New Year, New ROUtines (same YOU)!
Snow has fallen, the holidays are upon us, and the new year will be here before we know it. As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and refocus. Taking a moment to celebrate accomplishments, learn from challenges, and reconnect with what truly matters can set the stage for a fresh and fulfilling start to the new year. At Way to Grow, we find that the best approach to growth and success is to start where you are and to meet our children where they are at! Thinking back on your wins, and knowing who you are—your strengths, values, and dreams—is a cornerstone of growth. The new year is also an opportunity to establish simple, meaningful routines. Small routines can provide children with a sense of security and structure that fuels their development. Let’s end the year by remembering who we are, celebrating our accomplishments, and considering how the addition of a simple routine can set the tone moving forward. To guide you in the way of self reflection, Way to Grow, and our team of fantastic therapists and staff have been reflecting on who we are, and we’d love to share all about it!
But before we get to team introductions, let us introduce our recently updated Way to Grow values! Here at Way to Grow, our mission is:
“Helping children + families reach new heights by creating connections through play”
We accomplish this by living out our core values:
These incredible values guide us, not only in who we are as a team, but in who we are as individual team members as well!
(This is us)
Now, allow me to introduce the current Way to Grow team through our own simple self-reflections!
Each W2G team member answered the following questions:
Reflect on something you love about yourself or a WIN from this past year.
Pick a favorite value, and describe what it means to you + your work with Way to Grow.
Share one tip or routine that families might find helpful to implement at home.
Angie Anderson - Office Manager
WIN: Something I can appreciate about myself is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Both my work and personal life have presented lots of changes and so far I've been able to adapt with positivity.
VALUE: The WTG value that currently speaks to me is Connection as this was my Word for the Year too. I love making connections with colleagues, our clients and their parents. We all have more in common than we know and it can be a joy and a comfort to find those connections.
ROUTINE: I have two routines with my morning coffee that set me up for the day: I send a brief text to either a family or friend just to stay connected and I read a few pages from the Bible or similarly motivational book.
Brianne Jacob - Billing + Office Assistant
WIN: Practicing advocacy for my daughter and teaching her to find and use her voice.
VALUE: Connection. Everybody has a story. I want to know it. Trust is built through connection.
ROUTINE: Scent is grounding for me. I light a favorite candle everyday to pause, breathe and reflect on the positive.
Brittany Hoffmire - Speech Therapist
WIN: Continuing to grow + take on more responsibilities that support the growth of myself + the company. Joining the marketing team + becoming Resource Coordinator has been a rewarding experience. I am learning more about supporting a growing company in different ways + being able to help serve families in different ways.
VALUE: CONNECTION - the base of everything I do is about connection. It helps the child feel safe and secure which is essential to learn new skills. Connecting with families helps foster trust with parents that their child is cared for and receiving individualized treatment based upon their family's needs.
ROUTINE: PLAY with your food. Picky eaters have more anxiety around food than same age peers. If a child does not want to be near new foods, make it fun and reduce the anxiety surrounding the food by talking about it, cook with it (having your child help), play with it, pair with a favorite food, make them look motivating (favorite character, etc), always introduce small pieces, or make art with it.
**How do you play with your food? Stack them, push them with cars, make puzzles using small cookie cutters, etc!
Drew Leathers - Occupational Therapist + Motor Team Lead
WIN: I loved hosting Critical Core and Tween Social Night and seeing the group go from a disparate collection of strangers to a group of friends who were excited to see each other every week!
VALUE: Playfulness. I love meeting children where they are at and genuinely playing with them. Play is therapeutic, rewarding, and fun.
ROUTINE: Incorporate heavy work into your child's daily routine. If you are carrying in the groceries, have them help. Have them push the cart at the store even if its too heavy. You can even make up tasks like carrying heavy books in a blanket to help get them the proprioceptive input they need.
Heather Schultz - Occupational Therapist
WIN: I love my resilience this year. I have really worked hard to be flexible and adaptable to changes as this year came and went. Let me tell you, it challenged me for sure. However, I think I learned many valuable lessons, and am really able to take on challenges with a more flexible thought process.
VALUE: My favorite value is authenticity. I think that specifically with my kiddos, it's so important to be authentic in how you come into a session. Our little kiddos are able to read into our feelings and emotions, once we channel into our own authentic self, our kids are able to open up and feel safe, secure, and ready to learn.
ROUTINE: Especially with the holiday chaos, routines are difficult to maintain. Life can feel unpredictable and scary. I would recommend a visual timer: Visual Countdown App to help kids feel more prepared for what's to come next. Using a familiar and preferred toy to transition to the next task can be helpful too!
Jenny McDowell - Clinical Director + Physical Therapist
WIN: New beginnings, new opportunities. Grateful for my new position at Way to Grow.
VALUE: Family-focused. To me it leads to better outcomes for children, as it creates a supportive and collaborative environment that promotes optimal development and well-being. Being family focused allows me to be creative and find ways that can help alleviate stress and anxiety for families.
ROUTINE: Never hesitate to turn on the music; during downtime, your morning routine, or even when chaos reigns at home, a little dance party can turn your day around!!
Joanna Capobianco - Audiologist
WIN: I love that when I come to work, I don't feel like I am at "work" because of our amazing families and community.
VALUE: Family Focused I would say if my favorite value. I really love to work together with families to navigate the twisty world of obtaining hearing related healthcare.
ROUTINE: Going along with family focused, I love the idea of a family game night. Special time together making memories and developing those problem solving skills.
Josie DeBord - Tech
WIN: A WIN from the past year would be getting into OTD school at St. Ambrose. I also love how much I have grown in my independence this year and I truly believe that this is due to getting the opportunity work here at W2G.
VALUE: My favorite W2G value is collaboration because it truly describes the type of person I strive to be. I love the environment at W2G because everyone is willing to be a team player and step in where they need to be.
ROUTINE: One helpful tip I would like to give is just to be present and live in the moment. Especially during this holiday season, it is so important to make those memories and hug your loved ones!
Kaelie Venvertloh - Physical Therapist
WIN: One of the things I truly love about myself is my ability to stay organized and effectively manage my time well. I thrive on creating structure in my life, which allows me to work on and complete multiple tasks without feeling overwhelmed. From setting clear priorities and breaking down big projects into bite-sized steps to staying calm under pressure, I’ve developed a knack for maintaining balance. This not only helps me stay on track with my duties + priorities, but also brings a sense of accomplishment and peace of mind, knowing that I can handle whatever comes my way.
VALUE: Authenticity is a value that I hold true to my heart, and am happy to share this with the company that I work for. I believe that being true to myself not only allows me to build genuine connections with the children and families that serve in my physical therapy practice, but also strengthens my collaboration with my team members. With the children and families that I serve, I strive to create an environment where they feel empowered and supported to be themselves, encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths while working through challenges. I celebrate their progress and show up as my true, authentic self, building trust and confidence along the way. When working with my team, I’m always open, honest, and transparent. I feel that true authenticity creates an atmosphere where everyone feels valued, empowered, and ready to succeed.
ROUTINE: One helpful tip that I love to share with families is to take advantage of time with your family during the holidays. Strive to be intentional about not letting the hustle and bustle of the season get in the way of enjoying and sharing the true meaning of the holiday season together. One way that I have found to be successful in doing this is during family meal routines. Being intentional about sitting around the table, putting away all distractions, and truly being present together helps me to feel grateful for the blessings that I have been given this year.
Kayla Zima - Speech Therapist
WIN: I'm proud of myself for being brave enough to change employers. Change can be scary, and I'm so glad that I didn't let my fear get in the way of happiness.
VALUE: Playfulness - I truly believe that children learn best when play is involved! It is also such a great way to build rapport and relationships with children, which ultimately, is what fills my bucket the most.
ROUTINE: Offer Choices! I think offering your kiddo the opportunity to make choices within your daily routines is a great way to expose them to new vocabulary while also encouraging them to express their preferences. One example, would be to allow your child to pick out their shirt or shoes for the day! 🙂
Kellie Ive - Speech Therapist + Speech Team Lead
WIN: spending more quality time with my son/family
VALUE: Collaboration - love that we have a team who is always collaborating to best support each other and the kiddos we treat
ROUTINE: Hold toys + books next to your face when playing + reading with your kiddo to help bring attention to your mouth shape
Kianna Lovingood - Billing Specialist
WIN: A win from this year is definitely going back to school & getting my certification in order for me to move into my new career! I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone & tried something different! & for that I’m proud of myself!
VALUE: One of my favorite team values is connection. It’s very important to always be compassionate to the next person & yourself, and in order to be compassionate, you need to maintain a genuine connection with others! You never know what another person is going through, it helps to be understanding of what you can do for yourself & others!
ROUTINE: A tip for at home is to spend time together! take lots of pictures & make lots & lots of memories! Time is the one thing you can’t get more of , so spend it with your loved ones! Pictures are the proof of how much fun you had!
Kristi Cochran - Occupational Therapist Assistant
WIN: My big win this year is the birth of my second grandchild. A little boy!
VALUE: Playfulness and connection are my favorite WTG values. I love to connect with children through play and developing meaningful relationships.
ROUTINE: Create a calming music playlist with your family. Utilize the playlist during stressful times at home to help calm your nervous system and increase attention.
LaCreasha “Cre” Griffin - Administrative Director
WIN: This past year, one thing I love about myself is my commitment to embracing authenticity in both personal and professional settings. A big win has been learning to lean into vulnerability—whether that’s sharing my true feelings, admitting when I need help, or allowing my unique strengths to shine without fear of judgment. In doing so, I’ve built deeper connections with those around me and created more genuine moments of growth. Embracing authenticity has also allowed me to model the value of self-acceptance for others, showing that our imperfections and individuality are what make us strong and relatable. This has been a rewarding journey and a reminder that showing up as our true selves is always a win.
VALUE: One of my favorite values at Way To Grow Pediatric Therapy is authenticity. To me, authenticity means showing up as our true selves, embracing honesty, and building genuine connections with the children, families, colleagues and the communities we work with. It’s about being transparent, compassionate, and consistent in our actions and words, creating a safe space where trust can grow. In my work with Way To Grow, authenticity fuels meaningful interactions—ensuring every family feels seen, heard, and supported in their unique journey. It allows us to honor each child’s individuality while fostering a sense of belonging and respect. Through authenticity, we model confidence and vulnerability, encouraging kids to embrace who they are while striving to grow
ROUTINE: A helpful tip for embracing authenticity is to create a daily “authentic moments check-in.” Families or individuals can set aside a few minutes each day to reflect on one situation where they felt they were true to themselves—whether that’s expressing a genuine feeling, making a choice aligned with their values, or celebrating a unique trait. For families, this could be done during dinner or bedtime. Each person can share one moment they felt authentic and what they learned from it. This practice not only reinforces self-awareness but also fosters an environment where honesty and individuality are celebrated. Over time, it helps everyone feel more confident in embracing their true selves in all aspects of life.
Lauren Deppe - Speech Therapist
WIN: I love that I am so honestly + unashamedly me! If I know what I’m called to do, I just have to do it - whether or not it will perfectly please others. When I was two years old, I was most certainly described as “strong willed”, and I love that for me! I highly value people who are straightforward, honest, genuine, and open with their thoughts and feelings - and I make a point to reflect those same qualities as much as I am able and it is appropriate to do so. I believe that others are intrinsically valuable + worthy of love, and I want them to feel safe to be their true selves with me - but I think we must begin by first loving ourselves + safely sharing who we are with those around us so that others know they can too.
VALUE: Authenticity, obviously! Though, I will say, it was hard to choose - we have so many fantastic values! That being said, authenticity feels so key to me as I teach children to express their inner world to those on the outside. I want kids to feel safe to be uniquely them, so I will model for them how I can be uniquely me while also loving + respecting others in their particular strengths + weaknesses, likes + dislikes!
ROUTINE: I find that a habit of self-reflection + journaling can be positivity life-changing. Grab a journal, and try writing down your thoughts + feelings. If you’re overwhelmed by how much is in your brain or you don’t know where to start, consider listing them in bullet points! Ask yourself questions + journal out your answers. For those times when there simply are not words (or they’re all a jumble in your head), try art journaling. Grab water colors + some paper, and just throw colors on a page. You might be surprised by how it starts to take shape, and your busy mind starts to clear. You might start feeling some emotions too - let them come!
Lindsey Kail - Tech
WIN: I love (and a win) that I have successfully completed my last fall semester for undergrad with all A's!
VALUE: My favorite W2G value is collaboration! Collaboration to me means that as a team, everyone works together to complete tasks and develop ideas by providing support to one another. I use collaboration daily between all the office staff members and therapists to help make everyone's jobs a little easier and smoother!
ROUTINE: I find that setting specific time goals is helpful when trying to accomplish my own tasks! For example, regarding my schooling, I oftentimes get overwhelmed with the work load, so I set a specific time range to study, get assignments done etc., to then take a break and help my own well-being:)
Natalie Waugh - Office Assistant
WIN: One of my favorite wins of this year was joining the Way to Grow team! It has been such a fun experience getting to know everyone at the center, especially all of the kids and their families. I truly couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming group and am so excited to continue this win into the new year!
VALUE: Authenticity; I believe being authentic is crucial both at W2G and in my daily life because it allows me to build trust and genuine connections. When I show up as my authentic self, I’m able to create a supportive, empathetic space for others, helping them feel safe, heard, and understood. It keeps me grounded and confident in my ability to handle any challenges that come my way!
ROUTINE: This year I have embraced not being afraid to ask for help. This is your reminder that you do not have to feel guilty for leaning on others or needing breaks. Maintaining your own energy and mental health is essential to showing up as your best self! A self-care activity I prioritize is journaling. I believe just getting our thoughts and feelings out on paper can help us productively process experiences and show up with a clearer mind in our daily lives.
Olivia Zimmerman - Speech Therapist
WIN: One of my wins in this year was graduating with my master's degree and starting my job at Way to Grow! I have enjoyed being able to apply my knowledge and form connections with families here!
VALUE: May favorite W2G values is GROWTH! I love celebrating the successes of myself and the children I work with, no matter how small. I look forward to continuing to grow and learn as a member of the W2G team.
ROUTINE: One speechie tip that you can implement with your little ones this holiday season is narration! There are so many new activities and experiences happening during the winter season, and we want to help provide our kiddos with the vocabulary to talk about it all! As you're looking at Christmas lights, visiting Santa, or reading a story, take the role of the "narrator" and tell your child all about about what you see, hear, or smell!
Paula Patty - Scheduler + Office Assistant
WIN: Sometimes we have to think outside the box to make it work for families, that is always a WIN!
VALUE: Growth - Filling schedules, it's what I do! Helping as many families as we can.
ROUTINE: Take a deep breath and tackle one thing at a time - Don't look at the whole list - taking it step by step will get you there.
Renee Dooms - Speech Therapist
WIN: A win from the past year was moving to Illinois with my husband, getting our dog, and buying our house.
VALUE: I love at Way to Grow that we get to collaborate with families to discuss what their goals are for their family and their child. Families know their child best, so they are crucial member of the child's care team. Also, I love collaborating with other speech therapists and other disciplines at Way to Grow. I am always learning new ways to best support my clients.
ROUTINE: Use the fill in the blank technique with familiar Christmas songs. Start to sing a familiar song and then pause letting your child fill in the rest of the phrase like Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle ______. This is a great way to work on language and building vocabulary.
Sarah Myers - Owner + Speech Therapist
WIN: A win from the last year has been linking arms with more like-minded professionals to expand Way To Grow’s reach in the community and also beginning to serve some new rural areas.
VALUE: Our “family-focused” core value means so much to me as my own kiddos continue to grow. I’m the Executive Director of Way To Grow professionally, but personally I've gotten to experience the skill, compassion, and whole-child + family approach from our therapists with my own children who have needed a boost in some developmental areas at times. My son looks forward to every speech and occupational therapy session and it warms my heart seeing how much the therapists follow his lead and fully support him/us. I’ve been so grateful to experience that level of care personally and I strive to give that same experience to all the families we get to serve.
ROUTINE: We’ve really been working on the art of “co-regulation” at our house (it’s so important and always such an evolving work in progress!). With three young kiddos it can feel like chaos at times, but my husband and I have been doing our best to model pausing and taking a deep breath before responding. For my own self-care, I’ve been doing stretches in the evening to help release tension in my body. It’s been fun to see my kiddos (our oldest is 4 and our twins are 2) watch me take that time to meet my own needs…. and now they even join in to stretch their own bodies, too!
Talisa McClendon - Billing Specialist
WIN: Something I love about myself is that I am resilient and determined! Every time I have a new dream, I get after it, and put in the time, effort, and energy it takes in order to accomplish my goals. Life can get busy, and circumstances can be tough, but don’t let it stop you from finding joy, and pushing forward towards your goals!
VALUE: Growth - It is so important to keep push yourself, move forward, and grow along the way. At Way to Grow, we’re all about setting goals and growing towards them.
ROUTINE: Pick a favorite song that inspires joy. When you need a boost, give it a listen, and let it lift you up, even when you feel down or unmotivated!
Tara DeWolfe - Marketing Director + Physical Therapist
WIN: A win I’m proud of this year is contributing to Way to Grow’s marketing + growth efforts. I loved being part of spreading the message and connecting with more families + the most amazing clinicians. Seeing the impact of our growth — reaching new families — has been incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed the importance of the work happening at W2G!
VALUE: Authenticity is my favorite Way to Grow value. To me, authenticity means showing up as your true self + building trust through honesty + genuine connection. This value encourages me to be fully present with families, offering support that is heartfelt + real. It reminds me that when we lead with authenticity, we create stronger, more meaningful relationships that help everyone grow, together.
ROUTINE: A helpful routine is a “gratitude moment” at the start or end of each day. Take a few minutes to sit together + share one thing you’re grateful for. This simple practice encourages finding joy in our days, helps + fosters a deeper connection. It’s a small but powerful way to create a sense of peace and appreciation in everyday life.
Taylor Blair - Speech Therapist
WIN: My win this year is joining Way To Grow and having the ability to work closely with families and meet kids where they are at... through play!
VALUE: My favorite Way To Grow value is connection. For me, connecting with each family, learning their values and strengths and how we can incorporate them into each session creates a fun, valuable speech therapy experience.
ROUTINE: My favorite tip to give to parents is to remind them that play is the way! If we follow their lead, get on their level, and join in their play we can create some great connections and experiences!
Taylor Hoben - LCSW
WIN: My big WIN for this year is stepping out of my comfort zone and beginning my new position with Way to Grow as the LCSW 🙂
VALUE: My favorite Way to Grow value is connection. This value promotes both the connection between the therapist and the kiddos. When a kiddo feels connected to their therapist, it promotes a safe and nurturing environment. The value of connection also elicits professional relationships between the colleagues at Way To Grow, which also promotes collaboration to ensure that every child's needs are being met.
ROUTINE: Kiddos learn a lot from watching those around them. Modeling healthy regulation strategies can promote coregulation, as well as expose them to a variety of helpful regulation strategies! A few fun regulation techniques to practice with your child include blowing bubbles and blowing pinwheels!
If you find it helpful, join us in a simple reflection by:
looking backwards to remember who you are and a WIN from the past year:
picking one favorite value, and what it means to YOU
identifying one simple routine that you’d like to implement in your family or personal routines
As we look ahead, let’s commit to celebrating our WINS, however big or small, and to prioritizing what brings joy and peace. Together, we can make 2025 a year of growth, kindness, and discovery.
May your holidays be merry, + have a Happy New Year from all of us at Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy!
The Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy Team 🌟
About our featured writers:
Founded in 2019, Sarah Myers proudly launched Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy to provide life-changing pediatric therapy services for children and families in Central Illinois. Sarah genuinely believes that great things come from small beginnings.
The opportunity to help children feel capable and confident in their development is what motivates the Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy team every single day. Way to Grow offers an array of services for children ages birth to 18 years old.
This company is committed to bringing together skilled pediatric therapists who share the same core values of enthusiastically helping children through the use of best research-driven practices. It is an honor to be a part of the change in helping your child become who they were meant to be!
