Learn how to dye corn for fall sensory fun. 

We see so many things about mothers in our social and professional lives, yet we truly know so little about what is really going on in their life. Let's all focus on connecting with others and not criticizing this week! 

Are you struggling to determine if the behavior is more of a sensory issue or behavior-related?  If so, check out this video for a quick tip on how to distinguish between sensory and behavior related issues. 

I hear it SO often.

 “He didn’t finish his work, so he had to stay in at recess”

“She couldn’t keep her hands to herself, so she lost recess”

“He kept talking during the lesson, so he sat inside during recess”

I must ask WHY are we still taking away recess when we have countless studies that show how important it is? Why is it used as a punishment at all? Recess is not a privilege; it is the foundation of learning.

Recess is not “free time” it is vital to the development of the brain and social skills.

We have so many studies that have shown how recess is connected to increased academic scores, improved social skills, and improved self-regulation. Parents and educators everywhere understand how vital these three skills are for school success. So WHY are we still making this same mistake in classrooms across the country?

 Movement of the body is the foundation for neurological development.

This development...

In this video, we discuss one easy way we can use our sensorimotor system to help anxious kids. 

You may have gotten the call from the school about your child hitting other students. Or, you may be embarrassed because your child seems more aggressive than others at play-dates. Let the mom-guilt go because there are biological reasons that your child could be hitting. Yep, there are reasons that do not include poor parenting skills! Let’s talk about those first, and then we can talk about how to fix aggression.

1. Communication

Each child develops on a similar, but very personalized timeline.  When children do not have the words to communicate what they feel, often the result is a physical response in order to attempt to communicate. This means that they may push, pull, hit, pinch or grab in order to make their desires known.

2. Emotion Control

Just as children develop on an individual communication timeline, they also develop emotional control skills individually as well. Some children have less of a “brake” on their brains, and this means that they may...

In this video, we talk about the reasons behind a child who may hit or push. We dive deeper into the brain to examine more possibilities outside of impulse control.

Ugh, that is SO messy.

 That may be the thought that is running through our minds when children ask to do something like paint, make mud pies, splash in puddles, have a shaving cream fight, or even play with play-dough. However, we need to remember all of the benefits of messy play.

 Kids these days spend less than half the time that their parents did playing outside.

This has translated into experts quoting statistics stating that children spend 5-8 hours per day in front of a screen. The effects of these levels of screen time are not yet known, however, we do know the benefits of outside play.

Messy play is a great way to get the kids outdoors once again. Also, messy play has so many benefits for the brain and the body. It supports development in many ways, leading to improved behavior and academics.

Sensory Stimulation

Messy play involves the senses and helps with sensory input and integration. The brain gets information from the sensory and motor...