Rock Therapeutic Services

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Bonney Lake, WA
Rock Therapeutic Services

Providing Speech and Language therapy services in the Puget Sound area.

08/22/2025

🎒 What Are “Backpack Skills”?

Backpack skills refer to the physical, cognitive, and motor abilities a child uses when managing their backpack during daily routines, especially for school.

These skills may seem simple—but they actually involve multiple areas of development that occupational therapists help strengthen.

🧠 Key Components of Backpack Skills:

Motor Planning & Sequencing
➤ Knowing what to pack and in what order
➤ Remembering steps: unzip → pack → zip → carry

Fine Motor Skills
➤ Opening/closing zippers
➤ Adjusting buckles or compartments
➤ Handling small school supplies

Bilateral Coordination
➤ Using both hands together (e.g., one hand holds the backpack while the other zips)

Core Strength & Postural Control
➤ Carrying the backpack upright
➤ Lifting it properly and safely

Executive Functioning
➤ Organizing items and remembering what’s needed
➤ Transitioning smoothly from home to school and vice versa

Sensory Processing
➤ Managing how the backpack feels (weight, straps, textures)
➤ Adjusting to the sensory input of moving with a heavy load

🌟 Why It Matters

Mastering backpack skills supports:
✅ Independence in school routines
✅ Confidence with self-care tasks
✅ Classroom success through better organization and focus
✅ Physical readiness for daily school demands

08/20/2025

👐 Therapy doesn’t always look like therapy 😉

Playdough isn’t just for fun — it’s a powerhouse tool for building those essential fine motor skills! Every roll, squish, and pinch helps your child grow in ways that matter:
✔️ Stronger finger muscles
✔️ Better pencil grasp
✔️ Improved hand-eye coordination
✔️ Boosted creativity & imagination

Whether at home or in a session, we’re turning play into real progress.

Tag another parent who’s got a playdough stash at home! 👇

08/15/2025

🧠✨ Developmental Milestone Spotlight ✨🖐️
Fine Motor Skills Your 4-Year-Old Should Be Working On

At age 4, your child’s hands are busy exploring the world — and that means fine motor skills are blossoming! 💪🖍️

Here are a few key skills to keep an eye on:
✅ Holding a crayon with fingers instead of a fist
✅ Cutting along a straight line with child-safe scissors
✅ Drawing simple shapes like circles and crosses
✅ Buttoning and unbuttoning clothes
✅ Building tall block towers
✅ Starting to use eating utensils with control

🏡 Need support? Our expert occupational therapists are here to help your little one grow strong, confident, and independent — one milestone at a time.

08/06/2025

🗣️ Speech Check: What should a 3-year-old be saying?
By age 3, your little one’s communication is growing fast! At this stage, many kids can:
✔️ Use short sentences (3–4 words)
✔️ Ask simple WH-questions like “Where’s mommy?”
✔️ Talk about things from the past or not present
✔️ Be understood by familiar adults most of the time (~75%)

It’s also common to hear early grammar like plurals, pronouns, and verbs beginning to form—even if speech sounds aren’t all perfect yet.

👂 But what if your child isn’t there yet? That’s okay—every child develops differently. Still, some signs might indicate a need for extra support. If they’re mostly using single words, hard to understand, or seem frustrated when trying to talk—it could be time to check in with a therapist.

💬 DM us anytime to chat with one of our pediatric speech-language pathologists—judgment-free, totally relaxed.
We’re here to guide you, not pressure you.

✅ Early support leads to stronger skills later—language, learning, and social confidence too.

07/30/2025

🛁 Speech Tip: Turn Bath Time Into Talk Time!
Bath time is full of fun and language-rich moments. Try narrating actions like:
“Splash the water!”
“Let’s pour the cup!”
“Wash your toes!”
💬 Use slow, simple sentences and pause to let your child respond.
🧼 Everyday moments = speech opportunities.
Tag a parent who needs this reminder! 💙

07/23/2025

🎨 Help Kids Talk About Their Feelings — One Face at a Time! 🧠💬

Emotions can be BIG, especially for little ones! That’s why we love using Feelings Charts in therapy sessions. 🧸✨

👦🏽👧🏻 Kids may struggle to say “I’m overwhelmed,” but they can point to a 😞 or 😡 face — and that’s a powerful first step!

✅ Use emojis or simple drawn faces to help your child identify what they’re feeling.
✅ Hang the chart where it’s easy to see — like on the fridge or in the classroom!
✅ Check in daily — it’s a great way to build emotional awareness + language skills!

💡 Pro Tip: Let your child help make the chart for extra engagement!

🌈 Building emotional vocabulary = building confidence. We’re here to help every step of the way!

07/16/2025

☀️ It’s heating up—let’s make a splash and build strong skills! Water play isn’t just fun; it’s a powerful tool for occupational therapy development. 🙌

💧 Try these simple tools:
🔹 Sq**rt bottles – Boost grip strength + hand endurance
🔹 Plastic cups – Practice pouring = motor planning + coordination
🔹 Sponges – Squeeze for tactile input + hand strength

🎯 These activities support:
👋 Grip Strength
🤲 Bilateral Coordination
🧠 Sensory Regulation

Play with purpose this summer—every splash counts! 💙

📍Tag us in your OT water play fun!

07/11/2025

Busy day? No problem! 🙌
You don’t need extra time or fancy tools to support your child’s speech and motor development. Try these fun games built into your daily routine:

🗣️ 1. Simon Says – With a Speech Twist
“Simon says touch your nose and say ‘ball’!”
✅ Supports: Following directions, articulation, body awareness
💡 Add new words each day to target speech goals!

🧺 2. Laundry Toss
Toss socks into baskets and call out colors, animals, or action words as you throw!
✅ Supports: Gross motor skills, vocabulary, turn-taking
🎯 OT Bonus: Bilateral coordination and balance!

🍎 3. Snack Time Talk
Describe your snack using 3 adjectives:
“Crunchy, salty, small”
✅ Supports: Descriptive language, sensory awareness, sentence building
🥕 Try it with fruits, crackers, or whatever’s on the plate!

🎉 These games take 5 minutes or less and fit right into your day.
The best therapy happens through play and connection 💛

📍Save this post for tomorrow’s routine!

07/09/2025

☀️ Summer is made for fun, but consistency is still key — especially for children working on speech and occupational therapy goals!

Here’s why routines still matter even in the relaxed summer months:

🔹 Promotes Progress
Daily structure helps reinforce the skills your child has worked so hard to build in therapy.

🔹 Reduces Stress
Predictable routines help kids feel secure, confident, and calm — even with changing summer activities.

🔹 Builds Independence
Structured summer days support self-regulation, time management, and task initiation (yes, even during play!).

👟 Tip: Keep routines flexible, but predictable! Think: morning movement, mealtime chats, sensory play, and a wind-down routine at night.

📅 Need help creating a summer schedule that supports your child’s growth? We’re here to help!

07/02/2025

Does your child struggle with loud sounds, busy crowds, or unexpected changes?
You’re not alone — and you CAN support their sensory needs without skipping the fun! 🙌🇺🇸

Here are 5 simple tips from our therapists to help your sensory-sensitive child feel more at ease this 4th of July:

👂 Noise-canceling headphones
🧸 Weighted lap pads or blankets
🚪 A quiet space for breaks
🧠 Prep using visuals or a social story
✨ Give them a choice — no pressure!

Remember: Celebrating doesn’t have to be noisy or overwhelming. A calm child is a happy child ❤️

🔁 Save this for later & tag a parent who needs these tips!

06/27/2025

🎉 Bye-Bye, June! Hello, Summer Progress! ☀️
As June wraps up, we’re celebrating every word spoken, skill gained, and step forward made this month — no matter how big or small. 💬🖍️💪

🌈 Whether your child is working on speech sounds, fine motor strength, or building routines, we’re so proud of their progress. Growth doesn’t take a summer break — and neither do we!

💛 Thank you to our amazing families for trusting us with your little ones. Let’s keep making magic in July!

📸 What goal did your child work on this month? Share it below — we’d love to cheer them on!

06/25/2025

✨ Therapy Tool Spotlight: Visual Schedules!

Visual schedules are a favorite in both speech and occupational therapy sessions — and for good reason! 🧩💬

✅ They help children understand what’s happening next
✅ Build independence and reduce anxiety
✅ Support transitions throughout the day
✅ Promote communication for nonverbal kiddos

Whether it’s pictures, symbols, or a fun DIY version, visual schedules can turn overwhelming routines into predictable, empowering moments. 💡

Want to try one at home? Ask your therapist how to create a custom schedule for your child’s day!

Address

21106 State Route 410 E
Bonney Lake, WA
98391

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm

Telephone

+14252648400

Website

http://www.rocktherapyservices.com/

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