Cognitive Development

AI and Learning

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
Photo credit: A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Warner Brothers.

AI is everywhere.

It’s woven into many systems we interact with daily, often quietly in the background, shaping how information, services, and digital tools respond to us. From search engines and virtual assistants to streaming platforms and “listening” smartphones, AI has increasingly taken on tasks that rely on prediction, personalization, and pattern recognition.

AI’s influence is also reshaping what children learn, how they learn, and the teaching methods that are practiced in today’s classroom. A 2026 report found that AI can boost learning when it’s used alongside effective teaching, expanding access to students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and neurodivergence. It can also reduce teacher workload so instructors can give students more individualized attention. However, without clear safeguards, AI could reduce student agency, weaken meaningful learning, and hinder their emotional well‑being.

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The Great Red Jolly Conundrum: What to do about Santa Claus?

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

As much as you try to avoid it, there’s a big cheery man in a red suit around every corner. You can’t escape him. Eventually, our kids are going to ask about him, like who he is, how he can be breaking and entering without getting arrested, or how is it possible to deliver all these presents in one night?

And the biggest question of all: “Is Santa real?”.
Well, Virginia, let’s break this down before we jump to any conclusions.

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Do You Trust Me?: Building Trust with Your Kid

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Trust is a necessary foundation in establishing a bond and engaging with another being. It is a safe space between one another that is free from judgment or pain. But, trust doesn’t “just happen”; one’s actions and behaviors help people determine if someone is trustworthy.  As parents, we have a huge influence in how our children develop trust with themselves and others. This assurance is significant to their social, cognitive, and emotional development.

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