FARM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: A FARM FRESH FEAST
Today, we're moving on to our next theme for the fall: Fun on the Farm! I am a Montessori lover. I don’t work in a Montessori school, but the therapist in me jumps for joy whenever I see posts about Practical Life Activities for kids on awesome Montessori-inspired blogs like Twodaloo (one of our favorites...check out her post about Building Language In the Kitchen - so great!). Practical Life Activities are designed “to help the child gain control in the coordination of his movement, and help the child to gain independence and adapt to his society.”* Sounds like OT to me! My kids at home ... Read More about FARM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: A FARM FRESH FEAST
PLAYGROUND GAMES FOR KIDS
Looking for fun ways to get active with your little ones? Try some playground games for kids! Sometimes as therapists, we get so caught up in planning perfect activities for kids that will stimulate the imagination, engage the child for and target as many aspects of motor development as possible. But have you ever just stood back and watched all of the dynamic movement activities children create for themselves? My kiddos LOVE to go to the playground. They are 9, 6, and 3 and are all at very different stages of motor development. But to watch them maneuver a playground….WOW! They have ... Read More about PLAYGROUND GAMES FOR KIDS
FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES: STORYBOOK DRAWING
Sometimes, listening to my 5-year-old chatter away with her friends can be exhausting :) but I simply love how much they have to say and how imaginative they are when telling stories. Cooperative fine motor activities let them work together to build their own collaborative creative masterpieces. WHAT YOU'LL NEED: White paper, colored pencils or crayons WHAT TO DO: Start with a blank piece of paper and some colored pencils or crayons, and let the story begin! Instruct one child to draw a picture of an object on the paper. Give suggestions such as a person, flower, animal, sun, or house. The ... Read More about FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES: STORYBOOK DRAWING
Who’s Missing Visual Game
This fun group visual game is a great way to get kids engaged with one another in a classroom or other group setting while engaging the visual system. Have you ever lost one of your kids at the grocery store or the zoo? Or at the park…or the library…or the science center? Okay, now I’m showing all my cards. Yes, I lose my kids. A lot. They’re 3 lightening-quick and super curious boys, a combination that makes for tons of fun for them and a lot of freak-out moments for me when they run away from me in public. But don’t worry - this version of Who’s Missing is a lot less stressful than ... Read More about Who’s Missing Visual Game
COOPERATIVE LEARNING GAMES FOR KIDS: BLIND PLAY
How many times have you told your child to “turn on his listening ears?” Well, this activity makes learning to listen fun as children explore their environments together. The only catch is - one friend is blindfolded! You'll definitely want to add this activity to your arsenal of learning games for kids! Looking for another fun way to play with a blindfold? Check out this blindfolded drawing actvity! WHAT YOU WILL NEED: Blindfold, balls, basket, or any additional objects to incorporate into the game WHAT TO DO: Designate a clear, safe space for this activity and be sure to have an adult ... Read More about COOPERATIVE LEARNING GAMES FOR KIDS: BLIND PLAY
The Easiest Cooperation Game for Kids: Mirror, Mirror
Many of our therapy sessions take place either within classrooms or with a small group of kids who are working on the same or similar goal areas. Because of this, it's super important to have a mental list of fun group activities for kids on hand to keep everyone active, moving, and working on skills like coordination, strength, and balance. As therapists, we love activities for kids that can be adapted for all ages and ability levels. This activity can be as simple, or as challenging as you make it! The object is to get your partner to copy the position of your body as if they were ... Read More about The Easiest Cooperation Game for Kids: Mirror, Mirror
¿Cómo saber si tu hijo desarrolla una musculatura central fuerte?
Si ya nos sigues en The Inspired Treehouse , seguramente has leído algunas de nuestras publicaciones sobre el fortalecimiento básico para niños. Para algunos, este concepto suena un poco alocado. ¿Músculos centrales? ¿Fortalecimiento muscular? ¿¡Para niños!? ¿De qué hablan? ¿Por qué no podemos dejar que los niños sean tan solo ser niños? Quédense tranquilos, no estamos hablando de armar rutinas de trabajo con los niños para que sus abdominales luzcan trabajados. No es esa la idea. Hablamos simplemente de dar a los niños una base sólida para que desarrollen cada una de sus destrezas de ... Read More about ¿Cómo saber si tu hijo desarrolla una musculatura central fuerte?