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BDI Playhouse 2024 Gift Guide

Finding the perfect holiday gift for kids can be a rewarding way to encourage fun and learning at the same time. There are many toys that help build important developmental skills while keeping playtime engaging. From games that improve fine motor and gross motor skills to play sets that encourage language and social interaction, these thoughtfully chosen gifts support occupational, physical, and speech therapy goals in creative, enjoyable ways. In BDI Playhouse's 2024 gift guide, our therapists rounded up some of the best toys to inspire joyful growth in kids of all abilities.

Craniosacral Therapy: Does Dura Mater?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on approach that may be helpful for children with certain issues, even if traditional treatments haven't fully worked. So how does craniosacral therapy work? Here's a simple way to understand it:

What are Primitive Reflexes?

What are Primitive Reflexes? How can they affect my child? Each child is born with a set of critical reflexes that are integral to survival. Primitive reflexes are an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus without conscious thought. For example: when you brush the side of your newborn's cheek the baby will turn his head to root for food. This is the rooting reflex. Typically the reflex integrates or fades away as the neurological system matures. When a reflex does not integrate the child may demonstrate behavior and personality traits that correlate with that reflex. Through specific exercises the child gains more control of their body and no longer relies on primitive movement patterns. This ultimately improves the child’s physical and emotional control.

The Importance of a Summer Routine

When school ends your child’s daily routine doesn’t have to! Summer is the perfect time to remain consistent. For kids, having a routine in the summer is especially important. It helps provide stability, which is crucial for their development and well-being. Here are several ideas for a summer routine.

The ABC’s of Toileting Readiness for Kindergarten!

Kindergarten is a time filled with excitement and anticipation, but also marked by apprehension and changes in routine. Amidst this whirlwind of new experiences, one aspect that often proves challenging is toileting readiness. Feeling apprehensive about your kindergartener's bathroom autonomy at school is entirely natural. Mastering the skills required can be daunting, especially for those encountering hurdles along the way. Achieving toileting readiness for Kindergarten is a milestone for both children and their caregivers.

Torticollis

Torticollis is a condition most commonly diagnosed in infancy in which the baby’s head is consistently tilted or turned to one direction. Read our new blog to learn how we can treat this diagnosis and why we should treat it.

How Does Vision Affect Behavior?

How Does Vision Affect Behavior? Vision plays a pivotal role in shaping our behavior, influencing how we interact with and respond to the world around us. With approximately 80% of sensory input being visual, our perception of the environment profoundly impacts our actions and reactions.

Singing for Speech – Benefits of Singing for Language Development

At any given moment when walking through BDI Playhouse, you may hear a therapist or child singing! Singing is great for both engaging with the child and improving language development! Here are a few benefits of singing for language development. 

Therapy Activities for Holiday Break

Stuck at home with the kids during these Holiday weeks and looking for some entertainment ideas or ways to continue to progress their skills during all this down time? Here are some therapy activities for holiday break!

Navigating Picky Eating Around the Holidays

The holidays can be stressful, especially when holiday picky eating is involved. Help make your holiday season easier for your family and your picky eater.

Spooktacular Inclusive Halloween

Tips and tricks to help children of all abilities have a spooktacular, inclusive Halloween.

BDI’s Inaugural I Can Du It! Adaptive Duathlon

Sunday, September 17th was a big day for BDI Playhouse, who hosted their inaugural I Can Du It! Adaptive Duathlon. Despite the rain clouds above, you could feel the excitement in the air. This race was the first ever adaptive sporting event hosted by BDI Playhouse and one of the only of its kind in the area.

Top 5 Tips to Prepare for Back-to-School from an Occupational Therapist

In this blog, an occupational therapist offers five essential tips to help students and their families prepare for a successful back-to-school transition. It discusses the benefits of establishing routines, organizing workspaces, fine-tuning motor skills, fostering social interactions, and managing sensory needs. By following these tips, students can feel more confident and better equipped to excel academically and socially.

6 Benefits of Physical Therapy for Pediatric Cancer

Physical therapists are in your corner to join the fight! Physical therapy has been shown to improve strength, range of motion, sleep, energy, and mood while reducing pain, anxiety, and symptoms of treatment-related side effects, such as neuropathy in children with pediatric cancer.

Let’s Play Outside – OT Approved Summer Activities

Playing outside provides so many benefits to our little ones. Here are some occupational therapy approved activities for this summer season.

Wait, My Child Has an Occupation?

When we typically think of the term occupation, we think of the word job. Kids don’t have “jobs” but they do have activities that they engage in day to day.

Helmet Heads!

The benefits of baby helmets

Serial Casting- Casting That’s Not for Broken Bones

An option to address toe walking, club foot, club foot relapse, and a range of motion limitations and poor alignment of the foot and ankle.

Put Your Best Foot Forward!

How do you know if your child’s little feet are functioning at their very best? 10 clear signs that you should have a pediatric physical therapist screen your child’s feet so they can put their best foot forward!

COVID Babies – Impacts of Quarantine on Development

Babies born during COVID may need extra support to achieve their early milestones.

Understanding Visit Limits in Pediatric Therapy

Understanding Visit Limits in Pediatric Therapy

Visual Schedules

help your child with transitions and change in routine by using visual schedules.

AAC Winter Activities

a few winter activities to encourage AAC use

Winter Swimming

Consider your local pool or aquatic park this winter for all it’s amazing benefits!

The Power of Pragmatic Language

milestones and activities to promote pragmatic language from infants through teens

Tis the Toy Season- Toy Guide

Tips and Ideas for bringing new toys in this Holiday season

Preschool: Top 5 Reasons Why Preschool is Important

5 reasons why you should send your kiddo to preschool

Primitive Reflexes

What are primitive reflexes and how do they affect our children if they are not integrated

Back to School Transition Strategies

how to help back to school transitions

Middle School Picky Eater

Helping middle school kiddos learn to love food

Mealtime Wiggles

Tips and tricks to help get your child sit for a longer time during meals.

Undistracted eating- Meals without the iPad

The many important reasons to not provide iPads during meal times and alternative options.

“I’m So Bored”

winter movement and sensory ideas

Reading Difficulties in Children

reading difficulties in children

Sleeping Safe Baby

How to keep baby's warm and safe while sleeping in all seasons

Small Steps for a Healthier Life

Creating healthier habits for your family and child’s well being.

Bedtime Routines

bedtime routines for children

Thriving, Not Just Surviving, The Holidays

how to thrive, not just survive, the holidays

Hypermobility in Children

hypermobility in children

Feeding Fiasco

When to Worry about your child’s picky eating or feeding difficulties

Potty Accidents

find out why your child might be having accidents

Halloween Activity

Halloween stickers

Introducing Foods to Babies

Strategies for successful transitioning baby to solid food

Infant Massage

benefits of infant massage for you and your baby

W Sitting Alternatives

w sitting alternatives

Successful Classroom Set-up

Classroom Set-up: Success for every child

My Kid Keeps Hitting

hitting and other undesired behaviors

Breast Engorgement

Breastfeeding engorgement

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby, mom, and society

Learning to Play Games

Learn to play games with your child

Wrapping Presents for all Abilities

Scaffolding how you wrap presents to make the unwrapping process by your child easier and more fun for everyone!

Gift Guide

A Gift Guide compiled by our therapists at BDI Playhouse specifically for your child. It's an easy-to-use resource for all celebrations. 

Twas’ The Night Before… Let’s Go to Sleep

How to help your child get better sleep at night

BDI Staff’s Holiday Traditions

read about our BDI staff's holiday traditions and how they plan to celebrate with their families

TURKEY TIME TROUBLES?

How to make Turkey Time (Thanksgiving) a successful holiday for your entire family

Spooky Speech

Spooky speech activities

How is a Developmental Optometrist Evaluation Different than a Vision Test?

When to See a Developmental Optometrist

How Can I Get My Child to Talk?

how to get my child to talk

Language Development in Children

Here are the top 3 recommendations we make to increase language

Busting Behavior Challenges: Behavior Management Strategies

When your child is displaying persistent negative behaviors, there are a few strategies you can take to get back on track.

How does Posture Impact Scoliosis?

how scoliosis is impacted by posture

Movements to avoid: Modified exercises for Scoliosis

Movements to Avoid for Children and Teens with Scoliosis

I can wash my hands all by myself!

Teaching your child how to wash their hands can be accomplished in a few easy steps

Improve Children’s Posture – 5 Easy Exercises

5 exercises to improve children’s posture

Considering E-Learning Summer School? Find success with 3 simple tips!

3 easy tips to help you and your child maximize the benefits and your time while completing E-learning activities

Why Tummy Time is Important

Tummy time is important for your baby's development. Here are the top 7 reasons why you should be incorporating tummy time into your baby's routine.

Starting Potty Training

Ready to start potty training your child? Here are 6 ideas to do before you start the process of potty training.

Understanding Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for Pediatric Therapy

Understanding your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for child's Speech, Occupational or Physical Therapy can help you avoid unexpected out of pocket expenses.

The Difference Between Co-pay, Co-insurance, Deductible and Out-of-Pocket

Understanding co-pay, co-insurance, deductible and out-of-Pocket costs on Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

Falling Asleep and Staying Asleep 

Did you know that kids typically need at least 12 hours of sleep each night? Sleep is important to help improve focus and brain function! But what if your tot won’t fall asleep or stay asleep?

How to Support Siblings of Special Needs Kids

How to support siblings of special need kids

Is Your Child Ready to Ride? The Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching Bike Riding

Bike riding is a pleasure, a privilege, and a confidence builder for our kids! Is your child ready for bike riding? Get tips to teach them how!

When in quarantine, keep your kids in routine!

When in quarantine, keep your kids in routine!

Potty Training Problems? 5 Strategies to Help your Child Avoid Bladder or Bowel “Accidents” 

Potty Training Trouble? 5 Strategies to Help your Child Avoid Bladder or Bowel “Accidents”

How Sign Helps Babies Learn Language

How Sign Helps Babies Learn Language

Winter Blues? GET UP AND MOVE!

Winter Blues? Get Up and Move

Be Your Child’s Best Valentine

Be Your Child's Best Valentine

Fixing a Flat (baby head): What is Plagiocephaly and what can I do to correct it?

Provides an explanation of plagiocephaly with ideas to correct a baby's flat head.

Drop-Off: My Child Cries and I Want to Too!

My child cries at drop-off- What can a parent do?

Pacifier Weaning

Every parent who has a child who loves their pacifier dreads the day when it's time to start pacifier weaning.  8 ideas to help you navigate this transition.

Why my Picky Eater Won’t Eat Your Cranberry Sauce

Picky eating and sitting still at the table is never harder than during the holidays.

Do Babies Really Need to Crawl?

Do Babies Really Need to Crawl? Your baby will use this important skill later for play activities like catching and throwing, learning tasks in the classroom, and even driving!

Sit Smart, Not Still – Best Seating for Classrooms

Like adults, kids need to be comfortable and “situated” in order to attend, especially in circle time at school. Sometimes, finding comfortable and focus-inducing seating requires creativity and flexibility!