Parents, are you thinking about your child’s growth and development and how to help them hit their milestones? Our guest today is an occupational therapist who focuses on sensory play for babies. In this discussion, she talks about why sensory play is important for your baby and how you can integrate it into your daily activities. She reviews the different senses and shares that there are actually eight of them, I thought there were only five! We also have a conversation about the importance of toys and how they have an impact on your child’s development and sensory awareness. Little secret, when it comes to toys, less is more and without batteries is even better.
We welcome Allie Ticktin on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies. Allie is an occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration. She is the founder of Play 2 Progress and the author of the book, ‘Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play.’ Allie believes that the best way to support children is by arming their parents, from inception, with the knowledge and skills necessary to encourage their child’s development for success through childhood and beyond.
She highly recommends that parents spend time on the floor with their babies. She encourages them to make it a technology free zone and to lay on the floor with their babies face to face. As they get older that will continue to evolve. She says when in doubt, get on the floor and start playing! Allie has a lot of really great down to earth information that I think you will find super valuable.
In this episode you will learn:
- About Allie and what led her to being an occupational therapist.
- What an occupational therapist does.
- How working with an OT may support a child’s development.
- About reasons a child may work with an OT.
- About our senses and how they impact growth and development.
- What sensory play is.
- Why sensory play is important for babies.
- How parents can integrate sensory play during play time.
- Where parents can start when it comes to getting toys and equipment. What’s important to know when buying toys.
- A piece of advice Allie would like to offer new and expectant parents.
- How to connect with Allie.
About Allie:
Allie is an occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration. Allie is the founder of Play 2 Progress and the author of the book, Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play published by Tarcher Perigee at Penguin Random House. Allie uses the science of child development and the joy of play to boost childrens’ confidence and enhance development within all areas of their life, from social and emotional to physical and academic. Allie believes that the best way to support children is by arming their parents, from inception, with the knowledge and skills necessary to encourage their child’s development for success through childhood and beyond.
Connect with Allie:
Website: play2progress.com
Instagram: @play2progress
Instagram: @dr.allieticktin
Book: Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play
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