Occupational Therapy Fun for Kids

Ideas for Holiday Presents! Promote pencil grasp Fun activites that strengthen pencil grip:    Games that require the use of tweezers like BED BUGS and OPERATION Thick, short markers or crayons Bingo dabbers Sticker Books Fun Scrapbook Scissors such as zig zag scissors Etch a Sketch  Pop Beads Visual-Perceptual/Motor Development  Fun ways to work on spatial relations, problem solving, visual scanning, as well as encouraging fine motor coordination. Puzzles  Many classrooms have a jigsaw puzzle for all the students to work on and they are very popular. Many skills are practiced with puzzles such as the idea that a part becomes a whole, looking at details, spatial skills and fine motor skills from picking up the pieces and fitting them together Problem solving games like Rush Hour  Connect the dots books Mazes I Spy games like Where's Waldo For Children who Benefit from MovementTrampoline These toys he

Go Noodle Try this website for fun brain breaks and  relaxation breaks too!

The information below is from the Blog   OT Mom Left-handed Kids Left-handed children should always cut with their left hand, using left-handed scissors. This is important as it helps them to make their dominant hand strong and specialized. A left handed child who cuts with the right hand is  missing out on strengthening and refining  the hand muscles needed for good pencil control.  Left handed scissors are vital to enabling them to cut successfully. So-called “ambidextrous scissors” are a marketing ploy – it is not the comfort of the handles that makes a difference, it is the way the blades are fixed. Look at the picture above: the scissors on the left are for lefties, and you can see how the  blades are attached differently  from those on the right-handed scissors. This enables the child to see the line effectively when cutting out. When a left-handed child cuts with right-handed scissors in the left hand, the child usually ends up holding the paper or the scisso

Here is some information about a program that your child might enjoy.  Academy MetroWest    Academy MetroWest offers group activities that meet weekly Monday through Friday in a gym setting. Groups are run by professional counselors and focus on cooperative, non -competitive physical activity. These groups can help children develop social skills and gain confidence. The stress level is reduced as much as possible so that students can relax, be themselves, and have fun.   If you'd like more information about Academy MetroWest, please contact them  at  508-655-9200  or at info@academymetrowest.com . or click the link below. Academy MetroWest

Back Pack Awareness Hear are some tips on how to choose and wear your back pack so you don't strain your muscles from carrying too much unbalanced weight.  Click on the links below to read all about it! How to wear your back pack Back Pack Strategies

                 Proprioception Did you know that there are small receptors in our muscles and tendons that feel the stretches in our muscles when we move? These sensors are what helps us to sense movement and know where our body is in space without having to look. This is called Proprioception. When we move feedback is given to our muscles and joints that helps us learn to coordinate our movements. Repetitive movement helps us to learn where our bodies are in space.  Proprioception is also a great organizer of all the senses! Using lots of muscles for "heavy work" is the most organizing. "Heavy work" is any movement that requires movement against resistance. It provides deep pressure into the joints and muscles. Examples are pushing, pulling, carrying, and jumping. "Heavy work"  helps reduce hyperactivity and also wakes you up when you feel tired.  Here are some activities to try:       animal walks catch with a weighted ball pulling

Making Pizza Making homemade pizza can help your child understand fractions. It also is a way to  practice the skill of using two hands together and precise fine motor control . Following the step by step process of the recipe teaches sequencing . Children also learn that steps or parts when put together equal a whole. Plus of course, you end up with a yummy pizza to eat! Here is a link to a recipe for homemade pizza. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw__F9O3EQU http://www.superhealthykids.com/best-homemade-pizza-crust/ Enjoy and Have Fun!