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February 2026 Connections
Information for caregivers to help children thrive!
| | Maintaining Balance at Home During Cold & Flu Season | | |
As we navigate the winter months, many of us are balancing the ever-changing weather with the reality of flu and virus season. Sometimes we have the energy to bundle up and head outside. Other days, we’re simply doing our best to rest, recover, and keep everyone afloat indoors. We all know those days when creativity flows and we can rally with fresh ideas to keep our kiddos engaged inside - even when we’re under the weather. And we also know the days when we’re running low on both energy and inspiration.
So this month, we’re sharing a collection of simple, doable ideas for indoor winter fun, some taking inspiration from the Olympics! We have also provided a few gentle reminders about caring for your family’s health during cold and flu season. Our hope is to make things just a little easier, a little lighter, and a little more connected as we move through this season together.
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Gentle Reminders for the whole family:
Wash your hands frequently, and for at least 20 seconds - about the time it takes to hum the Happy Birthday song twice.
Hydrate! Water, herbal tea, seltzer, juice - keeping hydrated helps your body function properly and is especially important if you have a fever.
Consider maintaining some personal space and/or wearing a mask if you are going to visit someone you know has the flu or a cold.
| |  | Prioritize sleep! Getting enough sleep will help you stay healthy and recover sooner when you are sick. | | |
Did you watch the Olympics?
We were inspired by the skill, dedication, and sportsmanship of all the athletes, in particular figure skater Alysa Liu and skier Mikaela Shiffrin (she's from Colorado!). We're sharing indoor games you can play to keep the Olympic energy going!
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Figure Skating
Let your kids create a figure skating routine to their favorite song, trading socks for skates. The rest of the family can be the judges - remember to award extra points for creative flair!
Curling
Use paper plates or tops of plastic storage containers for the stones, and dustpan brushes or pool noodles to push the stones across the floor to the target.
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Ski Jump
Use a cardboard box propped up on pillows to create the jump, and players can launch plastic toys or stuffed animals and measure which one goes the farthest or does the coolest tricks!
Speed Skating
Put on slippery socks and race across a smooth hallway or open room to see who can go the fastest! Safety first - make sure to clear the area of any hazards.
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Cup Stacking
Remember Cup Stacking? This is a fun and easy game and all you need is several plastic cups that are all the same size. The basic object is to build a pyramid with the cups, and if you want to get a competition going, you may need a timer. Watch the video for a refresher.
| | | | Other Fun (& Free!) Ideas for Overcoming Cabin Fever | | Gather some orphaned socks, markers, fabric scraps, yarn or string, buttons or googly eyes, and glue. There are lots of videos on YouTube that can guide you through the process, like this one from WikiHow or another from LoveToKnow.
Then it's time for a puppet show! | | | Let your kids create their own board game! All you need is a piece of cardboard or poster board, markers/colored pencils, bottle caps or buttons to use for game pieces, and dice. They can make this as simple or detailed as they want, and they get to make up their own rules! Start off by drawing the path, then they can create a background that becomes the setting for the game. | | |
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Bird Call Listening Walk
Don't despair! Despite what the groundhog told us, spring is not that far off. The birds are returning from their winter habitats.
| | | | Download the free Merlin app from Cornell Lab, bundle up, and take your kiddos outside for a listening tour of your neighborhood or local park. Which birds calls can you learn to recognize? | | Join us at DFX for DFX Dialogues
this Wednesday, February 25, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
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Our first book selection will be "The Whole Brain Child" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson.
We'll gather in our community room to discuss this book, focusing on brain-body integration, practical parenting strategies, and techniques for making sense of challenging behaviors.
Link to Dr. Siegel's website
Come as you are. Whether you’ve read the book cover to cover or just skimmed a chapter, you are welcome to join us and share your perspective.
| | | | | We're excited to launch DFX Dialogues, a bi-monthly gathering of caregivers and DFX team members at which we will discuss books that focus on the intersection of development and mental health. We have copies of the books to lend or you can find them online or at your local library. | | | Last chance to register for Camp DFX! | | |
This summer, we are offering five weeks of Camp DFX, from June 8 through July 17.
1:2 Therapist to Child Ratio
Cost: $650 per week.
Notification of acceptance and request for payment will be sent by email to caregivers by March 2.
Payment: We request a deposit of $100 per session within a week of acceptance to confirm your child's spot. The balance is due no later than May 8.
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There are only a few spaces remaining. Once our roster is full, we will keep a wait list.
Families may be eligible to receive financial assistance to cover all or a portion of their child's camp fees from their Community Centered Board, for Camp DFX or other community camps.
DFX has prepared a reference guide to help you navigate this process.
| | | | | Thank you for being part of the DFX family and helping us bring Therapy that fits® to more kids! | | DFX is working to create systemic change by establishing a culture of engaged belonging in which children of all abilities and backgrounds will thrive. | | | | |
