DIY Fine Motor Activities!

Forget about the expensive toys! 

Make your own fine motor activities at home!

Get a muffin tray, some tweezers or kitchen tongs and small objects that you have scattered around the house.  He can work on placing them in the cups or even sort them by color!

 

Straws make him successful with stringing a bead!  Once he has mastered that, move on to string!

Cut a hole in the top of a container for buttons, coins, popsicle sticks, etc. 

The neighbor kids had fun decorating these sticks!

A parmesan cheese container is great for working out those first three fingers needed to hold a pencil!  Straws, pipe cleaners and even little puff balls are fun to stick through the holes!  Paint around the holes in different colors to make it a sorting activity.

The squeezable mayonnaise containers are great for working on a pincer grasp.  Small buttons or pennies can be placed through the slot.  Also, have your child pick up three pennies, one after another, using only one hand, and then place them into the slot one at a time.

The possibilities are endless!  Take a look around your house to make other variations of finger fun!

Michelle Yoder, OTR/L

Sensory Writing!

        

Learning to write can be fun!  Practicing the strokes and formation of letters doesn’t have to be done with a pencil on paper!  Use different tactile media to make writing a sensory experience; it will be super fun and motivating and your child will quickly pick up on the writing strokes!

Try some of the following finger fun to write letters, words and even sentences! Depending on your child’s level, he can freely draw and experiment with lines, copy lines you’ve drawn in the same media, use different tools to work on scooping or retrieving items, or copy a design from a drawing on a separate piece of paper.

It’s a great time of year for insta-snow!

Free Drawing

Copying a simple, vertical line

Working with tools and exploring the tactile media.

Copying more complex designs from paper

For additional input, also try:

·         400 grade sand paper under the paper

·         Shaving cream

·         Playdoh

·         Shaving gel in a sealed baggie

·         Concrete with sidewalk chalk

·         Sand

·         Rice or bird seed

Write On!

Michelle Yoder, OTR/L

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

December is here and it's time for gift giving! I know that you want to give your children toys that are developmental, educational and therapeutic! These are a few of my favorites, but if you need some help, just ask me or your therapist and we'll be glad to help you find something perfect for your little angel!

Infants

·         Crayola Jumbles

·         Hungry Pelican Plush at Young Explorers

·         Color Tower Stacking Game by Haba

·         Playskool Chase Me Critter

·         Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Learning Piggy Bank

·         Alex Jr. I Can Cook

·         Melissa and Doug Deluxe Bug Jug Fill and Spill Soft Baby Toy

Toddlers

·         Educo Early Melodies Pound and Tap Bench

·         Tobbles Stacking Toy

·         Playskool Poppin’ Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper

·         Fropper Ride-On by Okiedog

·         Plan Toys Push ‘n Pull Helicopter Push Toy

·         Crab Calino-HABA pull toy

PreSchool

·         Coo Coo the Clown by Blue Orange

·         Block Buddies by MindWare

·         Pattern Play by MindWare

·         The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game by Educational Insights

·         Imaginets by MindWare

·         Sorting Pie Playset at Therapy Shoppe

·         My Little Sandbox at Amazon

·         I Can Pound Activity Bench by Fundanoodle

·         Skuut Balance Bike at Target or Toys &Co.

Children 5-9

·         Dig and Discover Excavation Kits at Fat Brain Toys, MindWare or Toys & Co.

·         Magnetic Mosaico at MindWare

·         Straws and Connectors by Roylco at www.strawsandconnectors.com

·         Rush Hour Junior by ThinkFun at MindWare

·         Spot It! by Blue Orange

·         Blind Spell at MindWare

·         Flying Turtle by Mason Corporation at Amazon

·         The Spooner- Toys & Co. or pfot.com

·         Wobble Deck Balance Board at Discovery Channel Store

·         Muscle Mover Gross Motor Cards by Fundanoodle

Tweens

·         Rush Hour- Target or MindWare

·         Buckyballs by Zoomdoggle

·         Ogo Sports Discs- Target or Brilliant Sky

·         Spooner Board Pro-pfot.com

·         Razor Bogo Pogo by Razor

·         Torx Smash Stix at Kmart

·         FyrFlyz Multicolor Blue Angel at Amazon

Attention Santa’s Elves! Stocking Stuffers

·         Thinking Putty, Silly Putty or Big Putty

·         Floam-Discount School Supply or Therapy Shoppe

·         Dino Popper at Therapy Shoppe

·         Wind Up Fishing Game at Therapy Shoppe

·         Flapping Owl Whistle or Whirly Wheel Whistle at Therapy Shoppe

·         Wind Up Toy such as Wind Up Penguin at Therapro

·         FyrFlyz Green Cyclone by iStar Entertainment

·         Tangle Hairy at playworks.net

Happy Holidays!

Michelle Yoder, OTR/L

Kids Need Their Zzzzzs!

Sleep is so important for our children, both mentally and physically.  A good night’s sleep helps improve our mental alertness and just makes us feel better! The amount of sleep that each child needs varies, but a good rule of thumb is:  1-3 years old need 12-14 hours, 3-5 years old need 11-13 hours, 5-12 years old need 10-11 hours and teens need 9-10 hours per night. 

To ensure that your child has an easy time falling asleep and gets a restful sleep, try the following:

·         Reduce Stimuli prior to bedtime-limit the noise, dim the lights, avoid television, computers and video games

·         Linear movement, like rocking, is calming.  Avoid spinning or excessive movement at least an hour prior to bedtime

·         For infants- put your child down when he or she is drowsy, not asleep

·         Avoid caffeine and sugar

·         Maintain a consistent bedtime routine- bath, books, bed

·         Scented bath products with lavender may be helpful

·         Give your child a massage using firm, deep pressure-ask your therapist to show you massage techniques

·         For children who startle easily, consider using white noise

·         Try using a heavy blanket such as a quilt or one made of chenille

·         Ask your occupational therapist about the possibility of using a weighted blanket

Michelle Yoder, OTR/L

Avoiding Holiday Havoc

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is important as parents to carefully guard our family’s schedule.  Putting too many items on the calendar without sufficient down time can lead to tired and unhappy children, as well as grumpy and forgetful parents.  When you start receiving those invitations, try to weigh them out and select only those invitations that will comfortably fit into your schedule.  It is important to select those activities or events that will bring you joy and help you fully experience the beauty of the season, limiting those events that you do only because you feel obligated.  I always ask myself three questions, “Does this activity benefit my spiritual growth, my family, or my personal growth?”  If it does not, I try very hard to say no!  This is a life-long process for most mothers.

As the weather gets cold and your children have less time playing outdoors, it is also important to include physical activity in your children’s schedule.  This might be a good time to try our Yoga class here at Touchstone, or maybe sign-up for martial arts, swimming, or indoor gymnastics/play classes. Make sure you also make time for you to get the physical activity that you need, as well.  If you are not healthy and happy, then you cannot take care of your family.

So, this holiday season let’s all try to be mindful of how we use our time, experiencing each moment to its fullest!  Happy Holidays from your friends at Touchstone Therapy.

Karen Charlton, MPT

Taming the Tears During Hair Cuts!

Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a parent report how difficult hair- cuts are for his or her child! Try these strategies to reduce your child’s tears associated with hair-cuts so that he or she can leave the barber looking his or her best!

Prior to heading to the salon, role play by putting capes on each other, playing with spray bottles and combing each other’s hair. Call the salon ahead of time to advise them that your child has sensory issues and request someone who has experience with our kids. Perhaps, create a social story so that your child knows what to expect with the hair cut.  Take a portable DVD player or iPad if your child enjoys movies or games. Right before you leave home have your child perform heavy work activities:  lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling.

Once at the salon, give your child a sense of control by choosing where to sit, what cape to put on, what movie he or she wants to watch, etc.  Next, facilitate more heavy work by performing chair push-ups or pushing on the foot rest while seated in the chair.  He or she may do well sitting in your lap so that you can provide constant deep pressure or big bear hugs. If he or she prefers to sit in the chair, provide your child with deep pressure touch to his or her arms, shoulders and sternum (chest bone) throughout the hair cut. Have your OT show you how to do this if you are not certain.   A weighted vest or lap pad, or even a weighted blanket may be good to use prior to donning the cape. Or, If your child is resistive to the old vinyl or plastic capes, try a towel with a clothespin or clip in the back. He or she may refuse a protective garment altogether. In that case, a long sleeved shirt may be best. Be ready with a washcloth so that you can continuously wipe the hairs off of your child (using firm touch). Offer gum or encourage him or her to suck on a piece of candy.  Some children may like other mouth fidgets.

Some children may not like to be tipped backward to get his or her hair wet.  Others may not like the spray bottle.  Try wetting his or her head with a damp washcloth or spray the comb. Avoid strong scented shampoos and other products. 

In general, avoid busy salons and try to go during the week during non-peak times. Speak softly and calmly. Your child may not like the clippers due to the buzzing noise, so ask the stylist to only use scissors.  Some, on the other hand, may prefer the clippers. The noises of the hairdryers and clippers may be bothersome.  Small ear buds with soft music or connected to his or her DVD player might help reduce some of the noise.

Read your child’s cues and acknowledge his or her feelings. Offer an incentive or reward and use a “First-Then” Approach. For example, first hair-cut, then spider man toy. 

Once you’re home again, allow your child a chance to “chill” or to retreat to a cozy corner to regroup.

Happy Hair Cuts!                                                                                               

Michelle Yoder, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

How to Survive Homework!

It’s that time of year again…homework time!

For some parents and students, homework is the dreaded task of the day.  It causes frustration, tears, and fights; but it is required and so important for growth and success at school and home.  How can you promote healthy participation and growth for your child?

First, always provide a routine for your child.  Children thrive on routine and knowing what is expected of them.  Not only is a homework routine important, but also a daily routine.  It may also help your child to provide a schedule or calendar for your child so that he/she has a visual image for the expectations. 

Secondly, provide your child with opportunities for movement before and after homework.  After sitting in class all day, it is hard to come home and sit down again for homework.  A 15 minute break will make all the difference.  For a fun way to participate in movement activities check out Fundanoodle’s Muscle Movers Gross Motor  Cards at www.fundanoodle.com

Finally, help your child succeed with the assignment given by the teacher:

·         Prioritize homework assignments, maybe start with the harder assignments which require more energy and finish with the simple worksheet.  Or if your child becomes frustrated with challenging tasks, start with the simple assignment so that he/she feels successful and is ready to tackle the harder one.

·         Provide a simple reward for completing an assignment: a sticker, a penny in the jar, or a M&M

·         Schedule your activities so that you have time to help your child with challenging activities

·         Plan ahead, for big projects, start early so your child has ample time to complete the project, succeed, and have fun without feeling stressed

And when the homework is done, have fun! Let your child feel the reward of completing his/her assignments. 

Amy Bumgarner, MS, OTR/L