Add this fun and simple idea to your list of Christmas games for kids – it’s perfect for promoting core strength, balance, and social skills! We were short on present-themed gross motor activities during our play groups at The Treehouse this week and this fun idea came to mind at the last minute! The kids loved it! All you need are some basic props and the game can be changed up based on what supplies you have on hand. What [Continue Reading]
Reindeer Boot Camp: 6 Holiday Gross Motor Activities for Kids
These holiday gross motor activities for kids are perfect for a classroom holiday party or just to keep kids moving inside on a cold, snowy day! It’s time for Santa to get his crew all geared up for that grueling Christmas Eve delivery schedule! The elves are lifting weights and running on their treadmills to gain the endurance and strength they need to move presents, Santa is doing plenty of planks and sit-ups to strengthen his core so he [Continue Reading]
Kids Gift Ideas 2018
These kids gift ideas are perfect for promoting developmental skills for all ages and abilities! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Have you started your holiday shopping yet? I logged into my Google account yesterday and was immediately confronted with my daughters’ wish lists, color-coded with fancy fonts as if they will get exactly what they want as long as it all looks good on paper! :) So I decided to jump in on their game and create the [Continue Reading]
When Do Kids Need Physical Therapy in School?
Learn more about how kids qualify for physical therapy in school settings from a school-based pediatric PT. *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. I am a pediatric physical therapist who has spent the majority of my career in the educational setting. I have evaluated hundreds of kids from ages 3 – 22 and determined the need for my services within a school building. How do kids qualify for physical therapy in school? In order for kids to [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]
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]
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]
Swimming Tips for Sensory Kids & Reluctant Swimmers
Check out these 10 swimming tips for sensory kids and kids who are reluctant to get into the water. If you have a typically functioning sensory system, transitioning between one environment and another is probably pretty simple. You can move from being indoors to outdoors without much thought or awareness of the changes in the way the air feels or smells, or the difference between the surfaces you may be walking on. A child, or adult, with sensory processing issues [Continue Reading]
Hardware Store Finds: DIY Games & Activities for Kids!
These creative and budget-friendly DIY games and activities for kids are the perfect additions to this school year’s supply list! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. The final third of the summer is always a time for me to get organized for the upcoming school year. I compile my student folders, get my printable therapy planner all set up for the year, and take inventory of equipment. I also hunt for some cool new toys to add to my [Continue Reading]