Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development

02/27/2026

Between school online,
two-hour delays,
piles of snow,
and wicked cold…

Winter has stretched routines —
and patience.

When schedules keep shifting,
kids feel it.
Parents feel it too.

If everyone seems a little more reactive lately,
that makes sense.

We may not be done with winter yet —
but more light is slowly coming.

Until then: grace > perfection.

02/25/2026

That 4:30 meltdown?
It’s usually a tired nervous system.

They’ve been “on” all day.

Offer a snack.
Lower expectations.
Lead with connection.

02/23/2026

February is full of hearts and sweetness…
but it can also feel heavy.

The winter blues are real — for adults and for kids.
Short days. Less sunlight. Low energy. Big feelings.

So if everyone feels a little extra sensitive lately,
that’s not failure. That’s nervous systems needing warmth.

Love right now might look like:
• Lowering expectations
• Earlier bedtimes
• Slower mornings
• “Let’s try that again.”
• A few extra minutes of connection

Patience in March is built by gentleness in February.

You don’t have to parent perfectly.
You just have to keep showing up with warmth.

🌷

02/06/2026

Here in the Pittsburgh area, Fred Rogers reminded us that play isn’t “just for fun”—it’s how children learn, grow, and make sense of the world around them.

During 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤, we celebrate the role of play as a powerful tool for emotional expression, problem-solving, creativity, and healing. In play therapy, children do their most important work in the way that comes most naturally to them.

At 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭, we’re proud to honor this legacy—because when children are given space to play, they’re given space to grow. 🌱

01/30/2026

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝐻𝐵𝑂 𝑀𝑎𝑥’𝑠 '𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑡' ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑡?

One of our own. 🌱

Sprout’s Elizabeth Patterson contributed real-world mental health and child protective services insight to the writers of 'The Pitt,' helping ensure the stories told on screen reflect authenticity, care, and lived experience.

Now streaming on HBO Max, 'The Pitt' shows the power of including real professionals behind the scenes — and we couldn’t be prouder of Beth’s incredible contribution to an award-winning series.

👏 Join us in celebrating this amazing moment!

01/28/2026

By the end of January, the wonder of winter has worn off — and the season can start to feel long.

If routines feel harder, emotions feel bigger, or patience feels thinner, you’re not doing anything wrong. Winter can be heavy on both kids and parents.

This is your gentle reminder to pause and check in:
• How is your child doing?
• How are you doing?
• What might need a little more support right now?

Mental wellness doesn’t require a big reset. Sometimes it starts with noticing — and being kind to yourself along the way.

Sprout is here to support families through every season. 🌱

01/25/2026

01/21/2026

It’s National Hugging Day 🤍

Safe, supportive connection helps our nervous systems feel calm and secure — especially during the long winter months.

Whether it’s a hug, a kind word, or simply sitting together, small moments of connection matter.

01/19/2026

Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

His work reminds us that dignity, compassion, and care are foundational to well-being — especially for children and families.

Mental health thrives when people feel seen, valued, and supported. Today is a time to reflect on how we can continue creating spaces where every child has the opportunity to grow, heal, and be heard.

01/14/2026

January often brings pressure to change everything at once — especially as parents trying to do right by our kids.

If you’ve already had to reset, that doesn’t mean you failed. It means you care.

Building new routines and boundaries takes time. Progress comes from patience, compassion, and starting again when things feel hard.

At Sprout, we believe growth happens gently — for kids and parents.
You’re allowed as many fresh starts as it takes. 🌱

01/06/2026

Sometimes therapy starts with words.
Sometimes it starts with playdough and a little laughter.

𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐋𝐒𝐖 creates a space where kids, teens, and parents who need support can show up just as they are. No pressure. No perfection. One of her favorite childhood stories was 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑏𝑜𝑤 𝐹𝑖𝑠ℎ, and that message of connection and belonging carries into her work every day.

As Ashlynn often reminds parents:
“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭.”

🌱 Strengths-based care and play therapy
📍 Now scheduling at our Cranberry office
🌱 Learn more or request an appointment at www.sproutcenterconsult.com or call 𝟒𝟏𝟐-𝟖𝟖𝟐-𝟖𝟒𝟕𝟏 to get started.

01/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year from Sprout ✨

As we welcome 2026, we’re holding space for fresh starts, gentle growth, and caring for our emotional well-being—one step at a time.

The new year doesn’t have to be about big resolutions or instant change. It can be about checking in, reconnecting, and giving yourself (and your family) permission to move forward at a pace that feels right.

Wishing our families, clients, and community a year filled with growth, connection, and compassion. 💜🌱