The following is a guest post of sorts, it is a press release from Grow Thru Play. I was not compensated for publishing it.
New Center City Occupational Therapy Practice Offers Children of All Abilities a Space to Play and Grow.
(PHILADELPHIA) — From sensory labs in elementary schools to a renewed interest in the merits of proper handwriting, current trends and research emphasize the important role occupational therapy can play in a child’s development. A new Center City facility offers a place where children of all abilities can play, learn, and grow.
With a mission to foster growth and build emotionally and physically strong children, Grow Thru Play offers top quality occupational therapy and educational workshops for children of all abilities.
In addition to being a premiere resource for individual and small group occupational therapy, Grow Thru Play is a place where parents of children with developmental needs can connect and socialize through classes, workshops, and special events. It’s also a resource for all parents to bring children for hands-on play-based development tools. Group classes include infant and toddler playgroups, handwriting instruction, and fitness classes for school-aged children.
From successfully integrating infant tummy time to dealing with picky eaters, classes and workshops at Grow Thru Play give parents the tools to improve their child’s physical and emotional development.
With years of experience treating children of all ages in hospital, clinic, school, and home environments, owner and directorTara Martello understands the importance of early intervention for developmental issues.
“Early therapeutic intervention for children with developmental delays and sensory processing disorders can significantly improve the quality of life for the whole family,” Martello says. “Grow Thru Play’s goal is to enhance the development of all infants and children, help families recognize if their child is having a trouble in any area of development, and provide guidance and strategies to help parents meet their child’s unique needs.”
In addition to individual therapy, 2012 Grow Thru Play workshops, classes, and programs include:
· Infant Workshop Series
o Tummy Time
Bring your baby for a tummy time workshop and learn the why tummy time is so important for your baby. Get tips on keeping your baby comfortable, learn about optimal toys, and practice your new skills with your baby with the guidance of a pediatric occupational and physical therapist.
o Infant Emotional Development and Self-Regulation
Bring your baby to this informative workshop and learn how to promote self-regulation and emotional development for your baby. Get tips on how tosooth your high-needs infant and learn how to spot potential problems.
o Low Muscle Tone
This workshop is for parents of babies and young toddlers who have beendiagnosed with low muscle tone or are concerned about possible delays with physical development. Learn about low muscle tone, get tips to help your baby or young child develop strength, and learn how to use toys and positions with your child to optimize development.
· Handwriting Workshops: Fun and interactive handwriting groups, which include play and multisensory activities focus onimproving postural control, sensory processing, fine motor skills, and visual motor skills — all necessary for legible handwriting. Classes are tailored for age groups from preschoolers through 5th graders.
· Picky Eater Workshop: Learn to understand the complexities involved in developing the skills necessary to eat and spot potential problems that go beyond typical picky eating with the guidance of a pediatric occupational and speech therapist. Gain tips to help your child develop a positive relationship to eating and practical strategies on how to navigate the picky eating phase.
· Sensory Processing Workshop: The latest research by the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation indicates that one in every six children experiences sensory symptoms that may be significant enough to affect aspects of everyday life functions. Is your child suffering from an undetected sensory concern? Does your child freak out in crowded places, scream when they hear a sudden or unexpected loud noise, or refuse to wear certain clothing?Learn how to interpret these signs and how to get the help you need.
· Interactive Metronome: Interactive Metronome™ (IM) is a PC-based interactive system based on the traditional music metronome. Hand and foot sensors are used to objectively measure a user’s planning and sequencing performance during a variety of tapping exercises. The IM program progressively challenges users to improve their concentration, as well as their motor planning, sequencing, and timing. IM has been shown to improve attention and focus, control of aggression and impulsivity, reading, language, and processing and motor coordination.
· Play in Motion Groups: These play-based groups focus on developing strength, agility, bilateral coordination, balance, and eye-hand coordination necessary to participate in sports and gross motor activities. Classes are for ages 3-10 years old. Placement is based according to developmental level and best fit for your child.
· Sensory Playtime Playgroups: Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy new sensory experiences and build language skills through play. Current research shows that these types of sensory tools can make a huge difference in a child’s life — physically and academically.
· Open Play Sessions: Get out of the house this winter and come to open play sessions where children can climb, jump, and slide. There are plenty of toys for pretend play as well as different activities set up to encourage sensory and fine motor development. Open play is geared toward all children 1-3 years old. Infant siblings are welcome. There is a 10 child limit. Open play sessions cost $10 and are without instruction so caregiver supervision is required. (Fridays, 3:30-4:45pm.)
· Soccer Shots Winter Session: Beginning Jan. 13, these Friday after-school sessions from 5-7 p.m. are for children 2-3 years old. Your preschooler will learn soccer skills as well as work on improving balance, coordination, and agility. Soccer Shots also uses the sessions to teach children important concepts such as teamwork, sharing, and respect. Register at www.soccershots.org/philadelphia.
· Stroller-Free Running Group: While mom or dad is off on an hour-long run, the little ones will stay in the gym and participate in their own exercise class run by a pediatric occupational andphysical therapist. It’s the perfect way to incorporate fun and exercise for the whole family.
· A Very Special Moms Night Out Series: Meet other moms of kids with developmental delays and enjoy drinks, snacks, and social activities.
Grow Thru Play is located at 1636 South St. in Philadelphia For a detailed schedule and more information, please call (215) 545-0320 or visit www.growthruplay.com.
About Tara Martello
Owner and director Tara Martello is a board certified and licensed occupational therapist who has worked with children with sensory integration dysfunction, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, and a variety of other childhood diagnosis. She holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from VillanovaUniversity and a master of science degree in occupational therapy from ThomasJefferson University. Martello has training in Sensory Integration Theory, the DIR®/Floortime™ Approach and the award-winning Handwriting Without Tears® program. She is also certified to use the innovative, evidence-based Interactive Metronome® computer-based program.
About Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapists work with children with a wide variety of physical, emotional, sensory, behavioral, and social delays or impairments that can adversely affect a child’s ability to participate in daily activities of self-care, play, academics, and socialization with peers. These activities are referred to as “occupations.” Pediatric occupational therapists are experts in sensory integration, fine motor skill development, visual motor integration, postural control, and motor planning. They also focus on environmental and activity adjustments to meet the needs of each child and their families.
About Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapists work with children with a variety of neurological and orthopedic impairments that can adversely affect a child’s ability to perform physical tasks or activities in a typical or competent manner. They are experts in motor planning and learning, motor development, coordination, balance, and strength. Pediatric physical therapists also promote health and wellness from childhood through adolescence and to adulthood.
