Cove Connections

Join us for the next Cove Connections session featuring local occupational therapist Dr. Kaci Walvatne as we explore how play can help children process, prepare for, and feel more confident during medical and dental experiences.

As part of her doctoral program, Dr. Walvatne partnered with Otter Cove to create a special Change It Up exhibit centered around medical play. Through surveys and conversations with parents and caregivers, she discovered a common challenge for families: anxiety, fear, and uncertainty surrounding doctor visits, hospital stays, dental appointments, medical equipment, and procedures.

The resulting exhibit invited children to explore these experiences through hands-on, child-led play, offering opportunities to interact with pretend medical tools, practice caregiving roles, become familiar with equipment and environments, and build confidence through curiosity and imagination.

In this Cove Connections session, families and caregivers will learn:

• Why medical play helps reduce fear and anxiety
• How children process unfamiliar or stressful experiences through play
• Simple ways to support children before appointments or procedures
• How play can strengthen trust, communication, and emotional regulation during difficult experiences

Whether your child feels nervous about the dentist, has ongoing medical needs, or simply benefits from preparation and predictability, this session will offer practical tools and compassionate insight for supporting both children and caregivers.

As a reminder, Cove Connections are structured like this:

11:00-11:10 – Family project or activity

11:10-11:30 – Children go play with an Otter Cove Playworker while a local professional provides child development and/or parenting information

11:30-12:00 – Adults have an opportunity to connect and discuss issues or concerns

12:00 – Families are reunited to spend Saturday together!

Cove Connections is FREE thanks to support of a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.

We do require registrations to ensure we have enough project supplies, seating, and childcare support: Register here