All Categories - Steps 2 Grow

W-Sitting: Why It Happens And What To Do

7/11/2020

You've seen the position, right? A child sitting with their heels on the outside of their bottom. The position makes hurt just looking at it! But let's chat about it, because many parents wonder if this is an "okay" position for their child to be in. To be perfectly honest, doctors and pediatric healthcare professionals debate on how bad, or not so bad, W-sitting is for a child's anatomy and development. As a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in teaching children how to use their bodies better, here is my take...

Is Structured Play Really Necessary?

6/30/2020

I don't know about you, but I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of "structured" goal oriented activities I see posted all over social media by bloggers and development professionals. And I am totally guilty of being one of the people posting them! But if you are a busy and tired mom seeing all of these fun extravagant play ideas, I can only imagine it feels confusing and intimidating, and could create questions like......

Pencil Grasps: The Pre-Reqs, Supportive Activities, and When To Worry

6/15/2020

My child isn't holding a pencil with a tripod grasp yet. Should I be worried?
This is one of THE most common questions I get as a pediatric OT working with kids in the birth-5 age range. So, let's walk through some simple grasp development, pre-requisites needed for an efficient tripod grasp, what you can do to support your kiddo in the process, and when to worry if you aren't seeing improvement.

10 Fun New Ways To Play With Puzzles

6/12/2020

Toys lose novelty sooo quickly, amiright? Wooden puzzles that were once a favorite get relegated to the bottom of the basket, or worse, a closet to collect dust until they head to Goodwill. If you have wooden puzzles in those places, let's bring them out and chat new ways you can use them! Because puzzles are so versatile, and incredibly easy to revamp in fun, new, exciting ways that boost interest, AND sensory motor development.

Why We Should Stop "Teaching" Our Babies

6/6/2020

It amazes me how much pressure society puts on kids these days. Pressure to meet milestones on time, or better yet, early! And that starts day one! Doctors prescribe tummy time before a child can roll to their belly; parents try to teach their babies to roll; we "walk" our children by holding their hands above their heads before they stand on their own because we think we are helping....

5 Things Every New Mom Needs to Know

6/5/2020

If you are a new parent, or becoming one shortly or someday, this short post is for you. There are 5 really important things I want you to know about your baby's development right off the bat.

15 Things You Don't Know About Me

6/4/2020

Veering away from the typical educational post, and getting a little goofy today! Here are 15 things you probably don't need to know about me, but might find amusing...

Start With A Blanket On The Floor

6/4/2020

The moment a baby is born, she starts learning! And learning is so rapid that within 12 short months, we watch our little humans go from complete dependency, to becoming mobile. And get this: From birth to age 3, about 80% of the brain is developed. By age five, 90% of the brain is developed. So, no pressure, but we have a short window of opportunity to get a few things right. One of those things is providing tons of quality movement exploration on the floor.

30+ Indoor Heavy Work Activities For Kids

6/4/2020

Have you ever noticed your child jumping off high surfaces, running and crashing into pillows, lifting heavy objects, climbing on furniture, pulling and pushing things around, or otherwise trying to impersonate an olympic weightlifter or superhero? If so, what you’re seeing is your child seeking out deep pressure and "heavy work."

30 Ways To Use Household Items For Play

6/1/2020

Not sure about you, but I don't have a gazillion dollars to spend on play materials. As a teeny tiny private OT practice, I keep things really simple and practical. Most of my therapy materials are household items that my clients also have on hand, making home programs (and telehealth) a cinch! Thought I would share with you the supplies I can't work without, and 30 activities you can do with just a short list of simple items laying around your house.