Occupational Therapy

Kids and the Concept of Love

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

“I’m in love.”
“No, you’re not. You don’t know what love is. You love cupcakes and ponies.” – Steve Byrne, The Byrne Identity

Kids are funny when it comes to love. Adults see it as a deep emotional connection, but children are still figuring out what that feeling even is. They might say “I love you” to a parent, announce plans to marry a playground friend, or juggle “relationships” with multiple classmates. They hug with their whole bodies and may even offer a kiss simply because they don’t know another way to show affection.

Kids may not fully grasp what love means, but they’re learning how it feels, how to express it, and how to set safe boundaries—and that learning begins from the moment they’re born.

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Podcast Playlist: Attention and Learning

| Patti Webb

So fun fact, it’s very hard to find a podcast episode about kids’ learning and attention without it being centered around kids with ADHD. So instead, I wanted to share some podcasts about alternative ways of learning that help us (and our kids) strengthen our brains and executive functions.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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