Connect the Dots Pediatric Therapy

Navigating Brachial Plexus Injuries: What to Expect and How to Help Your Baby

Gross Motor, Parenting Resources, Physical Therapy / By Connect the Dots

Brachial plexus injuries in newborns, although not frequently discussed, are an important concern for new parents, particularly for those who have experienced a difficult or complicated delivery. These injuries, which affect a group of nerves located in the neck and shoulder region, can significantly impact a newborn’s ability to move their arm or hand. Understanding […]

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7 Ways to Remain Calm When Your Child is Upset

At Home, Occupational Therapy, Parenting Resources / By Connect the Dots

Parenting can be both beautiful and challenging, and one of the toughest moments is when your child is upset—whether they’re throwing a tantrum, crying inconsolably, or just feeling overwhelmed. In these moments, it can be hard to keep your cool. But your ability to stay calm has a profound impact not only on how the

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Boosting Regulation and Attention with Yoga Balls and Peanut Balls

Occupational Therapy, Parenting Resources / By Connect the Dots

At Connect the Dots, we love finding fun, movement-based ways to help kids feel calm, focused, and ready to learn. One of our favorite go-to tools? Yoga balls and peanut balls! These simple pieces of equipment can make a big difference in how a child regulates their body and attention—especially for kids with sensory processing,

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Preventing and Treating Abnormal Head Shapes in Babies: A Parent’s Guide

Parenting Resources, Physical Therapy / By Connect the Dots

As a parent, you want the best for your baby, and that includes their health and development. During the first year of life, babies’ skulls are still soft and developing, which means they are more prone to certain conditions that can affect the shape of their heads. Plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and scaphocephaly are terms you might

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3 Practical Strategies for Non-Verbal Children

At Home, Speech Therapy / By Connect the Dots

One of the most important roles as a speech pathologist is to support non-speaking children in finding ways to communicate effectively, whether they are struggling with verbal speech or are non-verbal altogether. While Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems are an excellent long-term solution, they may not always be immediately accessible. In the meantime, there

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Fun and Easy Ways to Build Handwriting Skills in Preschoolers

At Home, Fine Motor, Occupational Therapy / By Connect the Dots

Handwriting is an essential skill that sets the foundation for many academic and daily activities. For preschool-aged children, developing the right muscles and motor skills is key to ensuring they can hold and use writing tools effectively. At Connect the Dots, we focus on fun, engaging, and functional ways to help children build the skills

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4 Simple At-Home Ankle Strengthening Exercises for Kids to Prevent Injuries

Gross Motor, Physical Therapy / By Connect the Dots

Ankle strength plays a vital role in your child’s ability to walk, run, jump, and maintain balance. Weak ankles can lead to instability, fatigue, and even injuries, but with regular exercises, kids can build stronger, more flexible ankles to support their growing bodies. Here are some fun, effective exercises recommended by our physical therapists to

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Speech Therapy Graduation Isn’t the End—It’s Just the Beginning!

At Home, Speech Therapy / By Connect the Dots

One of the most rewarding moments is when a child graduates from therapy—whether it’s for articulation, language, fluency, or any other area of speech and language development. While graduation marks an exciting milestone, it’s important to keep the momentum going so the child can continue to succeed and grow in their communication skills. Here are

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Our Physical Therapist’s Favorite Play Based Tools

At Home, Gross Motor, Physical Therapy / By Connect the Dots

When it comes to physical therapy, having the right tools at home can add an extra layer of fun and engagement to therapeutic activities. However, it’s important to note that these tools aren’t required to participate in therapy or make progress. Instead, they’re some of our physical therapists’ (and children’s!) favorite items to use for

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From Play to Progress: 8 Ways Magna-Tiles Can Enhance Therapy Goals

At Home, Fine Motor, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Toy of the Month / By Connect the Dots

Magnetic tiles are more than just a fun toy—they’re a fantastic therapy tool that can support a variety of developmental goals for children. Whether you’re a parent or caregiver looking to enhance your child’s skills, magnetic tiles can be incorporated into therapy sessions or used at home in creative ways. From strengthening fine motor skills

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