Hire us for Professional Development

Emily & Julie, the co-creators, are available for professional development. Our trainings are NOT just about our program. We discuss the research and importance of play, language development, fine motor development, and interventions/ activities for building all areas of development in children. 

Training Topics We Provide:

- Building play, language, cognition & fine motor skills using simple, everyday materials.

- How to implement Fine Motor Boot Camp into your program, classroom or therapy.

- Practical & simple ways to program for individuals with complex needs.

- Tooth Camp:  Interventions and strategies to build dental routines in children with sensory needs and fear of dental visits.

All trainings are customized to meet the needs of your facility.  Please contact us for rates.

Course Outline
Course Outline

What are people saying about our Professional Development?

"The presentation is fantastic!  Fast-paced and interesting, time really flies.  All of my teachers walked away with both new information/research as well as practical strategies they could use immediately.  I would love to have you back to work with our parents, too!" - Director of a 200+ based hospital childcare center

More references available upon request. 

For Who & Where Have We Presented?

  • Great Starts Delaware P-K-1st Stronger Together Conference: “Developmentally Appropriate Practice”
  • The New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children: “Bridging the Gap”
  • NJAEYC: "Promoting Quality Education in Early Childhood"
  • DEAYC: "Making a Difference Conference for Early Childhood Professionals"
  • 43rd Annual National Head Start Conference and Expo: “The Next Generation of Opportunity”
  • Los Ninos: "Young Child Expo" (3 years)
  • The Prentke-Romich Company Staff Development for Consultants
  • OSSSPEAC: "Capturing the Heart of Communication Conference" (2 years)
  • CTAEYC: "Pathways Conference"
  • Best Practices in School Based Occupational Therapy: Anaheim, California
  • Children's Literacy Initiative (CLI): Philadelphia, PA
  • Multiple Early Childhood Centers and School Districts throughout PA, NJ, NY and DE
  • Hands on Approaches: Brooklyn, NY
  • Closing the Gap 2021 Conference
  • Intermediate Units throughout PA
  • National Head Start Association Parent & Family Engagement 2021 Conference
  • National Head Start Association Conference 2022
  • Closing the Gap 2022 Pre-Conference Workshop
  • Department of Education in OH and MN.
  • PSHA (PA Speech & Hearing Association) Conference 2023

Professional Development Opportunities

Fine Motor Boot Camp: Building Play, Language, Cognition & Fine Motor Skills using Simple Everyday Materials Webinar:

Join us, Julie Marzano, M.S., OTR/ L and Emily McCarthy, M.S., CCC-SLP, for a live, full day webinar.

On Demand Webinar

9:00am - 3:15pm

Offering 5 credit hours (ASHA & AOTA approved)                Registration includes a downloadable Fine Motor Boot Camp Manual. 

Learn More
Hosted By: "Hands on Approaches" Our course will provide background on the importance of play, language and fine motor development in early childhood. Building on the idea that children can learn, create and play with anything, we are empowering parents, therapists and educators to “think outside the box” and use readily available household items as intervention materials. Participants will learn how to differentiate activities to meet varying levels of cognitive, language and fine motor needs. Be prepared to leave ready to ditch the electronics and inspired to create and play!

Closing the Gap 2022 Pre-Conference: Awesome Ways to Increase Meaningful Participation, Access and Communication for Students with Multiple and Complex Needs

Join us, Julie Marzano, M.S., OTR/ L and Emily McCarthy, M.S., CCC-SLP, full day pre-conference workshop.

In Person:

Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 18, 2022
8:00am - 4:30pm 
Learn More
Related service providers, teachers, paraprofessionals and parents often struggle with new, exciting ideas on how to meet the needs of individuals with complex needs. Learn how to use a strengths based approach to guide active AND meaningful participation for our students with multiple disabilities/complex needs. Let’s focus on what our students CAN DO and “think outside the box” to not only increase participation but allow meaningful interactions, communication and access! Here you will learn ways to teach, adapt, and modify everyday games/activities and instructional materials to better meet your students’ needs. You will also learn to meet the participatory needs of your students using both direct and indirect access methods along with a plethora of other ideas and hacks. Attend and leave re-energized, creative and with activities that are cost effective and easily adapted. Learning Outcomes: As a result of this activity, participants will be able to: • Identify and define active participation methods/responses used by individuals with complex bodies. • Differentiate and adapt materials to increase active participation for individuals with complex needs. • Differentiate and adapt instructional strategies to increase active participation for individuals with complex needs.

Archived Webinars:

Free Webinar: Tooth Camp: From Struggles to Smiles

Join Julie Marzano, M.S., OTR/ L for a 1 hour pre-recorded webinar introducing our "Tooth Camp" curriculum and interventions for sensory, developmental emotional regulation during dental care routines and visits. 

On Demand Webinar

1 hour

Free Webinar: Trauma Informed Care: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on the Lives of Children 101:

Join speaker, Stephen Wagner, MSW, LCSW, RPT - Certified Clinical Trauma, Registered Play Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Bridge to Connection, LLC. 

On Demand Webinar

1 hour