Transitions are a part of every moment — from waking up to heading out the door, from one activity to the next, and from one emotion to another. But while some transitions happen smoothly and almost unnoticed, others can feel like navigating a minefield.

In this episode we invite listeners to explore playing through transitions through a sensory-emotional lens. We’ll shed light on what makes transitions so challenging for some children (and adults!) and how sensory processing and emotional regulation come together to shape these experiences.

Learn how play can become a powerful bridge — helping children move through change with more connection, confidence, and calm.

You’ll discover:

• What “transitions” really mean in daily life, and why they can feel so hard

• How sensory and emotional systems interact during moments of change

• Play-based ideas and strategies to support smoother transitions 

• How to reframe daily routines as opportunities for growth and regulation

Tune in if you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells during daily routines — this episode will help you breathe a little easier and find playfulness in the in-between moments.

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Visit our Learning Center 

We know that sensory-motor experiences play a significant role in a child’s daily life and emotional well-being. Using playful interactions, The Sensory Emotional Center of Learning is designed to bring our therapeutic model, the Sensory Emotional EngageMent Frame of Reference, into your home or work.

https://www.sensoryemotionalcenteroflearning.com

Want more resources?

Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/

and https://sensoryemotional.org/

About

AnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, CIMI-2

Occupational Therapist, Great Kids Place

Co-Director, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model

AnnMarie is an Occupational Therapist and Assistant Professor at FDU where she teaches mental health, neuroscience, and interprofessional education. She holds a doctoral degree in occupational therapy, specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder, and is a fellow of Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E.

Her background also includes a degree in Psychology, supporting her focus on social-emotional development, parent stress, and family dynamics.

A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®

Founder, Great Kids Place and the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of Reference

Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®, dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding.

Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them.

Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.