I’ve been a HUGE organization kick lately. Every month or so I need to clean out my therapy bag. Inevitably, I find things out of order, things I need to change up or replace, and things that are missing pieces, etc.
I once posted a pic of the crazy amount of stuff in my bag and everyone on Facebook went crazy commenting and asking questions. I figured, why not share this “clean out” phase with all of you?
“Effortless Art Crayons” is a sponsored post
“Every time he wants to change colors, I have to waste two minutes adapting the crayon. It’s such a waste of time!”
Occupational therapists and special education teachers are magicians when it comes to adapting stuff for our kids with weak motor skills, developmental delays, or atypical grasp patterns. But sometimes it’s just a pain in the neck!
The main goal is to help children be independent. So if an adult has to step in every few minutes to put the grip on a new crayon or adjust a child’s fingers so they are in a functional position, it goes against what we are working toward (Independence!)
It’s easy to keep a grip on a pencil, but what about crayons? The child wants to change colors every few minutes- that’s half the fun!
I’ve found the solution.
This post contains affiliate links.
When I first learned that I was getting hired in the district where I currently work, I was beyond thrilled. A school district job! It’s like winning the lottery!
Then I heard the rest…
I would be split between two schools.
Okay…I can live with that.
Two MIDDLE schools. Teenagers.
Ummm, I’m not sure I can live with that!
I can still remember the creep of red crawling up my neck as I answered the principal on the phone. “Great! Looking forward to it!”
A million scenarios ran through my head- Will they listen to me? What if they’re rude? I’m so used to the little kiddos – will I be able to do it? Butterflies were flying wildly in my stomach. Self-doubt had totally set in.
But to tell you the truth – I loved it. The kids were great. Teenagers are just big kids, full of laughter and good-natured mischief.
What really did stink? All the Handwriting. Oh, the handwriting.
Reading messy handwriting is seriously torturous. Like… comparable to squinting at the sun.
Buttoning and Zipping can be stressful and difficult to learn. Check out these OT tricks to adapt buttons and zippers for your kid!
Busy parents on the go have their plate full in the morning. Breakfast, washing up, brushing teeth, and finding backpacks all help create that chaotic school day morning.
Then don’t forget about getting dressed!
When little ones can get dressed on their own, it takes a huge burden off moms and dads in the morning. Buttons and zippers can be a major inconvenience.
BUT- there are some simple ways to adapt buttoning and zipping so that your child can do it independently.
Many toddlers and young school age children wear sweats and leggings to school to avoid the work of buttoning and zipping.
What about older children with weak fine motor skills?
What about children with physical limitations?
They should be able to wear jeans and other clothing just like their peers! Here’s how.
Positioning in the classroom is a HUGE part of student success. In fact, “properly fitted furniture is essential if children are to learn handwriting efficiently” (Henderson & Pehoski, 1995).
One of my biggest pet peeves about working in the school system is the gosh darn furniture. Children are often seated in furniture that is just not the right size for them, and it totally stinks.
On top of that, many teachers have never been trained to check if a child’s desk or chair is the right size. For the ones who do check, what are the chances that the school has other furniture available? Sigh. Rant Over.
The point is – what adult would tolerate working all day at a desk that was way too high? Companies spend a fortune supplying their workers with wrist supports to avoid carpal tunnel injuries and screen guards to protect employees vision. Shouldn’t we make sure our students are in the proper position, too? Continue reading
What should a parent do when their child isn’t interested in reading?
What if they aren’t prepared for kindergarten?
Will they ever learn their letters?
I just found the perfect solution to the disinterested child. A Bluebee Pal.
As an OT and a newly certified Assistive Technology provider, I am always looking for fun ways to incorporate interactive technology into to my sessions. I often recommend educational apps and games to parents to help with follow through at home. Let’s face it: Kids love technology. It’s important for them to still manipulate and play with toys, games, and puzzles, but a tablet or cell phone can be used in any location to work on almost any goal.
Yoga is my absolute favorite way to exercise. I also love to recommend yoga for kids. Years ago I got into yoga as a form of exercise and stress relief. I ended up loving it so much that I was certified to teach “Group Exercise” through the American Aerobics Association with the hopes of teaching yoga as a hobby. I did that for a year and liked it very much, but decided that I like being a member of a class more than I like being the instructor. However, I am a huge believer in the old saying “everything happens for a reason”. I learned yoga well enough to teach it and to combine it with my “OT” knowledge, which really helped me to use yoga as a therapeutic activity with my students. Continue reading
