Therapy tools vs Therapy at home tools

Sydney lockdown has continued since the end of June.  I've lost track of how many weeks since we started as there doesn't seem to be an end in sight yet. We are now experiencing what I know many of you around the world experienced in 2020.  

The focus for us all in Sydney has been on HOME.  Stay at HOME.  

In terms of therapy, I’m always recommending families to use what they have to achieve therapy goals.  As therapists, we want to keep goals functional and relevant to children in their natural environments. In their HOMES. 

Here are three ways to work on therapy goals at home with items you probably have already. 

No wobble cushion and squigz suckers? No problem, try a cushion and magnets. Use a vertical surface like a magnetic refridgerator and work on balance, squatting and standing. The vertical surface encourages shoulder stability and using one hand can encourage crossing the midline.

Too easy? Try a timed component or a smaller cushion.
Too hard? Try a bigger cushion and don’t reach so high to place the magnets.
​

​Don’t have handy scoopers/balloon tongs (which are really great) and pom poms? No problem, just use small kitchen tongs and fruit!

OTs are actually really good at using tools that you find at home in our actual practice. This is because we analyse activities and look at what are the goals, then what can we do to achieve the same goals in a practical way at home. Picking up fruit with kitchen tongs is a natural way to incorporate hand strength, crossing the midline, eye-hand coordination, bilateral coordination and is intrinsically rewarding… you get to eat the fruit!
​

What about a weighted lap blanket?  Well large bed size weighted blankets may be too hard to achieve, however a homemade version can easily be made with rice or sand.

Use approximately 5-10% of your child’s body weight in uncooked rice. Place it in a ziplock back (I double bag mine facing alternate ways) then place inside a pencil case, pillow slip or library bag.  You can always empty the contents at a later date (and cook the rice). 

This is an easy diy version which can be so beneficial to include as part of a sensory diet. You can use it as a lap bag (whilst sitting), place it in a backpack for input whilst walking, carry it in a basket with soft toys or even as a fidget tool to squish.

Make sure that you use this for no more than 20 minutes, then remove. You should see calming benefits for two hours. You can re-use it again if needed.  Read more about making a weighted lap bag with rice HERE. 

Working out a sensory diet of activities for a child using what they have available in their own homes can be so beneficial.  It means that specialist equipment is not relied upon and the child's sensory needs are met in their everyday environment. You can use the Activities for Me! Sensory Checklist to help work out which activities are best for your child to increase alertness or help with calming. 

I really love to encourage therapeutic goals in every day life using everyday tools....so I have other articles that encourage the use of natural learning opportunities.  You may like to read:

• How the natural world enriches and supports the developing child
• Everyday learning in everyday life at home
• 10 Practical Ways to practice scissor skills
• Everyday writing...encouraging reluctant writers

There is also a section of my website which I have to admit that hasn't been added to recently, encouraging children in the kitchen.  There are so many benefits to children helping and then learning how to follow a recipe and make something that they can eat or give to others.  Check out my child-friend recipes which have step-by-step instructions HERE. 

Did you download the  FREE SENSORY OBSTACLE COURSE PRINTABLE that I recently shared?   Encourage movement in your home!

What are your favourite ways to incorporate therapy goals in your home?  

​

​Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. 
​​​​
Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/yourkidsot
YKOT shop:  https://www.yourkidsot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Your-Kids-Ot
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUz_5nYEOCkj32DiOCQo4Q/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/

---