The human brain uses eight different sensory systems to process information. Most people are aware of five senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. However, there are three hidden senses that play a major role in learning and development. 

• The vestibular sense processes balance and position of the head.
• Proprioception is the sense that tells the body where it is in space. Its receptors are in the muscles and joints, so it is activated by muscle contraction and pressure into the joints. 

Read the full article at:

https://www.learningresources.com/blog/activities-to-develop-yo

Kindergarten readiness is a major issue on parents’ minds when raising a toddler. Oftentimes it becomes a stressor long before it should due to school expectations that are not necessarily based on developmentally appropriate guidelines.

For some inexplicable reason, writing seems to be one of the top skills schools start pushing on parents before kids even start kindergarten. Regarding development, however, children’s brains and bodies are not typically ready for writing to be so heavily emphasized at this age. In fact, according to research, children under the age of five should be focusing on developmental activities that prepare their bodies for handwriting, not the actual task of writing.

Read the full article at:

On Friday, January 31, West Texans are invited to enjoy and indulge in a beautiful evening of fabulous food and entertainment while supporting the mission of the Aphasia Center of West Texas (ACWT) at Chocolate Decadence 2025.

This year’s 20th annual Chocolate Decadence event takes place at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. It includes dinner, a live auction and dancing to music performed by the popular local band Current Nine. More information is available at lovechocolate.org

Aphasia, a communication disorder resulting in the loss of language, affects approximately 2.5 million Americans. One out of every 250 people in the Permian Basin will acquire aphasia due to stroke

The necessity of pet adoption over buying from a breeder is widely known. When you adopt a homeless animal, you are not only saving a life; you are also supporting your local shelter/animal rescues and modeling responsible pet ownership. What people may be less aware of is that adopting a pet can have profound benefits on their health and well-being.

Read the full article here

Picture this: It’s a Saturday afternoon, and your child has been invited to a birthday party at one of those sensory-inclusive indoor playgrounds. Your child is having the time of his life, and once you get home, you notice he isn’t the tornado of a tiny human that he normally is. You find yourself wishing you had a million dollars to build one of those fancy indoor playgrounds at your house. 

What if I told you that you can accomplish the same type of outcome with a much lower cost approach? You just need a few items to focus on the different senses the body is trying to regulate with this type of play.

Read the full article at: https://playf