Parent & Baby Play Groups
We are growing together.
A Passion.
As speech pathologists and mothers, we are both passionate about supporting parents in the most critical years of their child’s life. Without judgment and with science-backed information on how best to “BE” with your child, we are focused on helping your child gain skills AND helping you become confident and empowered as parents.
A Vision.
It all begins with an idea. Working in home-based services for most of our careers, we envisioned a play space that would welcome families and create opportunities for growth outside the home. A place where parents can be vulnerable, learn about themselves and their children, and connect with others in the same seasons of parenting.
A Mission.
We’re all growing together, and as we do so, our mission is to continue to fill the gaps in the community for families just like yours. Our goal is to normalize the idea that we can all benefit from some parenting support and education on infant and toddler development. And, as we play with our babies together, we'll all help build strong foundations and healthy families.
Meet the Team
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Kristin Bergholtz
Speech Pathologist
Kristin has been working as a pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the Rochester area since 2004. She worked at Clinical Associates of the Finger Lakes and Step By Step Pediatric Therapy Center as well as served as the Clinic Director of the Speech and Language Clinic at Nazareth University (formerly Nazareth College), prior to opening her private practice, Canalside Speech in 2021. Kristin enjoys working directly with clients and their families to help guide and support them along their communication journey. She has a passion for working directly with families using a parent coaching model to help make communication easier during everyday interactions.
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Stacia Paganelli
Speech Pathologist/Feeding Specialist
Stacia is a native to the Rochester area and has been working as a pediatric speech pathologist since 2001. She has practiced primarily as a home-based therapist (Early Intervention/preschool) and in the outpatient setting, recently moving from Step by Step Pediatric Therapy Center to her private practice, Help with Feeding, in 2022. Stacia loves working directly with families, empowering them to support changes in feeding routines and meeting overall family wellness goals. She also loves teaching at local colleges, daycare centers, and to other providers. Sharing her knowledge and clinical experience with parents and colleagues is her passion.
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Sonya Smith
Physical Therapist
Sonya has devoted her career to working with children in a wide variety of settings to include the neonatal intensive care unit, early intervention home setting, schools, hospital rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics. With a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo in 2010, she then went on to become a Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy in 2022 through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Sonya founded Muddy Sneakers Physical Therapy in Victor, NY. She believes in creating a welcoming space to allow children to optimize their physical independence, and a space where each milestone in a child's journey is celebrated; however large or small.