OTs like to use everyday objects, tasks, and activities to foster skills. By making the tasks the kiddos are doing meaningful and fun, we can foster many skills. So it might look like all we do is play games and make crafts but we are actually promoting and building skills for independence.
As an OT, I talk about upgrading and down grading tasks for the kiddos I work with. By doing a task analysis, I can determine how to make a task "just right" for a student. Essentially that is looking at the task and figuring out how to make it easier for some and harder for others. I want to challenge kiddos but not frustrate them to the point that they will shut down or not work. By tweaking tasks, I can help promote and foster skills.
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I grew up in a family of four kids. Growing up, we all had our assigned chores to do each day and ones to help out with on Saturdays. Daily we had to make our beds, pick up our toys, set the table, and clear the table. We also would help with laundry by sorting and folding. On Saturdays, we either would help my mom clean the house or my dad do yard work. I have some great memories of spending time with my parents doing things around the house. I also remember some great conversations. Little did I know that they were teaching me skills and helping foster independence.
Once I became a mom, I understood the importance of chores. I have two boys and even though they are young adults, they still have chores to do around the house. My one son who is in college was amazed at the number of people who did not know how to do laundry, make their bed, make a simple meal, or fold their clothes. Doing chores is a great way for your kiddo gain independence and skills. Even the simplest of tasks can work on many skills. During this time of "staying at home", try introducing some chores. Have them sort or fold laundry - builds visual perceptual skills and bilateral hand coordination. Have them set the table - works on following directions and spatial relations. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming - is heavy work that is calming and works on skills such as crossing mid-line and bilateral coordination. By having your kiddos do chores, not only will you foster independence and skills, you might be able to take a little break :) Proprioceptive input has a calming and centering effect to help individuals focus and attend. Deep pressure and heavy work are proprioceptive strategies for alerting and organizing as well as calming. Functional deep pressure and heavy work tasks are also great for increasing body awareness, strength, and endurance.
Here are some examples of how to include proprioceptive input in everyday activities:
Spring break is a time to relax and have some fun. With families at home this year, I thought I would share some fun gross motor activities. Try to get the whole family involved. Who flies a kite the best? Who can leap the furthest? Who can grow the tallest? Make sure you all take some time over the break to stop and smell the roses.
Spring is here - now is the time to go outside and play. One thing my kiddos always liked to do is to blow bubbles. We would spend hours outside blowing bubbles and popping them. Below is a list of fun ways to play with bubbles.
Here are two homemade bubble recipes: Mile High Bubbles - these soar sky high (often rising out of sight without ever bursting) 2 cups warm water 1/3 cup dish soap 1/4 cup corn syrup Basic Bubble Recipe 1 cup Warm Water 4 Tablespoons Dish Soap 2-3 drops vegetable oil Bubble Wands and Blowers Part of the fun of bubbles can be trying different bubble-making tools and using different shapes. Here are some that we have tried:
I love using plastic eggs in therapy. You can work on SO many skills with one little egg. There are endless ways to play with them and keep the little ones busy, the endless ways you can use them to learn, and the variety of shapes and colors!
Here are some fun ways to use them:
I was recently on Facebook and came across a great idea on how to practice your phone number. With everyone having cellphones these days, kids do not always learn how to dial a number. By putting the numbers on the wall, you are adding movement which helps with memory. This activity is a great way for them to practice dialing important numbers such as parent's cell phone number, grandparent's number, and 911. Make sure when teaching 911 that you emphasize when it is to be utilized.
photo credit goes to Kristie Molanick |
AuthorMiss Vicki has been an OT for over 25 years and has worked as a school-based OT for over 16 years. Her goal is to increase collaboration between OT, school, and home to foster student success. Archives
July 2020
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