In this video, I break down why rough play can actually be a positive and important part of child development—especially in school settings. As an occupational therapist working in a nonprofit school in the Ithaca community, I’ll share how rough play supports sensory processing, self-regulation, social skills, and motor development. We’ll also talk about how it benefits children with diagnoses like ADHD, autism, and sensory processing differences, and how it can look across different age groups. Plus, I’ll highlight safe ways to encourage rough play in classrooms and therapy environments.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this video will give you practical insight into how structured rough play can help kids learn, grow, and thrive.