Heading into Nature to Support the Social-Emotional Skills of Kids

Nature OT Groups | Pop Up Play | Specialty Groups

East Toronto | Etobicoke

Does your child struggle with…

  • Big emotions?

  • Trying new things?

  • Sticking with an activity or staying focused?

  • Making friends?

  • Sharing information in class?

With the Forest As Our Clinic, OT Groups Promote…

  • Peer modelling

  • Cooperation

  • Social skill building

  • The development of empathy & self-esteem!

Groups for Kids

With each adventure-packed outdoor group, your child will have opportunities to connect with their body, build skills for navigating emotions, and practice social skills with their peers. 

Pop Up Play Groups

  • Give your child the opportunity to get outside and play in the forest. These groups are open to ALL kids. They pop up so join our mailing list to find out when the next is happening!

  • $19 | 60 minutes

    $25 | 90 minutes

    all groups are led by a registered OT and supported by Larchwood Volunteers

  • December 28

    10am-11:30am

    Williamson Ravine Park

    $25/child

Nature OT Groups

  • Give your child the opportunity to play with others and build emotional-regulation skills in a supportive, Neurodiversity-affirming environment. 

    This is a 90 minute weekly session that runs for 8 consecutive weeks. We also hold one “rain date” in the unlikely event that we need to cancel.

  • $832 for an OT spot.

    $400 for a Play Partner spot.

    Non-refundable $150 deposit due at the time of booking. Full payment required prior to session start. Each week receipts will be issued for submission to your funding provider.

  • April 25 to June 14

    Rain Date: June 21

    Location: Todmorden Mills Park

Holiday Workshops

  • Our annual holiday workshops give you the respite you deserve! Developed for our neurodiverse families and their kids. These 2 hour workshops are led by an OT and focus on various topics including Emotions, Sensory or Mindfulness. A mix of games, crafts and activities.

    Location: Etobicoke

    OT: Taryn Kieller, OT Reg. (Ont.)

  • $149 / child

    OT Receipt is provided.

  • December 28 | 10am-12pm

    January 2 | 10am-12pm

    Location: Oak Learners Royal York Campus | 394 Royal York Road Etobicoke

Special Interest Groups

  • Occasionally we stray from our ever popular 8 week Nature OT group, in an attempt to provide some more ‘interest-based’ opportunities for our neurodiverse kids.

  • Handwriting Clinic

    January 11, 18 and 25 | 9am-11am

    Location: Beetle & Bear Clinic, 1822 Danforth Ave, Toronto

    $495/child

    Register Here

  • Frosty Foodies Cooking Group

    February 8 [90 mins]

    March 1 [90 mins]

    $150/child

    Location: Riverdale Park East

  • February 22

    90 minutes

    Riverdale Park East

  • March 22

    90 minutes

    Location: Todmorden Mills Park

Ever wondered what a Nature OT Group is all about???

Our OT Kristina shares how she gets ready for Nature OT Group and what you can expect.

How it all began

We created these Nature OT Groups before the pandemic and they continue to meet the growing needs of our families. Our groups focus on providing your kids with opportunities to interact and play together with children the same age in a safe, supportive, neurodiversity affirming environment. The best way to improve social skills, resolve conflicts, make new friends and connect is through real life practice. We teach your children about emotions, turning our attention to the way our bodies feel, talking about the tough times and sharing ways to get through the big, scary feelings. And what better place than in NATURE to work on social-emotional skills!

FAQs

What type of children do you see in your groups?

We generally welcome school aged children, ages 4-12 years of age to our groups. We group the children, based on their development and needs, into Seedlings (3-5 years), Sprouts (6-7 years) and Explorers (8-12 years).

We see many children with Autism, ADHD, Coordination Disorders and Anxiety. A diagnosis is NOT required to access OT services.

We complete an in depth screening/intake to ensure that your child is ready for a group experience. We also encourage parents to accompany their child to a Pop Up or a Group prior to their session starting. This allows them to familiarize themselves with the environment and the team.

All children must be independent in mobility and toileting.

What is a Play Partner?

Play Partners include siblings or friends with no identified OT needs. These children will develop skills in leadership, mentoring, diversity & inclusion.

Where do groups take place?

We love the most natural, unstructured space we can find! We often host groups in our local ravines or wooded parks. We enjoy having access to water and we’d rather not see a play structure! These are wild, muddy and risky spaces.

How are the groups led?

Each group will have a maximum of 6 children with 1 OT or OTA leading the session. We have a robust volunteer recruitment program that provides us with the added adult support that we need to ensure the safety of your children in the outdoors. Each group will have 2-3 volunteers depending on the needs.

What type of documentation occurs?

Weekly Documentation is completed each week. At the end of the session the parent chooses either a written summary of their child’s participation or a 1:1 phone call (20 minutes) with the OT.

What happens in a 90 minute session?

Check out the video below featuring our Nature OT Kristina. Each OT leads their group in their own unique way but activities can include sharing circles, hiking, scavenger hunts, building forts, swinging, climbing, exploring, nature crafting and cooperative games. We also incorporate principles from the Powerfully You Curriculum. Click here to learn more about this unique emotional regulation framework.