The Best Side Gig for Child Development Professionals.
Turn the skills you already have into developmental play groups that families love.
A step-by-step framework that shows you how to start a program that creates meaningful impact, flexible income, and a business you actually enjoy running.
✔ Launch your first play group in weeks
✔ Use your existing expertise as a child development professional
✔ Build a new stream of income without the constraints of paperwork and billing
The Best Side Gig for Child Development Professionals.
Turn the skills you already have into developmental play groups that families love.
A step-by-step program to turn the expertise you already have into developmental play groups that create meaningful impact, flexible income, and a business you actually enjoy running.
✔ Launch your first play group in weeks
✔ Use your existing expertise as a child development professional
✔ Build a new stream of income without the constraints of paperwork and billing
What is Rooted in Play?
Rooted in Play gives pediatric therapists the complete roadmap for turning their clinical expertise into developmental play groups that families love.
Instead of starting from scratch, you'll follow a proven framework that shows you exactly how to design your program, attract families, market your groups, and confidently launch.
Here's what's included...
A Comprehensive On-Demand Video Training and Workbook
Everything you need to launch your business, including planning worksheets, customizable marketing templates, intake forms, flyers, and printable resources.
Access to the exclusive Rooted in Play Facebook group where members can network, brainstorm together, ask questions, and share resources and information!
Hundreds of Pages of Play-Based Activity Plans and Printables
Get the activities that play group providers around the world are using during their groups. (600+ pages of plans and activities!)
Get instant access to the framework for only $299!
Rooted in Play includes...
THE DEVELOPMENTAL
PLAY GROUP MODEL
Your roadmap for understanding the model and how it works
BUSINESS
BASICS
Learn exactly how to charge for play groups, schedule your sessions, and build recurring monthly income.
MARKETING
BASICS
Practical ways to connect with families in your community
HOW TO RUN A PLAY GROUP
The routines and strategies that make play groups run smoothly
Rooted in Play is a step-by-step path to build something meaningful in your community and reconnect with the heart of your work.
Join the growing community of Rooted in Play providers...
“I have been working as a physical therapist in the school system for 15 years. Recently I feel that there is something missing with school PT…sometimes I wonder if I am truly making a difference given the time constraints, spaces to work, and pressures within the school environment…When I received your email about the Rooted In Play course I said (out loud) "YES, this is exactly what I've been wanting to do!!!"
-Shannon, PT (Indiana)
“We signed up for Rooted in Play and held our first play group this summer! It was incredibly helpful and gave us the confidence and tools we needed to get our program off the ground. We're excited to continue growing our playgroups and supporting more families in our community.”
-Elizabeth & Ellie,
SLP & OT (Tennessee)
-Sara & Kelsey, OTs (South Carolina)
What Makes This Model Different?
Created by Child Development Professionals
You're learning from professionals who've built a successful developmental play group business themselves.
A Proven Framework You Can Make Your Own.
Follow a clear roadmap while creating play groups that fit your community, personality, strengths, and expertise
It’s built around the skills you already have.
You don't need another certification or years of business experience. You already have the expertise. We'll show you how to turn it into a sustainable business.
Our story...
We started with one backyard play group.
Families kept coming because they saw the positive impact that intentional, play-based experiences had on their children.
Soon, other child development professionals began asking how we had built it and whether they could do the same.
That's why we created Rooted in Play: to give you the roadmap we wish we'd had when we were getting started.
Join more than 80 other therapists who are already running play groups using the Rooted in Play framework!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We've got A's for your Q's
I’m already overwhelmed with work. How would I have time for this?
Start small — try just one play group session per week or every other week. The model is designed to be manageable as a side gig alongside your current job, and you can grow at your own pace. Play groups are a great fit for school-based therapists who have time off in the summers and holidays.
What if I take the training and then decide not to do play groups after all?
Good news...you still just got 600+ pages of printable activity plans and activities at a HUGE discount! These activities can be used in any setting at any time. Plus, you'll have the training and the framework forever, so you can revisit the information in the future when it may be a better fit.
Is this training approved for CEUs for therapists?
No, this training is designed to support therapists who are interested in pursuing the developmental play group model as a side gig or as a business venture. This course has not been approved for continuing education for OTs, PTs, or SLPs.
How long until I can actually launch my first play group?
We've heard from professionals who purchased the training and, within just a few weeks, started their first round of play groups. These therapists have said that they had all of the information they needed to get started and to start learning through implementing the groups themselves.
Can you actually make money running play groups?
Yes. Running play groups can provide a great source of additional income. The training walks through simple pricing structures and practical considerations so you can design a model that works for your time, your community, and your goals.
I’m not a business person. What if I don’t know how to run something like this?
You don’t need prior business experience to start. This training breaks the process down into clear, practical steps so you can move from idea to implementation with confidence.
What ages are developmental play groups for?
Our play groups at The Treehouse are designed for children ages 2 through 10 years old. However, the Rooted in Play framework could easily be adapted to use with any age group!
Do I need funding, a space, or special equipment to start?
No. You can start in community spaces or even in your own backyard! This model focuses on creative, play-based activities that don’t require expensive equipment or a traditional therapy setting.
Do I need to be a therapist to do this?
Play groups can be run by any child development professional. This training is written from the point of view of pediatric therapists (OT, PT, SLP) and the Rooted in Play framework was originally designed with pediatric therapists as play group facilitators.
I'm a clinic owner. How can this framework help my business?
Developmental play groups give your clinic a new way to serve families sooner. Rather than waiting for a one-on-one therapy slot to open, you can support several children at once in a therapist-led developmental play group. This allows you to welcome more families into your clinic immediately while they wait for an individual therapy opening.
It's not about replacing one-on-one therapy. It's about creating a meaningful bridge between a family's first phone call and their first therapy appointment.
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