Starfish Therapies

A pediatric therapy company operating in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We provide physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy services in the most beneficial and convenient setting for you and your child, including our clinic, currently located in Burlingame, your home, school or daycare.

  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • FAQ
  • Our Services
    • Motor Smart Kids
    • Continuing Education
    • FREE Resources
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Corona Virus (Covid-19) Response / Move to Telehealth

Scheduled or ‘Over’ Scheduled

September 16, 2010 by Stacy Menz

I know it has been a while since I posted and I apologize but it makes a great topic for this post. I was so scheduled for the last month or so that I didn’t have time to do much of anything except work. It got me thinking about kids and how scheduled their lives are these days. I notice our society (and I am guilty of) thinking more is better and that’s not always the case. Just as I like and need down time to read or make plans with friends, kids need time to be kids. This is when they get to develop and explore skills that they have been working on, whatever that may be. For instance if a child is always in skilled therapies when do they get a chance to integrate and practice the skills in their everyday life? When do they get to just be a kid?  Even kids not in therapy are often ‘over-scheduled’ and miss out on free play time where they get to figure out what happens next and develop their imagination, play and social skills.

Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying kids shouldn’t have routine or structure but sometimes ‘therapy vacations’ are good, or just a vacation can be good. This doesn’t mean its time for them to sit in a chair all day in front of the tv or video games or computer but rather they get to play with their siblings or mom and dad, or just do something completely new. There are some great ads on the radio right now for adults to do something new daily or weekly (such as drive a different way to work, or eat with your opposite hand) to keep their brain challenged. Well kids are the same way. New or novel environments and situations allow them to challenge themselves organically rather than on a structured setting. For kids that are receiving therapy, this chance at a break or a novel environment provides their bodies and brains get a chance to integrate skills they have been learning and then give them the opportunity to ‘play’ with their new found skills.

So, just like every once in a while we adults need to take a mental health day or take time to unwind, your kids need it too. They may surprise you and create some unexpected results as a result!

Related

Filed Under: Developmental Milestones Tagged With: education, exercise, gross motor development, kids, motor planning, Motor Smart Kids, physical therapy, playing, sensory exploration, Starfish Therapies, video games

Search

Subscribe To Our Emails

Subscribe and receive access to our FREE products, incredible list of pdfs, websites, readings, and many other useful recommendations!

Primary Programs

  • Motor Smart Kids
    • Free Play
    • Kids Action Hour
    • Yoga for Kids of All Abilities
    • Functional Movement Screen
    • Video Running Analysis
    • Youth Sports Injury Prevention
    • Concussion Screening and Management
  • Continuing Education
    • PNF 1: Introduction to PNF
    • PNF 2: Accessing the Trunk
    • Strength Training in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
  • Resources
    • Telehealth
    • Informational Handouts
    • Useful Websites
    • Recommended Readings
    • Helpful Products
    • Blogs to Follow
    • Favorite Therapy Products at amazon.com

What Clients Are Saying

“My child has been diagnosed with hypotonia, we brought him to Starfish Physical Therapy since he was 8 months, he started from not moving at all, to crawling, to a little walker, he is now 3 years old running around everywhere with confidence and happiness. We can see his obvious improvement , that just tears us up sometimes! Every exercise he did in each session and everything the therapist thought he was applying into his daily life. Moreover, Starfish therapists are so nice and loving, the session is not just a therapy activity anymore, it becomes a part of our family life, the most important exciting activity for my son every week. Starfish is our family!! We feel so lucky to have Starfish helping our son, the endless effort you provided to him, changed his life. As a parent, nothing is more grateful than this.”

Recent Blog Posts

  • Occupational Therapy Round-Up
  • Should I Be Concerned?
  • Dr. Seuss Books and Activities
  • More Ideas for Catching
  • Book Inspired Activities

Disclaimers

  • Full Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • HIPAA Patient Notice
  • Accessibility Statement

Search

Patient Resources

  • New Patient Intake Forms
  • Starfish Resources
  • Our Services

Clinical Resources

  • Career Opportunties
  • Continuing Education

Contact

  (650) 638-9142
  (650) 638-9141
  admin@starfishtherapies.com

Join Our Online Community

Location

BURLINGAME
  1541 Old Bayshore Highway
  Burlingame, CA 94010

© Copyright 2023 Starfish Therapies · All Rights Reserved · Powered by babaLucas