Peanuts at Play

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Peanuts at Play Peanuts at Play is a consulting program for families looking to hire quality Development Aides to work with their special needs children.

Peanuts at Play is not a replacement for an agency or professional association, business, or government body providing Aides to families of children with special needs. We strive to offer our experience working in the industry for over 10 years to families struggling to find quality, trusted Aides to work in their homes with their children. We want to help parents understand what it takes to hire the best person for their families and provide a safe and helpful space, taking away some of the stress in finding someone.

You gotta check out my new Halloween Bingo game. I use a story called the Purr-fectly Scared Halloween for speech therap...
10/05/2026

You gotta check out my new Halloween Bingo game. I use a story called the Purr-fectly Scared Halloween for speech therapy. What a great way to make practicing speech sounds by playing a fun game like Bingo in a fun, themed, cute way. Ask me for more information about this cute game.

Having a visual in place that children can easily access will ensure they have the tools they need when they need them m...
09/28/2026

Having a visual in place that children can easily access will ensure they have the tools they need when they need them most. šŸ™ƒ

Do you struggle with your kiddo getting dressed? This is frustrating for parents and kids. Some children find it hard t...
09/14/2026

Do you struggle with your kiddo getting dressed?

This is frustrating for parents and kids. Some children find it hard to get dressed, think about putting on your lu lu lemon shirt that is tight fitting and has those impossible small straps. Now think about taking that off after sweating! Arghhh. Annoying isn't it.

Kids who have trouble with dressing skills feel the same. It is just easier to have someone else do it or wear easy clothes. Regardless, this is a skill kids need to learn and practice, practice, practice.

Most kids are visual learners, and using something like this will help them look at dressing as a linear task they follow.
You can also make it a race: get dressed fast with them and put on a timer.
Have them try getting a toy dressed first and then dress themselves, or you can dress the toy while they dress themselves.

It is also about making sure they are ready to get dressed: do they need to eat first, go to the bathroom, or bathe before?

Are they emotionally ready to get dressed and have time to not feel rushed? Have you all practiced this on another day and time so they know what is first?

Have the emotional strategies ready for when they become frustrated because they will.

It is not just about getting dressed; this is something they will eventually learn and do on their own. We, as adults, need to remember it is not easy; it needs to be fun, and it needs a LOT of practice and patience.

Have you heard of meet me cubes? These are templates I created to help kiddos use as a way to talk about themselves. It...
09/07/2026

Have you heard of meet me cubes? These are templates I created to help kiddos use as a way to talk about themselves. It is hard enough for kids who are nonverbal to meet and make friends; with a cube, we can help them express who they are to others, in addition to modeling.
You simply draw in each square what the kiddo likes; then cut it out and fold it, using glue to hold it together.
Just as with any other cube toss and see what side comes up, this uses a visual to help the kiddos talk about themselves and get to know more about them, as well as teach others All About Me (them).

Communication is one of the most valuable skills we can help children developā€”and it is most effective when families and...
07/22/2026

Communication is one of the most valuable skills we can help children developā€”and it is most effective when families and Development Aides work together.

This communication tool is designed to keep parents informed about the strategies, goals, and activities their child has been working on during each session with their Development Aide. By understanding the specific skills being targeted, parents can reinforce these strategies at home through everyday interactions.

When children experience consistent support across different environments, they have more opportunities to practice new skills, build confidence, and make meaningful progress. Keeping parents informed not only strengthens the partnership between families and Development Aides but also empowers parents with practical ideas they can use to support their child's growth beyond each session.

Everyone gets mad, frustrated, or annoyed. Being able to recognize this emotion and what has created it in your body is ...
07/12/2026

Everyone gets mad, frustrated, or annoyed. Being able to recognize this emotion and what has created it in your body is powerful for kids with special needs. Once they can identify what they are feeling, using a web can help them choose what works best or a combination of what can work best to help their bodies, calm, cool, and be able to take on this big emotion in a healthy way.

Need an educated, experienced, reliable, creative professional person to help your family and child with special needs. ...
07/12/2026

Need an educated, experienced, reliable, creative professional person to help your family and child with special needs. Look no further, Peanuts at Play can help you with your quest to find that perfect Development Aide for your FSCD contract.

Would you like to know how you can include therapy in your child's days over the summer? Use this calendar to help find...
07/06/2026

Would you like to know how you can include therapy in your child's days over the summer? Use this calendar to help find ways to include fun and education in your children's days. For more information or if you are a parent of a special needs child, contact me for help finding quality aides to work with your family.

Research shows that children often need repeated exposure to a new food before they feel comfortable trying it. In fact,...
06/18/2026

Research shows that children often need repeated exposure to a new food before they feel comfortable trying it. In fact, it can take up to 30 introductionsā€”or even moreā€”for some children to taste and accept an unfamiliar food.
Each exposure helps build familiarity and reduces anxiety around new tastes, textures, and smells.

Here are a few of the many ways you can use strategies from an occupational therapist to help those picky eaters.

1) Introducing foods without pressure,
2) Allow children to see, touch, smell, or play with food,
3) Encourage positive experiences.
4) Patience and consistency are key, as repeated exposure helps children develop confidence and expand their food preferences over time.

Mealtimes don't have to be a battle! As a Developmental Aide, I create fun and engaging mealtime mats, games, activities, imaginative play, meal plans, and scenarios, encouraging children to explore and enjoy their food while building confidence with eating. I also design helpful posters packed with practical tips and strategies for parents of picky eaters. Together, these tools provide the support, education, encouragement, and motivation families need to turn stressful meals into positive, successful experiences that everyone can enjoy.

Are you a parent in need of finding quality aides? We can help. Development aides are essential to your team working wi...
06/16/2026

Are you a parent in need of finding quality aides? We can help. Development aides are essential to your team working with you and your children with special needs. We help take care of finding that amazing aide for your family who will be the person your child needs to become stronger, more independent, and able to take on the world.

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Lakefield, ON

Telephone

+17807992064

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