Check out some of the best assistive technology examples for supporting emergent writers! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. As occupational therapists we specialize in creating ways for students to participate in meaningful tasks. In the school-based setting, active participation in writing is an area where parents and other professionals look to school-based OTs as experts. We are called on to help all levels of learners with writing tasks. Today, I wanted to focus on students with emergent literacy [Continue Reading]
Using Visual Cues to Promote Gross Motor Skills
Using visual cues is a great way to support the development of gross motor skills in kids. Read on to find out more! *We received complimentary Tumbl Trak products in exchange for this review. All opinions and views are our own. *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Teaching a child to do a new gross motor skill, especially a highly coordinated one that involves crossing midline or use of both sides of the body, can be a challenge. If [Continue Reading]
Witch’s Brew Halloween Activity for Toddlers
This fun Halloween Activity for Toddlers is not too spooky, has plenty of wow-factor, and doesn’t require too much prep or clean-up. At my house, we have a 5 year gap between my middle child and my “baby” (who turns 3 tomorrow). There are a lot of great things about this age difference…and a few challenges. One of them is Halloween. Why? Because an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy have very different ideas about Halloween than a 2-year-old boy. [Continue Reading]
Sensory Halloween Scavenger Hunt
This Sensory Halloween Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to keep kids calm if they’re nervous or overwhelmed by Trick or Treating. For some kids, Halloween is the best holiday of the year — candy, anyone? For others, it’s a night of complete sensory overload. From itchy costumes to strange new sounds, this spooky October evening can be a nightmare for kids with sensory processing concerns or even for kids who just get overwhelmed easily. We thought it would be [Continue Reading]
Fun and Simple DIY Fidgets for Halloween
This simple and squishy DIY fidget for Halloween is fun to make and even more fun to squish and squeeze! If you’re looking for a fun and easy Halloween activity with a final product that will keep little hands happy and busy – this is the activity for you! This DIY fidget is super cute and can be made in lots of different ways for different effects. This is a perfect activity for a kids Halloween party! What you’ll need: [Continue Reading]
10 Creative Obstacle Course Ideas for Kids
These fun obstacle course ideas are the perfect way to promote developmental skills while keeping kids engaged and interested! *We received complimentary Tumbl Trak products in exchange for this review. All opinions and views are our own. *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. You’re getting ready to set up an obstacle course for your kids at home, in your therapy room, or in the gym. You haul out the cones, slide the balance beam into place, stretch out your tunnel [Continue Reading]
Simple Squishy Ball Listening Activity
Looking for a fun and super simple listening game that targets body awareness and sequencing? This is the activity for you! This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Do you ever have those moments where you have just a few minutes of downtime to fill with a group of kids? Maybe your class is ready a few minutes early for dismissal. Or maybe you finish up a therapy session before time is up. Not everyone would know what to [Continue Reading]
Teaching Kids How to Kick a Ball
These tips are a great start for kids who are just learning how to kick a ball! You have watched your baby rapidly progress through the stages of development from rolling to crawling, standing to walking, and running to jumping. Before you know it, and probably before you’re quite ready, your kiddo will be ready to be the next soccer star. You will start to notice her picking up her foot awkwardly to try to kick a ball as she [Continue Reading]
Alerting Sensory Input for Kids
These are some of our best ideas for providing alerting sensory input for kids! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. In our school-based therapy practice, hardly a day goes by without at least one parent or teacher asking us about calming sensory techniques, calming breathing techniques, and calming movement activities for kids. We definitely know that there is a huge need for these strategies and ideas for many kids in school settings. These ideas are perfect for kids [Continue Reading]