20 (therapeutic) Summer Activities
20 summer fun activities for kids with and without special needs. Work on fine motor, gross motor, sensory, letters, scissors/cutting, and more with the tips in this post by The Pocket Occupational Therapist
BORED board??
Have you seen the BORED Board? We’ve been using it for years in our home and clinic. It’s a fabulous way to re-direct your child/student when he is complaining of boredom. Let’s face it, children should learn the skill of playing on their own and finding an appropriate activity to do so. Sounds easy, right? Not for […]
20 Summer FUN Ideas (OT Approved!)
SUMMER is here! Most families look forward to summer’s relaxation and lazy days. However, the lack of routine and structure can evoke great stress for families of children with special needs. School routines are predictable and provide consistency and the transition to summer may be a difficult one. In addition, the skills your child […]
A to Z Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Why doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? Let’s talk about research…The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is an excellent website for information on the importance of play in kids. Here’s the link to a document specifically discussing recess. This article, The Investigation of Outdoor Play,’ is from 2004, yet emphasizes the benefits […]
5 New Year Resolution Ideas for Kids
Wow, the power of a visual is never more influential than watching the year change. If you’re in the US, you may watch a ball drop on the larger than life 2020 display in Times Square. The feelings are powerful as the end of a chapter in our lives ends and refreshes as the page […]
Holiday Tips for Children with Special Needs (Part 2)
Welcome to Part 2 of our Holiday Tips for Kids series! Today’s post will cover FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS and SANTA/TRADITIONS!! Family Photographs1) Go at a time of day when children are well-rested and not hungry. Do not rush and arrive early. Even though you may not realize it, children pick up on your energy and mood. Try to […]
Holiday Tips for Kids with Special Needs (Part 1)
Holidays bring joy and family traditions that warm the hearts of many. For those of us who have children with special needs, the holidays take on an entirely new dimension. Like everyone, we have shopping, cooking, decorating, and preparation. However, there are additional ways in which we must ready our children for the holiday season. […]
Frankenstein Plate Halloween Craft
Frankenstein Plate Halloween Craft I love affordable and easy activities for holidays. Here’s one of my favorites for use in the OT clinic, at home, or in the classroom. The supplies are easily bought in bulk or for cheap. If your child has executive function difficulties or is a visual learner, provide a visual of […]
20 DIY Teacher Gifts
The end of the year is almost here! We know how hard teachers work to teach our children. Deciding how to show our appreciation can be tough……..should we buy a gift card or present? Well, worry no more! Here are some handmade gifts teachers will LOVE! Photo Credit: Crayon Jar Teacher Gift by Nest Full […]
Teaching Empathy with The “Do Good” Jar Activity
We all want our children to be empathic and kind, but how do we help them understand that concept? Here’s a fun activity that allows us to do something creative with our kids while opening up a conversation about other people’s needs. Also, many children prefer to learn by using visual aids. This activity is […]