A crash pad is a big foam filled squishy mat that you can fall onto and you land on the squishy foam. Crash pads are great fun for kids who like a lot of movement and body input since they can roll around in the big foam nest. Kids need to always be supervised when using such equipment since they may feel invincible with all of that foam, and so they will try things that may not be safe. I {Read More}
Modifications for Potty Training
February 21, by 10 Comments
Your sweet toddler has shown all of the signs for being ready to potty train, and you are excited to get started when you realize they are going to fall right off (or in) the toilet. Toileting and potty training is often challenging with typical kids, but can be even more challenging when there are limitations that make the normal techniques impossible. I have a post about some little strategies to use during regular potty training, but this post is {Read More}
Chopsticks
September 7, by 4 Comments
Mature and refined grasp patterns, as well as in hand manipulation, require use of the small finger muscles, and they use the two sides of the hands separately. It can be challenging learning how to coordinate the pinky finger side of the hand separately from the index finger side of the hand. Similar movements are used with chopsticks as are used in writing with a mature dynamic grasp. Many therapists recommend using tongs or tweezers to work on fine motor {Read More}
The Easiest Way to Clean Toys
March 5, by 2 Comments
When working with little kids doing early intervention, I need to clean my toys after using them with a child. There are a couple of techniques that I use to clean them, depending on how many toys were used that day, what type of toy it is, and the size of the toy. Picture credit: signature photos | dollar photo club For the small plastic toys with little parts such as Mr. Potato Head and shape sorters, I love to {Read More}
Fun foam on the Mirror
February 16, by Leave a Comment
One of my absolute favorite activities with young kids is playing with fun foam shapes on a mirror. It works well in the bathtub, shower, or on a glass door too. You spay the glass surface with water (great squeezing activity) and then the foam shapes will stick to the glass. I will often have the kids work on balance and crossing mid-line while reaching at the same time. We can sit on a bolster, ball, or t-stool and reach {Read More}
