Poms for the Pencil Grip Win!

OT Activity of the Day:

Pencil Grip Fun

Target Age Range: 4 and up

Yesterday I highlighted pencil grips that you can buy.  Today I'm showcasing a way to adjust your child's pencil grip with an item you may have at home.  So in this picture, you'll see I'm holding a pom in my right hand (if you don't have a pom, you can easily use a cotton ball).  Please note that I'm only holding the pom in my pinky and ring finger.  This will force, or promote, a tripod grasp as the only fingers available to your child will be the three necessary for a more functional grip.

As I said yesterday, a child's tendency to use a more "non-functional" grip is most likely a result from a decrease in hand strength or stability.  In addition to using some of these corrective strategies, it's also important to address the lack of strength or stability.  This blog is full of hand strengthen activities so feel free to add any of those activities, in addition to these corrective strategies, to your child's daily routine. 

Enjoy!

To Pencil Grip, or Not to Pencil Grip

OT Activity of the Day:

Pencil Grips 

Target Age Range: 4 and up

A question I get a lot is whether or not a child should use a pencil grip.  In general, there are two types of ways children hold their pencil: functional grips (tripod) and non-functional grips (multiple finger grip or thumb wrap, just to name a few).  While both can be used to write, the child using the "non-functional grip" may fatigue more and experience more writing issues.  The time to promote, or fix, a grip is as soon as you notice your child developing poor grip habits.  Once a child has become more comfortable with writing (First Grade and beyond) it becomes more challenging to fix a grip, though it can be done.

If a child comes to me with a non-functional grip the first thing we work on is improving hand strength.  Non-functional grips are typically formed due to a lack of hand strength, or stability, so improving strength is a great starting point.  The next thing I usually do is look for a pencil grip that will allow for more stability.  In addition to stability I'm also looking at the child's preferences and this process can take a few weeks to work through to make sure that the match is a positive one.  As you can see, there are so many different pencil grips to choose from.  An OT can help guide you and your child to the right grip for your child's needs.

Enjoy!   

It's a wrap!

OT Activity of the Day:

Apples, trees, and leaves

Target Age Range: 4 and up

This is a great activity for targeting bilateral coordination.  All I did was grab a cardboard box and cut out some shapes, in this case an apple, a tree, and a leaf.  I then took some yarn and cut a long strip of each color and started wrapping.  You can use any color yarn you want, I went with a fall theme but don't feel limited. 

I love this activity because you have to stabilize one hand while wrapping with the other.  This skill is so important because it helps with writing, cutting, self help skills, and many other tasks.

If you would like to add to the activity you can even have your child color the shape first.  You could even decorate with stickers or dot markers before you start wrapping to target those fine motor manipulation skills.  If you have an older child they can even make their own shape and cut it out first before wrapping.  The options are limitless!

Enjoy!

Apples, Apples, Everywhere!

OT Activity of the Day:

Paper plate Apples

Target Age Range: 2 and up

This activity is for your younger child or the child just learning to cut.  All you need is a paper plate, construction paper, crayons, dot markers and glue.

I know I've said that ripping paper is a precursor skill to cutting, so here we're really targeting that skill.  You can give your child the whole paper to rip to shreds or you can give them strips of paper to rip.  Or if your child has just learned to snip you can continue to practice this by giving them a strip of paper to snip into small pieces.  Or if your child is still not cutting you can always give your child dot markers (wonderful practice with twist tops) or crayons to decorate the apple.  I used red, however there are yellow and green apples as well. 

Enjoy!

Apple Picking!

OT Activity of the Day:

Fine Motor Heaven!

Target Age Range: 2 and up

It's September and for me this means the start to apple picking, pumpkins, and all things Fall!  So today we're starting off September right with an apple activity.  You can easily scale this activity up or down depending on the level, or age, of your child.  

If you have an older child, they can absolutely cut out the tree and put the tree together.  However if your child is younger you can always pre-make the tree.

I then used both stickers and hole punch remains as the apples.  The stickers will be easier to use and wonderful fine motor manipulation practice for the younger kiddos.  The hole punch remains will be a great fine motor strength and manipulation exercise for the older kiddos (first they use the hole puncher and then they get to use the remains).  I've also seen similar activities where the child is matching letters on the tree.  

There are truly so many options! Enjoy!

Let's Get Mouthy!

OT Activity of the Day:

Whistles, balloons, and gum

Target Age Range: 2 and up

When children are seeking input they are simply looking for ways to make their body "feel better".  The start of school is a huge transition and often children will find ways of regulating their body, however these makeshift "strategies" are not necessarily appropriate for the classroom.  OT can help provide both families and schools with appropriate, and safe, ways that a child can receive the input they are looking for both at home and in school.

At this time of year I will have many parents express concerns that their child is chewing their shirt constantly throughout the day.  They will come home with a collar, or sleeve, that is completely soaked.  When this happens I usually provide them with a "oral motor grocery list" filled with items and foods that will give their child the input they are looking for without having to chew their clothes.  In the picture I have provided, I'm showcasing a few of the ideas that are included on the list.  We have balloons, gum, and whistles (there are noiseless whistles out there so don't worry that your house will be filled with high pitched sounds) just to name a few.  Other simple ideas include giving your child a sports bottle to drink water out of throughout the day or giving them crunchy or chewy foods for snacks or in their lunch.

Enjoy!  

Wall of Strategies!

OT Activity of the Day:

A wall of strategies

Target Age Range: 2 and up

So after all the questions about seated attention, the next biggest concern from parents, as their children start back at school, is how to calm them down at the end of the day.  Many children, and certainly those needing more input than others, will come home and appear to be very excitable.  These children are also more prone to meltdowns at the end of the day.  

While I usually say talk to the teacher about strategies that your child can employ during the day, I also suggest creating a "wall of strategies" at home.  Pictured is a portion of my wall of strategies that I have made out of googled images, construction paper, tape and markers.  I have included movements like time in the big pillows, animal walks, jumping (in general or on a trampoline), wall push ups, squeezing hands, getting a drink of water, running around the house, yoga poses, and play with a large therapy ball just to name a few.  The type of strategies you use will depend on the type of input your child craves.  (An OT can help provide strategies that will be beneficial to your child's sensory needs.)  

I use this wall often and if I notice a child needs a break or just needs to move their body I usually suggest a trip to the "wall".  This will give your child the movement, or input, they are looking for and the pictures help with selecting a strategy.  I would suggest taking a trip to the "wall" as soon as your child comes home and have them pick 2-3 strategies (completed over 20-25 minutes, or more or less depending on your child) before settling into the afternoon routine.  With this added movement you should see positive changes in your child's demeanor at the end of the day.

Enjoy!

Therapy Band

OT Activity of the Day:

Therapy Band

Target Age Range: 3 and up

Here's another tool to help with seated attention during school: a therapy band.  A therapy band is similar to a standard work out resistance band.  While I ordered this one from a therapeutic website, www.abilitations.com, you can easily go to Target or again, order off Amazon.  I would suggest medium resistance!

All you have to do is tie the band around the front two legs of the chair and you've installed a very effective tool for sustained regulation.  Your child will be able to kick against the band or even wrap their feet in the band for deep touch, calming, input.  I do remind children that the band should be quiet and not to be snapped during writing tasks.  Most children enjoy the band so much that this ground rule is easily followed.

Enjoy! 

Wiggle Time!

OT Activity of the Day:

Wiggle Cushion

Target Age Range: 3 and up

School is here!  In honor of school starting back up, I've decided to use this platform to help give advice and answer many questions parents ask at the start of the school year.

Today we are going to talk about a wiggle cushion, also known as a disc'o'seat.  A major concern for many parents is how to get their active child to stay seated and attend to tasks during the school day.  While many children are able to independently sit and attend during school hours, there are many that are unable to do so without assistance.  For starters, this is why movement throughout the day is so incredibly important for kiddos, after that, there are plenty of other options that will give a child the input that they are looking for while helping them stay in their seat.  

Cue the wiggle cushion!  When placed on a child's chair, or in their spot during circle time, it gives the child a bit of movement while in their chair and allows for longer seated attention.  You can buy these from therapeutic websites like www.abilitations.com, or Amazon, or at Target.  It is important to remember to fill the wiggle cushion only partially and to not over fill as it will then be too wiggly and provide the opposite affect that you're looking for.

If you feel like your child struggles with seated attention and is not currently monitored by an occupational therapist, don't hesitate to reach out.  Assistance early in development is so important and really sets the tone for your child's academic career.

Enjoy! 

Stamps!

OT Activity of the Day:

Letter Stamps

Target Age Range: 3 and up

This is a great activity for those younger kiddos.  Many young kiddos show interest in letters and while writing them can still be very challenging, stamping them is not!  Not only is this an activity that allows for expose to letters, but this activity also promotes fine motor manipulation and hand strength through manipulation of both the play doh and stamps.

For an added bonus, you can have your child use play doh and actually build the letters (based off a model) if stamping is too easy or you're just looking to build upon the activity.  

Enjoy!

Footsie!

OT Activity of the Day:

Drawing with our feet!

Target Age Range: 3 and up

So yeah, that's my foot, and yes I am drawing a smiley face.  Why?  Because this is a great way to work on trunk stability in kids and adults alike.  Trunk support is important for our kiddos because  it helps them maintain a seated posture throughout the day.  Children who do not have appropriate trunk stability are those kiddos that you see propping themselves frequently on the table or during circle time.  In order for your child to be successful in their seated tasks at school this is a very important skill to work on.

All you need for this activity is a large piece of paper, tape (I used painters tape so not to ruin the wall), markers/crayons, and a foot.  Tape the paper to the wall (I taped it pretty low to the ground so it's pretty easy), place a marker in your child's foot and have your child go to town.  If they end up tiring out quickly, no worries, having your child color on a vertical surface is also a great way to work on shoulder stability, another necessary skill for successful writing.

Enjoy! 

Sensory Fun!

OT Activity of the Day:

Water Beads!

Target Age Range: 2 and up (please note that these look like candy and your young child should be warned not to eat them and monitored while playing)

Water beads are one of my favorite things to play with.  I bought these at Michael's in the flower filler section (technically they were made to keep flowers hydrated).  They start out as tiny little beads and when water is added they grow.  

This is a great activity for those sensory seeking children and can be very calming.  You can add small manipulatives to the container like magnetic letters, animals, beads, or anything else you may have around the house.  If your child is more likely to eat the beads you can always place the beads in a ziploc bag before giving it to your young child.  They won't be able to feel the wet texture, however it will be a more calming visual experience.

Enjoy!

Shapes!

OT Activity of the Day:

Tracing Shapes

Target Age Range: 4 and up

Today we're continuing to focus on bilateral coordination, but instead of cutting, we're tracing shapes instead!  

Now I call this my "collage of shapes" however you and your child can easily make an actual picture (coupling the square and triangle to make a house for example).  I used paper plates to make my shape templates, but you can easily use cardboard or even card stock, just something that is more sturdy than regular paper.

The focus is to have your child stabilize the shape with one hand while they trace with the other.  Again, this ability is important because this is the skill (bilateral coordination) that will help with using both hands together (cutting, shoe tying, buttoning and "helper" hand while writing to name a few).

Enjoy!

Scissor Fun!

OT Activity of the Day:

Scissor Fun!

Target Age Range: 3 and up

If using scissors is hard for your child, odds are they may shy away from tasks that involve the skill.  Here's a way to entice your children to use scissors even if it is challenging: give them fun craft scissors they can use to add flare to their art project!  They don't have to cut on a line, just practice cutting the paper any way they want.  A fun way to work on bilateral coordination and fine motor manipulation!

Enjoy!

Painting with Water

OT Activity of the Day:

Water painting!

Target Age Range: 1 and up

I've talked about painting with water while outside, but now I'm bringing it inside.  This is a great way to introduce the simple sequence of painting and tool use in those very young kiddos.  What I like about this is that you don't have to worry about your child eating, or drinking, the paint and if your child is really into the activity you can even use card stock or a piece of cardboard as the canvas (more durable than regular paper).  You can also use this with the older kiddos and work on those prewriting and letter strokes.  

So really, it's mess free painting, enjoy!

Sticker Fun

OT Activity of the Day: 

Dinosaur Stickers!

Target Age Range: 3 and up

Foam stickers are always a fun activity.  On my latest trip to Michael's I spent at least 10 minutes trying to figure out which sticker set to buy, so the options are endless.  What's great about foam stickers is that your child will have to really use their fine motor skills to peel off the back of the stickers.  Despite how tricky these stickers can be, your child will be motivated enough to keep at it until the end.

For the younger kiddos you can simply add some crayons or markers so your child can really create a masterpiece.  Add an element of writing for those older kiddos and have them describe their sticker picture. Enjoy!

Marble Painting

OT Activity of the Day:

Painting with Marbles

Target Age Range: 4 and up

I know I've said it before, but bilateral coordination is an important skill for those school age kids. This will help them with cutting and writing, both being staples in your young child's life.  A great way to hone in on this skill is to paint with marbles!  

Here's what you'll need: a tray (I used an aluminum tray, though you can easily use a rimmed cookie sheet), paper, paint, and a few marbles (how many you use is up to you).  Just to ease up on any mess concern, this may be a fun activity to do outside!

After you place the paper in the tray and add your paint and marbles, you hand the tray to your child and let them gently use both their hands to tip the tray from side to side so that the marbles mix with the paint and create art!  Remember, the trick is to control your movements and coordinate both arms to keep the marbles in the tray!

Enjoy!

Mess-Free Shaving Cream

OT Activity of the Day:

Shaving cream!

Target Age Range: 1 and up

This is such a great activity for children of all ages and parents are sure to love it as well.  It's shaving cream and food coloring, without any of the mess!  

All you need to do is grab a large ziploc bag, some shaving cream, and some food coloring.  First spray some shaving cream in the bag and add some food coloring (I added two colors, however you can just add one).  The next part is very important to keep it mess free, before closing the bag try and carefully squeeze out any extra air, this will keep the possibility of an unexpected "pop" to a minimum.  Last, but surely not least, hand the bag to your child to play with.  Your child will love the way the color spreads through the shaving cream.

For the much younger children you can simply give them the bag or place the bag the floor and have them use their hands or feet to spread the color.  For the older kids you can tape the bag to the wall, like I did in this picture, and give your child a paint brush to focus on tool use and shoulder stability as they spread the color. 

Enjoy!

It's Clothespin Time!

OT Activity of the Day:

Feed the Monster

Target Age Range: 3 and up

The green monster is back!  Last time we saw him, he was enjoying poms that were fed to him by tongs.  Today he is loving these pipe cleaner worms!  Grab a pair of scissors, cut up some pipe cleaners, and grab a clothespin or two and you're set!  The added challenge of using the clothespins to feed the monster works those little muscles in those hands.  This activity is great for those kids who struggle to keep up with fine motor tasks.

Enjoy!

It's a Jungle Out There!

OT Activity of the Day:

Homemade Jungle

Target Age Range: 2 and up

We've been doing a lot of sit down crafts lately and today we are feeling like we need to get up and MOVE!  This is such a fun activity and can be done by children of all ages.  To create your jungle, all you need to do is gather random objects from around the house.  They could be pillows, chairs, couch cushions, blankets, or anything else that is not easily broken.  Next you set up the objects all the around the room much like I did here with my pillows, cones and chairs.  Finally you can challenge your child to walk through the jungle without touching anything.  Be creative and say that the objects are trees that are covered in snakes, or poison ivy, or something else that your child wouldn't want to touch.  Another challenge would be to see how many different ways your child can complete the jungle.

This activity targets your child's ability to be aware of their body.  This is a great activity for those children who appear to be more clumsy and are often bumping into others.  This activity also targets your child's ability to motor plan or problem solve as they pick their way through the maze carefully and in different ways. 

I also threw in the hippity hop as an added challenge.  Not only can they maneuver their body but  can they keep tabs on the hippity hop as well?  Enjoy!