At Home Therapy

Ready, Set, School! 3 Ways to Help Your Little One Prepare for Back-to-School
Ready, Set, School! 3 Ways to Help Your Little One Prepare for Back-to-School 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Transitioning from summer fun to going back to school can feel like a big adjustment for both parents and children. Getting your little ones back into a routine can be overwhelming at times, but there are some simple steps you can take to make the process easier for everyone. From adjusting sleep schedules early on to reading bedtime stories about starting school and more, here are 3 ways to help your little one prepare for going back to school. 

1. Adjust Sleep Schedules Early On

Summertime can lead to unpredictable sleep schedules, especially if you have a lot of different activities planned. To help get your child back to a more consistent bedtime, adjust their sleep schedule a few weeks before school starts. You can also take this time to reintroduce a calming routine that includes a bath, picking out pajamas, and reading a bedtime story together. Consistent sleep helps children wake up feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to learn.

A Great First Step: Slowly move your child’s bedtime back 10-15 minutes earlier each night until you get to their desired school sleep time. 

2. Read Stories About Starting School

Whether it’s your child’s first year of school or they are returning for another wonderful year ahead, helping your children understand what to expect before their first day can help them feel more confident and prepared. A great way to do this is to read them stories about going to school. Choose books that discuss making friends, meeting teachers, and what it’s like to attend school. This can help make school feel less intimidating and more familiar. 

A Great First Step: Ask your child what they think school will be like and answer any questions they may have about going to school.

3. Make Space for Big Feelings

Your child will likely have a mix of emotions when it comes to going back to school, including excitement and uncertainty. To help ease their nerves, encourage your child to talk about their feelings, and reassure them that it’s okay to have big feelings. If your little one seems anxious before their first day, create a calming morning routine that includes taking deep breaths and spending a few quiet moments together cuddling on the couch before heading out the door.

A Great First Step: Set aside time to check in with your child at the end of each school day. Ask them how they feel about school and remind them that you’re there to support them every step of the way.

Follow our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long as we share more tips to help your little one prepare for going back to school. As always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you think your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child however we can.

Play, Explore, Grow: 3 Great Outdoor Activities to Try This Summer
Play, Explore, Grow: 3 Great Outdoor Activities to Try This Summer 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Are you ready for some fun in the sun? We are!

Getting outside for playtime allows you and your kiddos to stay active and make lasting memories as a family. The best part? Many outdoor activities support developmental skills, including movement and play, sensory fun, and speech-building. To help you make the most of the season, we’ve put together three simple, therapy-based ideas for outdoor activities to try this summer. Not only are they enjoyable for the whole family, but they’re also designed to support your child’s growth through play.

Water Balloon Target Toss

Cool down in the summer heat by setting up a water balloon target toss. For starters, you’ll want to fill up a few water balloons and place some buckets outside. Now, have your child toss the balloons one at a time, and see how many they can make into the target zone. This works on hand-eye coordination, sensory exploration, and gross motor skills, all while giving your little one the opportunity to be silly and have fun with water play.

A Great First Step: Place a large bucket directly in front of your child and encourage them to gently drop or toss the water balloon in. Once your kiddos get the hang of this movement, you can then increase the distance of the bucket to make it slightly more challenging.

Playground Adventure

Turn a trip to the playground into the ultimate summer adventure. Encourage your child to run around and explore, and try equipment that they haven’t used before. Your kiddos can use their imagination and pretend like they’re climbing a mountain, crossing a bridge, sliding down a waterfall, or escaping lava by jumping from one spot to the next.

A Great First Step: If the playground feels overwhelming or intimidating to your child, take it one piece of equipment at a time. Encourage your little one to go at their own pace, and slowly build up to more challenging movements.

Summer Walk and Talk

Going on a walk around your neighborhood or through a local park is the perfect way to work on your child’s communication and speech-building skills. Encourage your child to point out things they notice while walking, and use summer-themed vocabulary, such as “flower”, “butterfly”, “tree”, “slide”, “pool”, and “sun”, to describe what they see. 

A Great First Step: If your child isn’t using many words just yet, narrate what you see on your walk. For example, you could say, “I see a big green tree” or “ooh, pretty flowers” while pointing to the objects. 

Be sure to keep an eye on our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) throughout July as we share more outdoor activities for you and your kiddos to try this summer. Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you think your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. We’re always here to support you and your family however we can.

How to Keep Your Children Safe While Playing Outdoors This Summer
How to Keep Your Children Safe While Playing Outdoors This Summer 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Summer is one of the best times of the year. The warmer weather gives you the perfect opportunity to get outside, soak up the sun, and enjoy playing in the fresh air. However, as exciting as outdoor play is, it’s important to keep your child’s safety in mind, too. From sun exposure and dehydration, to water safety and more, summer activities can come with a few risks. Fortunately, with a little planning and preparation, you can help your children stay safe while still having plenty of fun.

Ready to learn more? Here are some essential tips for keeping your kiddos safe while playing outdoors this summer.

Sun Safety

Did you know that June is Sun Safety Month? Staying protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays is extremely important. Make sure that you apply sunscreen to your child before heading outside, and reapply every 1-2 hours. If you’re going to a pool, check that your sunscreen is water resistant so it doesn’t rinse off immediately. Additionally, put a hat and sunglasses on your child if needed to keep the sun out of their eyes.

You’ll also want to keep your kiddos cool while outside, especially on hot summer days. Take time for hydration, and always have water or juice available. If you’ll be playing at home or at the park, set up a cooling station under a shady tree. Not only does this allow your little one to take a break, but it also lets them get out of the heat.

Playground Safety

Going to the playground is one of the best parts of summer. It gives your child the chance to be silly, get some movement in, and interact with other kids. However, before going down the slide or making your way to the swings, you’ll want to do some safety checks so you know your little one will be safe.

Have your child wear proper footwear so that they don’t slip, and feel the playground with the back of your hand to check that it’s not too hot. Teach your child to take their time, explain how to use each piece of equipment, and always supervise them, especially while they’re climbing or swinging.

Water Safety

Though getting in the water at a pool, lake, beach, or splash pad is an excellent way to cool off, water-based activities can turn into a significant risk if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Teach your children the importance of water safety, including no running or jumping into shallow water. Always have your child wear a properly fitted lifejacket while spending time near the water (even if they aren’t planning on swimming), as this can help them stay afloat if they accidentally fall in. Lastly, never leave your kiddos unattended near the water, and enroll them in age-appropriate swim lessons if possible.

Follow our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) throughout the month as we share more tips to help keep your kiddos safe this summer. Also, please feel free to contact us if you think your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. We are here to support you and your little ones however we can.

3 Heart-Healthy Activities to Get Kids Moving This February
3 Heart-Healthy Activities to Get Kids Moving This February 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

February is American Heart Month, which makes it the perfect time to help your little ones learn how to care for their hearts in fun and meaningful ways. From jumping and dancing to playful movement games, heart-healthy activities build lifelong habits while filling your day with laughter, joy, and connection. To help get you started, we wanted to share 3 of our favorite heart-healthy activities that you and your kiddos are sure to love. These simple ideas are wonderful to try at home, while supporting growing, healthy hearts.

1. Don’t Drop the Balloon

This first activity is easy to set up and provides endless fun for kids of all ages. Simply get a balloon and encourage your little one to use their hands, feet, head, and elbows to continuously hit it up back into the air, keeping it off the ground for as long as possible. For an added challenge, count how many times they hit the balloon or set a timer and see if they can keep going until the clock runs out.

2. Dice Adventure

Children love this game because every roll of the dice brings a new movement surprise. Start by creating a list of simple actions that your kiddos can perform, and assign each to a number on the dice. Some ideas include jumping jacks, marching in place, walking like a crab, or doing a silly dance. Once your little one completes the task, they get to roll again and continue on their dice adventure. 

3. Paper Animal Rescue

For this final activity, work with your child to draw 5 colorful animals on separate sheets of paper. Tape each one to the wall at different heights, placing some high up and the rest down low. Your child will have to reach up high to save the animals “stuck in trees” and bend down low to save the animals on the ground. Once all of their friends have been rescued, celebrate by enjoying a heart-healthy snack.

Happy American Heart Month! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month for heart-healthy activities, toys we love, and more! As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child in any way we can.

How to Support Your Child’s Therapy Without Feeling Overwhelmed
How to Support Your Child’s Therapy Without Feeling Overwhelmed 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Finding time to work on your child’s therapy can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when the pressure of setting New Year’s resolutions starts to set in. Fortunately, supporting your child doesn’t have to mean adding more to your plate. There are plenty of ways that you can incorporate your child’s therapy into your everyday routine, helping to take some stress off of your shoulders in the process.

From using car rides to build language skills, to creating a consistent bedtime routine and more, here are 3 simple ways to support your little one’s development without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Use Car Rides to Build Language Skills

Whether you’re driving your kiddos to daycare, taking them with you to run errands, or are heading to the park, car rides are the perfect opportunity to work on building your little one’s language skills. Take turns spotting different colors, animals, or letters, narrate what’s going on around you, or simply check in and ask how they’re feeling and what they did that day. These small moments can truly make a big impact.

2. Turn Clean-Up Time Into Playtime

Turn clean-up time into playtime! Rather than taking on all the work by yourself, get your kiddos involved. You can ask them to gently toss their toys into the bin, reach up high to put their toys back on the shelf, or play pretend and have the toys walk back to their home. When you’re all done, celebrate with a high-five, or have a silly dance party.

3. Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine

One of the easiest ways to work on your child’s developmental goals without adding any extra pressure is to create a consistent bedtime routine. Start off by building language and fine motor skills during bath time, encourage independence by allowing your child to pick out and put on their pajamas, and work on speech and communication by reading a bedtime story. Your child will love the familiarity of having the same routine each night, and you’ll love how it turns the end of the day into a calm, connected moment for both of you.

From all of us at Pediatric Therapy Network, Happy New Year! Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) during January for more ways to work on your child’s therapy without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support your family in any way that we can.

With Grateful Hearts: Giving Thanks to Our PTN Families, Kids, and Therapists
With Grateful Hearts: Giving Thanks to Our PTN Families, Kids, and Therapists 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

The season of thankfulness is here, and our hearts are full of gratitude. This year has truly been one to remember, and that’s all thanks to our incredible PTN families, kids, and therapists. From the warmth and joy that fills each therapy session to watching your kiddos reach new milestones, you’ve made this year so special.

To celebrate and show our appreciation, we wanted to share how grateful we are for all of you. Each one of you plays such an important role in the PTN family and in the lives of your little ones, and we couldn’t be more thankful to be on this journey together.

1. Thank You, PTN Families

The love and support that each one of our PTN families shows is remarkable. The patience, kindness, compassion, and care you give your little ones is unmatched, and something that should be cherished. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, and for being so supportive during your child’s therapy journey. You truly are superheros, and deserve a huge pat on the back for everything you do.

2. Here’s to You, PTN Kiddos

To our PTN kiddos, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for the strength, resilience, perseverance, curiosity, and fun that you bring to every therapy session. We love working with each and every one of you, and it brings us great joy knowing that we get to be part of helping you learn and grow. Whether it’s improving on a skill, sharing a big smile, or simply trying your best, you inspire us every single day.

3. Appreciating Our Dedicated PTN Therapists

The passion, care, dedication, and hard work that our therapists bring to each therapy session is incredible. You all mean so much to us, and are at the core of everything we do. Your commitment to helping each child doesn’t go unnoticed, and we couldn’t do it without you. We are so proud to have you as part of the Pediatric Therapy Network team, and we sincerely appreciate you.

We’re very grateful for the opportunity to work with each and every one of you, and hope that you get to enjoy spending time with your loved ones this holiday season. Further, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to learn more about how pediatric therapy could benefit your little one. We’d love to support you in any way that we can.

3 Activities to Get Your Little Ones Moving During National Physical Therapy Month
3 Activities to Get Your Little Ones Moving During National Physical Therapy Month 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

There’s a chill in the air and the leaves are slowly starting to change colors. This can only mean one thing… Fall has arrived! With the weather cooling down, it’s a great opportunity to warm up by enjoying some playful movement. It’s also the perfect time to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month! This wonderful month is a reminder of how physical therapy can help children build strength, confidence, and independence.

To kick off the celebration, we wanted to share 3 activities to get your little ones moving. We hope you enjoy partaking in these fun and silly games with your kiddos!

1. Ball Toss: With the weather warming up, now is a great time to get outside! This first activity allows you to do just that. Grab a ball of your choice, and make your way outdoors with your little one. Take turns tossing the ball to one another, and see how many times in a row you can catch it. Then, to make the game even more interesting, get a bucket, basket, or large container, and have your child try to toss the ball into it.

Bonus Tip: Incorporate balls of all different shapes, weights, and sizes.

2. Follow the Leader – Dance Edition: Follow the Leader is a classic game that you’ve probably played at least once, but have you ever tried the dance version? Not only is it perfect for getting your little ones moving, but it also lets them work on their balance and coordination. To start, have your child be the leader and shout out a dance move for you to follow. You both will have to perform that dance move until your child shouts out another move to try. Then, switch roles and have a turn at being the dance leader!

Bonus Tip: Play some of your child’s favorite music in the background to add even more excitement.

3. Yoga Safari: Clear a space in your house and lay down some blankets on the floor. Now, lead your child through some animal-inspired yoga poses. For example, you can round out your back like a stretching cat, squat down and hop like a frog, sit with your feet together and flap your knees to mimic a butterfly’s wings, or balance on one leg like a flamingo. Not only does this work on your child’s flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination, but it’s also a whole lot of fun.

Bonus Tip: Do your best to make the noise of each animal.

Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long as we continue to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month. As always, please feel free to contact us to talk about if your little one could benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child however we can.

3 Therapeutic Activities That Encourage Bonding and Connection
3 Therapeutic Activities That Encourage Bonding and Connection 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Our team knows how precious every moment with your little one is. That’s why, throughout September, we’ll be highlighting the importance of family time, starting with sharing 3 therapeutic activities to help you bond and connect with your kiddos. Each activity is simple, engaging, can be incorporated into your daily routine, and most importantly—fun!. The best part? You’ll be making memories together that you and your kids will cherish for years to come.

1. Go on a Walk: Taking a walk together as a family is the perfect way to get some fresh air and relax after a long day. You can take a mindful walk in the park, stroll around your neighborhood, or even just go around the block. Ask your child to describe what they’re seeing, smelling, and hearing while outside. Point out different shapes, objects, and colors, or take this time to talk about your child’s day.

Bonus Tip: Stop at the park and have a quick family yoga session to unwind after a long day.

2. Bake a Healthy Treat: Sit with your child and work with them to come up with a healthy treat that you can make. Some things that you could bake include banana oat cookies, yogurt parfaits, or veggie muffins. Have your child help prepare your delicious snack by measuring, pouring, and mixing the ingredients. Then, when you’re ready to eat, consider setting up a tea party and enjoying your creation. Make sure to invite your child’s favorite stuffed animals to the tea party!

Bonus Tip: Have your child count each ingredient as they put it into the bowl.

3. Have a Family Storytelling Circle: After dinner, get everyone in your family together, lay some blankets and pillows down on the floor, and sit in a circle. Start by having your child talk about their day. Ask them to describe the emotions they felt, what their favorite part was, and something that they’re looking forward to tomorrow. This is a wonderful way to bond, and allows your child to express their feelings.

Bonus Tip: Have your child draw a picture of their day as they’re describing it to you.

Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long as we shine a spotlight on the importance of spending quality time together as a family. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk about if your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your family in any way that we can.

3 Ways to Incorporate Your Child’s Therapy Into Their Morning School Routine
3 Ways to Incorporate Your Child’s Therapy Into Their Morning School Routine 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

We understand that the transition from summer to going back to school can be an adjustment, and finding time to work on your little one’s therapy doesn’t always feel possible. To help take stress off of your shoulders, we wanted to share 3 simple ways to incorporate your child’s therapy into their morning school routine. Our hope is that these tips make your mornings smoother, calmer, and more manageable for both you and your kiddos.

1. Pack Lunch Together: If time allows, let your child help you pack lunch for the day. Start by offering simple choices on what they want to put inside their lunch. For example, you could ask, “Do you want apple slices or orange slices?, or “Would you like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a ham sandwich?” You can also let them assist with simple food prep tasks such as peeling a banana, spreading peanut butter onto bread, or placing carrots in a bag.

Bonus Tip: Talk through each step out loud to work on your child’s language development.

2. Create a Morning Checklist: Keep your kiddos organized and on schedule with a morning checklist. Work with your child to create a list of things that they need to do each morning before school, such as getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, putting on shoes, and packing their backpack. This helps establish a routine your child can follow, so that they know exactly what to expect.

Bonus Tip: Place the checklist somewhere that your child can easily reach.

3. Enjoy Breakfast Time Talk: Using breakfast time to talk about the day ahead is a wonderful way to work on your child’s skills. Start by sitting down and asking your child some simple questions such as, “What are you most excited about today?”, or “Are you nervous about going to school?” This allows your child to express their emotions and lets you know how they’re feeling. Plus, this is a great way to spend some quality time together. 

Bonus Tip: Make a chart with emojis showing basic emotions. This way, when you ask your child questions, they can point to the face that best expresses how they’re feeling.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful school year! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) throughout August as we continue to share helpful back-to-school tips. Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk about if your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your family in any way that we can.

Outdoor Play with a Purpose: 3 Therapy-Based Activities to Try This Summer
Outdoor Play with a Purpose: 3 Therapy-Based Activities to Try This Summer 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and soak up some sunshine all while supporting your child’s growth through play. Not only are outdoor activities fun, but they are a great way to encourage meaningful development in a low-pressure setting. With some sunscreen on hand and a little creativity, you and your child will have a blast trying out these awesome therapy-based activities this summer.

1. Get Creative With Chalk

Playing with chalk allows your child’s imagination to shine. Chalk is very versatile and there are so many different ways to use it during playtime. One of our favorite ideas is to take turns drawing animals and guessing what the other person drew. Then, you can get silly by pretending to move and sound like that animal. 

Another way that we like to use chalk is to draw a hopscotch board–but with a twist! Draw the hopscotch board like you normally would, but for some of the spaces, write down an action that your child will have to perform when they land on that space, such as spinning around, bending down, or reaching high in the sky! 

Bonus Tip: Have your child work on identifying each different color of chalk.

2. Go on a Sensory Scavenger Hunt

It’s time for a sensory scavenger hunt! To begin, make a list of outdoor experiences, sounds, sights, and textures for your child to explore. This could include touching something soft, listening to a bird’s cheerful chirp, spotting a butterfly, searching for something blue, or smelling a flower. Then, once your child has completed the scavenger hunt, consider celebrating with a cold popsicle or juice box! 

Bonus Tip: Ask your child to describe each item in their own words.

3. Stay Cool With Water Play

Keep cool in the summer sun with water play! Set up a water table or big bucket with sponges, spoons, and measuring cups. Your child will love scooping water into the cups and dumping them out, squeezing water out of the sponges, and splashing around. If you have more than one bucket, you can encourage your child to use the measuring cups to transfer water from one bucket to another.

For some added fun, hand your child a spray bottle and let them help you water the flowers or “paint” the sidewalk with water. If you want to turn it into a game, use chalk to draw different shapes or objects on the ground, and then call out which ones your child will have to find and spray.

Bonus Tip: Give your child a paint brush and let them “paint” water on different surfaces outside.

Wishing you all a safe and fun summer break! Keep an eye on our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long for more therapy-based activities, tips, and more! Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you think your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. We are here to support you and your family in any way that we can.

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