Occupational Therapy

Maintaining OT skills can be a fun and stress free break for students and families! OT is really just everyday play!

For the purpose of organization, this list goes from easiest to most complex based on the developmental level of your children. You know your children and which activities and materials are safe and appropriate for them to use. This is just a guideline, when in doubt do not do that activity.

PLEASE NOTE - SOME EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES REQUIRE A MODERN BROWSER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY

Examples:

Google Chrome - Microsoft Edge - Firefox

Sensory Areas:

• Explore tactilely: feel, discuss and describe textures of common household items: sponges, wash clothes, stuffed animals, bubble wrap, leaves and rocks, rice, sand, playdoh, ice cubes, shaving cream, etc.

  • Or to make it a challenge put various items in a bag/box and have the child put his hand in and guess the object.

• Do heavy work to calm:

  • wall push up (lean hands on a wall keep feet arms length away and do a vertical push-up)

  • jumping jacks

  • wheelbarrow walks, animal walks

  • rolling up in a blanket like a “burrito”

  • rolling a small rubber ball or playground ball over back and arms and legs

  • carrying laundry baskets

  • raking leaves

• Do fast movement to alert:

  • Rocking in a rocking chair

  • Sit on lap and spin in an office chair

  • Rolling on the ground, or down a hill

  • Swing outside (if non-public swing is available)

• Make obstacle courses inside or in the yard using a variety of objects to go over, under, through, etc.

• Take movement breaks with the following websites:

  • www.gonoodle.com

  • https://www.theottoolbox.com/best-brain-breaks-videos-on-youtube/

  • Also just google kids yoga or kids mindfulness and the resources are endless

Fine Motor/Bilateral/Arm Strengthening Areas:

• Passively move/stretch arms and hands daily.

• Have child reach for favorite items (stuffed animals, favorite snack etc) in all planes (up, out to side down, etc)

• Work on grasping various size objects such as cotton balls, ping pong balls

• Hold to objects (one in each hand and clang together)

• Stack large blocks or shoe boxes or place plastic cups all around the table and gather them into one cup.

• Store toys and/or a special snack in small plastic containers or ziploc bags and encourage opening it.

• Roll playdoh/clay and pinch with fingers (try to keep a nice open circle between

thumb and index finger:

• Squeeze clothes pins ( add academics by writing lowercase and uppercase letters on them and match two clothespins together, or color the end of clothespins and color spots around a paper plate….put matching clothes pins in the right spot.)

• Pop bubble wrap (again keep and open space between finger and thumb)

• Building toys such as Legos, Erector sets, et

• Cutting- use the middle finger and thumb in holes of scissors rest index finger on top of scissors for stability, keep ring and pinky fingers curled up into palm.

-Cut increasingly resistive materials, cardstock, cardboard, clay, silly putty, etc.

• Card games- emphasize holding cards in one hand with your thumb opposite straight fingers

• Dice games: cup hands to roll dice.

• Use spray bottles to water plants or paint pictures-hang paper on easel and put food coloring in water.

Visual Motor/Visual perceptual skills:

• Offer a mirror and discuss body parts, try to have student point to parts in the mirror and on self

• Use a flashlight in a dark room to encourage scanning around the room at objects. (not for students with seizures)

• Play “eye spy”

• Do crafts

• Puzzles

• Mazes

• Dot to dots

• Make letters in a small cookie sheet of rice, shaving cream or salt

• Make letters out of popsicle sticks or a fun food like pretzels

• Practice writing name

• Practice writing uppercase, lowercase letters and numbers 1-10 (many apps are available)

• Typing: students have been using either of these sites:

https://www.dancemattypingguide.com/dance-mat-typing-level-1/

https://www.typing.com/

Ideas to incorporate into everyday tasks:

• Use a variety of sitting positions during floor activities and watching TV: side sitting and have to reach for game pieces by shifting weight over arm your leaning on, lie on stomach and prop up on arms, lie on side propped up on elbow, etc. (These activities encourage weight bearing and shoulder strength and stability.)

• Encourage help with chores especially carrying objects (light laundry baskets etc.), help with setting table and other “planning type” tasks, cooking activities (asks problem solving/planning questions about ingredients- what comes next, etc.)

• Encourage variety and flexibility in daily activities, break out of habits and routines by having a child take more “ownership” during the activity “Can you help me carry this to the table?” “You choose what shirt you want to wear today” (out of a choice of 2-3) etc. If a child has more choice he/she feels like they are more independent and less focused on structure.