Ms. Erin's OT Blog

It is important for children with physical disabilities to change position throughout the day to support their physical development. Some positions to alternate between include sitting, sidelying, lying on his/her back (supine), lying on his/her stomach (prone). This document shows some supported sitting positions. Different supported sitting positions provide different opportunities for your child to work on core strength, balance, head control, etc. during play. Click on the link to view examples of supported sitting positions, play ideas, and video demonstrations. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pl6WLEXM5RCUJsctwICtVShJ2VKMlcy_o-tVwzAyOoQ/edit?usp=sharing

Here are some spring tracing, cutting, coloring worksheets created by members of our OT team. Click on the following Google Doc link to view and print the pages. https://docs.google.com/document/d/11v63eVTUxfs0g9A8lQRwkSpFoOqcTXeZ6Qc1i5vZ1J8/edit?usp=sharing

Learning Without Tears is offering free handwriting practice packets that you can print and complete at home. The packets are categorized by grade level. You can also create a free account to access interactive learning tools for handwriting (digital letter formations, teaching videos, fun animations). https://www.lwtears.com/programs/distance-learning

This homemade scented playdough recipe is great for sensory play. Encourage your child to participate in making the recipe to practice fine motor skills, daily living skills, and following directions. Click on the Google Doc link to view the recipe. All you need is flour, salt, water, oil, and a Kool Aid packet. If you don’t have a Kool Aid packet, you can use food coloring instead (the purpose of using Kool Aid is to add the fruity smell). The recipe includes picture instructions to help your child follow along. See the video below for playdough therapy play ideas.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lpV8-mERxgLeVUSp7xwN7rjVmfYc8NyaGcltPlhY7Uw/edit?usp=sharing

Celebrate Earth with these occupational therapy activities this week. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1am74NtzvvkhBOydqx-8__GChltrfVZQeIkibsQGkMXY/edit?usp=sharing

Check out these great yoga and mindfulness videos created for our students by Wayne State’s Center for Health and Community Impact.

Your child may benefit from engagement in sensory activities at home to help his or her body function at the optimal level of arousal. Some children benefit from sensory experiences that help them feel calm, while other children benefit from sensory experiences that help their bodies feel more alert. The document in the link below shares ideas for calming and alerting sensory activities that you can do at home. The sensory experience should be meaningful to and led by the child (never force them to participate). Participating in a sensory activity with your child can also be a great bonding experience.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zzDgLBWHN9sXEXyGXx3CToIFwDcMLl8dNcNUVFpDRg/edit?usp=sharing

Welcome back from spring break! I hope you were able to enjoy some of the beautiful weather by playing outside. Here is an April OT activities calendar from The OT Toolbox website that contains daily home therapy ideas. For more ideas and detailed instructions, visit https://www.theottoolbox.com/?s=spring

Clothing fasteners can be tricky for children who have difficulties grasping, using both hands together in a coordinated way, and following step by step instructions. Below is a video from Super Simple Play that teaches children how to fasten buttons, zip a zipper, and tie shoes.

If your child is easily frustrated by fasteners, complete all the steps of fastening for your child except the final step. Then let your child complete the final step so that your child feels successful in completing the fastener. When they master the final step, allow your child to try the last two steps, then the last three steps, etc., until they are able to complete all the steps independently. This process of breaking down the steps of an activity and teaching them in the reverse order is called backwards chaining.

To make fasteners more fun, dress up stuffed animals with your own shoes, coats, and button up clothing and practice the fasteners on the animals!