A system of rewards and consequences is the go-to model many adults use to keep children motivated to behave. It’s natural to want to reinforce positive behavior and let natural outcomes be the result of less than desirable behavior. But is it really the right approach for all children? For some children, this traditional discipline...
Childhood anxiety is sneaky. It rarely presents itself in obvious ways, in children or in adults. Challenging behavior, difficulty with emotional regulation, and even sensory issues can all mask the underlying anxiety a child may feel. Likewise, a child may have emotional, social or developmental differences that result in anxious behavior. As much as parents,...
It takes a lot of courage to admit that something is not quite right. As a parent and you feel that about your child’s behavior, it is terrifying. You become overwhelmed with emotions; • Guilt – “Did I/we do something to make him/her this way?” • Sadness – “Will he/she ever live a normal life?”...
The idea of play being an instinctual need for children is not one readily discussed. When children are young, play is often encouraged but just as often limited in an effort of balancing it with too many structured activities and rules. Unrestricted play is an essential part of social and emotional development. As kids head...
Twenty years ago when my daughter was in pre-school and kindergarten, her teachers repeatedly told us that her severe shyness was “an issue.” This pattern continued throughout her school years. No teacher, doctor or counselor ever mentioned pediatric occupational therapy, (at which point, I had no idea existed nor would I have known how an...
As occupational therapists and parents, brain development in early childhood fascinates us. Watching children interact with others, their environment, processes and playtime teaches us more than any textbook ever could. Will they grow to be a logical, results-driven adult (left-brained) or will they become a creative, intuitive thinker; one who is more interested in the...
Overstimulation occurs when an abundance of stimuli is beyond the child’s processing “threshold” and causes confusion and/or anxiety. It’s the feeling some of us may experience when facing 300 options in the cereal aisle, deciding what to binge on Netflix, scrolling through Pinterest… Don’t even get us started on choosing the “best” anti-wrinkle cream in the cosmetics section!...
The pressure to fill every moment of your child’s schedules with meaningful and engaging activities is real. As occupational therapists in Chicago, we witness what sensory overload can (unwittingly) cause on a regular basis. Don’t worry – there’s a way to stop the crazy train. Even before the holidays begin and we all start going...
As parents, teachers and occupational therapists, we all spend a lot of energy and time finding solutions to the challenges children face. We toss and turn, toil and tumble trying our best to make things better. What we wouldn’t give to take away any chance for anxiety, bullying, social issues, and fears. When we see...
The school year has been rolling along for a few weeks and with parental support, great teaching and, {fingers-crossed} a whole lotta luck, perhaps the initial challenges are behind most students. The transition to school is a vulnerable time for children and many need supplemental support to make it through unscathed. It can be difficult...
