Integrating the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) with Nature-Based Therapy for Children

Integrating the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) with Nature-Based Therapy for Children

In today’s fast-paced world, many children face challenges with emotional regulation, sensory differences, and social engagement.  We all want to find meaningful, effective ways to help children grow—approaches that support their nervous system, relationships, and ability to engage in the world.  One approach that has the potential to springboard nervous system regulation is bringing the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) into nature-based therapy.  By combining the benefits of auditory interventions with the therapeutic power of natural, outdoor environments, we can create a powerful approach to supporting nervous system regulation in children. Understanding the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an auditory intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, rooted in his Polyvagal Theory (scroll to the bottom for resources on…

Unleashing Childhood: The Timeless Joy of Outdoor Summer Adventures

Unleashing Childhood: The Timeless Joy of Outdoor Summer Adventures

Rediscover the Magic of Summer Close your eyes and picture a summer from your childhood. Do you remember the thrill of building a secret fort in the woods, creating games with friends that only you understood, or feeling the mud squish between your fingers as you made the “best” mud pie ever? Those moments weren’t just fun—they were formative. At Treeline, we believe every child deserves a chance to experience the magic of outdoor play. Our summer enrichment weeks, featuring the licensed TimberNook curriculum, bring kids aged 4–10 into the heart of nature for mornings filled with adventure, creativity, and connection. Unrestricted Play: The Heart of Childhood Unrestricted play is where the magic begins. Unlike structured activities, where the rules are set by adults, this…

Crossing the Treeline: The Story Behind Treeline Enrichment

Crossing the Treeline: The Story Behind Treeline Enrichment

Every story has a beginning, and for Treeline Enrichment, it started with a defining moment that shaped our path forward. I wanted to share this story because I believe the name ‘Treeline’ holds something more than just a label—it holds meaning, history, and purpose. In 2018, as I sat across from an attorney, papers spread out before me, preparing to make my business official, I knew I was taking the first steps of something significant. This story begins at that moment. I knew what I wanted to offer to the world: a space where children could grow, thrive, and connect with nature. But I didn’t have a name. That decision felt heavier than I anticipated, as if the name would set the course for everything…

What is a Mud Kitchen? Why Every Kid Should Play in One

What is a Mud Kitchen? Why Every Kid Should Play in One

Rediscover the Joy of Messy Play Mud kitchens might sound like a simple childhood pastime, but they hold incredible potential for your child’s development. If the idea of your child getting muddy makes you cringe, you’re not alone—many parents feel hesitant about messy play. But what if you knew that playing in the dirt could spark creativity, foster critical life skills, and even support your child’s health? At Treeline, we’ve seen firsthand how mud kitchens transform outdoor play into meaningful, joyful learning experiences. By the end of this blog, you’ll understand why getting messy might just be the best thing for your child—and how our Mud Kitchen Play Days can help them thrive. What is a Mud Kitchen? A mud kitchen is an outdoor play…

Why Outdoor Therapy Works: Nature as a Therapeutic Tool

Why Outdoor Therapy Works: Nature as a Therapeutic Tool

The Power of Nature in Occupational Therapy Imagine your child climbing a tree, feeling the texture of bark under their hands, and hearing the rustle of leaves above. Now imagine that same child is learning balance, building strength, and practicing problem-solving—all while surrounded by the calming rhythms of nature. Outdoor occupational therapy (OT) brings therapy sessions into the natural world, turning the woods, forest, or local park into a place of growth, connection, and discovery. For children with sensory or motor differences, outdoor therapy offers unique opportunities that can’t always be replicated indoors. Let’s dive in and explore why nature works so beautifully as a therapeutic tool, the mental health benefits of time spent outdoors, and how nature can be the “co-therapist” your child didn’t…

image of kids climbing a tree with blog title text overlayed

Risky Play: Why it is Awesome!

Hidden Benefits of Risky Play When adults hear ‘‘risky play,’ they might think of broken bones, stitches, and bruises. Risky play shouldn’t be scary; it should be exciting! It’s about kids exploring, building confidence, and understanding risk. Kids test their strengths and weaknesses, solve problems, and take on another child’s perspective.  In play (and in life) you will never eliminate all the possible risks, 100% of the time. That’s exhausting and impossible to do. You can, however, identify the potential hazards in the area, or situation, and provide guidance and limits to keep everyone safe.  Could your child fall off a branch while climbing a tree?  Yes. That’s a risk. Do you remove the dead limbs, stumps, or other debris from under the tree? Do you…

image looking up a pine tree with text "do big kids need to play?"

Do Big Kids Still Need to Play?

Whenever I bring up an opportunity for my son to take a class, participate in a program as a ‘helper,’ or do anything he isn’t authentically interested in, I get the same reply, “Mom, I just want to play.” This reply stands out because it is from a 14-year-old. Yes, big kids still want to play!  The problem is that there very few opportunities for pre-teens and teens to ‘just play.’ So, before I go any further, let me define ‘play‘. Play is a range of intrinsically motivated activities done for recreational pleasure and enjoyment (Garvey, 1990).  For this post, I’m defining play as child-led, including activities they choose and resulting in their enjoyment.  In the homeschool community, you will find groups, generally led by…

young child playing in the mud kitchen with Treeline logo and text overlayed on top

The Hummingbird and the Helicopter: Two Approaches to Parenting

Parenting Styles: Hummingbird versus Helicopter Approach As a parent, you think to yourself, am I doing this right? I just want my child to be happy, safe, and successful. Am I a “good” parent?  Often, parents feel the need to constantly “help” their children succeed just to get ahead in school, sports, or having “enough” friends. This puts a lot of pressure on parents and their children.  The media has different labels for parenting styles, while clinical and developmental psychology has grouped these into three classifications:  Authoritarian: focuses on rigid rules, expectations, and consequences. Parents control behaviors and emotions, resulting in children becoming fearful of expressing themselves.   Permissive: extreme opposite of aforementioned.  Direction and boundaries are not a priority with little emphasis on restrictions. This…

photo of children of mixed ages playing in the forest with the text "mixed age play" over top

Benefits of Mixed-Age Play

The Power of Play Play is our kid’s favorite thing to do.  And it should be.  It is a critical vehicle for kids to learn and grow physically, socially, and emotionally for the world around them.  Thankfully, kids are organically driven to play.  Kids are made to move, ask questions, explore, interact, and imagine.  It is what they want to and need to do.   Mixed-Age Play So often our kids are grouped into set age ranges for play with only a 1-2 year span.  But mixed-age play is actually highly beneficial for all kids involved.  Children are able to learn new skills from older friends and teach new skills to younger friends. This give-and-take provides opportunities for both growth and leadership. “Age mixed play offers…

image of Hallow Creek, a seasonal creek at Treeline Enrichment

An OT’s View of Nature

We believe that nature is a tremendously beneficial environment for occupational therapy services. Before we tell you why, you first need to understand the goal of a pediatric  occupational therapist is to help children meet their full potential. An occupational therapist guides a child to develop underlying skills, adapt to challenges, or to participate in activities to support overall wellness.  A child will get the most out of therapy interventions if they are motivated, sense connection and find it meaningful. For an occupational therapist, this means creating an environment that is fun, provides felt safety and most importantly, provides opportunities for growth and development. Nature from an OT’s Perspective Nature is the perfect partner for occupational therapists when working to promote positive developmental change. Many…