Brain Builders

Description

Brain Builders is a unique bridge between 1:1 therapy and small-group learning, designed for children aged 5 and older who need support in building language, cognitive, and executive functioning skills within a semi-independent, structured group setting.

Unlike academic programs or study groups, Brain Builders is a group intervention built around each child’s personalized goals. Every child works through 4 to 6 individualized tasks per session, carefully selected and designed based on their developmental profile.

This group supports families who are navigating the transition away from intense 1:1 sessions, particularly those of older children who no longer eligible for early childhood intensives based on the funding model, but who still benefit from a consistent and tailored intervention.

What Makes Brain Builders Different?

Each child’s program is individualized, even in a group setting
Goals may target language, cognition, attention, memory, problem solving, planning, sequencing, or emotional regulation
Children follow visual checklists or staff-supported routines to complete their session’s tasks
Staff provide high-ratio support (but not 1:1), encouraging independence with modeling when needed
Activities are aligned with the child’s current IEP, ABA, or speech goals when applicable
Sessions promote task persistence, planning, and self-monitoring — key executive functioning targets for school-age children

3 Routines

Each session follows a consistent structure to foster executive function growth and self-directed learning:

Welcome & Task Preview – child reviews their personalized task chart
Warm-Up Activity – simple attention or regulation game
Independent Task Rotation (4–6 tasks) – hands-on and/or language-based goals practiced through guided materials (e.g., sequencing cards, problem-solving sets, expressive language prompts, auditory memory games)
Break & Brain Reset – snack time for child and a short movement or sensory break if needed
Final Task & Self-Reflection – child completes their checklist and reflects: “What was hard? What helped me finish?”
Group Wrap-Up & Skill Transfer Preview – share what we learned and set intention for home/school transfer

Because every child’s path is unique, Brain Builders includes tasks like:

Listening and retelling a short story with sequence cards
Problem solving through real-life social puzzles or matching solutions to scenarios
Following multi-step directions using objects, visuals, or role-play
Describing novel items (What is it? What does it do? What’s it made of?)
Sorting & categorizing for cognitive flexibility and visual and verbal organization
Planning a mini project (e.g., building something with some limits: “Only 6 blocks and 2 colors”)
Emotional labeling or perspective-taking tasks in age-appropriate formats
Self-check routines using timers, trackers, or sticker boards

Every activity is designed to grow independence and task resilience, while still being clinically meaningful.

✅ Is This the Right Group for Your Child?

Q: My child no longer qualifies for 1:1 funding, but still needs support. Will this help?

A: Yes — Brain Builders was created for exactly this reason. It supports children who are aging out of early intervention funding but still benefit from individualized learning in a supportive, intervention environment.

Q: My child is not very independent — can they manage a group setting?

A: Absolutely. We provide high-ratio staffing, clear visual routines, and personalized support to help each child succeed. The goal is to build independence, not expect it from day one.

Q: Will this feel like schoolwork or tutoring?

A: No — this is not academic tutoring. All tasks are clinically designed to meet speech, ABA, or developmental goals. Children are engaged through playful tasks, hands-on materials, and dynamic challenges.

Q: What kind of child is this group best for?

A: Brain Builders is ideal for children who:

Are 5 years or older
No longer qualify (or will soon phase out of) intense 1:1 funding but still need goal-based support
Have ongoing needs in language, cognition, or executive functioning
Thrive in visual, predictable, high-support environments
Are ready to build independence while still working on individual therapeutic targets