Supplies 2 or more paper towel rolls White Yarn Scissors 1 roll masking tape Assorted googly eyes Black Sharpie Procedure Cut 1 paper towel roll into pieces to represent family members Cut a small slit into the top and bottom of each piece of paper towel roll Begin by threading yarn through 1 slit of…
Surviving Snows Days as a working mom of a child with special needs
How many 6 am calls have you gotten from school so far? You know, the one that throws off your entire day if you are a working parent? The one that leaves you either frantically rescheduling your appointments for the day or calling every babysitter on your list? Yes, I am talking about a SNOW…
Fine Motor Valentine’s Day Soap Craft
Supplies 1 bar of soap (we used Dove for sensitive skin) 1 box grater with removable lid 1 bowl to hold grated soap 1 tablespoon of warm water 1 medium sized cutting board 1 cookie cutter (approximately 2”x 2” works well) 1 spatula Procedure 1.Set up the grater so that child will pull the…
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…
Homemade Pomander Balls
Supplies 1 or more navel oranges Whole cloves Pencil or other child safe object to poke holes in orange Ribbon if desired Procedure 1. Draw lines on oranges to create pattern as desired 2. Push small holes into orange spaced appropriately along lines or for children who need help judging space, use marker dots rather…
Screen time or Play Time? 5 Ideas to Keep Kids Active Indoors
Parents are always looking for ways to keep their kids active in the winter without spending a fortune on trips to the bowling alley or the trampoline park! There is no guarantee of snow for snowman building, and, let’s face it – it can get pretty cold the further from the equator you get. While…
Crack Nuts to Improve Fine Motor Skills
Use these Tools to Strengthen Little Hands and Improve Coordination this Holiday Season At the holidays, many families have nuts set out with the appetizers. The Nutcracker Toy Soldier has become a Christmas icon. But in addition to this decorative soldier, there are a variety of fun nutcrackers that children can experiment with during the holidays. …
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….
Rethinking Classroom Decorations
Rethinking Classroom Decorations Have you ever walked into a classroom and been overwhelmed by the amount of projects and decorations on the walls and supplies on the shelves? You look to the left and see maps, shapes, paintings of the children’s favorite stories, letters, calendars, and schedules. Then you turn right and see blocks, dress up containers, pretend kitchen…
