Great Kids Place

Great Kids Place Pediatric occupational therapy specializing in sensory processing disorders, dyspraxia, & ADHD Parents are encouraged to participate in every session.

Great Kids Place offers sensory and relationship-based occupational therapy services to address challenges in sensory processing, motor skills, learning, engagement, social interaction, attention and emotional regulation. We work with children and their families using our own unique play based model to address sensory motor and social emotional development simultaneously. At Great Kids Place, parents and therapists play side by side our great kids. Therapists meet with parents to set functional real life outcomes for goals and work with the family in each session. We also offer parent meetings to review progress, strategies and goals. This approach significantly improves carryover and enhances relationships.

Happy Halloween! 🎃 This week one of our great kids created a pumpkin patch filled with spooky jack-o-lanterns. He tapped...
10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃

This week one of our great kids created a pumpkin patch filled with spooky jack-o-lanterns. He tapped into his intentional & passionate side to draw up a unique design before working together to cut it out and piece it all together.

Once the Halloween-scene was set, he took on a director role to teach & guide his mom and therapists through a one-of-a-kind scarecrow song and dance.

While having fun & getting into the Halloween spirit, this great kid demonstrated creativity and confidence — all while strengthening his ability to ideate, plan, & sequence actions, incorporate others ideas, and maintain a regulated state!

Keeping with traditions! The mischievous gouls strike again! 🧻🤭🫣 We don’t mind though - in fact, we love finding the of...
10/31/2025

Keeping with traditions! The mischievous gouls strike again! 🧻🤭🫣

We don’t mind though - in fact, we love finding the office TP’d! 👻

Did you know throwing toilet paper around can provide surprising sensory-motor and sensory-emotional benefits, especially for kids?

⬇️

Motor Planning: Throwing toilet paper rolls requires coordinated arm movements, shoulder stability, and full-body coordination as kids are jumping, reaching, or running as part of the activity.

Coordination, Grading and Use of Force: Aiming toilet paper rolls toward branches or high spots engages eye-hand coordination and body positioning, as they track where they want the roll to go and adjust their throw accordingly.

Balance and Core Strength: Kids may need to reach or stretch while standing on tiptoe or balancing, which can engage core muscles and improve balance.

Visual and Tactile Input: The feel and movement of the toilet paper, whether tossing it or watching it unroll, provides visual and tactile sensory input. This can be exciting and even calming for some kids as they watch the flowing paper.

Spatial Awareness: Navigating around trees, bushes, and obstacles helps develop spatial awareness as kids become more aware of the environment around them and their body in relation to it.

Proprioception and Body Awareness: The act of throwing, catching, or even attempting to climb a bit for higher reaches engages muscles and joints, helping kids develop a sense of body position and movement.

And beyond the sensory-motor fun, these moments of shared laughter and teamwork help build connection, cooperation, and social confidence — key ingredients for emotional well-being and positive relationships. 💛

While traditionally a night for “mischief,” these playful activities can also foster creativity as well as emotional and social development! 👻

10/30/2025

👻 Our Haunted House adventure is in full swing at GKP! This week, one of our Sensory Under-Responsive (SUR), “Unaware yet Deep Thinkers,” took on three spooky missions designed to awaken their senses and spark engagement! 🕵️‍♀️💀

From treasure hunts to defeating evil mummy minions (crafted from tissues and tape for a little fine motor boost), each activity provided powerful bursts of sensation and emotion to help activate bodies and minds.

Through the lens of the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent (SEEM) Frame of Reference, these experiences invite our kids to move, feel, and connect—supporting regulation and attention while encouraging curiosity and joy. The Power of Play transforms every mission into a meaningful opportunity for growth, helping our Deep Thinkers come alive with confidence, creativity, and connection! 🌟

Tricky or a Treat?Halloween may be an exciting time for many kids, others may find trick-or-treating more tricky than fu...
10/29/2025

Tricky or a Treat?

Halloween may be an exciting time for many kids, others may find trick-or-treating more tricky than fun. Spooky scenes, lights, sounds, crowds, changes in plans, walking far distances, and costumes in unfamiliar fabrics and textures can make Halloween uncomfortable and cause anxiety for our sensory kids.

Check out our blog post for some tips on how we can support our children so they can feel calm, comfortable, confident (and hopefully excited!) as they prepare for Halloween!

https://greatkidsplace.com/preparing-our-sensory-kids-for-halloween/

🎃 Things are getting spooky fun around GKP! Our Scattered yet Intentional and Passionate friend used “Good Guy vs. Villa...
10/29/2025

🎃 Things are getting spooky fun around GKP! Our Scattered yet Intentional and Passionate friend used “Good Guy vs. Villain Defeat” play to conquer the evil Gargoyle and its mischievous minions! 💪👹

This kind of story-based, power play experience is not only exciting—it’s deeply purposeful. Through imaginative, emotionally charged adventures, children are invited to activate their whole bodies while following a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Within the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent (SEEM) Frame of Reference, this type of play supports the child’s ability to stay connected and regulated while moving through a range of emotions—excitement, anticipation, victory! It helps strengthen praxis and motor planning, while also building confidence, organization, and a sense of mastery.

At GKP, we love harnessing the Power of Play to turn therapy into meaningful, joy-filled learning. Every monster defeated or hero moment celebrated helps our kids feel strong in both body and mind! 🌟

🌎💚 World Mental Health Day 💚🌎Today, on World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that mental health isn’t just something t...
10/10/2025

🌎💚 World Mental Health Day 💚🌎

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that mental health isn’t just something to care for in moments of struggle — it’s something we nurture every day through connection, play, and understanding.

Today and every day, we celebrate the importance of mental health — for children, families, and communities — and honor the power of play, relationship, and co-regulation in helping all of us thrive. 💚

The Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of Reference is heavily derived from occupational therapy, neuroscience, pe...
10/09/2025

The Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of Reference is heavily derived from occupational therapy, neuroscience, personality and early childhood mental health theory and research. AnnMarie and Dayna spent the last two days at the conference talking to early childhood therapists from around the country about the interplay between sensory regulation and reflection of adults which supports co-regulation, reflective functioning, and serve and return while playing and interacting with children. ❤️

Next up - NJOTA in Atlantic City mid November. Hope to see you there! ✈️

Where in the world? ✈ 🌎AnnMarie is headed to the Zero to Three Conference in Baltimore to present “Supporting Regulati...
10/08/2025

Where in the world? ✈ 🌎

AnnMarie is headed to the Zero to Three Conference in Baltimore to present “Supporting Regulation and Reflection Through Understanding Your Own Sensory Emotional Personality: Applications for Children, Families, and the Workforce” — alongside Dayna Zatina Egan, Psy.D., IMHE® of Montclair State University!

Together, they’ll explore this important topic through a sensory emotional lens, highlighting how self-awareness supports regulation, reflection, and connection across all settings.

🧠✨ Check out the poster!

This week on A Sensory Emotional Lens, AnnMarie and OT doctoral student Alexis continue their deep dive into screen time...
10/08/2025

This week on A Sensory Emotional Lens, AnnMarie and OT doctoral student Alexis continue their deep dive into screen time — this time looking at what kinds of screens kids use and where they’re using them. 💻📱

💡 Learn how the type and context of screen use can shape a child’s sensory, emotional, and social development. AnnMarie and Alexis explore how screens can support or challenge regulation, connection, and play — depending on how intentionally they’re used.

🎙 Tune into episode 59 and discover:
✨ Why what kids watch (and where) matters
✨ How children use screens to explore themes of safety, control, bravery, curiosity, and connection — just like in traditional play
✨ Sensory-emotional profiles and screen habits
✨ Ways to transform screen time from isolation to shared connection

🎧🔔 Please listen, subscribe, and share!

💻 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music

Is there a topic that you’d like to learn more about? Send us a message! 💌

🔗 ▶ https://greatkidsplace.com/podcast/

☕✨ Happy International Coffee Day! ✨☕Just like coffee perks up our mornings, PLAY perks up our brains! We love “brewing ...
10/01/2025

☕✨ Happy International Coffee Day! ✨☕

Just like coffee perks up our mornings, PLAY perks up our brains!

We love “brewing up” regulating sensory emotional play ideas with our great kids to help them feel regulated, calm, focused, and ready for the day.

Whether your cup is filled with bold espresso or gentle decaf, let's raise a mug to:

🍂 Finding the right “blend” of sensory input
💕 Steaming up strong emotional connections
☀️ And savoring the small moments of growth

Here’s to coffee for the grown-ups and play for all of us — the perfect recipe for thriving together!

Screens are everywhere—classrooms, living rooms, even in our pockets. But what makes them so appealing to our kids? And ...
10/01/2025

Screens are everywhere—classrooms, living rooms, even in our pockets. But what makes them so appealing to our kids? And how can we, as caregivers, better understand the way children experience screen time through their unique sensory and emotional lenses? 📱

In this episode, host AnnMarie Murphy is joined by Alexis Faria, a doctoral OT student at Kean University, who has spent months researching screen time and its impact on kids. Together, they kick off our 4-part “Screens with Purpose” series by exploring why children are drawn to screens in the first place.

🎙 Tune into episode 58, Why Screens through a Sensory-Emotional Lens, and shift your perspective on screens from “good vs. bad” to intentional and purposeful. By understanding what draws your child to screens, you can become their playful protector, connector, encourager, or organizer—helping them use technology in ways that support their whole self.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

🎧🔔▶ Please listen, subscribe, and share!

Is there a topic that you’d like to learn more about? Send us a message! 💌

🔗 https://greatkidsplace.com/podcast/


With the start of a new school year comes new routines, transitions, and a whole lot of change—for kids and adults. In t...
09/28/2025

With the start of a new school year comes new routines, transitions, and a whole lot of change—for kids and adults. In today's episode, we explore the incredible power YOU hold—whether you’re a parent, therapist, teacher, or grandparent—in supporting children’s developing brains and bodies through a sensory emotional lens.

We’ll unpack how the brain develops, why kids can’t always do what we expect, and how understanding their sensory emotional personality (SEP) can transform daily routines from chaos to connection.

🎙 Tune into episode 57, Adult Roles in Play through a Sensory-Emotional Lens, and you’ll hear:
⭐ Why children’s brains aren’t wired for full planning, decision-making, and impulse control until around age 25
⭐ How to spot different sensory emotional personalities (SEPs) and the role you can play in supporting each one
⭐ Simple strategies to reduce morning meltdowns, strengthen independence, and foster persistence
⭐ How your presence, tone, and creativity—not fancy equipment—are your greatest tools for connection

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

🎧🔔▶Please listen, subscribe, and share!

💌 Is there a topic that you’d like to learn more about? Send us a message!

🔗 https://greatkidsplace.com/podcast/


Address

21 Pine Street #205
Rockaway, NJ
07866

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19735868396

Website

https://greatkidsplace.com/podcast/

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Sensory Kids are Great Kids!

Great Kids Place offers sensory and relationship-based occupational therapy services to address challenges in sensory processing, motor skills, learning, engagement, social interaction, attention and emotional regulation.

Play is the occupation of children. As kids grow, it is through play that they develop their motor and motor processing and integration skills through exploration and discovery. At Great Kids Place, in our state of the art sensory gym, we use play to optimize engagement and participation in occupational therapy sessions to work on the development of sensory, fine motor, gross motor, core strength, motor coordination, motor planning, visual and handwriting skills.

At Great Kids Place, parents and therapists play side by side our great kids. Parents are encouraged to participate in every session. Therapists meet with parents to set functional real life outcomes for goals and work with the family in each session. We also offer parent meetings to review progress, strategies and goals. This approach significantly improves carryover and enhances relationships.