Groups & Summer Programs at Skills on the Hill
Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy is excited to offer specialized group programs and summer camps designed to help children build essential skills in a fun, supportive environment. From literacy support to social skills development, our programs provide structured learning opportunities that promote growth and confidence.
EXERSHINEkids POWER Bootcamp Program
Ages: 8-12 year olds
When: THURSDAYS 5:15 to 6:00pm – 1/29 to 4/2 (10 weeks)
Location: SOTH VA Office
Cost: $600 for 10 sessions/child
Instructors: Miss Alaina
- Strengthening exercises
- Self regulation strategies
- Group challenges & circuit training
- Social skills
Book Buddies: Kindergarten & 1st Grade Literacy Support Group
When: WEDNESDAYS 5:00 TO 6:00pm – 3/4–4/1 (5 weeks)
Location: SOTH VA Office
Cost: $350 for 5 sessions/child
Leader: Miss Kaitlyn
- Rhyming, syllables, and sound blending
- Story comprehension, sequencing, and retelling
- Vocabulary and expressive language
- Early writing and fine motor skills
- Multi-sensory, structured approaches (Orton-Gillingham, LiPS, IPA)
Summer Groups @SOTH
Program Dates: 6/22 – 8/21, Monday-Friday 9am-1pm
Age Groups Available:
- Early Learners: ages 3-5
- Social Explorers: 1st–3rd grade, 3rd–5th grade & Preteen/Middle School
- Ready-Set-Thrive: Teens/high school
Pricing:
- $900 for one week only
- $875 per week for 2–4 weeks
- $850 per week for 5 or more weeks
HSCSN Stipend can be applied – contact us for more info
*NOT BILLABLE TO INSURANCE*
The Importance of Early Intervention
Why “Wait and See” Isn’t Always the Best Approach
When a child struggles with some aspect of development–whether it’s taking their first step or eating a wide variety of foods–it’s not uncommon to hear things like: “Oh, just give it some time!” or “They’ll grow out of it eventually.”
There are certainly situations where that advice is reasonable. However, there are plenty more circumstances in which it delays support that could make a real difference in your child’s life.
When developmental delays, movement challenges, feeding concerns, or communication difficulties appear early, working with the Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy team as early as possible can significantly impact a child’s long-term outcomes.
Why “Wait and See” Can Miss Critical Windows
Early childhood is a period of rapid brain development. During the first few years of life, your child’s brain forms an extraordinary amount of connections that shape movement, communication, learning, and emotional regulation.
However, if any challenges appear and go untreated, your child may struggle needlessly. They may have to work harder to keep up with their peers or miss opportunities to develop foundational skills. In some cases, they may develop inefficient movement or communication patterns. All of these concerns can have a lasting impact on your child’s quality of life.
What Concerns Should I Look Out For?
Several common concerns often go overlooked. These include:
- Limited speech, unclear sounds, or difficulty understanding language
- Feeding challenges such as gagging, picky eating, or difficulty chewing
- Sensory sensitivities to noise, textures, or movement
- Trouble with attention, planning, or following routines
- Challenges with coordination, balance, or motor skills
Delaying treatment doesn’t cause these challenges, but it can allow them to become more ingrained and harder to address.
What Early Intervention Actually Does
Early intervention focuses on skill development during a period when children are most receptive to learning. Therapy supports the brain and body as they learn new patterns through repetition, play, and meaningful experiences.
Some of the benefits include:
- Faster skill acquisition
- Improved confidence and participation
- Reduced frustration for children and families
- Skills carry over automatically to home, school, and social settings
At Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy, our team can conduct a series of observational assessments to help confirm whether your child requires additional support. If they do, we’ll work with you to develop a personalized program tailored to their age and developmental level.
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy helps children develop strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. These skills support play, independence, and participation with peers. Treatment strategies may include:
- Guided play that builds strength and postural control
- Balance activities to improve stability and confidence
- Motor planning exercises that help the brain organize movement
- Gait training to improve walking patterns
- Core strengthening to support sitting, standing, and transitions
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy focuses on how children comprehend language, express themselves, and utilize their mouths for both speech and eating. Our speech-language pathologists work with a wide range of children, including those who speak later than expected, struggle to follow directions, or experience difficulties with feeding or swallowing. Depending on your child’s needs, speech therapy may focus on:
- Building vocabulary and sentence structure
- Improving sound clarity through targeted practice
- Strengthening oral muscles used for speech and eating
- Teaching alternative communication methods when needed
- Supporting safe chewing and swallowing
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy supports the skills children need to function effectively in their daily lives. This includes self-care, play, learning, and emotional regulation. Occupational therapy can be especially beneficial for kids with sensory processing challenges (such as sensitivity to sounds or textures) or kids who struggle with fine motor skills like writing or buttoning. Occupational therapy strategies often include:
- Fine motor activities that build hand strength and coordination
- Sensory-based activities that help children feel calm and organized
- Play-based problem solving to support planning and flexibility
- Self-care practice for dressing, feeding, and hygiene
Early Support Builds Long-Term Confidence
It is true that every child develops at their own pace. However, developmental guidelines are there to help you understand when your child might need a little extra help. Early intervention isn’t about rushing children. Instead, the Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy team focuses on meeting kids where they are so we can help them build crucial life skills step by step. We design our sessions to feel encouraging, engaging, and meaningful.
If something feels off with your child’s development, it is okay to trust that instinct. Sometimes the best next step is simply getting support sooner. Give us a call today to learn more.
At-Home Tips to Support Your Child’s Therapy Progress
Therapy doesn’t stop when your child leaves the clinic. Small, consistent activities at home can make a big difference in helping skills carry over into daily life. The good news? Supporting your child’s progress doesn’t require special equipment or extra time.
- For speech and language skills, narrate everyday routines like getting dressed or making meals. Ask open-ended questions, model correct sounds or words, and give your child time to respond. Reading together, singing songs, and playing simple turn-taking games also strengthen communication skills in a fun, natural way.
- For motor skills, encourage movement through play. Activities like crawling through tunnels, climbing playground equipment, kicking a ball, or building with blocks help improve strength, balance, and coordination. Even household tasks, like carrying groceries or helping tidy up toys, can support physical development.
- For sensory regulation, create calming routines. Deep pressure hugs, quiet corners with soft lighting, or rhythmic activities like swinging or rocking can help children feel more organized and focused. Pay attention to what helps your child feel calm or alert, and build those strategies into their day.
Most importantly, keep it playful and pressure-free. Your child’s therapist can suggest specific activities tailored to their goals, so don’t hesitate to ask. With simple at-home support, you become a powerful part of your child’s therapy team.
Happy New Year!
As we step into this new year, our team is feeling grateful, energized, and more excited than ever to continue supporting the amazing kiddos and families we serve. Helping children build confidence, independence, and lifelong skills is at the heart of everything we do, and we can’t wait to keep cheering on every milestone – big and small – in the year ahead. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s care. Here’s to a year filled with growth, progress, and plenty of smiles!
Meet Our Team
Kristen M.
Chief Executive Officer, Occupational Therapist
Jennifer R.
Chief Clinical Officer, Occupational Therapist
Jennifer C.
Chief Operations Officer, Occupational Therapist
Recipe of the Month: Yogurt Covered Strawberries
Ingredients:
- 12 strawberries
- 10 ounces vanilla Greek yogurt
- pink food coloring
Instructions:
- Wash the strawberries and pat them dry. No moisture should remain on the berries before dipping them in the yogurt. Place a piece of parchment paper on a large plate or cutting board.
- Place the yogurt in a small bowl and holding onto the green leaves, dip each strawberry into the yogurt. Swirl it around to cover the berry, leaving a little red at the top. Place each yogurt dipped strawberry on the parchment paper. When you have dipped all the strawberries, place them in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Dip the strawberries a second time in the yogurt. To get a gradient of pinks, dip 4 berries in the yogurt with no food coloring, then add a single drop of pink food coloring to the yogurt and stir it till combined. Dip four more berries in the yogurt. Then add another drop of food coloring to the yogurt and stir to combine. Dip the remaining four berries in the yogurt.
- Place the strawberries back in the freezer for 40 minutes to 1 hour. The frozen yogurt will begin melting when you remove the berries from the freezer, so only pull them out when you are ready to serve them.
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