BLOG - mmt

are you concerned about your child's grasp?

5/23/2020

My child isn't holding a pencil with a tripod grasp yet. Should I be worried?
This is one of THE most common questions I get as a pediatric OT working with kids in the birth-5 age range. So, let's walk through some simple grasp development, pre-requisites needed for an efficient tripod grasp, what you can do to support your kiddo in the process, and when to worry if you aren't seeing improvement.

choosing childcare for baby

5/16/2020

Maybe you are pregnant or just had a baby and are looking for a childcare option. How overwhelming that can be! There are so many options to choose from, and each one provides care differently. But, with the first year of life being so important, how do we optimize your child's development when other adults are tasked with the joyful responsibility of helping your child grow and learn?

5 baby brain builders to boost baby's learning

5/14/2020

This may or may not be a surprise, but the first year is an incredibly important year of a baby's life. The brain is at its most flexible state as it receives, integrates, and responds to so much new information and stimulation. And the opportunity to facilitate that brain building begins on day one. But baby didn't come with a manual.... So how exactly do we "build" our babies' brains?

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.

over 30 fun indoor heavy work activities for your kids

5/2/2020

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."

how to support baby milestones through developmental play

4/28/2020

“How to teach my baby to roll." "How to get my baby to crawl." "What week should my baby sit up?” Do those questions for Dr. Google or Facebook mom groups sound familiar? If so, it sounds like you're wondering about your baby's milestones and want to help your baby be successful. You're not alone! But here's the thing about baby milestones...

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

4/23/2020

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 ....

8 effective ways to calm your fussy baby

4/18/2020

Babies fuss, and parents comfort. That's the job, right? Along with carrying, pushing, dressing, diapering, burping, and the other wonderful things that you get to do for your baby. But comforting a fussy baby can be the hardest out of all of those jobs. Do you have a fuss buster, yet? If not, let's talk about why babies fuss, 4 sensory-motor components that are calming, and 8 effective calming techniques you can try.

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

4/9/2020

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!

over 20 easy and fun movement activities for toddlers

4/1/2020

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.

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.

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