Occupational Therapy

Back in the Day: Attention

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

No one can escape the stories from older generations about what life was like when they were growing up. They talk about walking miles to get anywhere, playing outside until the sun went down, or buying a soda for a nickel.

And sometimes, those stories come with the reminder that “back then” there was no such thing as ADHD, or food allergies, or emotional trauma, etc. If you’re lucky, they may even suggest that if parents tried a bit harder or used a little more discipline, children these days would be able to sit still and pay attention. Bless their hearts.

The truth is that the kind of attention kids (and adults) need to thrive today is not the same type of attention that was required 30 or 50 years ago. Our society/environment has changed so dramatically that the “old model” of attention (sit still, focus for long stretches, ignore distractions) is only one part of the picture now.

Continue reading →

Attention Span and Learning

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Before a child can remember a story, solve a problem, or follow a direction, their brain must stay with the task long enough to take it in. Their ability to focus, shift, and sustain attention shapes how well they absorb information, make connections, and build new skills.

However, a growing body of research points to shorter attention spans among young children, especially in the early grades. Studies of children ages 7–12 reveal measurable declines in sustained attention, including a reported 27.4% drop during continuous-focus tasks. Teachers echo these findings, noting that many students now struggle to stay engaged for more than 10–15 minutes. Oh, and did we mention that reading stamina has dropped as well?

We know what you’re thinking. “Surely, this won’t be MY child…”
But then you notice exactly how often you’ve had to repeat or remind or redirect your kid, over… and over…and over again.
And suddenly, “Is this f’n play about us?”

Attention is critical for learning because it’s the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible. Without it, nothing can truly stick.

Continue reading →

Our SweatHouz Mom Date

| Patti Webb

We’re going easy for the first content week of the year, by sharing our latest Mom Date review. Mary and I were both hosting and coordinating for what seems like the entire holiday season. So, we took advantage of a quiet window of time last weekend to visit the new SweatHouz that just opened up by me.

SweatHouz is a modern wellness studio, using infrared saunas, cold plunges, and contrast therapy to reset the body and mind.

Continue reading →

Our Activate Playdate Review

| Patti Webb

For our last 2025 Playdate Review, Mary and I headed over to Activate Games. We had brainstormed this venue a few years ago, but our kids were just under the age recommendation. Now that they are 7 and 8, we decided to give it a try and see how they’d fare.

Activate is an indoor, high-tech gaming facility where you and your friends physically step into interactive game rooms that blend technology, puzzles, and movement. It’s like stepping inside Nick Arcade. The environment reacts to your movements in real time. Each themed game room is filled with lights, sensors, and challenges:

  • Laser mazes: Duck, dive, and dodge beams to reach the other side.
  • Arcade-style basketball hoops: Fast-paced scoring challenges.
  • Puzzle rooms: Memory, logic, and teamwork tasks.
  • Climbing and agility rooms: Test your speed and coordination.

The kids have all done their fair share of video gaming and interactive gaming with their consoles, VR, laser tag, and Immersive Gamebox. Mary and I have also had a couple adult group outings with immersive gaming. Could we shepherd them into a new gaming world??

Continue reading →