Linda Lilly's Occupational Therapy Blog

March 22nd – April 4th

April 5th – April 22nd

During the current pandemic, OTs from across the country have been collaborating about what we are doing to provide support for our students. This calendar of activities was shared in one of my Facebook groups and I wanted to share it with you. It has one gross motor, fine motor, sensory, executive functioning and visual motor activity per day. These are just ideas to help keep your children active during this time. Follow this link to access the calendar. https://creativehealthllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-Calendar-OT-Activities.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2-J9Dch_fcW9zSnIOgGNhfDsuo0SM9X1Z0S3txL9yfvyeLRQ2RVd8th-M

Enjoy over 30 virtual field trips with your children! I found this great resource on Facebook and I wanted to share it with you. From Yellowstone National Park to exploring Mars, I am sure there is something for everyone. Click on the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/preview?fbclid=IwAR1sJdtPI8haG20xX19d-YbQW9QIresXcLPxs2XxhlxuBhtIA862LD0xyL0

We had to make a sudden change in the spirit week and the surprise was backed up to Monday due to the notion that we would be under a stay-at- home order by the governor. With that said, I hope the McDonald families enjoyed the parade of teachers as they honked their way down the streets. We all miss the students and we can’t wait to see you again at school!

Please see the attached link https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/easy-indoor-activities-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR3PF27TUH7MCpLBrEnn6wR7feiNaPacggDqt9LAgz6h2UDtec4Yxr6KXX0 for some great indoor activities for you children. From obstacle courses to sensory walks and paper plate toss to reading book nook, these activities can be created with household supplies you most likely have on hand. Have fun and be creative. Thank you to Hello, Wonderful www.hellowonderful.co for the suggestions and great ideas!!

Give your child the following guidelines to collect things that are green. As items are found check them off with a green marker or in your head is just fine!

• Find something that grows green.

• Find something soft that is green.

• Find one snack item that is green.

• Name one animal that is green.

• Find something hard that is green.

• Name a fruit that is green.

• Find something you play with that is green.

• Find something you can color with that is green.

• Find something you can build with that is green.

• Find something you can wear that is green. 

Good morning from your OT! I want to start by saying, I hope everyone is staying healthy and taking the precautions to stay healthy. Your number one priority should be to take care of yourself and your loved ones, both physically and emotionally. I will be posting activities you can do with your children as we continue with school being closed. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions/concerns you may have.  I will be checking my blog and email regularly.  You can private message me at lillyl@dearbornschools.org.

Below is an excellent resource from Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, a resource of educational web tools and mobile apps for teachers and educators.  The direct link is https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2016/01/a-handy-chart-featuring-over-30-ipad.html for a printable PDF version of the chart.  This chart was taken directly from the website and it was categorized in four main categories.

Check out the article Reducing and Surviving Sensory Overload During the Holidays at https://lemonlimeadventures.com/reducing-surviving-sensory-overload-holidays-anxious-kid/.  It’s a great article that addresses tips for parents on how to cope with sensory needs during the holidays.   The main topics include:

• What is Sensory Overload During the Holidays?
• Signs of Sensory Overload
• Tips for Reducing and Surviving Sensory Overload: Preparing for the Holidays, Survival Tips for Children, Survival Tips for Parents

Sleep patterns are so important for people of all ages in order to increase daily function and a healthy lifestyle.  So many times students come to school sleepy and have a difficult time staying awake because they didn’t get enough sleep the night before.  For many of those students it is because they go to bed too late for their growing bodies and that they don’t have a good bedtime routine.  Obtaining a bedtime routine for our children can sometimes be very difficult.  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has published a TIPS sheet regarding bedtime routines for our youngsters.  Specifically, it gives suggestions to help your child relax to get ready for sleep, to help your child feel comfortable for bedtime, to make sure that your child is safe while sleeping alone, and to help your child become more independent in sleep.  Please click on the article, Establishing Bedtime Routines for Children, to access some great suggestions to creating a healthy routine.