- AIRPLANE RIDE
- To provide deep pressure touch to hands and tummy
- To increase body awareness through up, down, sway
- To develop back and neck extension muscles
- To promote basic balance
- ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT
- To provide firm pressure touch to hands
- To increase body awareness through push-pull activity
- To develop upper body strength
- To promote standing balance
- SEAL CRAWL
- To provide touch pressure input to hands during weight bearing
- To increase upper back extension strength
- To build arm strength
(Smooth surface such as wood or linoleum are best for this activity. I have kids go under chairs or “bridge” to give them a reference of how to move in this position. This may be difficult for your child, so build tolerance for being on tummy to start, which is very important for building strength).
- FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
- Massage the hands prior to dressing, eating or completing fine motor activity to get your child ready for the task. If you can feel your hands, your hands will work more efficiently.
- Provide your child with a chewie or similar oral activity to keep the mouth busy while the hands are learning.
- Have your child practice cleaning up after himself or herself.
- Promote independence in self care.
- Use spray bottles, playing cards, blocks, puzzles and containers to practice opening/closing of the hands and manipulating the pieces with their small muscles.
