Child and Family Development

Child and Family Development Pediatric Therapy Services (formerly WildWorks Therapy)

Planning, problem-solving, impulse control… these “thinking skills” don’t grow from worksheets—they grow from PLAY. 🎲💡Th...
09/27/2025

Planning, problem-solving, impulse control… these “thinking skills” don’t grow from worksheets—they grow from PLAY. 🎲💡

This week’s Growing Together newsletter is all about how DIR/Floortime helps children strengthen executive functioning skills in natural, joyful ways.

Inside Issue #11:
🧠 What executive functioning really means for kids
🎯 How play builds working memory, flexibility, and self-control
🌟 Simple ideas you can try at home to stretch thinking skills through connection

Because every tower built, role-play imagined, or game played together isn’t “just fun”—it’s the foundation for lifelong learning. 🌱

📬 Not subscribed yet? Tap the link in bio to get Issue #12 delivered to your inbox!

MEET OUR TEAM MEMBERRitaj Shoman, BSWTitleDIR/Floortime AssistantBioRitaj is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s ...
09/21/2025

MEET OUR TEAM MEMBER
Ritaj Shoman, BSW

Title
DIR/Floortime Assistant

Bio
Ritaj is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University. With an early foundation in child development, cultivated over a year, Ritaj transitioned into the role of a Floortime Assistant. Recently certified in DIR/Floortime, Ritaj brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to creating meaningful interactions with children, supporting their developmental journey.

Approach to Therapy
My approach to therapy is rooted in creating a nurturing, empathetic, and collaborative environment. I focus on understanding each individual’s unique experiences and tailor my method to suit their needs and goals.

What I Love About Working with Kids
What I love about working with children and families is how fulfilling it is to get to witness incredible growth. It’s rewarding to create a supportive space and see families thrive together.

Fun Fact ✨
Favorite childhood TV show: Dora the explorer 💜
Hobby: Exploring different coffee shops and traveling

🌟 Free Resource for Parents & Caregivers! 🌟Did you know that your child’s sense of self—how they see and understand them...
09/20/2025

🌟 Free Resource for Parents & Caregivers! 🌟
Did you know that your child’s sense of self—how they see and understand themselves—is the foundation for confidence, relationships, and lifelong learning? 💛

We’ve created a FREE resource to help you understand:
🧠 What “sense of self” really means in child development
💬 Why it’s so important for social and emotional growth
🌱 Practical ways you can nurture your child’s sense of self every day

👉 Download your copy today and start building stronger connections while supporting your child’s development—through simple, relationship-based strategies.

✨ It’s free, and it’s yours here: [https://learninghub.childfam-dev.com/offers/hoZLyC22] ✨

Because when children feel secure in who they are, they can thrive in every area of life. 🌈

MEET OUR TEAM LEADERCourtney St.Germain, MS, OTR/L, DIR-ExpertTitleDirector of DIR/FloortimeBioCourtney earned her Maste...
09/20/2025

MEET OUR TEAM LEADER
Courtney St.Germain, MS, OTR/L, DIR-Expert

Title
Director of DIR/Floortime

Bio
Courtney earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University and has been working with children and families for almost 15 years. She has specialized training in DIR/Floortime, sensory integration, and feeding therapy. Courtney’s passion is helping children build confidence in their everyday routines by combining play with evidence-based strategies.

Approach
“I believe therapy should feel like play. My goal is to empower both children and their families through joyful, supportive experiences that build lifelong skills.”

What I Love About Working with Kids
“I love watching kids light up when they accomplish something new. Their creativity and resilience inspire me every day.”

Fun Fact ✨
Favorite childhood TV show: Sesame Street 💛
“If I weren’t a therapist, I’d be a…” An Interior Designer 🏡

Before children can learn, they need to feel safe, calm, and connected. 💛This week’s Growing Together newsletter is all ...
09/19/2025

Before children can learn, they need to feel safe, calm, and connected. 💛

This week’s Growing Together newsletter is all about co-regulation—the process of calming together. When we share our steady presence and empathy, children learn to regulate their own emotions over time. 🌱

Inside Issue #10:
🧠 Why co-regulation is the foundation of growth
💬 Simple strategies to try at home when big feelings arise
🌟 How DIR/Floortime uses connection as the first step toward learning

Because a calm connection isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

📬 Not subscribed yet? Tap the link in bio to join the Growing Together community and get Issue #10 in your inbox!

Play isn’t a pause in development—it is development. 🌱✨In last week’s Growing Together newsletter, we’re looking at why ...
09/18/2025

Play isn’t a pause in development—it is development. 🌱✨

In last week’s Growing Together newsletter, we’re looking at why play is the heart of growth for every child. Through play, kids practice problem-solving, explore emotions, build relationships, and discover who they are.

Inside Issue #9:
🎲 Why play supports cognitive, emotional, social, and motor growth
💛 How DIR/Floortime transforms play into connection and learning
🌟 Simple reflection prompts to deepen playtime at home

When we join children in their play, we’re not just passing time—we’re building their future. 💫

📬 Not subscribed yet? Tap the link in bio to join the Growing Together community and get Issue #10 delivered to your inbox!

🌈 Every child’s brain is beautifully unique. At Child & Family Development, we believe in celebrating neurodiversity — h...
08/29/2025

🌈 Every child’s brain is beautifully unique. At Child & Family Development, we believe in celebrating neurodiversity — honoring strengths while gently supporting differences.

✨ With DIR/Floortime, we don’t try to “fix” children. Instead, we connect with who they are, help them regulate, and build on the amazing qualities they already bring into the world.

When we shift the focus from deficits to strengths + relationships, children feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow. 💛

📰 Read more in Issue #8 of our DIR/Floortime Newsletter: “Floortime & Neurodiversity: Embracing Strengths, Supporting Differences.”

📩 DM us to subscribe or learn how we support families on this journey.

08/25/2025

💙 At Child & Family Development, we know big feelings don’t just “go away.” When a child is stressed, the brain’s amygdala reacts quickly, keeping them in “fight, flight, or freeze.” Our goal is to shorten that stress response and help shift into the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex — the parts of the brain that calm, process, and make sense of what’s happening.

✨ How do we do this? Through connection. When a child feels safe and supported in relationship, the brain learns to regulate faster, paving the way for growth, problem-solving, and confidence.

Because every breakthrough begins with calm, and every calm begins with connection. 💛



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School isn’t just about academics—it’s about relationships, regulation, and readiness to learn. 🏫💛In this week’s Growing...
08/15/2025

School isn’t just about academics—it’s about relationships, regulation, and readiness to learn. 🏫💛
In this week’s Growing Together newsletter, we explore how the DIR/Floortime approach can thrive in the classroom, helping teachers and staff meet students where they are emotionally, socially, and developmentally.

Inside Issue #6:
📚 Practical ways to use Floortime strategies during the school day
🧠 Why connection comes before compliance in learning environments
🎯 How teachers can reframe behaviors as communication
🤝 Tips for partnering with families to support growth

When we create classrooms that honor individuality and build trust, we give every child the chance to truly shine. ✨

📬 Not subscribed yet? Tap the link in bio to join the Growing Together community and get Issue #6 delivered straight to your inbox!

Big emotions don’t need to be feared—they need to be felt, understood, and supported. 💛In this issue of Growing Together...
08/01/2025

Big emotions don’t need to be feared—they need to be felt, understood, and supported. 💛

In this issue of Growing Together, we explore how play becomes a powerful tool for emotional regulation. Through pretend play, sensory moments, and co-regulation, children learn how to name, manage, and move through their feelings—not by being told what to feel, but by being met with connection. 🤝

Inside this issue:
🧠 What emotional regulation really looks like
🎲 Simple Floortime play ideas that support self-regulation
💬 Phrases and practices to help children feel safe and understood

Play isn’t just fun—it’s where growth begins. 🌱

📬 Not subscribed yet? Tap the link in bio to join the Growing Together community and get Issue #4 delivered to your inbox!

Ever wonder why your child avoids messy textures 🧴 or seeks out big movement 🤸 nonstop?In this month’s issue of Growing ...
07/27/2025

Ever wonder why your child avoids messy textures 🧴 or seeks out big movement 🤸 nonstop?

In this month’s issue of Growing Together, we’re diving into the world of sensory differences—what they mean, how they show up, and how you can support your child with empathy and confidence. 🌿💛

From creating calming spaces 🧺 to using sensory-rich routines, we’re sharing practical Floortime tips to help your child feel safe, regulated, and understood.

Because when we meet children where they are, we unlock their ability to connect, grow, and thrive. 🌱

📬 Not on the list yet? Head to the link in bio to subscribe and get Issue #3 straight to your inbox!

🌟 Unlock Your Child’s Potential with DIR Floortime! 🌈DIR Floortime isn’t just play—it’s purposeful connection. 💬🤝This ev...
05/29/2025

🌟 Unlock Your Child’s Potential with DIR Floortime! 🌈

DIR Floortime isn’t just play—it’s purposeful connection. 💬🤝
This evidence-based approach meets your child where they are emotionally, developmentally, and socially.

✨ Benefits of DIR Floortime:
🧠 Boosts emotional and cognitive development
🗣️ Strengthens communication and connection
🧩 Supports sensory regulation and flexibility
🤗 Encourages confidence and independence

Whether your child is neurodivergent or just needs extra support, DIR Floortime helps them grow through joyful, meaningful interaction.

👉 Want to learn more or see it in action? Let’s connect! 💬

Address

350 Ramapo Valley Road, Suite 100
Oakland, NJ
07436

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Website

https://www.childfam-dev.com/, https://learninghub.childfam-dev.com/offers/

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