Aimee’s Babies First Year Milestones DVD: A Wonderful Resource

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How can parents play an important role in fostering their baby’s overall development? By understanding early infant growth and development! However, most parents are extremely busy and don’t have the time to read a textbook on infant development. Fortunately, parents can pop in Aimee’s Babies First Year Milestones DVD for a wealth of information on infant development.

This DVD is wonderful resource for parents who want to promote their little one’s social, emotional, and physical development. It includes important information about your child's sensory motor development and milestones during the first year of life, as well as a variety of activities that will help baby meet those important milestones. To give your child the best possible start in life, get this amazing resource.

Click HERE to visit Aimee’s Babies website and order the DVD.

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No More Sticky Fingers from Bubbles!

Here is a little tip that I'm happy to share. Many kiddos that I see for OT love bubbles, but in the past, I  avoided pulling them out because my fingers would get sticky from reaching into the bottle for the wand. (Yes...I have sensory issues!) One day my bubbles were sitting next to a roll of Duct tape and I had a thought. I cut a piece of tape about 3-inches long and stuck another narrow strip to the back of that piece. (See photo)

I attached the Duct tape to my bottle of bubbles and voila!...a handy holder for my bubble wand. No more sticky fingers! :)

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Video for Teaching Shoe Tying

Tying shoes is a challenging skill that requires motor planning and dexterity.  A child should be independent with shoe tying by 7 years of age, but many children master this skill much earlier. When teaching shoe tying, it's a good idea to practice with a shoe that is placed just in front of the child, either on the floor or a table (rather than on their foot).  Here is a video of one strategy that I frequently use with kids.

Remember, the best way to develop fluency with shoe tying is to practice, practice, practice!


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I Can Spell My Name!

Do you have a students who is learning to spell her name? This is a fun activity that is easy to create. Using a large, simple font (I like 72 Cambria or Chalkboard), type the child's name and print it out on white paper or card stock. You can begin with just the first name and progress to first and last name. Cut around the letters making small squares and laminate them. I frequently use the self adhesive laminate sheets available on Amazon.  Cut out a rectangular piece of black poster board (make sure the child's name fits on the poster board) and laminate it as well. Use sticky-back velcro dots to attach each letter to the piece of poster board. (See photos below).

Mix the letters up and place them in front of the student. You may want to start with a field of two or three letters. Ask the child, "What letter comes first in your name?" The child should choose the correct letter and Velcro it to the first spot on the poster board. Provide cues and modeling if necessary. Continue with the activity until the child has fully spelled her name.

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Sequin Art Projects are Great for Fine Motor Skills

I love these little sequin art kits. They are great for fine motor skills and kids love them! I found some at a local craft store, but they are also available on Amazon (click here).  Kids gets plenty of opportunities to practice a pincer grasp when picking up and peeling the sequins/stickers. Placing and aligning the sequins in the little circles is also great for eye hand coordination and visual perception. In the video below, this student is doing a great job with hers!

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Weighted Blankets

 

This article was originally written for Pediastaff.com

Have you ever felt a sense of relaxation when someone gives you a big hug? Sleeping under a weighted blanket is like getting a big, warm hug all night long. Weighted blankets provide deep pressure/proprioceptive input to an individual’s joints, muscles, and bones. In many cases, the input is calming and leads to improved sleep. Weighted blankets have been used successfully with individuals who have sensory processing disorders.

When selecting a weighted blanket for a client with sensory processing issues, the treating therapist should carefully consider the client’s specific sensory needs. There are no “official” research-based guidelines for selecting the weight and size of a blanket, but based on feedback from occupational therapy practitioners, 10% of the individual’s body weight is often effective when using weighted vests or lap pads. The treating therapist may want to start with 5 to 8% and make adjustments based on the reactions and/or feedback from the individual. If the client is nonverbal, it may be necessary to get feedback from the parents. For safety reasons, it is critical that the user be physically capable of independently removing the blanket. Most importantly, a weighted blanket should never be used for restraint purposes. If the user does not like the sensation of the blanket, use of the blanket should not be forced.

The blanket should fit evenly on top of the mattress so that no weights are hanging over the edge of the bed. This could cause the pressure provided by the blanket to be uneven. The blanket should NEVER cover the individual’s head, and parents should always provide supervision when using a weighted blanket with their child.

The effects of weighted blankets vary. Many parents have reported that the first night of use resulted in a good nights sleep for their child. However, it may take two to three nights to observe improvements in sleep. If no changes are noted at that point, the treating therapist may want to consider increasing the blanket’s weight. As stated previously, there is no evidence-based research on weighted blankets, but anecdotal reports from therapists and clients are generally positive. For someone with a disorganized nervous system, a weighted blanket may be the perfect solution for a good night’s sleep.


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Cutting on the Lines: Another Tip!

Teaching a child how to cut on the lines when cutting can be challenging. I posted about this in September and provided several suggestions.

Here is another idea to add to you teaching “toolbox” of ideas for cutting instruction.

Materials Needed:

Sturdy Plastic Canvas Needlepoint Sheets (found at craft stores or Amazon),

4 x 6 Index Cards or card stock paper- Much easier than paper to handle when cutting.

Black or bold colored marker

Paper Clips

 Use the marker to draw the cutting line on the index card. Begin with straight lines, then progress to curves and angles. Using the cutting line as a guide cut out two pieces of the plastic needlepoint sheet so that they are approximately ¼ to ½ inch from the cutting line. (See photos below)

Attach the canvas cut outs to the index card.

When holding the scissors, be sure that the child’s thumb is turned upward inside the loop and the middle finger should be inside the other loop. The index finger should be outside the loop serving as a “guide”.

Tell the child to "touch the black line with your scissors" and start cutting. Remind her to continue touching the line with her scissors while cutting. If she veers off of the line far enough, her scissors will bump the plastic, reminding her to get back on the lines. (See video)

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