The Center for Childhood Development

06/01/2026

Good news — you still have time! 🎉

Summer Group registration has been extended to June 4th.

Cooking, art, science and more — therapist-led groups for kids ages 3–10, running June 8–July 17. Spots are limited, so don't wait.

Call us at (616) 667-9551 to register! 📞

05/30/2026

Check out our friend Robyn Gobbel's upcoming live webinar! 🙌 Head to her page to grab your spot!

Your child lies.

You know the truth.

But still you're left questioning your own reality.

Which, if you’re anything like me, is my personal fast-track to go crashing down my own protection-mode pathway.

Lying and manipulation can feel incredibly personal and confusing.

But just like almost all other behaviors, they really aren’t personal.

They’re behaviors that are showing us the state of their nervous system.

I don’t believe kids are ‘just bad.’

I don’t believe kids just ‘don’t care.’

And I definitely don’t believe their behaviors are your fault.

In my upcoming webinar, Brain-Based Strategies and Scripts for Lying, Manipulation, and Verbal Aggression, we’ll explore how the brain and nervous system influence these behaviors and how you can start responding in a way that doesn’t just stop the behavior- but invites lasting change in the brain.

You’ll learn:

✔ Why kids lie and manipulate
✔ How to stay grounded when conversations spiral
✔ How we can scaffold skills that will decrease verbal aggression

AND! You’ll walk away with actual scripts you can use immediately

This is practical.
Compassionate.
And designed for real life.

🗓 June 11
⏰ 8pm ET
💵 $24
🎥 Live + recording included

The link is on the image, in my bio, or comment BRAIN and I’ll our 🤖 assistant will reply with the registration link.

05/27/2026

⏰ Don't miss out. Summer Group registration closes June 1st!

Registration for CCD's Summer Groups closes June 1st, and some groups are already filling up. If your child has been on the fence, now is the time to lock in their spot.

6 weeks of therapist-led fun — cooking, art, science, outdoor adventures, music & movement, and Pre-K Readiness Camp. Small groups of 6–10 kids, ages 3–10. New clients welcome too!

📞 Call (616) 667-9551 to register.
🗓️ Groups run June 8 – July 17

05/21/2026

Over the last few months, Miss Hannah has been working hard with a client who was feeling ready to ditch the training wheels. With her determined attitude and joyful spirit — plus a few targeted intervention approaches — she's now cruising with confidence, just in time for summer! 🚲☀️

On her last day of OT, they celebrated the best way possible: biking the full path that surrounds the lake behind the clinic and stopping to play at the playground. 🎉 What a milestone moment!

To this kiddo and every child working toward their goals — keep going. Every small step forward is worth celebrating, and you are capable of more than you know. 💪❤️
We are so grateful for our beautiful outdoor space, which allows us to experience these meaningful occupations to their fullest! 🌿

05/20/2026

⏰ Spots are filling fast — don't wait, sign up today!

Registration for CCD's Summer Groups closes June 1st, and some groups are already filling up. If your child has been on the fence, now is the time to lock in their spot.
6 weeks of therapist-led fun — cooking, art, science, outdoor adventures, music & movement, and Pre-K Readiness Camp. Small groups of 6–10 kids, ages 3–10. New clients welcome too!

📞 Call (616) 667-9551 to register.
🗓️ Groups run June 8 – July 17

👉 Swipe to see all the groups — there's something for every kid!

05/18/2026

📣 OTs & PTs: spots are still available for Course #329-S: Pediatric NDT Intensive Handling Intervention at our Jenison location! Sign up today before they're gone.

🗓️ June 13–14, 2026 | 8AM–5PM
📍 Jenison
✅ 5 Hours / 1.5 CEUs

Led by Gail Ritchie, OTR, C/NDT — and we're thrilled to have Brenda Lindsay, PT, C/NDT joining us! Brenda is a Texas-based pediatric physical therapist specializing in neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) and brings incredible expertise to this hands-on course.

Whether you're an OT or PT, this is a rare opportunity to level up your NDT handling skills alongside some amazing clinicians. 🙌

👉 Register here: https://buff.ly/apyeIwL

See less

#329 Pediatric NDT Intensive Handling Intervention... Course Developed by Gail Ritchie As clinicians treating individuals with central nervous system dysfunction, such as cerebral palsy, congenital hypotonia and other multi-system impairments, we can make advances in our clinical decision making ski...

05/13/2026

☀️ Summer just got a whole lot more fun!

Our Summer Groups are NOW OPEN for registration — and this year's lineup is packed! Cooking, art, science, outdoor adventures, music and movement, and even a Pre-K Readiness Camp for your littles. There's something for every kid! 🎨🔬🥄🌿

Groups run weekly June 8–July 17 with small groups of 6–10 kids led by our amazing therapists. New to CCD? No problem — non-clients are welcome too!

Spots are limited — sign up by June 1!

📞 Call (616) 667-9551 to register.

05/10/2026

"Mom! Mom! Hey mom! Watch this. Watch me kick, are you watching, Mom? HIYAH" 🐴

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there — the ones who cheer you on, even when you're just showing off. 🌼

We're grateful for every mama who brings their little one to the CCD. Wishing you a day full of love (and maybe a little peace and quiet 😄).

05/08/2026

✨ This is why we do what we do.

"The staff at the Center have been nothing short of amazing. Our therapist, Amy, is one of the most compassionate and kind therapists my daughter has ever worked with. She has a natural knack with kids that makes them feel comfortable to be themselves, even when they're working hard at therapy. It feels more like having fun than hard work. It isn't common to find a therapist who is knowledgeable in working with kids who have speech apraxia — and Amy excels in that area. We have played with a few other therapists during our sessions and they were also just as engaging and kind. We are so grateful to have such wonderful support at the Center!"

And those smiles in the photo? They tell the whole story. 💛

A special thank you to Greta for traveling from our Kalamazoo office to share her expertise with Amy and the families at our Jenison location. Collaboration like this is what makes our team — and the care we provide — so special.

05/06/2026

⏰ Reminder! Have you filled out our Summer Groups survey yet?

We're still collecting responses to help us build the best groups for your child this summer! It only takes a few minutes and makes a BIG difference in how we plan our themed summer programming. 🌞

👉 Fill it out here: https://buff.ly/cNVr4TT

We'll use your input to shape our offerings and will reach out with details as plans are finalized. Don't miss your chance to have a say!