Why is play important?

Play is the work and the language of children. In the context of early childhood development, play-based approaches are the path to building emotional connections, teaching new behaviors, and building a strong foundation for all future learning.

Never underestimate the power of play.

In Class Coaching: A 12 week program for teachers in toddler and VPK classrooms. Meets twice a week for 3 hours each visit and a one month follow up to assess progress with further supports as necessary.

A collaborative program that opens a teacher and specialist relationship, where teachers can assist with creating the classroom intervention plan. This is specifically helpful in creating a classroom that is trauma-sensitive, developmentally supportive, building emotional connections, and effective classroom management.

The intervention includes a student/classroom observational assessment to create a plan. Focus is on both specific students with greater behavioral needs and or on the overall classroom dynamic. This includes modeling behavior management techniques for teachers.

• Modeling Redirection Techniques
• Coaching To Set The Environment For Success
  
• Behavior Modification Strategies
  
• Emotional Regulation Plans
  
• Establishing Routine That Supports With Fluid Transitions
  

Price available upon request.

or more information please contact us at FineCraftingPlayErinFine@gmail.com

VPK Executive Skills

In Class Coaching: A 12 week program for teachers in infant classrooms. Meets twice a week for one hour each classroom visit.

Focusing on how our interactions and the environment we create for babies determines the lifelong strength of their brains. Modeling interactive strategies to stimulate, increase and intensify neural pathways through our interactions.

Let’s create a brain that is strong for life. Our Infant Development Program will guide staff in fostering nurturing, responsive relationships and demonstrating interactive strategies that stimulate and strengthen neural pathways. By encouraging exploration and curiosity, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and resilience, ensuring that each child's brain is developed for optimal success.

Price available upon request.

For more information please contact us at FineCraftingPlayErinFine@gmail.com

Purchasing Specialist: Will assess classroom, create a supply plan, design classroom layout, and then model for teachers appropriate ways to use supplies.

A constructive classroom is dependent on being equipped with age-appropriate toys and activities. This can prevent underdevelopment by introducing materials that support whole brain learning.

The purchasing specialist for building classroom areas on the following domains:

• Physical: Fine and Gross Motor Skills
• Cognitive
• Social and Emotional
• Language and Communication
• Self-Help and Adaptive
• Sensory
• Creativity
  

Price per classroom $500.

For more information please contact us at FineCraftingPlayErinFine@gmail.com

Brain Building From Birth

Learn the power of the young brain, the biology of how it develops, and how it builds the foundation for lifelong behavior management and success.

Increase Language and Communication

Develop speech and language in a group setting to teach verbal communication as a replacement for tantrums, aggression, and undesired behaviors.

Behavior Management in the Classroom

Understand and analyze what the behavior is telling us.

Then adjust the environment and consequences for the behavior. This will properly teach replacement behaviors.

Identify Autism and Related Disorders

Identify and understand behaviors associated with Autism and related disorders. Learn what they tell us about how to help the child.

• Learn practical strategies for analyzing behavior
• Explore the power of group language development as a tool to replace tantrums or aggression
• Gain insights into identifying and understanding behaviors
• Use targeted approaches to support and empower staff and children effectively
  

Workshops are available individually or as a package.

$300 per workshop

$1300 per package

For more information please contact us at FineCraftingPlayErinFine@gmail.com

Brain Building From Birth

Build lifelong-strong brain architecture from birth through environmental stimulation and emotional connections.

Tempering Temper Tantrums

Turn time-outs into teachable moments using the ABC's of applied behavior analysis and emotional connections to shape behavior.

Teaching Toddlers to Talk

Develop speech and language throughout your daily routine to increase communication and decrease undesired behaviors. Providing consistent routines creates predictable expectations.

Moving at the Speed of Life

Consider individual family dynamics when addressing child development. Encourage parents to share their successes and struggles! Create strategies that will support positive behaviors in real life.

Optional | Identifying Autism and Related Disorders

Identify and understand behaviors associated with Autism and related disorders. Learn what they tell us about how to help the child.

• Understand your child’s developing brain
• Create supportive environments and consequences that teach new positive behaviors
• Learn about the importance of consistency in routines
• Communicate with your child in every day interactions
  

Workshops are available individually or as a package.

$300 per workshop

$1300 per package

For more information please contact us at FineCraftingPlayErinFine@gmail.com

Erin Fine

Early Childhood Developmental and Behavioral Specialist

Fine Crafting Play was created by Erin Fine with the mission to help children in the Treasure Coast area through play-based behavioral interventions. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing children's development and well-being, Erin brings creativity and expertise to her work, crafting engaging experiences that foster growth and positive behavior.

Through Fine Crafting Play, she aims to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families, creating a supportive and enriching environment for learning and play.

Erin has been dedicated to serving children and families across the Treasure Coast since 2010. Her journey began in Fort Lauderdale, where she pursued a bachelor's degree in psychology at FIU before specializing in child psychology at FAU.

Starting as a VPK teacher, Erin's passion for working with children evolved as she transitioned into providing one-on-one ABA therapies for children on the autism spectrum. Recognizing the profound impact of early intervention, she became an Infant and Toddler Developmental Specialist endorsed in Infant Mental Health.

Throughout her career, Erin has held various roles, including Developmental and Behavioral Specialist at an Early Learning Center and Elementary Academy. In 2014, she redirected her focus to play therapy, becoming a certified Infant and Toddler Developmental Specialist.

Seeking to broaden her impact, Erin assumed the position of Developmental and Behavioral Specialist for an Early Learning Center and Early Elementary Academy. In this capacity, she oversaw student welfare, identifying those in need of early intervention due to developmental delays or social-emotional challenges. Erin crafted intervention plans and provided support through one-on-one play therapy sessions.

Erin's dedication to her field led her to attain credentials in Infant Mental Health in 2020. Leveraging her expertise, she developed a data collection system to track student behaviors, facilitating her involvement in a three-year longitudinal research study. This observational study focuses on monitoring the social-emotional parent-child connection within the classroom.

With a strong foundation in child development encompassing cognitive, behavioral, and developmental psychology, Erin continues to empower children in need through her unique approach to support and intervention. Her background in child development with cognitive, behavioral, and developmental psychology allows Erin to continue helping the children who ask for help in a different way.

When Erin entered my family’s life, my two year old son was struggling immensely with many emotional and behavioral issues. Within a year, he was like a completely different child!

She not only helped my son learn new skills and coping methods but also my family and I, which proved to be equally as important. Part of her goal was to make sure that we as parents had the tools to continue helping our child once her visit was over and I often say that Erin helped me just as much as my son. I am thrilled to say that at now 8 years old, he is a happy and well adjusted kid who no longer requires therapy services though we still employ many of the strategies and coping methods she taught us.

Erin is very skilled and knowledgeable but also patient, kind and compassionate. Her passion for her work was evident from the moment we met and I will be forever grateful for her hard work and dedication to my sons well being. She truly changed our lives and I could not recommend her more highly.

-Rachel

You just touched my heart because I felt exactly the same. I know the bond you had with my son and I think if you saw your face heard your voice if you just sat on the floor with him that my job something right there I was thinking the same thing because there was too much behind at all!

You are and always will be extremely important to our family and we know the tremendous contribution that you had to where Jaxon is right now and we appreciate that and love you for that!

-Jaxon

Early Steps:

A helpful organization under Easter Seals that provides early evaluation and services for children ages 0-3 with no referral necessary.

Early Steps Info

Tykes and Teens

Highest level of quality mental health services available on the Treasure Coast for children and adolescents.

Tykes and Teens

Children’s Services Council

CSCMC supports a variety of programs involving healthy children, families, safe communities, and success in school life.

Children’s Services Council of Martin County

Autism and Related Disorders

What is ADHD?

ADHD can affect both children and adults, although symptoms may vary based on age and individual differences. Common symptoms include being easily distracted, having trouble focusing on tasks, being overly active, and acting impulsively without thinking through consequences.

Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in infants to toddlers is crucial for parents navigating their child's development. ADHD can manifest in early childhood through symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty sustaining attention. Play therapy becomes invaluable in addressing these challenges, providing a structured yet engaging environment where children can learn to manage their impulses, improve focus, and develop social skills.

Through interactive play activities tailored to their developmental stage, children with ADHD can learn coping strategies, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills. Play therapy also fosters creativity, self-expression, and confidence, empowering children to navigate their world more effectively. By incorporating play therapy into their child's routine, parents can support their growth, enhance their overall well-being, and build a foundation for success in managing ADHD symptoms.

ADHD Resource Links for Parents!

Find Out Why Your Child Is Struggling

Kids Health

CHADD: a NonProfit That Provides Info and Support

7 Types of ADHD

Research Review: Perspectives on ADHD Science - Characterisation to Cause

What is Sensory Processing?

Sensory processing refers to how the nervous system receives and interprets sensory information from the environment. This includes the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing, and the sense of movement (vestibular), internal awareness, and body position (proprioception). This is important for identifying hunger, thirst, breathing, pain, and bodily functions.

Sensory processing plays a crucial role in a child's development, influencing their ability to respond to stimuli appropriately and engage in everyday activities. In infants and toddlers, sensory processing difficulties can manifest in various ways. Some children may be overly sensitive to certain sensory inputs, leading to aversion or discomfort, while others may seek out sensory stimulation excessively. For example, a child may be sensitive to loud noises, dislike certain textures of food or clothing, or crave intense movement experiences like spinning or jumping.

Sensory processing difficulties can occur in individuals with autism, but they are not exclusive to autism. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a distinct condition that can occur on its own or coexist with other developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There are multiple disorders that are commonly comorbid with sensory processing: ASD, ADHD, Anxiety/Depression, OCD, ODD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Learning Disabilities, and Language Processing.

Sensory Processing Resource Links for Parents!

Sensory Processing Disorder and Sleep: 19 Tips and Products that Help

Visual Sensory Seeker

Sensory Health

What is Neurology?

Neurology refers to the development and functioning of the nervous system during early childhood. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that control movement, sensation, and cognitive functions. During this critical phase, neurological milestones are reached, shaping fundamental skills and behaviors in infants and toddlers.

Understanding neurology in infants to toddlers is crucial for parents. It sheds light on the rapid development and complexities of their child's brain. During the first few years of life, a child's brain undergoes significant growth and refinement, laying the foundation for cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Parents can support this process by providing a nurturing environment rich in sensory experiences, responsive interactions, and opportunities for exploration and play. By understanding the basics of neurology in early childhood, parents can better comprehend their child's behaviors, milestones, and needs, fostering healthy brain development and overall well-being.

GABA

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating anxiety and stress levels. It acts as a calming agent, inhibiting excessive neuronal activity and promoting a sense of relaxation and well-being. In play therapy, understanding the role of GABA can be beneficial in developing interventions that help children manage anxiety and emotional dysregulation effectively.

GABA Supplements for ADHD, Irritability, Anxiety, and Tantrums Resource Links for Parents!

GABA for Children

GABA: Age Dependent, Lasting Effects of Methylphenidate on the GABAergic system of ADHD

Neurotransmitters as Food Supplements

Dietary Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Induces Satiation

Vagus Nerve Research

Neuroanatomy, Cranial Nerve 10 (Vagus Nerve)

What are Environmental Toxins?

Environmental toxins are harmful substances in our environment, like pollution, pesticides, and chemicals. They can cause health problems like respiratory issues and neurological disorders. Managing exposure to these toxins is crucial for protecting health and the environment.

Toxins

Exposure Routes and Health Effects of Heavy Metals on Children

Healthy Food Resources

Nutrition Advice from Healthy Children

Health Eating with Kids Health

My Plate

Feeding America

Hobe Sound Food Pantry Program

Treasure Coast Food Pantry Program