Children's Medical Group of Saginaw Bay

05/01/2026

Your healthy dose of happy this Friday morning!🌞

04/27/2026

This is a great resource for the classroom!

Image credit:

04/24/2026

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, grab the link below or click the link in our profile.

🔗https://ilslearningcorner.com/2017-02-sensory-input-motor-output-put-garbage-childs-brain-will-surely-get-garbage/?utm_source=Google%20Ads&utm_medium=Test2&utm_campaign=Test3

04/23/2026

If you asked your child to draw a picture of you today, what would you be doing in that drawing? Would you be holding a ball, a dishcloth, jigsaw puzzle piece, or perhaps a book?

For a long time, I suspect my children would have drawn me standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes or sitting on the couch reading them a story. While those moments are essential and full of love, I realised I wasn't actually moving with my kids enough.

The irony of this wasn't lost on me. Even with my professional background as an Exercise Physiologist, I had fallen into the habit of being the observer and the provider rather than the active participant.

It wasn't until my son started finding movement and coordination difficult at kindergarten that I finally pivoted my focus because our children look to us to see what is worth doing. If they don't see us experiencing the genuine joy of movement, it is much harder for them to understand why they should prioritise it themselves.

We often talk about the scientific benefits of play, such as better regulation and motor skills, but the most powerful result for these benefits is connection. When we model positive movement behaviours, even if it is just a clumsy dance in the kitchen or a stretch on the grass, we are giving them permission to enjoy their own bodies.

It is never too late to change what is in that mental picture your child has of you. This week, let them see you move. Not because you have to, but because it feels good to be active together.

04/20/2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW!

Nursemaid's Elbow (also known as Pulled Elbow, Radial Head Dislocation, or Elbow Subluxation) is a common minor injury which affects children under 5 years.

Pulled elbow is a partial dislocation of the elbow. It's when the lower arm (radius) becomes partially dislocated of its normal position at the elbow joint. It occurs when a child is pulled/lifted by one hand or wrist, or swung around in a circle in play. It can occasionally occur after a fall.

04/15/2026

In recognition of April being Autism Awareness Month, Domino's is fundraising in support of our communities as well as our local first responders today! When ordering just use the code DN6 and/or mention Carter Kits.

A percentage of sales using the code this day will go toward the purchase of Carter Kits Sensory Bags for the partnering agency to use when crisis calls involve kiddos on the spectrum or with other sensory challenges.

It's a win-win for both our bellies and community! 🍕💛

04/14/2026

🍎 Community Food Distribution – Bay City
Help is here! Our partners are hosting a free food distribution event to support families in Bay County. If you or someone you know could use some extra groceries, please stop by.

🗓️ Event Details:
• When: Monday, April 13th, 2026
• Time: Starting at 10AM (While supplies last!)
• Where: Tri-County Trades Academy
• Address: 4721 3 Mile Rd., Bay City, MI

Need more resources? If you can't make this event or need additional assistance with food, utilities, or housing, we are here for you 24/7.

📞 Dial 2-1-1 or visit our website to connect with local resources.

Get Connected. Get Help!
211nemichigan.org

04/10/2026

You do not have to love the mess to let it happen. You just have to survive it for five minutes.

If messy play makes you tense up, that response is completely understandable and you are far from alone in it. The goal is not to become someone who loves chaos. The goal is to gently stretch your window of tolerance just a little, because your child needs some version of this, and so do you.

Here is where to start. Painter's tape on the hallway floor, laid out as a simple road map with a couple of intersections and a roundabout. It takes 15 minutes, peels off without a mark, and the only thing left on the floor afterwards is the tape you pull up together. While your child is down there crouching and navigating and moving their whole body through that little world, they are getting the proprioceptive input that makes the rest of the afternoon easier for everyone.

Start with five minutes if that is all you can manage. Next time, try ten. Building your own tolerance is part of this too.

Why it matters developmentally? Floor-based directional play develops spatial reasoning, motor planning, and body awareness in ways that directly support literacy and learning readiness. And for parents who find mess stressful, starting with zero-mess activities like this one is a completely valid and genuinely effective entry point.

04/09/2026

If your child is struggling with any of these categories, please reach out to our office! We have an onsite social worker that can help navigate these troubled areas.

There is a lot going on beneath the surface of emotional and behavioral issues! https://www.theottoolbox.com/emotional-regulation-and-executive-function/

04/06/2026

Tiny humans, big conversations 🍼💬
From sweet coos to confident “mama,” every sound is a stepping stone in the magical journey of learning to talk.

04/03/2026

Our office will close at 12p today and will resume normal hours Monday, April 6th. Have a wonderful Easter weekend with your friends and family!