Because they have a mama who is an occupational therapist, my children are exposed to and knowledgeable about differences between people and how our differences make us the amazing individuals we are. Jack and Ella know that it is not scary to look different, to have extra challenges, or to have to approach tasks in different ways. Today, make it a point to talk to your kids about how people are different and unique. Give them some examples of how their friends may be different (e.g. blindness, using a wheelchair or a walker, deafness) and explain that despite differences and challenges, ... Read More about I AM THANKFUL FOR OUR DIFFERENCES
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FUN FAMILY CRAFTS: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Fun Family Crafts! This time of year allows people to focus on what's really important: family. Working together on fun family crafts creates memories that make us smile. That's why I love the holidays. In this family activity you'll create a unique piece of art that will bring those smiles back every time you see it. I'm sure you'll want to find wall space for this one! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Canvas(es), paints, wide width paint brushes, paper plates, pencil WHAT TO DO: Choose your canvas (we used two 20×20 canvases). Decide on a base color for the canvas and one paint color for each ... Read More about FUN FAMILY CRAFTS: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
FALL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: MAKING AN IMPRESSION
Here's a super easy way to play with play dough that's the perfect addition to your list of fun fall activities for kids! MAKE PLAYDOUGH FOR FINE MOTOR SKILLS Playing with play dough is one of my favorite fine motor activities to do with my kids at home and at school because there are millions of ways to make it new and exciting, just by adding novel objects or presenting it in a different way. I love the way other bloggers bring seasonal and natural objects into play dough play, like the Fall Play Dough Invitation to Play from Fantastic Fun and Learning. One afternoon, I was playing ... Read More about FALL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: MAKING AN IMPRESSION
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: MINI PUMPKIN TOSS UP
HALLOWEEN GAME FOR GROSS MOTOR SKILLS As a child, I always wished I could juggle. I would practice for hours and hours and still only be able to manage two objects at a time...and only for a few seconds!! Once I got to college, it was a mandatory part of training for our basketball team to learn to juggle - 3 and even 4 objects - while standing, walking, running, moving backwards. It was the ultimate measure of hand eye coordination and it was my nemesis! Even so, juggling has proven to be a great treatment tool for me during my years as a physical therapist. It's one of the best gross ... Read More about GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: MINI PUMPKIN TOSS UP
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: ACORN HOPSCOTCH
Hopscotch is such a classic game that all kids love to play! My girls are constantly asking me to refresh the tired old chalk outline of the squares on the driveway. We thought it might be fun to update this old favorite by turning it into a little race using two hopscotch boards and acorns! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Sidewalk chalk or sidewalk paint or painters tape if playing indoors. WHAT TO DO: Draw two hopscotch boards on the driveway with your sidewalk chalk. If you are inside, you can always create hopscotch boards on the floor with painters tape. Inside each of the squares, instead of ... Read More about GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: ACORN HOPSCOTCH
HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES: MONSTER CHARADES FOR KIDS!
Halloween activities that challenge a child’s creativity and motor planning are right up the Inspired Treehouse’s alley! With this game of Halloween charades, children will be having their very own monster mash in no time! WHAT YOU’LL NEED: printable charade cards WHAT TO DO: Print out the charade cards, which have different pictures of Halloween characters on them. Fold each card and place into a bag. One child goes first, choosing a character from the bag and trying to act or move like the character on the card. The other kids try to guess who their friend is imitating. Once the ... Read More about HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES: MONSTER CHARADES FOR KIDS!
HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES: 5 LITTLE PUMPKINS
Looking for fun Halloween gross motor activities for your little one? You have probably heard the classic Halloween poem “5 Little Pumpkins”. If you haven’t, it goes like this: Five little pumpkins Sitting on a gate The first one said, "Oh, my, it's half past eight!" The second one said, "There are witches in the air!" The third one said, "Good folk, beware!" The fourth one said, "We'll run and run and run!" The fifth one said, "Let's have some fun!" OOOOOOOH, went the wind And OUT went the light And the five little pumpkins Rolled out of sight! I thought it would be fun to ... Read More about HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES: 5 LITTLE PUMPKINS
SPOOKY SCAVENGER HUNT
With the house all decorated for Halloween and lots of talk about what costumes will be worn this year, we are getting in the spirit of the season at our house! We had been meaning to get together with some neighbors whose boys are buddies with my little guys, so I thought it would be fun to create an activity they could do together to get ready for Halloween while using their senses and exploring the great Halloween decorations in our neighborhood! WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Invitation, flashlights, scavenger hunt page or clues, treats, and a few brave souls willing to explore the neighborhood on a ... Read More about SPOOKY SCAVENGER HUNT