Can you define occupational and speech therapy for us?
Mady: Pediatric occupational therapy helps children develop the skills they need for everyday activities, such as playing, learning, and self-care. Occupational therapists work with children who may have challenges related to sensory processing, fine motor skills, coordination, and social interactions. Through play, therapists help children build confidence and independence in tasks like handwriting, dressing, and feeding themselves. By addressing these challenges early on, pediatric occupational therapy can support children in reaching their full potential and participating more fully in school, home, and community activities.
Riley: Pediatric speech therapy refers to a specialized form of therapy aimed at addressing speech, language, cognition, and adaptive behaviors. The main demographic consists of children between the ages of birth and five years old. The goal of early intervention or pediatric speech therapy is to identify and treat communication difficulties as early as possible to prevent them from persisting or worsening over time. This type of therapy may involve various techniques, including exercises to improve speech articulation, language comprehension, and expressive language skills, as well as strategies to enhance communication and interaction with others. We work closely with children and their families to educate them on strategies and resources that support the child's overall communication development and improve their ability to participate in daily activities.
What led you both to becoming occupational and speech therapists?
Mady: Since I was young, I've always been drawn to helping people achieve their goals and exploring the wonders of science. In college, I couldn't quite decide if I wanted to go into teaching or dive into research. But then, a close friend of mine, who battled cancer as a kid, opened up about how much occupational therapy meant to her during those tough times. Her story really struck a chord with me and got me curious about what occupational therapy was all about. As I dug deeper, I realized how it's all about empowering kids who face different challenges, helping them gain confidence and independence. Looking back, I wish I had that kind of support growing up. And that's why I'm so passionate about being there for others now, especially kids going through similar journeys.
Riley: Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. You would often find me outside in our garage, 'grading papers,' and writing on the chalkboard. Then, during my freshman year of college, I took an introductory nursing class and absolutely fell in love with the profession. I was torn, and it wasn’t until I served an LDS mission to Brazil that I found Speech Therapy. Learning a brand new language and not knowing how to adequately express myself was incredibly difficult at first. I wasn’t a child, but I felt like one! It was there that I was able to witness firsthand what it feels like to not be able to communicate my wants and needs and be understood in response. Speech Therapy, to me, is truly the best of both worlds, combining education and medicine. We do a lot of educating with both children and their parents while also addressing the medical aspect of diagnosing and assessing.
How did you decide to start your Instagram, @tinytaughts?
Mady & Riley: Starting tiny.taughts was a natural progression for us, driven by our shared passion for helping families navigate the complexities of child development. Our experiences in parent coaching highlighted the overwhelming demand for accessible resources amid long waitlists for services, and costly private therapy sessions. Recognizing the gap, we wanted to create a space where parents could find practical solutions and start supporting their child's development immediately. Combining our expertise in speech and language and occupational therapy, we aimed to provide comprehensive guidance covering both disciplines. Drawing from our firsthand experiences co-treating children, we understand the need to simplify information and offer actionable advice tailored to busy parents. Our goal is to make child development strategies accessible, straightforward, and applicable for families, empowering them to foster their child's full potential within the comfort of their own home.
Can you share a few strategies for parents to support their child’s speech and occupational development at home? What can we find on your page?
Riley: On our page, tiny.taughts, you will find educational and easy-to-implement strategies for your daily routines. We know that helping your child reach milestones isn’t always intuitive, but the strategies are fairly simple to implement. An example of our content would be the tummy time reel we created, where you can see how much tummy time your child should be getting at each stage: newborn, three-month-old, six-month-old, and so on. A fun strategy I often coach parents on is how to get their child saying “mama,” and the strategy is a simple game of peek-a-boo! A simple game of peek-a-boo can promote a child’s cognition significantly. So, instead of just saying “Boo!,” you can say “Mama!” and point to yourself. It’s amazing how quickly they will learn to say “Mama!” You are playing a game, it’s predictable, and you’re reinforcing the word “mama” over and over again. Mady and I have had many discussions about how we want our page to be a breath of fresh air where parents can go to learn and try new strategies. It’s an educational page, mixed with some fun and experience from our end.
Mady: As for occupational therapy, we share motor development tips, sensory regulation strategies, emotional regulation and how to incorporate these strategies into a parents busy life. For example, tummy time is often a hot topic because some babies don’t like tummy time. So on Tiny.taughts we discuss ways to gradually develop the intensity of tummy time, strategies to keep tummy time interesting, the benefits of tummy time, and how to add tummy time into your daily routine by doing it for a couple minutes after every diaper change. We are moms on Instagram. We see content about everything we are doing wrong. Tiny.taughts is not that. We want it to be a breathe of fresh air. We want to simplify the noise, show tried and true developmental strategies, be a place that is fun and supportive of moms.
Do you have any advice for moms who might feel overwhelmed about their child’s speech and occupational development?
Mady: If you're feeling overwhelmed about your child's speech and occupational development, know that you're not alone. Milestones vary greatly among children, and it's essential to remember that each child develops at their own pace. Taking a step back from the pressures of social media and embracing the simplicity of the basics can provide clarity and relief. Sometimes, the most effective strategies are the simplest ones. As therapists, we understand the challenges parents face and strive to simplify information to make it more manageable. Remember that pediatric therapy isn't just about the child—it's also about supporting parents and making their routines easier. By focusing on what works best for your child and your family, you can navigate this journey with confidence and ease. Trust in your instincts and celebrate the progress, no matter how small—it all adds up to significant growth over time.
Riley: I tell this to parents every day: 'You are doing a great job!' You know your child and their needs better than anyone. It’s important to adapt to your child’s pace and trust that your child will reach milestones in their own time. You can stay informed about child development milestones through tiny.taughts and trust that our approaches are evidence-based. Parenting is a journey filled with ups and downs and our hope is to help you embrace the joy in each moment while appreciating the uniqueness of your child. Remember, your love and support are fundamental to your child's success and well-being!
What have been some of your favorite parts of working with children as occupational and speech therapists?
Riley: Children are the best! I love working with ages from birth to 5 years old because everything is so new and full of firsts for them. The most magical moment for me is when you hear a child’s voice for the first time. I get emotional just thinking about it. Another aspect that I love about working with children as a speech therapist is helping strengthen the parent-child relationship. Not only do we help with motor and language skills, but there are also a lot of relational gains that we can see as well between the parent and a child. All I can say is the strategies we teach really work and impact lives in significant ways. We can’t wait for you to join our community!
Mady: Other than the hilarious things kids say, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an occupational therapists is witnessing the impact our interventions have on children and their families. There have been many moments I tear up overwhelmed by the sheer pride radiating from my young clients. It's also heartwarming to see parents grow more confident as they grasp techniques and strategies to support their child's development. Witnessing the transformation as parents embrace their newfound skills and confidence is incredibly gratifying. Ultimately, it's a journey of growth and resilience for both children and their caregivers, and seeing them flourish is the ultimate reward.
What are some of your favorite Copper Pearl products, from the perspective of child development professionals?
- We love these toys to work on visual perception, which is the brain's ability to make sense of what the eyes see. These toys challenge our children to understand what they see and recognize how different shapes fit together to make a larger picture. Since they stick on the side of the bathtub, this is also a great activity to strengthen shoulder and core muscles as they reach up to play with the toys
- Utilizing quilts and apparel adorned with prints can greatly enhance language acquisition! Optimal prints include animals and transportation themes (such as cars, trains, and bikes). With animals, focus on sound identification followed by learning their names. For transportation, begin by exploring their movements or sounds (like vroom, beep beep, crash).
- Bath squirt toys provide fantastic developmental benefits for kids! They help enhance hand-eye coordination as children aim and squeeze them in the water, and they also help with bilateral coordination as children open and close the toys. This activity also strengthens hand muscles, which is important for tasks like writing and using utensils. Plus, it encourages imaginative play and language development as children create stories and interact with the toys during bath time.
- Children typically start showing an interest in stacking cups around 6 to 8 months of age. At this stage, they are developing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which are essential for stacking objects. Initially, they may enjoy exploring the cups by banging them together or putting them in and out of each other. As they approach 9 to 12 months, they may begin to attempt stacking them on top of each other, although their stacking may be more random than intentional. By around 12 to 18 months, many children start to stack cups with more purpose and precision, building towers or nested structures. Stacking cups enhances their spatial awareness and understanding of concepts like size, shape, and balance and fosters cognitive development as children experiment with problem-solving and learn about cause and effect. Stacking cups are also ideal for facilitating vocabulary development by introducing words like up, down, crash (when toppling them over), in, out, etc. This versatile tool can also be incorporated into bath time activities, where each cup can be filled with 'water' and then poured 'out'
- We're big fans of these joggers because they're crafted from top-notch materials and built to last. Their durable construction means they can handle whatever activities or exercises you throw at them, ensuring you stay comfortable and supported no matter how intense your play gets.
- Pajamas without feet allow children to move freely, promoting natural mobility and flexibility, which is especially beneficial for motor skill development. Going barefoot exposes their feet to various textures, temperatures, and surfaces, aiding sensory development crucial for body awareness and tactile discrimination. This design also caters to individuals with sensory sensitivities, enhancing comfort and promoting better sleep quality.
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If you’d like to learn some simple ways you can help with your child’s speech and occupational development at home, check out @tinytaughts on Instagram!
Riley’s Bio: Hi, I'm Riley, a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Development. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Brigham Young University. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work with various demographics, but my favorite has been working with kiddos aged 0-5!
Having immersed myself in the realm of Early Intervention for years, the stark reality of prolonged wait times for families seeking essential services has become abundantly clear. In fact, that’s why Tiny Taughts was created in the first place – to empower parents to play an actionable role in helping their children reach their full potential, one strategy at a time.
My cousin and I are on a mission to empower parents through education. With her experience and immense knowledge in Occupational Therapy and my background in Speech-Language Pathology, we're committed to providing accessible resources for parents to actively engage in their child's development. Together, we believe that informed parenting has a transformative impact on a child's well-being, and we're dedicated to equipping parents with the knowledge and tools for a foundation of lifelong success!
Mady’s Bio: Hey there! I'm Mady, a pediatric Occupational Therapist and proud mom. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular Molecular Biology and Psychology, along with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Jefferson University, I've had the privilege of guiding countless children toward their developmental milestones while empowering parents with the best support strategies.
My journey into motherhood began in 2022 when my sweet daughter arrived seven weeks earlier than expected. Despite my expertise in child development, navigating the maze of conflicting professional opinions left me feeling overwhelmed. It seemed like everyone had their own "right" way, even down to the simplest tasks like changing a diaper!
That experience inspired me to join forces with my cousin, a brilliant speech therapist. Together, we're on a mission to simplify your daily routines and foster your child's growth. We believe in cutting through the noise, offering practical advice, and integrating tips that make your life easier while nurturing your child's overall well-being. Let's embark on this journey together!