Early Connections: Fall Harvest Sensory Adventures

Therapist‑Designed Program

Designed and led by pediatric occupational and speech therapists with expertise in supporting children with diverse learning, communication, and sensory needs.

Orchid & Ivy enrichment programs are approved providers through Wisconsin CLTS (Children’s Long-Term Support) allowing eligible participants to use waiver funding for enrollment.

Program Highlights

  • Weekly immersive fall-themed adventures

  • Hands-on learning experiences

  • Sensory-rich exploration designed to support all eight sensory systems

  • Movement, motor play, and preschool readiness activities

  • Executive functioning and self-regulation supports

  • Caregiver participation with real-time coaching

  • Weekly take-home activities and book recommendations

  • Inclusive, neuroaffirming environment

  • Designed by a pediatric Occupational Therapist and Speech-Language Pathologist

Course Outline

Week 1: Apple Orchard Adventure
Children will explore apples through sensory play, story time, tasting, and movement while building early vocabulary, communication, bilateral coordination, fine motor skills, and gross motor development.

Week 2: Pumpkin Patch
Children will discover pumpkins through hands-on sensory exploration and interactive play that promotes finger strength, core stability, social skills, turn-taking, and cooperative participation.

Week 3: Forest Friends
Children will immerse themselves in a woodland adventure featuring nature exploration, animal-themed movement, and pretend play to strengthen language, storytelling, imagination, and whole-body coordination.

Week 4: Harvest Celebration
Children will celebrate the fall harvest through a farm-to-table experience that encourages functional life skills, communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and social participation.

Targeted Skills

Sensory exploration and self-regulation

Fine and gross motor development

Motor planning, coordination, and body awareness

Executive functioning and preschool readiness

Visual motor integration and hand-eye coordination

Functional play and daily living skills

Social participation and independence through play