Playworks Learning and Development Center

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Something to try!

From WooTherapy

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It all starts with tummy time! Baby milestones fall into three stages:

Primitive Stage- Birth to 3 months
Transitional Stage- 4-9 months
Mature Stage- 10-12 months

The Primitive Stage is that time right after birth and lasts up to around the three month mark. During this stage we’ll see the baby interact visually with the world around them. They watch, listen, and make basic movements.

The Transitional Stage is that period of time around 4 months to 9 months of age. We’ll see greater development of things like grasp and controlled movements, effort, interaction with the world around them, and intentional movements.

The Mature Stage occurs around 10 to 12 months. During this period, baby freely moves their body to manipulate items in their world. They improve and refine mobility, grasp, and communication.

Each stage of baby development has their own hallmark milestones.

Typical development follows a pattern in child development. Progression through developmental milestones typically occurs in areas of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, the senses, cognitive development, and social development. Use these play activities as development-based activities to guide and foster play.

https://www.theottoolbox.com/baby-play/

And a great read on what to do if your baby hates tummy time:
https://www.theottoolbox.com/tummy-time-myths/

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A core component of an Autism diagnosis is social differences. Most people tend to look at this as a black & white, yes or no, present or absent manner- but that’s not how it works.

Many (most) Autistic people are socially motivated and seek out interactions and relationships with others. But, this might look different for autistic people as compared to neurotypical people. A super common difference is being OVERLY social.

This can be: lack of stranger danger, hugging everyone/people one is less familiar with, talking to strangers, sharing private information with acquaintances, trauma-dumping early into a relationship, invading other’s person space, infodumping without gauging other person’s interest level, not recognizing when someone wants a turn to speak- or when someone is uninterested, easily trusts new people/most people, and more!

It’s important to highlight that many differences are subtle and nuanced in a way that results in Autistic people being viewed as “quirky,” “odd,” “socially awkward,” “weird,” etc - instead of recognizing them for what they actually are… Autistic! But knowing one is autistic can literally save a person’s life ❤️

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Comment “SENSE” for more about what happens when there is not enough sensory input…

Without sensory input, you may get what we like to call “garbage in the brain.” Does this mean something bad? Not at all! It may just mean your child or student’s body isn’t getting the sensory input they need so the brain begins to try and filter it out. You may start to see the brain struggling to filter out unwanted sensory information through behavior, big emotions or interactions with others.

If the brain can’t filter out unwanted sensory information, you may find the child experiencing the following:

😖Sensory meltdowns
😖Sensory sensitivities
😖Withdrawing or hiding
😖Impulsive and can’t focus
😖In fight or flight mode

There are many ways we can help provide a child with the right sensory input they need that targets their sensory system and calms the brain.

To learn about all the areas where we can add additional sensory input and what sensory stimulation your child or student may need to fit their individual needs, comment “SENSE” and we’ll send you the link.

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Physical exercise strengthens more than muscles, it supports emotional well-being, boosts mood, and helps us handle daily demands.

Regular movement can improve self-esteem, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and motivation, creating a healthy balance that helps prevent burnout.

Learn more:
🔗 https://www.theottoolbox.com/gross-motor-coordination-activities/
🔗 https://www.theottoolbox.com/gross-motor-mindfulness-activities/

Sharing this👇👇👇💜💚🩷

Tomorrow, we come together to celebrate inclusion, creativity, and opportunity. Join us at Project: LIFE AFTER 25 and discover inspiring products handcrafted by Learners with Special Needs.

Every purchase helps create opportunities, build confidence, empower families, and support a brighter future.

📅 July 24–25, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Activity Area, Robinsons Imus, Cavite

✨ Shop with purpose. Share with heart. Support a meaningful cause.

Don’t miss this chance to make a difference—because inclusion empowers everyone. 💚

𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 1 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓! 💙💚

Tomorrow, we come together to celebrate inclusion, creativity, and opportunity. Join us at Project: LIFE AFTER 25 and discover inspiring products handcrafted by Learners with Special Needs.

Every purchase helps create opportunities, build confidence, empower families, and support a brighter future.

📅 July 24–25, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Activity Area, Robinsons Imus, Cavite

✨ Shop with purpose. Share with heart. Support a meaningful cause.

Don’t miss this chance to make a difference—because inclusion empowers everyone. 💚

The 3 “Hidden” senses 💜💚🩷

Did you grow up learning we only have 5 senses?
Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell were just the beginning.

There are three hidden sensory systems that play a HUGE role in how kids move, feel, and function every day, but they often get overlooked:

🔹 Vestibular- the sense of balance and movement https://www.theottoolbox.com/vestibular-activities/
🔹 Proprioception- the sense of body awareness and position https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-activities-improves-body-awareness/
🔹 Interoception- the sense of internal body signals like hunger, thirst, or the need to use the bathroom https://www.theottoolbox.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-interoception/

These "hidden" senses impact everything from attention and emotional regulation to posture, coordination, and toileting.

Understanding these systems can help us better support kids who seem wiggly, overwhelmed, or unaware of their own bodies. A great resource to better understand these sensory systems and how sensory seeking or over-responsiveness/ under-responsiveness impact function is The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook: https://www.theottoolbox.com/product/the-sensory-lifestyle-handbook/