Hi read, It's officially summer, and our camps are in full swing! ☀️🌿 We hope your days are filled with sunshine, play, and moments of connection. Enjoy these resources to support your child's growth and make life a little easier for you, too. |
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☀️ Recommended Resource-of-the-Month |
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If you've ever wondered why outdoor play matters so much, Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom is an eye-opening read. Written by a pediatric OT, the book explains why kids need movement, freedom, and time in nature and what you can do to support that even in small ways. |
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💚 OT Tip-of-the-Month for More Joy & Ease in Daily Life |
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Some of the most meaningful moments happen when we don't plan them. Letting your child dig, climb, wander, or get bored outside gives their brain and body exactly what they need. This kind of open-ended play supports regulation, creativity, and connection without needing any special toys or plans. It's natural and helpful to let your child have some free play time this summer. Sometimes the best learning happens when they're just free to explore on their own. So here's the challenge: next time you feel the urge to step in and control your child's play, try to WAIT - just for a bit - and see what happens. |
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Ever heard of "loose parts play?" Loose parts are items that can be used in a variety of open-ended ways during play. Children tend to enjoy the freedom to use things as they wish (since so much of their lives are dictated by adults most of the time!) :) During a recent day of summer camp, Lia, one of our OKOT therapists, brought a variety of loose parts and tools for the children to explore and play with in the creek. She didn't really "intend" for the metal bowl to be used as a hat or helmet, but that's what it ended up as! This photo shows how much fun the kids have when given the freedom to play in this way. |
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OKOT Service Updates: CALIFORNIA Fall Groups 🌲 OT social groups in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland start in just ONE MONTH on August 11! We have just a few spots left. Apply here to secure your spot before we fill up! Individual OT 🌱 We have a few spots left for individual OT sessions starting on August 11 in Oakland and Berkeley. Apply here for one-on-one occupational therapy for your child. (San Francisco individual spots are full. You are on the waitlist if you have applied already. If you want to join the waitlist, you may submit an application.) WISCONSIN Summer Camp 🐞 Want to join us last minute for summer camp?! We have ONE spot open July 14-18 and 2 spots open July 21-25, at Lake Farm County Park from 9am-1pm. Apply here to join us! Fall Groups 🌳 We have only 4 spots left in our fall groups in Madison! We'll continue our Wednesday and Thursday groups near Owen Park and are adding two new Monday groups at Token Creek County Park in Northeast Madison. Apply here to secure your spot! Individual OT 🍃 Individual OT sessions are now available in Madison! Apply here for one-on-one outdoor occupational therapy for your child. If you have already applied, current applications are being reviewed and spots offered based on availability and needs of each child and group. Cheers, Laura & all of us at OKOT (I'm taking over the newsletter for the next few months since Gabbi is on maternity leave to have her baby!) |
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2930 Domingo Avenue #1092
Berkeley, California 94705, USA |
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