Playing in nature encourages children to slow down, breathe, dream, and grow! Starfish Occupational Therapy provides skilled therapy in a child's natural environment. Nature based therapy fosters connection with the OT, peers, and nature. Nature Based Therapy exposes children to the various elements of nature to reach their milestones and develop problem solving, imagination, independence, risk taking, and adaptability. Teaching children to immerse themselves and appreciate nature can have a positive affect on their long-term physical and mental wellness!

The development of our Sensory Processing System is a foundational skill needed to participate and adapt in our environments. Our brain constantly receives, responds to, and organizes sensory information. Children may have difficulty interpreting sensory input and present as picky eaters, avoid messy play, seem uncoordinated/clumsy, have trouble transitioning, or overreact. The outdoor environment provides exposure to sensory experiences like walking barefoot to improve tactile tolerance or climbing on uneven surfaces to improve body awareness.

A child's job is to play! When a child engages in play, they develop motor, cognitive, social-emotional skills. Children may also have difficulty dressing themselves, tying their shoes, eating with a utensil, writing their name, or having the strength and coordination to play on the playground! Some older children require support for life skills such as shopping, money management, laundry, and safely navigating stores or streets. Starfish Occupational Therapy provides community integration experiences to help children gain independence!

Children's social interaction with peers and adults have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Starfish provides small group outdoor therapy sessions to facilitate growth in children's social skills, turn taking, reciprocal engagement, cooperation, conflict resolution, and interpretation of facial expressions. The lack of social interaction and engagement not only affects a child's social, play, and cognitive development but also their emotional growth. Children will gain confidence by engaging in peer imaginative play!

Harnessing controls of a child’s physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing is crucial to chronic pain management. Exercise, meditation, energy conservation, and health management will be utilized in the outdoor environment. Adaptive techniques may be recommended to improve play, school, sport, and self-care participation. Starfish emphasizes the importance of implementing long-term resilient strategies for children to have a life long "toolbox" to managing pain.

Pediatric stress levels are at an all-time high due to COVID-19, screen time, social pressures, and over booked schedules. Research shows that spending 5 minutes in nature decreases one’s heart rate and lowers stress levels. Mindfulness activities including gardening, sensory scavenger hunts, and meditation encourage children to develop healthy coping strategies.