Outdoor Occupational Therapy Elgin

04/15/2026

As an OT, this is the #1 thing I tell parents to add outside…

… a touch of ✨magic✨ of course! Well, actually it’s mostly just a bunch of junk you probably have kicking around, but to them it’s magic 🙃

Most kids don’t need more toys outside- they need better materials (and “forbidden” adult stuff).

Things they can:
• build with
• carry
• transform
• get completely lost in

That’s where loose parts come in.

These are simple, everyday items that turn your backyard into:
→ a construction site
→ a potion lab
→ an obstacle course
→ a world they actually want to be in

And the best part?
You don’t need to spend money or be “Pinterest-y” to make it work.

I made you a free guide with my go-to loose parts that keep kids playing (and regulating) for way longer. And because I know you’ll ask what you can buy for their birthdays, I’ve included a few of my favourites from Amazon too (as an associate, I make a small profit off the links).

DM me OUTSIDE and I’ll send it to you 🌿

04/13/2026

If your child falls apart after school, try this outside before dinner 👇

Rolling down a hill is regulating for many children because it provides deep pressure to the body, as well as vestibular and proprioceptive input- all frequently sought after by sensory seekers! Meet your seeker’s needs to calm that nervous system and move on with your day 🙌

I’m currently offering a few 1:1 outdoor regulation plans for parents who are stuck in the after-school meltdown cycle.

I’ll look at your child specifically and give you simple, realistic strategies that actually work.

Message me “RESET” if you want details 🌿

10/02/2024

ATTENTION CURRENT CLIENTS!
I have opened limited treatment spaces for October and November for in-person forest therapy or phone consults to address goals with parents. What you see is what you get, so book now to get a spot! I look forward to seeing my kiddos in the woods 🌳

*Please note that we are not accepting new clients at this time.

08/26/2024

Thank you to those of you who have joined us in the woods over the past few years. I have decided to take a step back from the business at this time and have accepted an opportunity with TVCC to provide school based OT services. I am not saying we’re closed, as I’ll continue to see a few kids in the woods, but I am no longer accepting referrals at this time. We also will not be offering any forest play programming, so tomorrow will be our last play group. I’d love to see you in the woods one more time before I take the next step along my OT journey 💚

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I will certainly miss this and am so thankful for the experiences we’ve had. I may be back or I may move along completely, who knows where this journey will take me 😊 I will likely see some of your kiddos in school though so tell them to say hi! 👋 xo Jade

07/16/2024

Home with the kids tomorrow (Tuesday) and need something fun to do? Join us tomorrow for some old fashioned summertime F U N!! The best part? It’s covered by benefits if you have OT coverage!

All ages can join us tomorrow morning for some sensory fun. Think mud kitchen, creek play, slithery salamanders, bumpy toads, calming hammocks and an exciting new swing addition!

Registration is required so please register now to join us! And if you don’t have benefits and cost is a barrier, please don’t let that stop you. Connect with us and we can make it happen! Come and play in the back 40 😊

https://outdoorotelgin.janeapp.com/ /1

07/07/2024

In this review, we analyzed the possible relationship between the excessive use of screens and sleep patterns, and how this may affect certain behavioral and cognitive factors in preschool children. The selection, extraction and synthesis of the data were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Th...

06/24/2024

☀️Summer play groups are here! Better late than never right?

With our TimberNook groups ending this week, we've created our own developmental nature groups to run this summer called "Growing Roots". We will offer a Toddler Program for ages 1-6ish from 10am to noon and a Big Kid Program for ages 4-12 from 1-3pm every other Tuesday through the summer.

Our focus will be on developing strong roots for our kiddos. We will use nature play to support skill development in the areas of emotional regulation, motor skills, cognition and social emotional skills. Of course, there will be plenty of time for free play!

These therapeutic groups are for ALL children and their FAMILIES- caregivers must attend and supervise the children they bring. This allows caregivers to learn alongside the children for better carryover at home. The groups are covered through private OT benefits if you have them and will include a note after each group for follow through at home. We welcome children of all abilities- typically developing and those with special needs. If you do not have coverage and cost is a barrier, please connect. You may sign up for one or all of the weeks, but we encourage you to attend as many as possible for the best growth in your child and family.

We can't wait to play in the woods again! Find more info and the link to register on our website https://www.outdoorotelgin.ca/services
P.S. We are looking for volunteers interested in working in the fields of early childhood education, occupational therapy, teaching etc. to support these groups. Please connect if this is you!

06/19/2024

Heavy work helps with regulation and focus. Make sure your child has heavy work everyday. Our favourite heavy work is CHORES! Carrying laundry basket, taking out the garbage, raking the lawn, shoveling snow… our children are naturally meant to participate in chores to create connection to the family and community.

06/17/2024

In true play based therapy, you can’t go in with a set plan. Sure, I go in with ideas and definitely with goals in mind, but I’m always ready to be flexible and follow the child’s lead. That’s the definition of play: it is self-chosen and self-directed. If you truly trust play, then you can let it do the work in your sessions (and in life!) by providing the opportunity and time for beautiful play to unfold.

Today we brought a child’s idea to life by building a stuffy waterpark in the woods! This worked on executive functioning skills such as planning and executing, gross motor skills, heavy work for the sensory system, communication, collaboration and connection, as we had fun working together to build and play with the waterpark. Some days are hard and some are just plain fun 🛝⛱️🪣

06/15/2024

👏👏👏

Great resource !

04/03/2024

On this “World Autism Awareness Day”, we are standing with autistic individuals and calling for not simply awareness (I think we know autism exists at this point?!), but rather acceptance and appreciation of this neurotype which has so much to offer the world. Consider reading more this month about the experiences and perspectives of autistic adults, the ableist history of the puzzle piece symbol and the corruption associated with Autism Speaks.

Autism Acceptance > Autism Awareness