How to Tell if Your Child Is Playing or Not

Have you ever wondered whether your child is truly playing or just keeping themselves busy? As therapists, this is a question we hear often from parents. The truth is that play does not always look the way you might expect it to.

My name is Pankti, and I’m an occupational therapist at Join Laughter Development Therapy Center in San Jose. Today, I’m sharing some simple ways to help you understand whether your child is truly engaging in play.

Play Doesn’t Always Look the Way You Expect

When we think of play, we often imagine board games, stuffed animals, building blocks, or pretend kitchens. But play is much broader than that.

Sometimes play looks like a child spinning the wheels of a toy car, lining up stuffed animals, exploring different textures, or repeating the same action over and over again. Just because play looks different does not mean it isn’t play.

In these moments, your child is still exploring, engaging, and experimenting—and that is play.

Signs Your Child Is Truly Playing

So how can you tell if your child is playing? One sign is when your child keeps returning to the same activity over and over again. This shows they are trying to build skills or master something.

For example, if your child is laughing while building a block tower that keeps falling, they may be working on frustration tolerance. Even though the task is difficult and they are “failing,” they continue to come back to it and enjoy the process.

Other signs of play can include simply smiling, babbling, or glancing at you while they are playing. For instance, if they are playing a drum and look at you as if to say, “Oh look, did you see that I have done it?” Pointing at toys or trying to invite you into their play are also important signs.

All of these subtle behaviors are ways your child communicates with you, shows you what they are trying to do, and invites you to engage with them.

When Play May Be a Concern

If you notice your child engaging in solitary play without emotion or reaction, that may be something to pay attention to. For example, if there is no smiling, no frustration, no attempts to connect or respond, you might wonder whether your child is truly engaging in play.

This doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong, but it can be a small sign that you may want to explore further or seek support.

Trust That Your Child’s Play Is Meaningful

Every child has a unique way of playing. Some children may pretend to be a superhero for ten minutes, while others may enjoy watching bubbles float or trying to fit two blocks together.

As long as your child is engaging in play that is meaningful to them, where they are exploring, experimenting, building, or learning, they are developing important skills. Through play, children work on communication, creativity, social skills, and exploration. And that is play.

As parents, supporting your child in their play, whatever it looks like, is an important part of their development.

Reach Out for Expert Support

If you ever find yourself wondering whether your child is truly engaging in play or you’d like support understanding your child’s play skills, feel free to contact JLD Therapy. Our team would be happy to help. And subscribe to our YouTube channel for more helpful videos from our therapy team on supporting your child’s development.

How to Tell if Your Child Is Playing or Not

Can Your Child Make Progress Faster by Doing Speech & OT Together?

How Touching, Moving, and Exploring Help Your Child Learn to Play

Four Easy Steps to Connect with Your Child Through Play

The 6 Stages of Play Children Try Out as They Grow

Schedule an Evaluation with Our Experts Today

Ready to get started? Our expert pediatric therapists are ready to help your child overcome their challenges so they can experience life full of joy and laughter. All you have to do is reach out, and we’ll get started with play-based therapy that works.

Give us a call at (408) 337-2727 or fill out the contact form below to schedule an evaluation with our team, and let’s make childhood fun again!

Ms. Annette
Speech and Language Pathology

Annette’s journey toward becoming a speech-language pathologist began when her mother survived brain cancer for the first time. Watching her mother relearn how to speak—and attending many of her therapy sessions—deeply inspired her and sparked a genuine fascination with the field. At the time, Annette had recently graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was searching for the next direction in her career. After her mother later passed away following a second battle with brain cancer, Annette chose to pursue a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in her honor. Her mother’s strength, determination, and journey with communication rehabilitation continue to guide and motivate Annette’s work today.

With over 16 years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Annette has dedicated her career to helping children and adolescents find their voice, build confidence, and develop the communication skills they need to thrive. Her passion has always been working with neurodivergent learners, especially children and teens with autism. In recent years, she has begun integrating her interest in functional medicine to support the overall health of her clients, recognizing its impact on speech and well-being. By addressing root causes, she provides personalized strategies that enhance communication and quality of life through holistic functional medicine practices.

Early in her career, Annette was part of the team that developed ACE—Autism Center for Excellence—an innovative after-school program designed to support autistic adolescents through targeted communication work, social-emotional skill building, and peer-supported engagement. This program quickly became a valued resource for families and helped solidify her long-term commitment to serving children on the spectrum.

Throughout her professional journey, Annette has built a reputation for providing functional, family-centered therapy specializing in expressive and receptive language, social communication, behavior-supported communication, and parent advocacy. Whether working in schools, private practice, or home-based settings, her goal is always to meet each child where they are—by stepping into their world—and helping them grow into their fullest potential. (Fun fact: her parent support group calls her “the kid whisperer.”)

Outside of work, Annette is a proud single mom to her 16-year-old daughter, Lexi, a competitive fastpitch softball pitcher. Lexi’s dedication to the sport has taken them across the country—tournaments in Italy, showcases in Arizona and Texas, and college recruiting events in Montana. Traveling together has strengthened their bond and given Annette a deep appreciation for balance, resilience, and the importance of supporting young athletes as they pursue big dreams.

Today, Annette continues to expand her private practice, MySckool, while advocating for high-quality communication services, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and meaningful family partnerships. Her life’s work is rooted in empowering children—whether through communication, confidence, or opportunity—to succeed in every environment they enter.

Ms. Jennifer
OTR, Founder and Executive Director

Jennifer received her Master’s Degree in occupational therapy from San Jose State University, after double majoring in occupational therapy and psychology for her undergraduate program. Jennifer has been working with special needs children since 2005 both as a therapist and as a respite care worker. She has experience in working with children across the developmental spectrum and from 1-22 years of age. While Autism has been her primary area of practice she also has hands-on experience in working with children with down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Tourette’s, Dyslexia, ADD/ADHA, sensory processing disorders, mental retardation, and other developmental delays.

Outside of work Jennifer enjoys camping, hiking, cake decorating, outdoor adventures, and spending time with her family.

Languages: English, Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL)

Specialty Areas: Autism, Feeding, Swallowing, and Pediatrics Advanced Certifications: Physical Agent Modalities (PAM), Swallowing (SWC), SPD Pro 1 Certification

Certifications & Continuing Education Jennifer has participated in that are often highly sought after by clients and mentees. Handwriting Without Tears (HWT): Is a nationally recognized handwriting program that helps children gain the skills needed for both print and cursive writing. HWT draws from years of experience and research which helps provide developmentally appropriate, multi-sensory tools and strategies to help children learn the skills for handwriting. Children are taught handwriting skills using interactive materials and activities that help promote the skills needed for handwriting. Visit https://www.lwtears.com/ for more information.

Jennifer has received level 1 certification in this program. Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Solutions: A feeding program that incorporates the principles and practices from multiple disciplines including psychology, pediatrics, occupational therapy, dietetics, and speech-language pathology. The SOS program incorporates sensory, motor, oral, behavioral, learning, medical, and nutritional factors to create a comprehensive program for each child. The SOS program has over 20 years of success for helping infants, children and adolescents learn to eat. For more information visit https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/sos-certification/.

Jennifer has taken beginning and advanced course work in this approach.SCERTS Model: The SCERTS model is a research-based multidisciplinary framework that helps to address many of the problems faced by a person with ASD. The SCERTS model aims to build a child’s skills in “Social Communication”, Emotional Regulation”, and “Transactional Support”. The SCERTS model aims to help children learn and spontaneously react in a variety of settings. To learn more visit their website. The Son-Rise Program for Autism: The Son-Rise program teaches a specific and comprehensive system of autism treatment and education designed to help families and caregivers enable their children to dramatically improve in all areas of learning, development, communication, and skill acquisition. For more information visit https://autismtreatmentcenter.org/.

Jennifer learned this program second hand while providing intensive intervention with a child who’s family received specific training from the options institute.Zones of Regulation Curriculum: The Zones curriculum uses a cognitive-behavioral approach to teach children to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, by managing their sensory needs and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts and share. For more information visit their website at http://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html. Jennifer has received first-hand training on this approach by the therapist who developed the curriculum.

Integrated Listening Systems: The iLs system helps to train body/brain integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and extending through more complex cognitive functions. The iLs program is based on “neuroplasticity” and the fact that the neuronal connections can be improved. For more information on this program visit https://integratedlistening.com/. Jennifer has received certification in the use of iLs for home and clinic use.

STAR Model: The STAR Institue for sensory processing disorders provides treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents and adults with SPD. The STAR Institue provides clinicians with a unique opportunity to receive ongoing education to develop advanced clinical reasoning and treatment skills for individuals with sensory processing.

VitalStim: VitalStim is the only FDA-cleared treatment for NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) treatment for dysphagia. This modality is specifically designed to improve the mechanisms of the swallow. Visit https://www.ciaoseminars.com/home/vitalstim/ for more information. Jennifer is certified to provide treatment using the VitalStim+ system.”

Ms. Shivali
Physical Therapist

Shivali’s journey with kids began over 15 years ago, where she’s been fortunate to witness their incredible growth as a Physical Therapist. After graduating in 2009, she established her own practice in India, nurturing a deep understanding of individual needs and fostering a supportive environment.

Relocating to Virginia in 2013, Shivali embraced new challenges. She thrived in an outpatient Functional Movement based setting, collaborating with Speech, Occupational, Developmental therapists as well as movement aides and assistants to provide a holistic approach to her therapeutic interventions. Her passion for supporting families flourished as an Early Interventionist for Fairfax County, where she valued the importance of natural environments, parental participation and individualized care to support children and their families meet their functional goals. She worked as an Assistive Technology manager to handle all the therapeutic equipment for the county therapists and patients. Shivali brings a wealth of experience to her practice, having dedicated her career to supporting children from infancy through young adulthood. She has a deep understanding of diverse developmental needs, including those facing children with Delayed milestones, Torticollis, Down syndrome, Plagiocephaly, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, ADD, Muscular Dystrophies, Cerebral Palsyand genetic abnormalities. Her approach is multi-faceted, drawing from a range of evidence-based therapies such as Total Motion Release, DIR Floortime, Kinesio Taping, Learning Without Tears to name a few to create personalized treatment plans that foster each child’s unique growth and development.

The summer of 2022 brought the family to sunny California, where Shivali currently dedicates her expertise to supporting children within a school district and with Joy and Laughter.

Beyond the clinic, Shivali cherishes her role as a mother to two vibrant daughters. Together with her husband, they embrace adventures, exploring new parks and hiking trails. A culinary enthusiast, Shivali delights in creating healthy and exciting meals for her family. And for a touch of self-care, she enjoys crafting her own skincare products for her family and friends!
Shivali is thrilled to bring her passion, experience and playful spirit for pediatric therapy to JLD, empowering children to reach their full potential.

Ms. Jennifer
Speech Language Pathologist, Feeding Specialist

Since earning her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arizona Jennifer has specialized in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders; working in hospitals, clinics and home health settings. For over 10 years she has been evaluating and treating children, newborns to adolescents, with a variety of disorders including, premature birth, autism spectrum disorders, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, tongue and tip tie, cleft lip and palate, organ transplant recipients and medically fragile children. She has transitioned medically fragile infants and children from tube feedings to oral feedings and advised physicians on feeding tube removals. She has completed training in the “Get Permission Approach to Feeding Therapy”, “Beckman Oral Motor Protocol,” and “Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training.” Additionally, she has specialized training in the underlying medical causes of feeding and swallowing disorders and in assembling and working with an interdisciplinary medical team to address often overlooked medical issues. She conducts training with local medical professionals to provide education on pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. She uses a whole-body approach when assessing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders.

Jennifer is a certified infant massage instructor and utilizes these skills to teach family massage techniques that improve parent-child attachment, muscle activation, and digestion. She also enjoys and has experience in providing pediatric speech and language evaluations and therapy to children with a variety of special needs including those who have a tracheostomy tube, are medically fragile, born premature, have developmental delays, autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive disabilities, chromosome abnormalities, drug exposure, tongue thrust, etc. Jennifer has advanced proficiency in American Sign Language and has employed this skill to improve the communication within D/deaf and hard of hearing families and hearing families who want to use a total communication approach. She is TOTS certified as well.

Jennifer and her husband have three young children. They all love riding bikes, hiking, and exploring California together. She is scuba certified and loves traveling back home to Florida to dive in the warm water.