Therapy 101: Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Therapy

Welcome to Starfish Therapies!

We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you're beginning this journey or continuing along the path, our goal is to make pediatric therapy approachable, empowering, and playful—for both kids and parents.

The Basics of Pediatric Therapy

Pediatric therapy is about helping children build the skills they need to move, play, and participate fully in life. At Starfish Therapies, we focus on:

Physical Therapy (PT)

• Builds strength, balance, endurance, symmetry, and motor coordination.
• Helps with walking, crawling, posture, and play movements.
• Supports safe mobility at home, school, and in the community (e.g. stairs, playgrounds, uneven surfaces).
• Encourages participation in physical activities and promotes lifelong movement confidence

Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing.
• Supports independence in dressing, feeding, writing, and play.
• Builds emotional regulation and coping strategies for daily challenges.
• Enhances social skills like turn-taking, communication, and flexible thinking.

Each session uses play-based, functional, child-centered approaches—because children learn best through fun and connection.

Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Therapy

Wondering if your child could benefit from therapy? Here are some things to look out for:

Physical Therapy

• Delays in sitting, crawling, or walking
• Difficulty keeping up with peers in active play
• Frequent tripping, falling, or poor balance
• Unusual walking patterns (e.g. toe-walking, stiff or floppy movements)
• Consistent favoring of one side of the body or head turning
• Avoids or becomes frustrated with physical tasks (e.g. running, stairs, playgrounds)

Occupational Therapy

• Difficulty with dressing, feeding, using utensils, writing, drawing, cutting, or grasping objects
• Sensory sensitivities (e.g., avoiding textures, loud sounds)
• Becomes overwhelmed or dysregulated during transitions or in new environments
• Struggles with attention, following directions, routines, or adapting to change
• Challenges with making friends, playing cooperatively, or expressing emotions in healthy ways

If any of these sound familiar, we’re here to help. Early support can make a big difference!

Making Therapy Fun & Effective at Home

You don’t need special equipment or hours of time—just small moments of connection and intention. Here’s how to bring therapy home:

Keep It Playful

• Turn exercises into games (e.g., obstacle courses, animal walks, treasure hunts).
• Follow your child’s interests—use their favorite characters or toys.

Keep It Short and Simple

• 5–10 minutes can be enough. Consistency matters more than duration.
• Sneak in movement or motor tasks during daily routines (e.g., standing on one foot while brushing teeth).

Get Involved

• Be a play partner, not just a coach.
• Celebrate effort and progress with high-fives, hugs, or silly dances.

Build It Into Your Day

• Choose a consistent time (after snack, before bath) to practice.
• Use visual charts or stickers to make it rewarding and motivating.

We're always happy to provide custom home strategies that match your child’s goals, interests, and your family routine.

Our EPIC³ Approach

We live by the values that make therapy effective and meaningful:

• Empower families with knowledge and confidence.
• Play is the foundation of learning.
• Innovate to personalize every session.
• Cooperate with caregivers, educators, and providers.
• Connect through trust and relationship-building.
• Commit to your child’s growth, every step of the way.

Let's Team Up

You know your child best. We’re here to support, listen, and grow alongside you. Together, we’ll help your child build the skills to thrive—at home, school, and beyond.