Picky eating is about more than just preference. In this episode of Development Download, Erin and Lisa welcome Julie Johnson, OTD, OTR/L to explore toddler feeding through an occupational therapy lens.

Learn how sensory processing, oral motor development, emotional regulation, and autonomy all influence how toddlers eat. Julie shares how to recognize red flags, support skill development, and create a positive, low-pressure mealtime environment that fosters long-term success.

Feeding is one of a baby’s first and most important occupations. In this episode of Development Download, Erin and Lisa welcome Julie Johnson, OTD, OTR/L to discuss the transition to solids through an occupational therapy lens.

From postural stability and oral motor skills to sensory exploration and emotional regulation, Julie shares how all aspects of development come together during mealtimes. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of why feeding can be challenging and how to support your baby with practical, evidence-informed strategies.

In this episode of Development Download, Erin and Lisa sit down with Marie Bonner-Horon, counselor and owner of Ways of Play, to explore the transformative impact of play therapy for children. Marie shares how play serves as a child’s natural language—and how therapists can use it to support emotional regulation, processing, and connection.

We dive into how play therapy complements occupational and speech therapy, especially when addressing challenges like sensory processing, impulsivity, social skills, and emotional regulation. This conversation highlights the importance of meeting children where they are, following their lead, and building strong, trusting relationships through play.

Whether you're a therapist, educator, or parent, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how play can be a powerful tool for growth—and how collaborative care can make an even bigger impact.

In this episode, Erin and Lisa sit down with OT Erica Haarmann to explore the concept of the social battery—what it is, how it impacts both kids and adults, and why recognizing social burnout matters. We discuss signs that a child’s social battery is running low, how overstimulation and masking can contribute to burnout, and practical ways families can support regulation and recovery. Plus, we reflect on our own social batteries as parents and professionals, and the importance of knowing when our own “cups” need refilling.

Did you know that making a simple sandwich involves dozens of language skills? In this episode of The Development Download, hosts Erin and Lisa sit down with Speech-Language Pathologist Carissa Speelman to explore how the kitchen can be one of the most powerful language-learning environments for young children. From vocabulary and sequencing to following directions and back-and-forth conversation, Carissa breaks down how everyday cooking moments create rich, natural opportunities for language development — and why those early years matter so much. Whether you're a parent, educator, or therapist, you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to turn meal prep into meaningful language practice.

Small swaps can lead to big growth. Swap The Playroom owners Emily Coke and Tiffany Boothe help us explore how intentional toy choices, purposeful play, and simple environmental changes can support sensory, motor, social, and emotional development in kids. They share practical, relatable, and easy to use for parents, caregivers, and professionals.

Summer is the perfect time for kids to build skills in a fun and supportive environment—and that’s exactly why we love therapy groups! In this episode, we’re talking all about our summer group programming and the powerful benefits of group therapy for kids.

We discuss how groups help children practice important skills like: ✨ Social interaction and communication ✨ Emotional regulation ✨ Flexible thinking and problem solving ✨ Cooperation and teamwork

Group therapy gives kids a chance to learn alongside peers, practice real-life social situations, and build confidence in a supportive setting—all while having fun.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a group might be a good fit for your child, this episode will give you a great look into why groups can be such an impactful part of therapy.

Why is anxiety rising—especially in kids and teens—and what can we actually do about it?

In this episode, we break down the powerful concept of the Anxiety Equation—the idea that anxiety grows when perceived threat outweighs perceived ability to cope. When challenges feel big and coping skills feel small, anxiety spikes. But when we strengthen resilience and lower unnecessary threat signals, everything changes.

We also explore the life-changing concept of “affordable mistakes.” These are low-stakes failures that help kids (and adults) build confidence, competence, and emotional muscle. When we prevent every mistake, we accidentally prevent growth.

And finally, we tackle a tough but important topic: parental overhelping. When does support become interference? How can loving, well-meaning parents unintentionally increase anxiety by stepping in too quickly? We’ll discuss practical ways to step back strategically—so kids can step up confidently.