is exactly what their body needs. 🤍

01/29/2026

🍎 This Week’s Food Distributions 🍞

The Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry is here to serve our community! Stop by one of our locations this week for free groceries and fresh food.

📅 Thursday, Jan 29
Bellmead Pantry | 12 PM – 4 PM
📍 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bellmead

📅 Friday, Jan 30
Mobile Food Pantry | 3 PM – 4 PM
📍 Grace Church

📅 Saturday, Jan 31
Mobile Food Pantry | 10 AM – 11 AM
📍 Waco Health Department

No one should go hungry — come as you are, and spread the word ❤️

One little snowstorm… and suddenly we felt all the feelings!After days stuck inside, we saw every mood:- How we all felt...
01/29/2026

One little snowstorm… and suddenly we felt all the feelings!

After days stuck inside, we saw every mood:
- How we all felt after being cooped up…
- Cozy mode: fully activated and unlocked
- Snow days brought out all the wiggles, giggles, and sillies!
- And now… 😎 We’reeeee baaaack! Let the giggles and wiggles begin!

🤎 Open-ended play with natural materials like leaves supports creativity, sensory integration, and social development in...
01/20/2026

🤎 Open-ended play with natural materials like leaves supports creativity, sensory integration, and social development in young children, all while fostering healthy child development. 🍂

🔆 Through outdoor play, children move at their own pace, test their bodies safely, and reclaim a sense of control—allowi...
01/13/2026

🔆 Through outdoor play, children move at their own pace, test their bodies safely, and reclaim a sense of control—allowing curiosity and mastery to replace fear. In these moments of movement and exploration, their nervous systems learn that the world can be responsive, predictable, and safe, making play a powerful pathway to healing, resilience, and healthy development. 💛

Smiles, sunshine, and a brand new beginning at our Bishop location. ☀️Grounded in play. Guided by development. ✨“Play is...
01/08/2026

Smiles, sunshine, and a brand new beginning at our Bishop location. ☀️

Grounded in play. Guided by development. ✨

“Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity. It is essential to our physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.”
— Stuart Brown, MD

Address

1311 Clay Avenue
Waco, TX
76706

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+12547531144

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How does a baby’s brain develop?

From conception to two years, that’s the best window of opportunity to shape a child’s brain for a lifetime of learning and healthy relating. That’s why our program begins at eight weeks of age. Talitha Koum Institute (TKI) is a mental health therapeutic nurture center, focusing on the brain development of extreme children from infancy to four years old.

Through an intensive care program involving the HighScope® cognitive curriculum layered daily with 3 1/2 hours of sensory modulation activities, TKI's program also extends to weekly parent education, a mentoring program for TKI school-age children, and community trainings regarding trauma-affected children and their care. Our goal is to send children to public school Kindergarten at five years old with the ablility to self-regulate and ready to learn in the calm-alert state.

Talitha Koum Institute opened its therapeutic nursery in 2003 with funding from Waco’s Cooper Foundation and later Waco Foundation. The founders of Talitha Koum Institute, CrossTies Ecumenical Church, purchased the former Gonzales Boys & Girls Club building which is located in the South Waco community at the corner of 13th and Clay where a strong use of that facility continues to actively support children.