Toilet training is a significant milestone in every child’s development, but for some, it can come with unique challenges that leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. If your child struggles with sensory sensitivities, motor skills, or emotional regulation, the process might feel like an uphill battle. This is where occupational therapy…
Finished Shopping this Holiday Season? Are you looking for ideas for toys or holiday gifts for your child? Here are few ideas that help to promote fine motor skills in children ages one year and up! Although not endorsed by CPTWC, some of these toys below are also utilized at the center and can help to facilitate hand strengthening, grasp and pinch precision. Happy holiday shopping! …
We have all been told “don’t play with your food” at one point in our life. By now we have probably said it a couple times to our own kids even! However, food play is actually a wonderful way to introduce a picky eater to new foods, decrease sensory sensitivities, and create a fun and…
The Holidays are great time to have the whole family team up in the kitchen and create something delicious and spectacular! You can use the four fun holiday snacks as grounds to explore new foods with kids! These will help kids learn about foods without pressure to consume the foods, but they just might turn…
Halloween is almost here! Before the big day, please see below for the tips our Occupational Therapy Team compiled for sensory-friendly for Trick or Treating experience. Each of these tips will help you and the whole family have your best Halloween yet! 7 Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treating Tips Make Costume Comfortable: Wear tight clothing under…
BOO! Halloween is around the corner and our Occupational Therapy Team put together this blog that includes ten costume tips and tricks for parents of children with sensory processing differences. Halloween can be one of the best holidays of the year for trick or treaters of all ages, but the costumes can lead to some…
Valentine’s day is right around the corner! Here’s some craft ideas to wash those winter blues away and add some colorful decorations to your house, all while working on those love-ly fine motor skills! Heart Card – Great activity for children to work on hand strength, visual-motor skills including scissors and lacing. Materials: 2 different…
Hand preference usually begins to emerge between 2-4 years of age. Many children have established a hand preference by 5-6 years old, and definite hand dominance can continue to develop up through 8-9 years old. These activities can help your child to develop a hand preference: Screwing On/Off Lids: Hide objects or stickers inside for the child to discover to make it more interesting and…
In need of some ideas to get your kids away from screens at home? If you have painter’s tape lying around, you can develop some creative activities that will keep you and your kids entertained and engaged while helping to develop their visual-motor, fine motor, gross motor, and sensory processing skills. Adequate development of fine…
While kids are off school for the holidays, it’s important to continue working on their fine motor skills. Having a strong foundation of fine motor coordination and strength is vital for kids to be able to succeed with tasks throughout their day such as dressing (buttoning, zipping, etc.), eating (using utensils), school work (writing), and…
As your children begin to learn letter- and word-formation in school, they’ll likely have homework that focuses on this as well! Handwriting can be an extremely tricky task to master, which can make it even more aversive for your child to practice. Whether your child is just beginning to learn pre-writing lines or working on…
Halloween is around the corner and we have three fun and festive crafts that focus heavily on fine motor development and sensory play! Each of these crafts has an emphasis on development of pincer grasp, tripod grasp, and index finger isolation. Explore touch senses and messy play with glue, paint, and tissue paper to promote sensory integration all while making something festive or the whole…
We have eight senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, auditory, vestibular, interception, and proprioception). Our proprioceptive system provides feedback through our muscles and joints to figure out where our body is in space. Some proprioceptive activities are also referred as “heavy work” activities. Examples of Heavy Work Activities Heavy work activities add resistance during pulling or…
Purchased a body sock or plan to make one with some stretchy lycra fabric? This article has some great ideas on how to implement its use for your sensory-seeking child! First to check: the body sock should be about the same height as your child, or even a little smaller. You want your child to…
Holidays are great times to have your child participate in novel fine motor and sensory activities. Here are some fun Fourth of July crafts and activities to do this summer with your kids, while getting an extra bonus with some OT-themed activities! For Younger Children: Popsicle Stick Flag – great fine motor activity! Glue 7-8…
