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Welcome to Hatch, the first play place designed for therapy and fun


Child’s play is serious work. For typically developing kids, it is at play when they learn about how their bodies move and discover how the world works. For kids with special needs, play makes therapy a fun experience. In both cases, play is an important learning tool to develop their bodies, motor skills, and how they move in and adapt to their social and physical environment.

At Hatch Center for Sensory Play and Therapy, play is their reason for being. It’s an open gym and play area, with classes and therapy done out in the open. The newly opened space at The Podium is open to children of all abilities.

 

Hatch
Hatch, at the 4/F of The Podium, is open to kids of all abilities. Photo: Frances Sales/GMA News 

Yes, Hatch is especially designed for kids with special needs and also warmly welcomes typically developing kids to encourage socialization, normalization and inclusion of every kind of child.

While lined up with their children outside therapy clinics, founders Tootsie Caharian and Grace Zapata Cruz hatched the idea of creating a space where families of special needs kids can come not only for therapy but to also play with each other and with other typically developing kids.

Tootsie says, “Hatch is also a therapy center, not just a place for sensory play. We offer therapy services like sensory integration therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, oral placement therapy, social thinking therapy, and SPED tutorial.”

Tootsie and Grace also wanted this center to be out in the open, specifically in a mall and not hidden away because visibility means making therapy mainstream and that it’s a fun activity for everyone.

“On top of our therapy offerings, we have open play,” Tootsie says. “Open play means kids of all abilities can come in and just play with their parents and siblings. We believe open play increases much needed family involvement in a fun and safe environment.”

 

Hatch's trampoline area. Photo: Frances Sales/GMA News
Hatch's trampoline area. Photo: Frances Sales/GMA News

How all kids benefit from sensory play 

While a child will always find something to learn when he plays, sensory play is particularly designed to stimulate all seven senses. Yes, each person actually has seven senses, and not just five that we all know of.

“On top of the five senses we know — touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing — there are two more! The vestibular system is one’s sense of balance and movement while the proprioceptive system provides information to your brain about your body’s position in relation to your environment," Grace says.

Sensory play stimulates the senses to help children develop not only their gross motor skills, but also their critical thinking, language, and social-emotional skills. Hatch lists down some of the benefits of sensory play:

  1. It builds nerve connections within the developing brain’s neural pathways, which trigger a child’s inclination for and ability in competing more complex learning tasks.
  2. It supports language development, cognitive growth, motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
  3. It aids in developing and enhancing memory functioning.
  4. It is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child.
  5. It play helps children learn vitally important sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry, etc).

Grace says, “Basically, to build a strong foundation for learning, we must ensure our child's sensory systems are developing properly for cognitive development and sensory integration.”

A tour of the facilities

Everything inside the Hatch play areas—from its size, colors, full length mirrors, and play equipment—are designed with therapists with the holistic development of kids in mind. 

Take the several swings that hang from the ceiling. Swings are fun to jump on and they encourage movement and improve spatial awareness. Yet when a child gently sways to and fro on a swing, the child feels calmed down.

The Lycra Swings are giant swathes of fabric that challenge children to move through it, developing awareness of their body and how gravity affects it. When a child lies down quietly inside it, the fabric envelops the entire body and creates a cocoon-like space, making an overstimulated child feel safe and calm.

Parents who are used to the expansive play gyms at malls might be surprised at how much smaller the play area of Hatch is. Tootsie says, “We wanted to create a sensory gym that's big enough for sensory integration therapy and safe enough so kids can explore and take calculated risks.”

The 150 sqm area also allows specially trained Hatch Aids to keep a keen eye over the kids and assist in their play. Parents need not worry about overcrowding because Hatch has an occupancy limit of 10 kids at a time.

There are two play areas: the main room for kids 5 years and up, and a smaller room for babies and toddlers to explore, and. A multi-purpose room is set up for classes, training seminars, and even birthday parties. Finally, there are 6 small pods for one-on-one therapy. Tootsie says, “We have a good team of specialists here who can assess and create programs for kids with special needs.”

Learn. Play. Love. 

Aside from sensory play open to all kids to enjoy, Hatch also offers classes headed by certified therapists.

Proactive Classes for babies and kids use age-appropriate games and play activities to develop their gross motor skills in a social environment.

Sensory Fit promotes motor development skills through a fun fitness class. Socials Classes help children reinforce positive interaction with their parents or caregivers and with other children. Depending on the age of the child, different social and communication skills are strengthened through various activities. — LA, GMA News
  
The hourly rates of Hatch are:
P600 for one child and one adult
P300 for a sibling
P150 for extra adult companion
P850 for one child and one Hatch Aide

Families may avail of the PWD discount by presenting your child’s PWD ID. Members also get a lower rate.

4/F, The Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong. Facebook. Instagram. +639285067821

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