Hi read,
I spent some time out at our San Francisco summer camps last week and my heart is full.
One day during free play, I watched three boys huddled together with some big pieces of stretchy fabric we'd set out. (Fabric is one of our favorite “loose parts” for free play time.)
One of them had pulled it over his head and was doing his best ghost impression. The other two immediately got underneath with him. And then they were all three just... wooooooing at each other, wrapped in this fabric together. It was ridiculous and perfect.
Here's the thing: sometimes the kids we work with at OKOT don't purposefully seek each other out for play. But when we give kids space, time, freedom, and the just-right amount of support, these moments of connection and JOY happen during play.
The key for us adults is to let it happen and not try to control it! We don't need to make kids' play look how WE think it is supposed to look. I stood there watching and as a therapist, I had the urge to... do something. Name what was happening. Reflect it back. Encourage it. ANYTHING.
I didn't. And it kept going. It was body-based and silly and a little bit nonlinear and absolutely theirs. And that's exactly why it was valuable. It was led by the children, NOT by the adults.
(Although we did step in when it got a little TOO silly to ensure no one got hurt!) :)
💚 Tip of the Month
Notice when you're about to step in... and control your urge to say something and just let your child be.
Not because your child doesn't need you. They do. But sometimes, when your child is playing in their own strange, sensory, totally unexpected way, our jumping in interrupts them developing their own thinking skills and agency and self-confidence.
You don't need to name it, explain it, extend it, or ask “what are you making?” Just stay close enough that no one gets hurt, and let them play in peace.
So the tip this month is easy to say, harder to do:
NOTICE when you want to jump in…and don't!
🌳 OKOT Service Updates
Fall groups are filling up fast — some are already full, and most have at least half their spots gone. If your family is thinking about enrolling for fall, now is the time to apply. Waiting means fewer schedule options will be available. Our groups are formed intentionally based on children's needs so it is important to apply early so we can find the right fit for your child.
We're also enrolling for
individual OT at all three locations with just a few spots remaining.
Cheers,
Laura Park Figueroa
Founder, OKOT
P.S. A warm welcome to Freda, our newest hire for our SF location. She joins us with many years of experience as an OT and she is FABULOUS…as you can see in this adorable picture where she was saying “I wonder…?” to one of our campers last week and he was smiling to himself at her facial expression. She's a natural with kids and just magical as an OT. We are so lucky to have her on board! (And here's a great pic of the ghosts from summer camp last week, too!)
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