If you've heard me mention "Sprouts" and wondered what it actually is, here's the short version: it's the part of my practice built specifically for toddlers, ages 1 to 3, during one of the busiest stretches of brain development your child will ever go through.
I didn't set out to create a brand. I started calling this age group's care Sprouts because that's genuinely how I think about it, little ones still taking root, still figuring out how their bodies and brains work together. The name stuck, and it's grown into something more formal since, through the certifying body I trained with. But the idea behind it hasn't changed.
Why This Age Window Matters So Much
Between ages 1 and 3, your toddler's nervous system is doing an enormous amount of work. They're building the coordination behind walking, climbing, and running. They're wiring up focus, emotional regulation, and the early self-control that carries them toward preschool. None of that happens in the brain alone, it happens through the constant back-and-forth between brain and body, carried by the nervous system.
When that communication is running smoothly, toddlers tend to move through this stage with fewer bumps. When it's not, you might notice things like big emotional outbursts that feel bigger than the moment calls for, a toddler who seems constantly "wound up," or coordination that feels a little behind where you'd expect. None of that means anything is wrong. It just means their nervous system could use some support.
That's exactly what Sprouts is for.
What Sprouts Actually Looks Like
Sprouts isn't a program in the sense of homework or worksheets. It's gentle, hands-on chiropractic care, adjusted for a toddler's size and stage, aimed at clearing any interference between the brain and body so your child's nervous system can do its job well.
In practice, that means:
- Gentle, age-appropriate adjustments (nothing like an adult adjustment, ever)
- Support for coordination and motor skills as your toddler walks, climbs, and explores
- Support for emotional regulation during a stage that's naturally full of big feelings
- A simple way to support your toddler early, rather than waiting to see if something works itself out
I'm a Certified Chiropractic Pediatrician (CACCP) through the ICPA, with over 300 hours of post-doctorate training specific to infants and children. Sprouts sits alongside Beyond Milestones, which I use with babies from birth to 30 months, as the two ways I support kids through these early, fast-moving years.
A Word on Early Support
I want to be clear about something: Sprouts isn't about "fixing" your toddler. Most of the kids I see through Sprouts are developing exactly as they should. This is about supporting that healthy development early, while their nervous system is still laying down the patterns it will build on for years.
Think of it the way you'd think about any other early habit you build with your child, brushing teeth before there's a cavity, reading before there's a "reading problem." Sprouts is early support during a window when a little bit goes a long way.
My specialty is Sprouts, but I do see kids age 3 and up too. For families noticing something that feels bigger than day-to-day toddler behavior, whether that's a diagnosis or a pattern that's more involved, I also offer the full Brain Blossom Program, built for those situations.
What to Expect at a Visit
Your first visit includes a full history and a gentle, hands-on assessment, no scary equipment, no rushing. I'll walk you through exactly what I'm looking for and why, and give you simple things to watch for at home between visits. From there, we go at whatever pace fits your toddler and your family.
Is Sprouts Right for Your Toddler?
If your child is between 1 and 3, and you're looking for a gentle way to support their development during these fast-changing years, Sprouts is worth a conversation. You don't need to be dealing with a specific concern to start, plenty of the families I see are simply being proactive.
I'm here in Shakopee, seeing families from Prior Lake, Savage, and the surrounding south metro area. If you're curious whether Sprouts is a fit for your toddler, reach out and let's talk it through.
Ready to learn more about Sprouts? Book an appointment and I'll walk you through exactly what to expect.
