Thumb opposition refers to a child’s ability to move his thumb and fingers to be able to touch one another. *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. What is Thumb Opposition? The typical full range of motion for thumb opposition allows us to reach the thumb to touch the base of the fifth finger (small finger) and begins to become functional during infancy as babies learn to grasp objects purposefully.This is an incredibly important fine motor skill for kids, as it allows them to grasp and use tools and objects efficiently by rotating the thumb so it can touch the ... Read More about DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS: THUMB OPPOSITION
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DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS: IN-HAND MANIPULATION SKILLS
In-Hand Manipulation skills allow kids to explore and use small objects by moving them around within their hands. There are three primary in-hand manipulation skills: rotation, shift, and translation. *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Rotation Think of someone twirling a baton in their hand, but now picture it on a smaller scale...twirling a baton with your fingers! This is rotation. Rotation moves an object in a circular motion. A great example is when a child rotates his pencil using the fingers of only one hand to use the eraser. Shift While rotation creates a ... Read More about DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS: IN-HAND MANIPULATION SKILLS
Chores for Kids: Promoting Developmental Skills
Read on to learn how common everyday chores for kids can help boost strength, proprioception, bilateral coordination, midline crossing, fine motor skills, visual skills, and cognitive skills! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Chores for kids...as moms, we know that they’re great for fostering independence, promoting a sense of responsibility, and making kids feel like capable members of a household. As therapists, we love the fact that chores for kids are also amazing for promoting all kinds of developmental skills! Simple, everyday chores around the house can help ... Read More about Chores for Kids: Promoting Developmental Skills
Easter Ideas for Kids: Easter Egg Tag
When I was coming up with Easter ideas for kids this year, I had really high hopes of being able to play outside. I was picturing my two little guys running around on the green grass on a nice warm spring day. Reality, however, has delivered about two feet of snow in our backyard that has been there for three months. We don’t even remember what that green grass looks like!So this game of Easter egg tag will have to remain indoors for now. Can’t wait for it to warm up so we can take it outside!Check out these fun and engaging Easter basket stuffers for kids that inspire movement and ... Read More about Easter Ideas for Kids: Easter Egg Tag
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS: FEED THE FROGS!
*This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Looking for some fun gross motor activities for preschoolers? Check this out! Sometimes, the most popular item in my therapy bag isn't a toy at all! In this case, it is a stack of die cut frogs that I picked up at the dollar store. They can also be found here. My preschoolers LOVE playing with these and they are unbelievably motivating! One of the most common things I address in physical therapy is teaching kids how to climb stairs safely. In our school district, many of the children live in apartment buildings and they are more ... Read More about GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS: FEED THE FROGS!
MUSIC ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS AND YOUNG KIDS
As pediatric occupational and physical therapists, we know firsthand the power of music to be able to target just about every developmental skill under the sun! Here’s one of our favorite ways to play with music...a Homemade Percussion Workshop! I witnessed the power of percussion up close and personal last summer at my son’s Dalcroze music class at a nearby art center. Dalcroze classes are all about music and movement, allowing children’s movements to shape the music (the instructor improvises on the piano and other instruments) and for the music to also shape the way the kids ... Read More about MUSIC ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS AND YOUNG KIDS
20 Fun Fine Motor Skills Games & Activities for Kids
These fun fine motor skills games and activities for kids are perfect for working on fine motor control and would be great to use as as fine motor skills tasks in the classroom or therapy room! 20 Fun Fine Motor Skills Games & Activities for Kids These creative activities for fine motor skills are perfect for targeting all kinds of fine motor skills and would be great to use in the classroom as warm-ups before handwriting activities or to give busy little hands something to do during downtime at home.I often leave fun fine motor skills activities in the classroom for kids to use ... Read More about 20 Fun Fine Motor Skills Games & Activities for Kids
30 Development-Boosting Winter Activities for Kids
This isn't just any list of winter activities for kids. All of the ideas here are designed to boost developmental skills in all areas! So kids will be learning and growing while they play! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Not a fan of the cold weather? We hear you! Here in Ohio, we're inundated by freezing temps for at least a few months every year. Those long winter days can be tough - especially when you have kids who have been cooped up inside! Many kids don't last more than a few minutes outside in cold weather. They might get bored quickly and that means that they ... Read More about 30 Development-Boosting Winter Activities for Kids