Stay Grounded with your senses!

Week 13 of lockdown in Sydney with a long journey still ahead. Parents and children shout hooray for the school holidays. An easing of some restrictions has been a "yay" but we aren't back to "normal" yet...  There is a sigh of relief and yet the stress is still high.

We know the value of parents/adults being regulated so that our children can also feel secure amidst the chaos.  That river of calm can be hard to navigate.

Being grounded in your senses is a well-known grounding technique to help you to be in the moment. 

To be grounded is ...To be mindful of where you are right now.  To be in control of your emotions and thoughts.  To accept where you are.  To find something "solid" to connect with during difficult times. 

That connection helps relax the body and in turn relaxes the mind. It helps to de-escalate anxiety and stress. 

Being mindful or taking in the physical signs of the present can be done with a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. 

Name 5 things you can see.
Name 4 things you can touch. 
Name 3 things you can hear.
Name 2 things you can smell.
Name 1 thing that you can taste.

You can do this for yourself.  You can do this with your children. 

Try it when you are all calm.

​Practice in difference situations.  Practice in different places. 

Occupational therapists, you could do this via Telehealth sessions and then incorporate breathing techniques, sensory solutions, movement, play or writing. 

You could also try to use this as a way to create a ​sensory diet of activities  too.  Have a look at some resources - Sensory Diet Activity Guide Book and Activities for Me! 

Here is an example of how you could turn this into a sensory diet list.  Work on choosing activities together.

I wouldn't consider this a complete sensory diet but you could use this as a way to help children to become aware of their senses.  You could refer back to the list if your child has trouble communicating about their senses. This could be used as a quick list to refer to when your child needs help to calm down.

What would you put on this list for your own calm down strategies? What other ways help you to feel connected and grounded? Share these with your children.  Help them to hear how you manage stress and difficult times.  (You don't need to go into detail about what is causing your stress or anxiety...but rather how you are dealing with it or addressing it). This is one of the best ways to help your children understand regulation. 

The Black Dog Institute has a vast array of resources and articles about mental health for your and your children, especially in light of COVID-19.   Reach out if you need help. 

I hope you and your children try out "stay grounded with your senses" this week! 

Take care of yourself. 

Until next time,

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. ​​​
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It’s been 5 years since sharing this printable "Quick Ways to Calm Down" and it has been the most popular "pinned" image from the Your Kids OT website with over 66 000 "pins". Amazing!  It has always been a FREE printable available to subscribers and now updated to include this instructional video. 

Quick ways to calm down offers four sea themed sensory solutions as tools that can be used for regulation. 

Watch me demonstrate these ideas on the NEW video below or using the link here ---> ​https://youtu.be/fkJvyQw0Gs0

Read more about the principles behind "Puffer Fish Puff, Clam Cuddle, Turtle Tongue and Starfish Stretch" and get your copy of the FREE PRINTABLE  --> HERE. 

Share this video and link to the FREE PRINTABLE so that your friends, family and/or colleagues can try them out too! 
​

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
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
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We are in the 10th week of Sydney lockdown and virtual therapy continues for the foreseeable future too. 

I am the type of person who likes to make lemonade from lemons... and thought about the opportunity to bring together two of my lovely OT children in a social skills "group" online.  I've been working with these two young boys on friendship skills, social thinking and regulation.  We have been doing this in a 1:1 context but have not had the opportunity to put these skills into practice in a functional real context. Both of these children were the same age and their parents were happy to try it out. What a wonderful virtual opportunity!

The resources that I create at Your Kids OT are designed primarily for my own use first so when you see lots of new releases, I'm responding to my own need! (or I'm fine tuning ones that I have started a long time ago)

This new "OT buddies" social skills resource was created to facilitate the social skills group with my two buddies. The resource is provided in a Powerpoint presentation format, PDF version and a printable games pack PDF. These resoures may be used online via a "Screen share". This resource may also be purchased at the YKOT Teachers Pay Teachers Store ($US).

About me...about you.
OT buddies begins by encouraging children to introduce themselves, socially wonder about others by asking questions and sharing their own answers. There are questions to prompt children as well as a game of "would you choose?" to get to know each other. Children are also encouraged to learn about active listening and to ask further questions. These skills may be divided up into different therapy sessions.

Games
There are fifteen games included with information about preparation and rules to play. These games include Snakes and Ladders, Truth or Lie, Battleship, I spy, Tic Tac Toe, Follow the Leader, Roll a Snake, Musical Statues, Guess the Sound, Emotions Bingo, Move it!, Guess Who?, Lego Challenge, Scavenger Hunt and Show and Tell.

Some games are non-competitive and also require no-preparation. Some games require minimal preparation by both the facilitator and the children. Printable game pages are provided for eight of the games. These games have been chosen to have simple rules and may appeal to a range of children.

Further social skills can be explored with questions asking children to consider:

• how they know others are having fun,
• how can we work out how someone else is feeling,
• are we expected to follow rules,
• what are some hidden rules when playing games,
• what could we do if are feeling upset and
• what could we say at the end of the game.

These skills may complement other social thinking and regulation programs.

Good-bye!
The OT buddies resource finishes with "choose a way to say goodbye" including a wave, a fist pump, a smile, a high five or thumbs up.

The group has been going really well for both participants.  They are learning about themselves and about the other child.  It has been an opportunity for them to apply some of the skills that they have been learning individually... such as understanding someone else's perspective, working out how others are thinking and feeling, empathy, applying hidden rules for playing games and using some of their calming techniques. 

It has also been fun with some laughs along the way! 
​

Have you discovered some hidden benefits to virtual telehealth sessions? 

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
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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. 
​​​​
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Lockdown #2 for Sydney and there are some lessons learnt from others who have been at home for longer than we have. 

Social and emotional well being is of utmost importance.  Staying connected, using tools for regulation and self-care... then being able to help our children do the same!

The importance of movement, changing body positions and flexible seating is always at the forefront for occupational therapists.  Even without lockdown, the nature of our society is that screen time is pulling all of us but especially our children to a sedentary lifestyle.   Joining organised sport is a solution for some.  Joining a gym an option for others.  Meeting friends at a park, going for regular walks or bike rides are all fantastic ways to encourage children and adults to get moving. 

Movement is important for gross motor skill development as well as a tool for regulation. Gross motor skills can include 
things like crawling, jumping, skipping and hopping. Regulation is an important skill for children to develop.  Occupational 
therapists use movement to help with regulation of the body and mind, which can in turn help with a child's attention and alertness.  This sensory approach to movement considers how the head is position and moving (forward/backward/spinning/upside down).  It also considers how the child may be developing body awareness with feedback to the muscles, skins and joints as they stretch or bear weight.  

Children benefit from moving their bodies incidentally throughout their day and they may also benefit from intentional activities to gain extra movement.  Obstacle courses at home can be a fun way to incorporate movemtn.  You can use things you have at home to personalize it to your space and create obstacles.  This might include your stairs, furniture (chairs, tables, cabinets), toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, pantry items or soft furnishings (eg. blankets, pillows).  You can also incorporate items you may have such as a trampoline, skipping rope, bike, scooter etc. 

Watch our course that we created in our home using a few of the obstacle course cards - Link: https://youtu.be/AXb9zBs6OBk

The obstacle course printable allows you to create an obstacle course that suits your child and your environment.  Do not use all the cards in one course.  There are 41 activities that you can choose from.  You could aso reprint cards if you want to double up on an activity within the one obstacle course. Work with a few to begin with and involve your child in the creation of the course.  Enocurage a range of movement activities so the body is positioned and moves in different ways.  Use the cards to change it up and keep it fresh. 

An obstacle course may be a way to incorporate extra movement just from moving from one room to another. Perhaps you can leave one in the hallway between bedrooms or set up a course around the dining room table as an activity before dinner time.  Consider how this extra movement can be incorporated into your child's routine. 

Download your FREE OBSTACLE COURSE @ HOME printable HERE! 

Read more 

• Flexible seating at home . 
• DIY Sensory Motor Path
• Help me identify my sensory activities (checklist)
• Social Emotional Competencies and Regulation Resource Bundle
• Sensory Impementation Bundle.

I can't wait to see the obstacle courses that you create at home!  Tag @yourkidsot if you want to share your course at home with me. 

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/
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​

The purpose of play is NOT...independence from you. 

As much as we want our babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children to "play on their own" and "give us some peace and quiet"... that's not the purpose of play.  When a child doesn't want to "play by themselves" or "can't keep themselves busy" ... that's not a lack of play skills. 

The purpose of play is not independence.  Play is not all solitary. Play is not about keeping busy.  Play is not about fancy toys. 
​
Children learn through play and play to learn.  It is their childhood occupation.  Children learn about themselves, their bodies, their feelings.  They learn and connect with others around them.  They learn about their environment and "things" in their environment like toys and nature.  Through active hands-on play; children will develop their motor and movement skills, problem solving and cognitive skills, language, social and emotional skills. 

Before you cry out with "but I can't play with my child ALL day"...  It does not mean that you have to "entertain your child" all day long.  It doesn't mean that your child won't develop some independence and learn to play by themselves.  It doesn't mean that your child shouldn't be given the opportunity to "get bored" and try things out on their own.  These are all valuable for your child. 

But, to manage your expectations... it doesn't mean that if you set up a toy room that looks like a shop (or is Pinterest worthy) that you should expect your child to stay there all day and "play" without you. 

Play is fun.  Play is joyful. Play is intrinsically motivating for your child.  The best play engages your child at their developmental level and they are learning without realizing that they are learning.  

Play is also about developing a secure connection.  A loving relationship.  Close emotional bonds help develop a child's self esteem. 
​
The best toy for a child is actually you; the parent or caregiver. 

It can be useful to know a little about how a child develops play skills and what is expected at each age.  Here is a brief overview presented in an infographic.  If you are having difficulty seeing this image; select "show remote content" in your email browser or visit the YKOT blog online --> https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/lets-talk-series-purpose-of-play-according-to-age-therapists-are-not 

Purchase a printable version of this infographic at the YKOT shop. 

Read more about play: 

•  "Why is my child just playing when they see an OT?"
• My child hates messy play
• The Importance of Puppet Play
• 7 Gross Motor Skills Your Preschooler Should Master

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Find some "home made play ideas" :

• Home made light box
• Home made car road mat
• Outdoors Imaginary Play Space
• 7 Invitations to Play Kinetic Sand
• Fantastic Travel Toys and Games

Printables to encourage play:

• Write and Play: Airline
• Write and Play: Circus
• Tapatan Game Board
• LEGO challenge
• Bingo
• Snakes and Ladders

Occupational therapists take "play" seriously! But seriously; play is fun and an intrinsic part of childhood!  Some would argue, play is an important part of life for children (and adults) of all ages! 

Happy Playing!

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/
​

​Working on self care skills in a school setting can be difficult for occupational therapists. We are always looking to address the underlying skills in a fun engaging way. Here are three ways to practice the motor patterns to reach "behind and under" whilst seated at a desk! These skills of reaching behind and under are useful for dressing and toiletting. You can encourage shoulder range of motion, trunk rotation, crossing the midline, hand skills and kinesthetic learning.

I think everyone has seen the viral video of the teacher who has used balloons stuck to the rear of a chair to practice wiping (google it if you haven't seen it).  This video inspired me with these activities. I know therapists have also used novelty "bottoms" from party shops to simulate "bottom wiping" with Nutella, peanut butter or shaving cream. Have you tried it? 

Of course practising self care skills such as tucking in one's shirt or wiping one's bottom is best done in situ... at home in the context of actually dressing and toiletting.  As therapists we are not always able to do this and sometimes we need to be subtle with our students as to the goals we are working on.  Some children are embarrassed to work on self care skills and it is often not appropriate for therapists to be providing any sort of physical assistance. 

​Let me know if you try any of these ideas! I would love to hear how you work on "self care goals" in a school setting (without going to the bathroom) ! 

• 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/
​

Sponsored Post:  This post was sponsored by A Hop, Skip and a Jump Ahead. 

Feel it!
Say it!
Calm it!
Solve it!

Such catchy phrases to share with your children to work on regulation.  Better still, they are grounded in principles like interoception  (a sense that provides information about the internal condition of our body—how our body is feeling on the inside), self awareness and co-regulation; using cognitive, sensory and emotional strategies to aid regulation. 

These phrases were created by Nan Arkwright, occupational therapist, in her book  "Mission Control: A Big Feelings Adventure".  This book is an engaging comic style/graphic novel style book suitable for children 4 - 10 years of age.  The graphics are appealing to children and the story of a young boy (Joseph) who has a big reaction to turning off the TV at bed time, is relatable.  Joseph's mother "shares her calm" and Joseph goes on an adventure into space to find a way to manage his big emotions and grow as well. 

I really love this book! As an occupational therapist, I've used it with a few of the children that I'm seeing with regulation issues and it has been perfect. The children are completely engaged with the graphics and the story.  I'm so impressed with how the book has integrated interoception principles, co-regulation principles, calm-down strategies, problem solving, parent regulation, sensory strategies... and lots more in a child friendly way. 

You can find out more about this book -> MISSION CONTROL : A BIG FEELINGS ADVENTURE.

To enable the children I see to have a "take home message", I've used the catchphrases from the book to inspire two regulation posters (created with permission). In addition to the four phrases mentioned above, the characters also encourage you to "borrow it, grow it, breathe it, control it, bounce it, imagine it and believe it". 

You can download these posters ---> FREE from the YKOT shop.
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Whilst  the posters work perfectly with the book, the messages can be generalised too. 

For younger children, the Sesame Street "Breathe Think Do" app has been a wonderful way to simplify the problem solving framework in a relatable way.  Helping the monster to "breathe", you can watch the monster physically become calmer.  Pop the bubble to "think" of solutions.  Choose an option available (they are all suitable) and then "do".  The monster shows you what happens if you go ahead with your chosen option.   What a small video of this app ->Sesame Street "breathe think do". 
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We know that deep breathing can be something children (and adults) struggle to do properly. Breathing helps us to regulate our bodies.  Breathing can slow our heartbeat, lower stress and calm our bodies down. This fun "Dragon Breathing" craft has been a good way to encourage children to take a deep breath and to continue to breathe in and out. 

Paint or colour a toilet paper roll.  Attach strands of crepe paper to one end of the roll.  

Push the strands of crepe paper into the end of the roll.  Place your mouth on the other end.  Take a deep breath in and then push their air through the roll so that the crepe paper flies out.  You could skip the "stuffing" part and simply have your child blow the crepe paper so that it moves. 

Can't see the video below?  Watch it - > Dragon Breathing craft.  

Find more regulation resources ---> Social Emotional Learning and Regulation. 

We can all benefit from the reminder to "feel it, say it, calm it and solve it" ! Don't forget to download your free posters. Let me know if you use the posters, the book, the app or the craft! 
​

​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. â€‹â€‹â€‹
Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/yourkidsot
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Children are naturally curious! They love to learn and love to play.  They love to learn through play.

When choosing toys and activities, I love activities that do "double duty"... address some skills like hand strength, bilateral coordination, visual tracking... as well as learning a cognitive skill such as "shapes".  

Here are 8 fun ideas to introduce to your children to learn about shapes! I've used a paper plate but feel free to use cardboard if you can't access a paper plate. 

1. Make Shape Stencils.
Cut out shapes in your paper plate that can be used as stencils.  

2. Pom Pom Maze
Cut small shapes in your paper plate.  Place a pom pom on the plate and use both hands to move it around the plate to find a specific shape or series of shapes. 

3. Threading Shapes
Use a hole punch to make holes to represent the corners or in the case of a circle, multiple holes to create the circle. Use a ribbon or yarn to have your child thread. 

4. Stain Glass Shapes
Cut out shapes on the paper plates and cover with cellophane.  Kids love to look through the stain glass. 

5. Fold the flap shapes
Draw shapes around the edge of the plate. Cut between the shapes.  Ask your child to find the shapes and fold down the appropriate flap. 

6. I Spy Shapes
Draw or stick on some shapes onto a plate.  Ask your child to find  a specific shape on the plate or in a certain colour.  

 

7. Shape Roads
This has been a popular  FREE subscriber email printable.  If you don't have this printable, use this link HERE .
Print and cut out the shape.  Stick them onto the plate and then have your child use their cars to "drive" on the shapes. 

 8. Peg shape match. 
Use self adhesive foam shapes... place a shape on each peg (clothespin) of the same colour and a matching shape on the paper plate.  Have your child find the matching shapes by placing the pegs. 

Do you have a favourite way to learn shapes?  
​
Watch these paper plate shape ideas on You tube ---> ​https://youtu.be/5kPU-PSjA9Q

More paper plate ideas?  Find some Paper Plate Road trip games here! 

Paper plates are so easy to transport and are a great size for little hands. Which idea will your child enjoy? ​

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/
​

"Practice makes perfect!" 

Did you grow up in an era with this mantra repeated to you as a child?  

I'm not sure that this drove me to persist or excel in any way as child.  

"Practice makes progress..." is a much better attitude to have.  It is one that we can foster in our children. 

It is one that we can tell ourselves. 

For our children, we want to encourage attempts.  We want to encourage risks being taken and that it is really okay to make mistakes.  We want to encourage persistence when things are difficult and positive self talk.  We want to encourage hard work as rarely is something achieved on the first try. 

The Your Kids OT byline is "make learning fun".  We want to create a "just right challenge" where learning comes from natural fun opportunities. For some children, this comes from rapport built with the therapists or engagement from their caregivers. 

However, I don't always get it right... as a therapist or as a parent (true confessions). Whilst success stories are shared (see this one on IG), I might not so readily share when things have gone wrong. 

For ourselves as parents, educators, therapists.... this is permission that you (we) don't have to get it right all of the time.  Especially in the last 12 months when we have been thrown into new depths of online learning, telehealth services, managing lock downs, it is also really okay to make mistakes.

If I've learnt anything in my 20 plus years as an occupational therapist, it's that we are all life-long learners.  The longer I practice, the more new things I learn.  Even terminology continues to change.  "Postural control" has given way to "core muscle strength".  "Planning and organizational skills" have given way to "executive functioning". "Social skills" have broadened to "social emotional learning".  You will see that I'm slowly making changes on my website to reflect these categories ---> Article categories. 

So whether you are a therapy undergraduate about to embark on your career, a parent who is navigating life with a child with a disability, an experienced educator who has a new class of children or here to pass on this tip to the children in your life.... "practice makes progress".  

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/
​

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