Fun Holiday Craft for Kids!

This is a fun holiday craft for kids that is totally cute!  When a child is making this spool holiday wreath, she is working on all kinds of skills, including fine motor skills, bilateral skills, cutting, gluing, and eye hand coordination. This wreath will make a nice gift for Grandma or any other special person!

Follow these simple instructions to make this holiday craft!

Supplies Needed:
Fabric scraps
Empty spools (thread)
Ribbon
Glue
Sturdy craft wire (you can also use pipe cleaners, but they will need to be doubled and twisted so that they'll hold the circular shape of the wreath)

1. Cut the strips of fabric to fit the inside of the spools.

2. Wrap the fabric strips around the spools and glue them in place.

3. Thread the wire through the center holes in the spools and form the wire into a circular shape, and twist the ends of the wire together and tuck them into a spool. 

4. Tie a bow around the bottom or top of the wreath and use a thin strip of ribbon as a "hanger." 
- Hang the wreath on your tree or anywhere in the house as a festive decoration!

Evidence-Based Practice: A Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Study

Efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy for children with 

cerebral palsy with asymmetric motor impairment.  

Photo Credit: Prawny @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of CIMT to children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP-hemiparesis).

Methods. A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted.  Nine children received CIMT therapy and 9 received traditional therapy.

Results. The children who received CIMT demonstrated significant improvements with motor skills in the affected arm completed to the children in the traditional group. The benefits were still present after 6 months.

Conclusion. Pediatric CIMT resulted in significantly improved motor function in children diagnosed with CP.

Taub, E., Ramey, S. L., DeLuca, S., Echols, K. (2004). Efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy for children with
     cerebral palsy with asymmetric motor impairment. Pediatrics, 113(2).

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Pediatric 

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: 6-Month Follow-Up.

Purpose: The current study compared 6 hours per day with 3 hours per day of CIMT over a 21-day period to determine which client would demonstrate the most gains 6 months after the treatment was implemented.

Methods: This was a multisite randomized controlled trial.

Results: Both groups demonstrated significant upper extremity functional gains as a result of therapy.

Conclusion: The 6 hours per day and 3 hours per day treatments both resulted in gains.

 
Case-Smith, J., DeLuca, S.C., Ramey, S. L. (2012). Multicenter randomized controlled trial of pediatric constraint-induced  movement therapy: 6-month follow-up.  American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(1), 15-23.

Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on Involved Upper Extremity Use in Children with 

Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: This study investigated the effectiveness of a "child-friendly" constraint-induced movement therapy on the involved upper extremities of children diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods: There were 20 children in the study ranging in age from 4 to 13 years, and the children were divided into an older group and a younger group.  Each participant wore a sling on the uninvolved arm for 6 hours daily over a period of 10 to 12 days.  Therapists who were blinded to the study details conducted assessments of motor skills at the points: after one week, one month, and six months.

Results: Both groups of children made significant motor skill improvements with their involved upper extremities.

Conclusion:  CIMT is an effective treatment for children (of various ages) diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Gordon, A. M., Charles, J., & Wolf, S. L. (2006). Efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy on involved upper 
     extremity use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.  Pediatrics, 117(3), e363-373.
 

Cute Christmas Craft for Kids

Cute Christmas Craft for Kids

Supplies needed:

Narrow strips of colorful fabric strips
One pipe cleaner

This is a fun and easy DIY Christmas ornament!  Just start by shaping the pipe cleaner into a circle and secure the ends tightly by twisting them.

Loop each piece of fabric around the pipe cleaner.  (See the video below.)

 Continue until the wreath is full of fabric strips.

Baby Activity Gym: DIY!!!

Baby Activity Gym

This DIY Baby Activity Gym is an easy inexpensive alternative to an expensive activity gym that you would purchase from a store.  Change out the toys to keep baby interested during play!

Materials needed:

-       Three small pool noodles

-       Scissors

-       Ribbon

-       Colorful infant toys

-       A permanent marker

Instructions:

1. Cut one pool noodle in half.

2. With one of the halves of the pool noodles, determine where halfway is and mark it using the permanent marker.

3. Using the end of the other half of the pool noodle, trace the end in order to draw a circle where halfway was marked.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the second half of the pool noodle.

5. Cut both circles that were traced on both halves of the pool noodle making sure to not cut all the way through the pool noodle but just on one side.

6. Cut the second pool noodle in half.

7. With one of the halves of the pool noodle, mark two inches below one of the ends.

8. Using the end of the other half of the pool noodle, trace the end in order to draw a circle where two inches below the end of the first pool noodle was marked.

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the second half of the pool noodle.

10. Cut both circles that were traced on both halves of the pool noodle making sure to not cut all the way through the pool noodle but just on one side.

11. Using one half from the second pool noodle, insert the other end of the half that does not have a circle cut out of it into one of the halves of the first pool noodle where a circle was cut halfway.

12. Repeat step 11 using the second halves from the first and second pool noodle.

13. Cut the third pool noodle in half.

14. Insert one end of one of the halves of the third pool noodle into one half of the second pool noodle where the circle was cut out two inches from the end.

15. Insert the other end of the half of the third pool noodle into the second half of the second pool noodle where the circle was cut out two inches from the end.

16. Using the ribbons, attach infant toys to the top of the floor gym in order for them to hang.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Fun DIY Activities for Visual Perceptual Skills

Sponges are one of my favorite "pediatric occupational therapy" items in my therapy bag!  There are so many therapeutic activities for basic kitchen sponges!  Simply cut the sponges into blocks or shapes of various sizes and watch any child enjoy making creations. Take a variety of brightly colored sponges, and create a stack in a particular sequence of colors/shape and then have the child re-create the stack. 

 Another fun activity that is great for visual perceptual skills is to make a variety of worksheets with different shapes that they child can place the sponges on top of to create a design.  This is basically an inexpensive tangram game that will challenge a child's visual perceptual skills.  The sheets can range from basic to more complex in order to increase the challenge based on the child's skill level!  So go to the dollar store and pick up a package of sponges and get ready to have some fun!

Therapy project by Meg Lawrence: Posted with Permission

Fun Toys for Baby's Bilateral Integration Skills!

When a child has intact bilateral integration skills, he can use both arms together in a coordinated manner.  Bilateral skills are important for future tasks like writing and cutting.  These are a few of my favorite classic toys, and they are great for your baby’s bilateral skills! It’s

The farm toy is a wonderful way for your baby to learn words and animals.  Just point the arrow to an animal, and have your your baby stabilize the toy with one hand and pull the lever with the other to hear the animal sound!  There are 16 different farm animals featured on the toy.  And to add to the fun, this classic also plays “Old Mac Donald” and “Farmer in the Dell.”

 

These snap lock or pop beads are good for your baby's bilateral skills, eye hand coordination and upper extremity strength! 

Halloween Wheelchair Costumes for Kids

  WALKIN' & ROLLIN' COSTUMES FOR HALLOWEEN

Photo Credit: Felixco, Inc.

 
Are you looking for Halloween wheelchair costumes for kids?  If so, you have to check out WALKIN' & ROLLIN' COSTUMES!

Walkin' & Rollin' Costumes transform wheelchairs into fun and amazing costumes.  Volunteers design and hand sew each costume, so it will be a perfect fit!  This is a wonderful organization, so you may want to consider donating to this worthy cause.  For more information, click HERE.

Ziplock Bag Teaching and Learning Quilt: Perfect for a Visual Schedule

Materials:

·      Sandwich sized Ziplock bags

·      Clear packaging tape

·      Colorful Masking/Duck Tape (design of your choice)

·      Pictures, educational materials, or other items that you wish to put in the slots

Instructions:

1.   Decide how many Ziplock pockets that you would like for your quilt to contain.

2.  Lay the Ziplock bags out on a flat surface in rows make a large square (For example, 9 Ziplock bags will make 3 rows with 3 bags in each row.)

3. Using clear packaging tape, tape the back side of the Ziplock bags together.  Tape straight down the back of the bags between the first and second columns, the second and third columns, and then continue taping between additional columns from top to bottom and between the rows from left to right. (Only apply this tape to the back sides of the bags to allow the bags to be opened from the front.)

4.  Place strips of the decorative tape straight down between each row where the bags meet on the front of the quilt.  Use one large strip to tape from the top of the square to the bottom of the square.  Repeat this until you have taped between each column.

5.  Next, apply the tape across the bags from left to right where the bags meet.  Be sure to not tape the flap down to the bag above it.  You will line the top side of the tape up with the top of the flap where you open the Ziplock bag and tape across from left to right.

6.  Finally, use the decorative tape to tape around the outside of the big square.  Once done, each individual square will be outlined with the decorative tape. 

7.  You should still be able to open your individual Ziplock pockets on the front of the quilt to slide in the pictures, quotes, instructions, or any other item of your choosing.

8.  If you wish, you may use the same instructions for applying the decorative tape to the back side of your Ziplock bag quilt in the same pattern to make the back side as visually appealing as the front side of your quilt.

      This fun teaching and Learning Quilt can be used in a variety of ways!  You can use it as a visual schedule, or to list the steps of a task that you want your child to learn.  It can also be used to list other visual instructions. It's fun to fill the slots with pictures of family, past trips, or hobbies.  Use your imagination and come up with other ideas for this Ziplock Bag Teaching and Learning 

Quilt.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Craft Activity for Kids: DIY Paint Palette

Do you know a child that loves to paint?  If so, here is an easy DIY paint palette! An egg carton can serve as a simple paint palette, with each egg slot holding a different color of paint.  

Painting Activity for Kids:  Tape a large sheet of white poster paper to the wall. Instruct the child to dip his index finger into the paint and to draw on the paper.  Provide hand over hand guidance at first (if needed) to build confidence and comfort level with the activity, then begin to fade your assistance. Demonstrate how to draw simple shapes to work on the ability to follow simple commands.  If appropriate, the child can practice writing his name and other simple words, or have him draw something that he loves, such as his car, a pet, or family member.  This is fun and allows for free expression!

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Craft Activity for Kids: Tissue Box Guitar

 

 Materials Needed: tape, tissue box, colorful paper, paper towel roll, rubber bands, and scissors

Instructions:

1.     To prepare the tissue box, cut the plastic protector out of the middle.

2.     Outline the all sides of the tissue box and paper towel onto the paper.

3.     Cut out the outline and line them up to their appropriate side to confirm proper alignment.

4.     Trace and cut the center of the tissue box on the top piece of paper.

5.     On the short side of the tissue box, cut a circle to fit the dimensions of the paper towel roll.

6.     Cover the paper towel roll in its correlating paper using tape, and stuff it into the hole designated on the tissue box.

7.     Tape the paper towel roll into place on the tissue box’s internally and externally.

8.     Tape all sides of the tissue box with the paper cut outs.

9.     Cut a small slit into one side of the paper towel roll as close to the tissue box as possible.

10. Place a rubber band in the slit and wrap it around the tissue box until it is touching both ends of this box.

11. Place at least one rubber band on either side of the initial rubber band. (depending on the size of your tissue box you may apply numerous rubber bands)

Purpose: This is a wonderful craft activity for kids! This guitar provides unique sounds with each stroke. Playing the guitar uses fine motor skills such as cutting, using tape, and placing the rubber bands. By decreasing the instructions to only a few steps at a time, any child can build their attention to activities while working on other skills. Many children will find this kids craft enjoyable!  Cutting the circle out of the tissue box for the paper towel roll can be difficult and should be done by the parent/therapist.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy Activity: A Clothespin Wreath

Are you looking for pediatric occupational therapy activities? Craft activities for kids are fun and are great for a variety of skills. Check out this clothespin wreath!  This is a fun art project for kids, and it's also appropriate as a toddler activity.  

Materials Needed:

1 package of wooden clothespins

A sturdy paper plate

Paint and paint brushes

Scissors

Instructions: 

1. Have the child cut a circular hole in the middle of the plate.  If the child is learning to cut on a line, draw the circle using a brightly colored magic marker and instruct her to cut on the line. 

2. Use the paintbrush and paint the plate and wooden clothespins any colors the child prefers. 

3. Once the plate is dry, the clothes pins need to be placed along the rim until there is no more room on the plate. 

Squeezing and placing the clothespins improves finger strength and dexterity, and the wreath makes a lovely gift for any mom!

Browse my blog for more craft activities for kids!

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The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Adaptive Card Holder for Kids

This adaptive card holder for kids is inexpensive and super easy to make!  A playing card holder is helpful for children with limited coordination, or it comes in handy for "hands-free" card playing!

Materials Needed:

·      Ice cube trays for graded up adaptive equipment

·      1 Styrofoam block

·      Hot glue sticks and hot glue gun

·      Suction cups to secure ice cube trays to table

·      Playing cards

Adaptive Card Holder for Kids Instructions:

Place ice cube trays upside down on table.  Place the individual playing cards on the edge of the ice cube tray as pictured below.  Enjoy the card game!

Stacked Adaptive Card Holder for Kids Instructions:

1.     Turn 3 ice cube trays upside down on the table.

2.     Use hot glue gun to glue each long edge of tray to the bottom tray below it creating a staggered step.  Place the individual playing cards on the edges of the trays.

Raised Adaptive Card Holder for Kids Instructions:

1.     Turn 3 ice cube trays upside down on table.

2.     Use hot glue gun to glue each long edge of tray to the bottom tray below it creating a staggered step.

3.     Place individual playing cards on the edges of the trays.  Hot glue the staggered ice cube tray to the styrofoam block to raise it off of the table.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Dear Readers, If you have found my blog to be helpful, please click here and "like" my facebook page... 
Thanks :)