Category: Activities

simple play essentials, and 30 ways to use them!

5/11/2020

Not sure about you, but I don't have a gazillion dollars to spend on play materials. As a teeny tiny private OT practice, I keep things really simple and practical. Most of my therapy materials are household items that my clients also have on hand, making home programs (and telehealth) a cinch! Thought I would share with you the supplies I can't work without, and 30 activities you can do with just a short list of simple items laying around your house.

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over 30 fun indoor heavy work activities for your kids

5/2/2020

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Have you ever noticed your child jumping off high surfaces, running and crashing into pillows, lifting heavy objects, climbing on furniture, pulling and pushing things around, or otherwise trying to impersonate an olympic weightlifter or superhero? If so, what you’re seeing is your child seeking out deep pressure and "heavy work."

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one month calendar of motor activities... ready for you!

4/23/2020

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You could scour Pinterest for the best toddler and pre-k play ideas and get extremely overwhelmed... OR you could crumple up newspaper and toss it into a laundry basket. You could buy an expensive Lego construction project... OR you could use old Amazon boxes as extra large building blocks and create a city in your living room. You could collect a whole bunch of ideas and try to organize them and plan ahead... OR you could ....

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6 super simple sensory letter activities for pre-k and k

4/9/2020

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As a pediatric OT, I teach a lot of handwriting. And I usually teach it to kids who really dislike handwriting. Makes for a fun time together, right? Well, actually it is! Learning how to write does not have to be boring. It does not have to be limited to paper and pencil. I like to use highly engaging sensory play to help kids build the fine motor and visual perceptual skills needed for successful handwriting. Here are 6 super simple activities you can use, too!

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over 20 easy and fun movement activities for toddlers

4/1/2020

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Need something quick, easy, and fun to do with your toddler? Here are 20 great activity ideas to provide entertainment, while building important motor skills like fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, bilateral integration, gross motor skills, core strength, and body awareness.

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how to build indoor obstacle courses out of ordinary objects

6/25/2019

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You don’t need any special equipment, just a fresh way of looking at ordinary household objects with an eye for how they can promote sensory processing. Read on for your 5 step guide!

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the ultimate list of summer sensory activities

5/23/2018

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Sensory play, or activities that stimulate your child's senses, is crucial to brain development. It facilitates play, exploration, creativity, and curiosity. Sensory play also allows children to refine their thresholds for different sensory input, helping their brain create stronger connections to process and respond appropriately to sensory information. With summer fast approaching, here are 21 must-try sensory activities to keep your kiddo growing, engaged, and learning all summer long!

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meet the blogger

Austen is a pediatric occupational therapist with experience in schools, early intervention, and private clinic settings. She now runs her own private practice in Portland, OR specializing in movement based learning techniques. This blog's mission is to educate and empower parents and children by sharing insights into the complexities of learning and development.

simple play essentials, and 30 ways to use them!

over 30 fun indoor heavy work activities for your kids

one month calendar of motor activities... ready for you!

6 super simple sensory letter activities for pre-k and k

over 20 easy and fun movement activities for toddlers

how to build indoor obstacle courses out of ordinary objects

the ultimate list of summer sensory activities

meet the blogger

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