Hi! We’re Claire & Lauren! Welcome to The Inspired Treehouse!
We’re pediatric physical and occupational therapists who share information, activities, and resources related to child development. Our email newsletter includes weekly freebies like downloadable/printable activities and handouts!
👋 FREEBIE - How to Tell When Kids Have Weak Hand Muscles
If you work or live with kids, you have probably encountered a child who struggles with tasks like handwriting, cutting with scissors, squeezing a glue bottle, or completing clothing fasteners. Maybe you know a child who can’t keep up because they can’t write as fast as their peers. Or a child who refuses to participate in fine motor activities or crafts. What if we told you that many of these issues often come down to one simple thing? And, more importantly, what if we told you we had some...
🤔 You might not know...
Did you know that 90% of a child's' brain will develop by age 5? From ages 0-3, more than a million neural connections are being formed per second! The neural pathways and connections formed during toddlerhood set the stage for the rest of a child’s life. This is why, during toddlerhood, it is so vital to nurture the neural pathways and connections that promote intrinsic motivation, emotional regulation, problem-solving, healthy relationships, and strong self-esteem. Investing time and energy...
🤩 FREEBIES - The Best Swings and Swing Activities for Kids!
Hey there! Swinging isn’t just fun—it’s an incredible way to build strength and coordination while stimulating the vestibular system! Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, finding the right swing (and knowing how to use it for maximum benefit) can make a world of difference for kids. Today, we’re sharing the best swings, creative swing activities to boost development, and FREE printables packed with step-by-step activities to help kids learn to pump a swing and fun ideas for the...
⚽🏀 Ball Skills for Kids! Freebies Included! ⚽🏀
Hey there! When you think of kids and their favorite toys, what is the most universal one that comes to mind? A ball, of course! Who would have thought that such a simple toy could help a child's development in so many ways? Today, we are giving you our top resources about the best types of balls, how to help your kiddos learn ball skills, and how to use a ball to strengthen core muscles! -Claire & Lauren Ball Skills for Kids FREE PRINTABLES! Here are some of our best resources on how to play...
FREE Developmental Checklist 👶 ✅ + Newborn & Infant Milestones
Hey there! Today, we're digging into early child development! We're sharing some developmental concerns that parents might wonder about (including a free printable checklist) as well as fun development-boosting toys and activities for infants. And, don't miss the awesome course offering from our friends at Harkla - all about Sensory and Developmental Milestones for Infants and Toddlers (AOTA CEUs included)! -Claire & Lauren Developmental Red Flags for Infants[FREE PRINTABLE] Learn about some...
🌷Springtime Fun & FREEBIE!
Spring is in the air, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your activities with fun, engaging ideas for kids! We’ve gathered some of our favorite spring-themed activities to help kids build essential skills while embracing the season. Whether you’re looking for fine motor, gross motor, or sensory play ideas, we’ve got you covered. These activities are great for therapists, teachers, or parents who want to keep kids active and learning with hands-on fun. Rainbow Craft for KidsFREE Printable...
Need CEUs? Don't miss this!
This week, we have loved listening and learning from the other 16 expert speakers at the Play Conference! We have the VIP ticket which makes it easy for us to listen to the conference as a podcast (perfect for a long walk on a pretty spring day!☀️) and with the VIP ticket, we can come back to the videos later to revisit the different topics. ⭐️ Bonus - the VIP ticket also includes 17 accredited CEUs!-AOTA and ASHA Approved -Approved in many states for PTs too! If you are looking for some...
We Start Next Week! Grab Your Free Ticket! 🎟️
Did you grab your ticket yet? The 2025 Play Conference: The Full Spectrum of Play kicks off next week, March 17-20—and it’s 100% FREE to attend! With 16 expert-led sessions, you’ll learn powerful, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to integrate play into therapy in ways that truly support autistic kids. Some of the incredible talks include:🎙Andi Putt, M.S., CCC-SLP: Understanding Autistic Play: Redefining What It Means to Play 🎙Laura Petix, OTR/L: Being a sensory detective when it comes to...
FREE Tactile Defensiveness Handout + Our favorite tool for tactile play
Hey there! Today, we're focusing on tactile play for kids, featuring the magic of one of our favorite tactile tools...shaving cream! Check out some of our best ideas for shaving cream play below. Many of our kids are ready to jump right in when it comes to messy play, but for some kids who experience tactile defensiveness, getting messy can be struggle. We've also included some tips and strategies for kids who are more reluctant to participate in messy play or unfamiliar tactile play...
FREE Training!
We know that all play is okay - sensory play, cause and effect play, even play that some might perceive as "atypical". But it can be a challenge to integrate play into your work with autistic kids in a way that is purposeful and meaningful to the child and effective in our practice as therapists. ❓ How do we respect and embrace each child’s unique way of engaging with play?❓ How do we shift away from old, outdated models and move toward neurodiversity-affirming approaches?❓ How can play be...
We’re pediatric physical and occupational therapists who share information, activities, and resources related to child development. Our email newsletter includes weekly freebies like downloadable/printable activities and handouts!