Water beads or water marbles are these amazing little super-absorbent polymers.  They have traditionally been used by florists in flower arranging but in the last few years "water beads" have become THE must-have material for sensory play.  Edible water beads (aka tapioca pearls) have also surfaced as the new "must-have".

If you haven't seen these water beads before.  Here is a collage of how they work.  Place the beads (which are super tiny) into a large bowl or container.  Add 6 cups of water and watch them grow for 6 hours.  Drain away any excess water.  You can play with them before that time but they will continue to grow if more water is added. They grow to 150 times their original size.  Amazing for kids of all ages to watch (not for the whole 6 hours). 

The water beads become firm balls which are bouncy and slippery.  You can also allow the beads to dry out and re-use them by adding water to the beads again. 

There are plenty of activities you can do with water beads.  The water beads are great in a large tray or container as a sensory material.  Kids will love scooping, pouring, sorting, mixing and stirring.

We have also built a simple marble run for water bead races using household rolls, plastic containers and lots of masking tape!  Despite how "homemade" it looks, both Mr 4 and Miss almost-8 enjoy racing the beads and watching them go from top to bottom.  

The water beads have also found themselves in bath play where they are like treasure to be sought and scooped. Combined with some shaving cream and ice-cream creations were made. 

Have your kids played with water beads? What do they enjoy doing with them?

These water beads were given to our family as a gift and were originally purchased from an Australian Company (Nic-Nac). This is not a sponsored post and I have not received remuneration for the comments made here.

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Miss 7 is almost 8 years old!  I can hardly believe how quickly the years have passed.  Each birthday brings back a flood of memories of the day she was born ... at a tiny 2.2 kg.

We decided to make a couple of things to put in the birthday party favour bags this year.  We hope these will last longer than the sweets!  We made these lovely clay ornaments which we thought Miss almost-8's friends could hang on their Christmas tree or just decorate their bedrooms.  I found this great 2 ingredient clay recipe from Paging Fun Mums. There is no baking required as the clay air dries. 

Miss almost-8 really enjoyed every step of making these ornaments.  They were simple to make and I think it is nice for the "birthday girl" to give something back to her guests as a small momento of their friendship.  We hope her friends like them!

We are looking forward to making more of these ornaments closer to Christmas!

Do you like making things for your kids party bags?

What are you going to make with this clay?

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October is a busy month for Occupational Therapists!  In Australia, it is National OT week from the 19-25th October and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists celebrate World OT Day on the 27th October.  This month is about raising the profile of Occupational Therapists and sharing about what we uniquely do!

Occupational therapists work with people of all abilities and all ages to do the things they want to and need to do through the use of therapeutic activities and equipment. An occupational therapist may work with children in any of the following areas:

• Prerequisite activities – the child’s physical abilities, such as motor control, hand-to-eye coordination, body awareness and sensation
• Functional skills – the child’s day-to-day living skills, such as eating, writing, going to the toilet, interacting with other children and playground skills
• The environment – such as classroom furniture, classroom and schoolyard access, and equipment for woodwork, art and physical education.

In celebration of OT week and World OT day, I thought I would answer a few questions so you can get to know me better!

How do you describe OT?
When I was at university, I remember people describing Occupational Therapists as being "generalist specialists" or "basket weavers"... well there is some truth in both those terms.  Occupational Therapists look at a whole person (or child) to help them participate in their activities of daily life.  We help to train or re-train skills (using various activities), compensate for difficulties (modifying the activity, recommending equipment or modifying the environment) so that the person can participate in life to their potential.

What is something you have learnt as an OT?
In my first job as an OT, I worked with children who had significant physical and intellectual delays.  I learnt how to use an electric kitchen carving knife to carve out foam seat supports for wheelchairs.  We would glue parts together onto a plywood board, then cover them material cut and sewn especially for the unique foam seats. Whilst this was time consuming and at times frustrating, I was very proud of my achievements! 

Where have you worked the longest?
My first job was also my longest.  I worked in the Nepean area of Sydney for over 7 years.  I loved the people (both staff and families) that I worked with during my time there.  I learnt everything in this first job from wheelchair prescription, multi-disciplinary assessments, use of visual aids for learning, major home modifications, working in schools and much more.  I'm so grateful to the other OTs and health professionals who guided me and took me under their wing when I first started.  I also think back to the privilege it was to work with so many families and see how having a child (or children) with a disability affected the whole family 

What has been the funniest moment as an OT?
The funniest moment must be when I was working with two cheeky 6 year old boys who decided to have a spontaneous farting competition whilst we were working on handwriting (in a very small room).  It wasn't funny at the time but hindsight is a good thing!

Here are my top 5s. {You will have to stay tuned for posts on some of these!}

• Top 5 tools for my therapy toolkit: Theraputty, earth paper, pencil grips, gym ball, stickers!
  
• Top 5 favourite ipad apps for kids (for now): Dexteria Jr, Sparklefish, rED Writing, Sensory Treat, Imagistory
• Top 5 sensory tub materials: Kinetic sand, playdough, rice, shaving cream, water beads (post coming soon).
• Top 5 recipes to do with kids: Anzac Slice, Banana Sour Cream muffins, Lemonade Scones, Raspberry White Chocolate muffins, Pizza
• Top 5 craft to do with kids: stain-glass windows, fizzing baking soda, paper planes, painting, cardboard box creations

Why do you blog?
I started blogging as a way of recording down my therapy ideas whilst having a slow down in my working life to spend time with my own children.  I love sharing my ideas and showing others how to engage with their kids with simple activities that can be done at home.  I also love reading other blogs and trying out new ideas!

I think it is difficult for some to access Occupational Therapy services due to waiting lists, financial constraints or a lack of understanding of how Occupational Therapists can work with children and their families.  I hope that Your Kids OT will help these families!

Thank you to all who subscribe or follow Your Kids OT on social media.  I appreciate your feedback and comments!

Are you an OT celebrating OT week or World OT Day?  How do you describe OT?

#OTweek #WorldOTday

Method
1.       Preheat the oven to 180° C (356°F).
2.       Sift the flour into the mixing bowl.
3.       Add the brown sugar into the mixing bowl.
4.       Crack an egg into a small bowl. Whisk lightly with a fork.
5.       Add the egg into the mixing bowl.

6.       Pour the buttermilk into the mixing bowl.
7.       Add the olive oil into the mixing bowl.
8.       Stir the mixture gently with a spoon.
9.       Add the raspberries into the mixing bowl.
10.     Add the white choc chips into the mixing bowl.

11.       Stir the mixture gently until just combined.
12.       Grease the muffin tray by spraying oil (or use patty pans).
13.       Spoon the mixture into the muffin tray.
14.       Bake for 20 minutes
15.       Allow muffins to cool and enjoy!

What is your favourite muffin flavour?

Happy Baking!

Have you tried these kid friendly recipes?

“Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.” ― 
Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Spring is a season of new life and an array of blooms in the garden. Whilst our spring seems to be on hold this week with unseasonal thunderstorms...this cutting and rolling craft is a perfect indoor activity for your kids learning to use scissors!

What do you need to do?
There are 2 different flowers in the vase above.  

1) To make the spiky variety, you can draw the fringe on the edge of the paper ready for cutting.
2) Cut along the lines to make a fringe.
3) Stick the chopstick to one end of the fringe.
4) Roll the paper up as tightly as possible.
5) Stick down the end of the paper.
6) Holding the chopstick, peel down the fringe (turning the chopstick as you go) to make the flower.

1) To make the curled variety, you can draw a spiral shape.
2) Cut along the lines of the spiral.
3) Stick the chopstick onto the outer end of the spiral with the stick pointing towards the centre of the spiral.
4) Roll the paper up as tightly as possible.
5) Allow the spiral to unravel a little to get nice flower shape. 
6) Stick down the end of the paper.

Mr 4 had a great time making these flowers. Each step required Mr 4 to use both his hands at the same time (bilateral coordination).  He has always loved cutting and this activity allowed Mr 4 to practise his eye-hand coordination skills in staying on the line and manipulation skills when turning the paper around during cutting.   

The flowers will of course look better if you draw your lines in pencil rather than a thick texta as I have done here. Some children will require a thick dark line to provide a strong visual guide for cutting.

Mr 4 needed some help when rolling the paper (especially when we were trying to figure out the best way to roll the spiral).  This photo shows you one he did independently!

Miss almost-8 came home after school and on finding the vase of flowers wanted to make some too.  She made the flowers using patterned craft paper which look great. 

I have seen "grown ups" do this craft on several sites on the net with some stunning affects in a variety of paper.  I especially loved one I saw using vintage paper which was amazing.  This craft is not about a perfect stunning posy... but rather an opportunity for your kids to get busy with their hands and have an end result.  

Can you make a "bunch of flowers" to give to a grandparent or teacher this weekend?

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For those of you who have been following Your Kids OT, you will know that I recently went to New York City.  So indulge me a minute whilst I show you some photos from the trip.

These photos are from Ellis Island which is located on the same ferry route as the Statue of Liberty.  Ellis Island was America's largest and most active immigration station.  It is now a museum which documents the stories of some of those who passed through its halls with their hopes and dreams of a better life.  It was an interesting and moving experience to see what was involved in the "processing" of hopeful immigrants.

"Visual motor perception is the ability to copy geometric shapes, letter or drawing in a proper spatial manner... Form-copy tests are excellent indicators of a child's future school performance.  If I had to choose only one test to give a child to determine his school readiness, it would undoubtedly be the form-copy test". K. A. Lane (2005) Developing Ocular Motor and Visual Perceptual Skills: An Activity Workbook .  

As OTs, we place emphasis on copying shapes when assessing visual perception. Copying the "vertical diamond" in the Beery VMI is reported to have an age norm of 8yrs 1mth. The developmental trends in drawing a vertical diamond include drawing vertical lines (3yrs), reflections of vertical and straight lines (4yrs), closed form with angles (5yrs), squared diamond (5yrs 8mths), definitely elongated (6yrs 10mths) and then the acceptable angularity (8yrs 1mth).

When teaching a child to draw a diamond,  I focus on their ability to draw diagonal lines and their ability to cross the midline (taking into consideration the child's age and development).  A multi-sensory approach is key so that the child "feels" the action and can understand how to motor-plan.  This may include drawing in rice and shaving cream, creating with playdough or using craft sticks to create patterns and shapes. 

Have you been to Ellis Island? Can your child draw a diamond? 
  

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As we begin term 4 of the Australian School term, some of you may be thinking about school readiness for 2015. Is my child ready for school?  Is school ready for my child?

Whilst there are certain expectations for children beginning school, there is also a wide-range-of-normal! Children learn at their own pace and may begin school with various "school readiness" skills.  School readiness may include social skills, language skills, emotional skills, concentration skills, visual-motor skills, pre-writing skills, self-care skills, fine and gross motor skills.   

If your child has difficulty with one or more of these areas of skill development, it does not mean that they are not ready for school.  It may mean that they need some help ... including Occupational Therapy.

I suggest looking at the overall picture of your child's development and speaking with your child's educator (if they attend preschool or child care).  

The following school readiness checklist is based on those "red flags" where referral to Occupational Therapy may assist your child in these months leading up to starting school. The questions here are based on various standardised assessments OTs use including The Miller Function & Participation Scales, The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales and the Beery VMI (Visual-Motor Integration). The checklist is not exhaustive and was developed to provide a snapshot of where you child is currently performing and what they may need help with completing.

You can find a FREE printable copy of this checklist in the Your Kids OT shop.  You are welcome to distribute it to parents and educational settings.  OTs, please do not copy the content for professional use (ie. don't use the content and add your own logo).

If you complete this checklist and have concerns about your child's development, contact an Occupational Therapist for a comprehensive assessment.  If you live or your child attends an educational setting in the Ryde LGA (Local Government Area), please contact me at cindy@yourkidsot.com or via the contacts pagehere for further information about direct therapy services. 

Do you have a child starting school in 2015?

This scone (or biscuit if you are a US reader) recipe is easy! The less handling the better to keep it light and fluffy on the inside.  Dust fingers and the cookie cutter with flour before handling the doughy mixture and this will make things less sticky.

Method
1.Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
2. Sift the flour into the mixing bowl.
3. Using the butter knife, make a well (hole) in the centre of the flour.
4. Pour cream into the well.
5. Pour lemonade into the well.

6. Mix gently with a knife until all ingredients are combined to form a dough.
7. Put some extra flour onto your kitchen bench top. Place the dough onto the flour.
8. Turn the dough over so it is coated in flour, gently pressing to about 4cm high.
9. Use the scone cutter to cut out the scones, re-shaping the dough gently to use up scrap sections.

10. Place scones onto a baking tray.
11. Use a pastry brush to glaze (put on the milk).
12. Place tray in the oven. Bake for 12 minutes.
13. Cover with tea towel until ready to eat.
14. Enjoy with whipped cream and jam!

Find a photographic step by step guide to this recipe in the Your Kids OT shop.  This is great for kids to use as a tool for independent cooking (with minimal help).  In this recipe children may need help to turn the dough over, cut the scone, reshape the dough for cutting and using the oven.

Perfect for morning tea or afternoon tea (or maybe even breakfast), these scones must be tried! The whole family will love them.

Have you made lemonade scones?

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Felties Compendium Travel Set contains over 300 pre-cut shapes of felt in an assortment of colours.  Googly eyes are included too! The travel set has a neat sturdy case that folds up to store these shapes, perfect as the name suggests for taking with you.  A great size to pop into a handbag or therapy bag.

Kids will love making pictures with these felt pieces!  They may copy a small booklet of designs or make up their own. The case is long enough for 2 children to play with this together. There are certainly enough shapes to be shared.  Put away the scissors as you will not need to cut out any extra shapes!

This is a great therapy tool to take along to therapy sessions.  The Felties Compendium Travel Set  allows you to work on colour, shapes and visual-motor skills.  Can your child copy a pattern?  Can they identify a sequence to complete the picture?  Can they scan the vast number of shapes to find the ones needed?  Can they colour match? Can they use directional language (eg. next to, in front, behind, on top, below, etc)?

The Felties Compendium Travel Set may also be used for story telling and pretend play.  A scene may be built with characters introduced and objects made as a story unfolds.

Whilst Mr 4 and Miss 7 enjoy playing with this at home, I have added it to my therapy bag.  It is compact and there is such a range of skills that can be worked on using these shapes!

The Felties Compendium Travel Set is available from Finlee and Me in a choice of 2 colours.

Have your kids played with felt shapes before?

Note: I received no remuneration for this post.  I was gifted the Felties Compendium Travel Set by Finlee and Me. All comments, opinions and photographs are my own.

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