From one busy parent to another, here are four self-care strategies I use at home to help relax and de-stress from the day. Lets start with a tool I use almost everyday to de-stress, the Vanity Planet Rejuvenating Scalp Massager. The vibrating massager has two settings and rubber brittles that comb through the hair. As mentioned…
Painting with Bubbles
Supplies Bubble solution (about 1 cup) 1-2 ts each of red, yellow, and blue paint Bubble wand (we used glitter bug, but you can choose your favoirte) 3 bowls to hold bubble solution/paint Paint brushes or spoons to mix paint and bubble solution Mulitple peices of large paper (we used 17” x11”, but you…
Managing screen time in a digital world
Media is taking over our lives. As parents, we need to learn how to create balance for our family, especially if our children have sensory and learning needs.
Do marketers in a digital world know more than parents?
Is it more valuable to have a quick win or long term success? As a parent of a child with sensory, learning, or attention difficulties, sometimes it’s easy to go for the quick wins and immediate rewards. The marketing world tells us that is exactly what we need. Post a cute picture and get…
Make a Popcorn and Cranberry Garland to Improve Fine Motor Skills
Supplies 1 bowl of plain (not butter) popped popcorn 1 package fresh cranberries Thicker thread such as upholstery thread Sewing needle Procedure 1. If using sewing needles is new for your child, demonstrate safe use, pointing out sharp and dull ends of the needle, and safe storage (such as in a pincushion) when not using…
Give the Gift of Calm: Tools and Tricks for Self Regulation
As information about sensory differences and strategies such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and breathing have become more mainstream, items that OTs have used with kids for years to improve self- regulation are readily available for purchase. Here is a list of recommended items focusing on Rhythm, Pressure, and Respiration, the key components of RESTORING activities….
Sometimes reading fluency is not just about decoding: How hidden vision deficits made me rethink my tutoring session.
As a special educator with 45 years experience and training in Orton-Gillingham, I have always believed in the value of using multi-sensory tools and strategies to teaching reading and math. The Orton-Gillingham approach to reading is a language based, multi- sensory, structured, sequential, cognitive and flexible program. Orton-Gillingham is a well known and respected reading…
Behavior and Nutrition: Eating for Energy!
We all know that fruits, veggies, protein, good fats, and whole grains are good for us. But did you ever think about how they help your child to get through their day? Think about your child at school. They have breakfast, get on the bus, have a quick snack (maybe) and lunch at school,…
Summer Fun Supports Learning and Positive Behavior in Children
Why do children seem so much better behaved in the summertime? Is it because they are enrolled in camp and they “get all of their energy out?” Is it because being outside in nature, children are getting away from iPads and television and are less irritable without the screen time? Or maybe children are…
Whole Body Listening in the Classroom
As a child in a busy classroom how many times do you hear: “Pay attention,” “Quiet down and listen up,” “I’m not going to tell you again; You should have been listening to the instructions,” “Didn’t you hear me?” Teachers use many different strategies to gain the attention of their students and get them to…
