Page 23 - CJA Spirit Spring 2021

Wingertsahn specializes in teaching
children communication skills
through playing together.

“Everyone Should Have This”
When Hormberg and Wingertsahn
first saw how effective the Early Start
Denver Model therapy was, they
were driven to do what they could
to ensure that families at different
income levels could have access to
it. “That really drove us in partnering
with various programs,” Hormberg
on being a parent. “So many parents when it’s safe to resume in-person says. “With the state of Missouri, we
do want to step into that therapist therapy and are making plans for partnered with Missouri First Steps,
role and actually we’re telling them, how to do so. In addition to acquiring we’re an ancillary provider for them.
‘Do the opposite. You’re a mom, masks that are clear in the middle So what that means is families can
you’re a dad, you’re a grandma, so so the therapists’ mouths and facial access our therapy through the early
be that.’ And I think what’s unique expressions are visible, they’re intervention program through the
about the type of therapy we adapting their space, schedules state. That helps reduce costs for
deliver is we’re creating learning and routines at the Blue School. them because this is an expensive
opportunities in the child’s natural “We are expanding in our office intervention. But this makes it really
environment and natural routines two different areas, so not as many accessible to everyone regardless
of the day and just through play. So adults with children will be in the of where they live, how much ALUMNAE ENTREPRENEUR
we’re saying, just have fun, step back, same space. We are also going to they make, anything like that. So
relax, you don’t have to recreate stagger our routines such as our that was really important to us.”
what we do for your child to learn.” snack time,” Wingertsahn explains. While the pandemic has presented
Parents may also think that “We’re also going to be having unique challenges for therapy,
learning takes place at a desk or a more opportunities for children to Hormberg and Wingertsahn are
table, with a worksheet, but there wash their hands, which is a great committed to helping children
are lots of ways for children to learn. natural routine and something that (and their parents) gain the skills
“Learning doesn’t always have to we can teach and have learning they need to be successful.
take place at a table or on the floor opportunities throughout.” She “I love the chance when I can
with a toy, learning takes place encourages parents to begin wearing connect with a new child that I
outside, too,” says Wingertsahn. “And masks at home occasionally, and haven’t met or when I can figure out
if your child wants to be outside to have their children put masks what makes them tick. And I love
and singing songs, there’s just as on teddy bears or baby dolls to to bring the parent along on that
many learning opportunities in that help normalize mask-wearing. process with me so we can kind of all
as there are inside at the table.” As parents may struggle to explain learn together,” Wingertsahn says.
“Play is an occupation of the changes of the pandemic to “I think parents are their child’s
childhood,” explains Hormberg. their children, Wingertsahn sees first and best teacher, and I want to
“The majority of learning it as a perfect example of how to help them realize that through the
happens in play. It’s a chance to teach through play. “You can take strategies that I know work. I think
practice real life scenarios.” little people and have the little that that moment when a parent
people washing their hands more. realizes, ‘wow, I can do this, too. My
Adapting to the New Normal Or you play with the little people child is learning from that therapist,
While telehealth has allowed Blue at a table, and you spread them maybe they can learn from me.’ That
Stars Therapy to continue services out a little bit more. And that’s is the moment that I just kind of live
through the pandemic, Hormberg maybe a way you could explain for, and I want to bring that feeling
and Wingertsahn look forward to social distancing,” she suggests. and that opportunity to every family.”

SPRING 2021 SPIRIT MAGAZINE 21