New OT!
Hello, nature explorers!
Every winter, I am awed anew at the unique beauty the cold weather brings!! This is a picture of our beloved Root River from a couple weeks ago (so special as we had our first few years of groups at Root River Park). Watch the water flow under the ice; mesmerizing!
Remember: Creating joy and finding beauty are not a distraction from building a better world - they are key ingredients for doing just that!!
Miss Angie's Place has been providing a safe haven in Pine Island for humans of all ages and backgrounds to gather and grow, for almost 5 years now! Come explore and play with us at this event on Saturday, January 31st! Teddy bear clinic, sensory games, arts and crafts, and camping lessons in the hot tent - this will be a delightful family event at my favorite community gathering spot!
I am thrilled to announce that we have another therapist on board! I feel so honored to have connected with Courtney Smith, an experienced occupational therapist who will be running OT groups for us on Mondays and Fridays. She has already started shadowing, so you might see her at group!
Her husband Caleb is our newest group assistant, and I cannot tell you how perfectly wonderful these two are at connecting with kids and families and helping them get comfortable outdoors!
Learn more about Courtney & Caleb!
Garden Club!
The wind chill is -40F as I'm typing this, but Garden Club is only a little over a month away! We start indoors with choosing our seeds, learning about soil, identifying the friendly plants/insects versus the pests, etc.
I had a realization that most summer families are not looking for the in-depth therapy we provide during the schoolyear, so I've adjusted the summer camps and the Garden Club to reflect that, which also brings down the price!
Nature Views!
I've shared this before, but I think it's great to review when the temperatures drop like they have this week!
Did you know that research has shown that just looking out a window onto a green space can improve our health and wellbeing??
Specific proven benefits include:
⬆️ Increased parasympathetic activity
⬇️ Reduced pain
〰️ Changed brainwaves to aid positive emotional state
✊ Enhanced motivation
👀 Better visual attention
🥰 Reduced anxiety and depression.
Interested in references for these claims? I've got 'em!
Even in urban areas, if you settle in by your window long enough, you're likely to see
🐦 birds
🐿️squirrels
🐇 rabbits
🦌 deer
... if you're really lucky, maybe even a...
🦊fox!
Look for the unique tracks in the snow!
What have you spotted out your window lately, from the comfort of your warm bed or couch??
I love these books for learning about the birds we see!
Moon Club!
Our first two moon clubs have been positively enchanting! Coloring and crafting, singing and signing, exploring and learning as a family, with kids of all ages...join us for the full Snow Moon meeting on February 3rd!