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Christmas Tree OT Printable Pack! FREE CHRISTMAS PRINTABLES!

30/11/2016

 
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The end of the school year is fast approaching here in Australia!

​I'm winding up my OT practice next week but still want to make my OT sessions goal directed!  

I gave my followers on Instagram and FB a sneak peek at my "box writing" Christmas printable and have now made this printable available! 

BUT that's not all, I have bundled this into a pack of 5 to suit a range or ages and goals!

In this pack you will get:
  • Box Writing - work on letter size and discrimination
  • Tracing - work on eye/hand coordination 
  • Christmas Poem - work on writing and letter formation
  • Hidden pictures - work on visual figure ground, visual scanning and visual discrimination
  • Favourite things - work on writing and letter formation
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These printables would also be great for classrooms as well! 

Download your copytoday! 

I always love to hear from you if you do use my printables so don't forget to tag @yourkidsot or #yourkidsot!

Are you finishing up for the year? What are your favourite Christmas printables? 

Merry Christmas! 
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Activity Book Gift List! Inspire Writing, Drawing and Creativity!

28/11/2016

 
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Activity books are not boring!

If your only experience of activity books are the sticker books or maze books that you find in supermarkets then these books will really wow you! 

Now there is nothing wrong with a cheap sticker book filled with super heroes or fairies (in fact my kids have loved these books), however the books I am recommending today do even MORE than keep the kids busy for a little while.  These books will inspire your kids to draw, write and to to create, use their imaginations and learn (in a fun way)! 

These books do come with a warning label (ok just a precaution from me) that some parent involvement may be required for younger kids.  This is actually a huge bonus with side-by-side drawing such a great opportunity for learning, bonding and nurturing. I don't see this as a negative!

OK,  so what makes these books so good?!


​For younger kids:
  1. ​DIY ABC by Eleonara Marton - The illustrations in this ABC board board are fantastic.  Kids are encouraged to draw, write and even cut in this book (eg. draw the ants in the ant hill, cut the grass).  Find this at  Amazon  or the Book Depository. 
  2. The Usborne Big Doodling Book by Fiona Watt - This books prompts doodling and imagination.  Similar to the DIY ABC book but for slightly older children.  Add features to drawing prompts and decorate.  Find this at  Amazon  or the Book Depository. 
  3. Fingerprint Activities Animals by Fiona Watt - We have been long time fans of theEd Emberley finger print books (check them out if you haven't seen them before).  This book works on a similar principle with ideas to add doodles and drawings to finger prints. The bonus with this book is that it comes with the ink pad already attached so no further materials are needed.  Finger printing is a wonderfully fun and creative way to encourage finger isolation and fine motor manipulation too! Find this at  Amazon  or the Book Depository. 
  4. Lots of things to find and color! by Fiona Watt - As you can see, I'm a huge fan of Fiona Watt and Usborne books! This book has beautiful line drawings ready to find and color (colour - if you are Australian or British).  This books encourages visual perceptual skills with scanning, figure ground and discrimination all used to find certain clues given to you by the prompts.  ​ Find this at  Amazon  or the Book Depository. 


​Journals and Mindfulness
  1. Draw and Write Journal for Kids by Creative Kids - This book encourages some introspection and reflection (eg. draw what you did today).  Scaffold lines are provided (ie. additional lines) to encourage letter sizes and spacing so this makes a great book for those wanting to work on handwriting skills at home! This book also encourages general doodling and drawing to personalize the book for your child. Find this at Amazon or theBook Depository. 
  2. My First Gratitude Journal by Creative Kids - An introductory book for kids who have never written in a journal and may not have "reflected" before.  Kids are encouraged to think about the people in their lives and to be thankful. Younger kids may need help with recording their thought and feelings.   Find this at Amazon or the Book Depository. 
  3. Start where you are: A Journal for Self Exploration by Meera Lee Patel - This book features inspiriting quotes in hand lettering.  It asks open ended questions and prompts your child to think about what THEY think and feel.  This book is suited to older kids (10 years and older).  Find this at Amazon or the Book Depository. 

​For Older kids:
  1. How To Be and Explorer of the World by Keri Smith - With a focus on art and science, this book sends your child on a adventure to be an explorer of the world.  Your child will collect things, analyze them and document the details. Find this at Amazon or theBook Depository. 
  2. FNSH THS BK by Keri Smith - This book is genius! It draws kids in with a mystery and a challenge to help to finish the book! Essentially this book is a series of small writing and drawing challenges to prompt your child to observe their surroundings and put it down into the book! Find this at Amazon or the Book Depository.   If you like these two books by Keri Smith, check out her other books too (Amazon Link)! 
  3. 712 more things to draw by Chronicle Books- A series of drawing prompts that range from a nose to a paperweight to a dust bunny! A fun book to do with your child! Find this at Amazon or the Book Depository. 
  4. 642 Things to Write About by Chronicle Books - The writing version of the book above may appeal to the those already keen to write or to teenagers (and adults).  Find this at Amazon or the Book Depository. 
  5. Make Buildings - Inspire the future architect in your child! They will learn about different shapes and features of famous buildings.  Your child will experiment with drawing their own buildings too.  Find this at Amazon or theBook Depository. 
  6. Word Play by Chuck Whelon - Comics! Your child might be a reluctant writer and reader.  This book contains a series of pictures with empty speech bubbles.  It is up to you child to think about the dialogue they can add to bring these comics to life. Find this at Amazon or the Book Depository.  

​Would you like to take a quick look inside some of these books?  Here is a short video to show you three of the books we are working through! 

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Don't expect your kids will work through these books cover to cover in one sitting. 

I have encouraged my kids to date their entries into these books so that they can pick them up and put them down again. My DD has been working on "712 Things to Draw" with Mr YKOT for several years and that's ok!  It is a great way to reflect on how their drawing changes as they grow older and mature.  My DS has just started "Make Buildings" with Mr YKOT.  Shh don't tell anyone, but my nieces and nephews will be receiving some of these books for Christmas this year!

This article contains affiliate links, however I really love these books! Many of the Amazon links will also give you an inside look of the books as well.. 

​Have you seen any of these activity books? What do your kids think? 


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Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this article to promote products that I recommend.   Your Kids  OT is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Your Kids OT.  Reviews and endorsements of products will only be made based on my expertise and personal opinion; and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand.
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Adorable EASY Christmas Tree Craft!

23/11/2016

 
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One month until Christmas and it is time to put up the decorations! 

Only a few more OT sessions before we stop for the year! Are you in Christmas-mode yet? 

My facebook news feed has started to have more and more options to celebrate this festive season! Recently, I came across this "DIY PAPER CHRISTMAS TREE" idea by Krokotak! I thought it was wonderful but wanted to make it a little more structured for my kids who find it difficult to cut without a line to follow.

​This little craft will work on a number of skills whilst having fun! There will be scissor skills, fine motor manipulation, left and right bilateral coordination skills as well as planning and sequencing skills! 

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What you will need:
  1. Christmas Tree Cutting Template - Download your FREE printable HERE! Print page 1 on white A4 paper and page 2 on green A4 paper. 
  2. Scissors
  3. Glue Stick
  4. Embellishments - I used tiny circle stickers for baubles and thin wire tinsel.

Instructions:
  1. Cut out the "tree" square and fold along the dotted centre line.
  2. Open out the square and cut along all the solid black lines. 
  3. Place glue on the dotted centre line and over the trunk of the tree. 
  4. Fold up the trunk along the dotted lines.
  5. Fold over each of the green tree strips on the left side and stick down the tips in the centre.
  6. Place more glue on the dotted centre line.
  7. Fold over each of the green tree strips on the right side and stick down the tips in the centre.
  8. Cut out the star and brown trunk. Stick these to the tree.
  9. Add embellishments to the Christmas tree. I added circle stickers as baubles and threaded the tinsel through the tree. 

​This is an adorable tree that you could hang up in the classroom.  You could also add a string to hang it is an ornament on your real Christmas tree!

​Don't forget to print out theFREE template so you can start creating this tree with your kids! I would love to see your creations if you try this at home. Tag @yourkidsot on Instagram or Facebook! I can't wait to see your trees!

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Pinch. Poke. Snap... Helping Kids to Manage Buttons, Zips and More!

16/11/2016

 
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We are going to be late! Hurry up!
I can't do this button up! I can't!
Put on your jacket, it's cold out! 
I can't do the zip! I can't!

The morning rush out the door to get to school can often be a struggle.  Getting dressed can be a chore and then there are fastenings on school bags to manage too!

This month in the "Functional Skills for Kids" Series, we look at helping kids with fasteners such as buttons, zippers, snaps (press studs) and more! My blogging colleagues will look at fine motor, gross motor, visual perceptual and sensory motor considerations.  We will also cover when we should expect our kids to manage these tasks and how to incorporate this learning in play.  Find the links for these articles below!
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So it is time for your child to learn how to manage fastenings on their own but where do you begin? It helps to have an understanding of the steps involved with each of these tasks.  I have outlined the steps involved in managing common fastenings here through visual photo sequences. For your printable copy of these sequences, download them HERE!
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Once you know the steps involve there are a few tips in teaching your child how to manage these fastenings.  (Actually these tips apply to teaching your child most new tasks!) 

These are tips occupational therapists use all the time!  


  1. Modelling - Demonstrate the steps involved by showing your child each step, describing it as you go.
  2. Verbal Prompts -  Use clear and consistent verbal prompts to correspond with each step.  I usually shorten my prompts to just the "verb" involved. For example: "Pinch and push". 
  3. Backwards Chaining - This means that you teach your child the last step first.  It is a great way to encourage success for your child.  Keep each step brief and this will help with attention too!  As your child becomes successful, add another step in the chain from the end of the task. 
  4. Hand over Hand assistance - Sometimes modelling is not enough to enable your child to understand what to do.  Put your hand over their hands and gently show then with physical assistance how to manage the step involved. 
  5. Visual Photo Sequence - Some children benefit from going over the sequence of steps using photographs or line drawings.  These should be explained and looked at several times. When teaching how to manage fastenings, you can use the visual photo sequences that I have made! Download your copy HERE!
  6. Choose the Right Time -  Choose a time where the pressure of time is absent.  Practice school related fastenings in the holidays before school starts or on the weekend.  
  7. Practice Practice Practice - Practice makes perfect!
  • Start with the fastener NOT on your child. For example: start with a jacket on a chair in front of your child. 
  • Practice with large fasteners before smaller ones.  These are easier to manipulate and will promote success. 
  • Practice skills with the correct orientation. It is important for children to learn the movement involved in managing fastenings (ie. kinesthetic movement) and feel where there body is in space in relation to the object they are manipulating (spatial awareness).  Read about a posting lid turned on its side to help with buttoning orientationhere!
      8. Variety = Novelty - Use a variety of objects with fasteners to help with motivation and with
          generalization of the skill (eg. zipper on dress, zipper on bag, zipper on pencil case, zipper on
          doll's skirt). 
    9. Reinforce and reward - We would like our kids to have intrinsic motivation to manage  
        fasteners independently! Many children do desire this independence and often "force" it
        upon their parents too early with "I can do it myself!"  

        Some children, however are not so intrinsically motivated.  They stubbornly refuse to get
        dressed or insist on a parent helping them.  For these children praise and reward are
        important to encourage desirable behavior.  Often these kids benefit from a "backward
       chaining" approach discussed earlier.  Rewards may include verbal praise "Great job!" or "You
       did it!".  The reward may include letting your child choose their preferred outfit to wear or a sticker.  

A side note about rewards:
  • The specific reward your child receives will vary with what motivates your unique child.  (What works for one child will not necessarily work for another.)  This will also change as your child gets older.
  • The size of your reward should match the size of the activity. Use the "smallest" reward that is still motivating!
  • Rewards should be used for a short period of time to help with encouraging one specific desirable behavior.
  • Don't worry if your child is ONLY doing the desirable behavior initially for the reward. That actually demonstrates that the reward is motivating and "working" the way you want it to. 
  • Reduce the rewards once the new behavior is learnt. You may continue to reinforce the behavior with intermittent rewards. 
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Is your child struggling with fasteners? Have you tried these tips? 
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This post is part of “Functional Skills for Kids: 12 month series by Paediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists”.  You can read all of the childhood functions HERE.  Read all Your Kids OT’s monthly posts HERE.

Find more information about “helping kids with fasteners” from other Occupational and Physical Therapists participating in the “Functional Skills for Kids series”: 
​​
When Can Kids Learn to Button and Zip? | Mama OT
Clothing Fasteners and Fine Motor Skill Development | Kids Play Space
Clothing Fasteners and Gross Motor Skill Development | Your Therapy Source Inc
How to Adapt Buttoning and Zipping for Your Child   | Miss Jaime OT
Learning How To Use Buttons, Snaps, Zippers, and Buckles Through Play | Growing Hands-On Kids
Tips to Teach Kids to Zip and Button | The Inspired Treehouse
Pinch. Poke. Snap... Helping Kids to Manage Buttons, Zips and More!  | Your Kids OT
Clothing Fasteners and Sensory Processing | Sugar Aunts
The Visual Motor Aspect of Buttons and Zippers  | Therapy Fun Zone

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​
​Cindy is a registered Occupational Therapist practising in Sydney Australia.  She has two young 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. Cindy is the author of the occupational therapy blog Your Kids OT.

SEA LIFE SENSORY SOLUTIONS: COLOURING PAGES!

3/11/2016

 
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It is all about you!  

The biggest compliment for me is when one of my readers (that's right, you) send me a message to say that you have read one of my articles and are putting my ideas into practice!

Recently, Phillippa Morassi Registered Counsellor contacted me to tell me that she had created a little activity from my "Sea Life Sensory Solutions" Printable". (If you don't know what this is, please read the full article here! It has been the most popular FREE printable from my site in 2016!).  

​Phillipa made the printable into a colouring activity for a 4 year old whom she was seeing for play therapy. The idea was to colour it in, cut it out and write instructions on the back as a "prompt" for remembering what to do to help her calm down!

What a brilliant idea! Here is a photo of what Phillippa did.  A big thank you to Phillipa for contacting me! 
​​

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I loved this idea so much and I thought you might like it too! I have created some simple colouring pages for you to use along side the original "Sea Life Sensory Solutions".  Download the free colouring pagesHERE!

Have you put any of my blog ideas into practice? I would love to hear from you!

​

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    Hi, I'm Cindy and I am an Occupational Therapist. I enjoy working creatively with children to see them reach their potential. Read more about me here.

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is general in nature and should be used for educational  and entertainment purposes. 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.  This blog does not replace formal therapeutic professional advice given by a health professional or medical practitioner.  Reviews and endorsements of products will only be made based on my expertise and personal opinion; and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand. Content, advertising space or posts will be clearly identified if paid, affiliated or sponsored.  Affiliate links may  be found throughout this website in advertising. This means that if you follow through with a purchase from these links, Your Kids OT will receive a percentage of the sale. Your Kids OT undertakes to meet the requirements of the "Social Media Policy" as published by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  Further information about this policy can be found here.

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Hi, I'm Cindy and I am an Occupational Therapist. I enjoy working creatively with children to see them reach their potential. Read more about me here.

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