"Behavioural Optometry is an expanded area of optometric practice. Behavioural optometrists have a holistic approach to the treatment of vision and vision information processing problems. Functional visual efficiency is known to influence visual status. The way that you interpret what you see does not depend solely on how clear your eyesight is. Consideration must be given to all your visual, visual motor and visual cognitive skills." Australiasian College of Behavioural Optometrists.
I recently went to a seminar held at Thompson Larter & Associates Behavioural Optometrists about Vision Skills testing. It was interesting to hear from optometrists who not only test for short and far sightedness and astigmatism but also go further to test vision skills (the ability of the eyes to concentrate and attend without mental effort).
The areas they test and treat include:
Whilst OTs and optometrists both look at visual perceptual skills and visual motor integration, we come from different approaches. Optometrists will use lenses, prisms, vision therapy and light/colour therapy to address vision skills. OTs have a motor skills based approached to training in visual perceptual and visual-motor skills. We are also have expertise and experience to modify activities and the environment to help those who have difficulty in this area. OTs and behavioural optometrists work together for the benefit of the student. Here are some indicators of problems with visual function or visual processing skills.
If you would like to read more about behavioural optometry or find someone local to you in Australia, please refer to the following websites:-
or in the United States: You can also "attend" the workshop I attended by watching the You-tube clip I have attached. (Note: If you are receiving this blog via email, you may need to access this by clicking the title of this blog which will take you to a live web page).
Has your child had the vision tested? Have you considered a behavioural optometrist?
Note: I have not received any renumeration from Thompson Larter & Associates. I was invited to attend this information session.
Here are some of my favourites. Click on the title or the photo for links directly to the relevant website. Get those printer ink cartridges ready! Pre-writing skills I hope you have enjoyed the first "Freebie Friday". Future categories will include cutting skills, drawing and games. What are your favourite websites for "free" printables?
Do you have a child who is learning their "sight words" for school? Once children begin school (Kindergarten in NSW or Reception/Prep/Pre-Primary/Foundation Year depending on where you live) then reading becomes a priority. Most schools use the Dolch sight words as a part of their literacy program. The Dolch sight word list contains 220 most frequently encountered words in children’s literature. The Dolch sight word list is widely used as a teaching tool for reading, writing and spelling. Many of the Dolch word list cannot be “sounded out” and must be learned by sight, which is why the list is often referred to as “Dolch’ Sight Word List”. Dolch excluded nouns from his main list. As an OT, I like to work with teachers and parents. Since learning sight words is a priority in the early school years, I have developed these worksheets to be used with children as they also learn their sight words. I always check with parents and teachers as to what a student is "up to" as my goal is not usually the reading aspect but the writing component of this activity. This “Box Writing” set of worksheets includes each of the Dolch sight words (ie. 220 words), the box shape outlines for each word and space for writing the word. There are 31 pages included in this set of worksheets. You can purchase this set of worksheets from the Your Kids OT shop. These worksheets may be laminated for durability and used with a dry-erase marker. They then may be used multiple times with one child or with numerous children. Here is sample of the worksheets. “Box Writing” may be used to encourage the development of several skills -
I have also developed a second set of worksheets "Dolch Sight Word Box Writing Match and Write". This set of worksheets encourages your child to match the boxed shaped words with a list of sight words and write them in the appropriate boxes. There are 31 pages in this set of worksheets and you may purchase them from theYour Kids OT shop. Here is a sample of the worksheets. Try these worksheets today! Please take time to browse my other products in the shop. Thanks for your continued support.
This is a great introduction to Tangrams for children. Mr 3 is able to match most of the first 10 shapes. Miss 7 can do most of the book independently. We can keep coming back to the book and Tangrams. I have used ordinary Tangram sets with school-aged kids I see for Occupational Therapy. Most Tangram sets come with pictures that can be built with Tangram shapes. Tangrams are helpful for encouraging the development of visual perceptual skills, especially * figure ground (the ability to see an object or form when presented in a complex background with a lot of visual information at one time), * visual discrimination (is the foundation for where an object or shape is classified according to colour, form, pattern, size or position) and * position in space (relates to understanding directional language concepts, such as in/out, up/down, in front of/behind/between, left/right, when relating to objects or shapes such as letters). Read more about visual perceptual skills here. Note: I have not received any renumeration for this post, however this post does include affiliate links.
"IQ Twist" is single player game of logical thinking and problem solving. Our family is going overseas soon so we are starting to think about what to pack! Miss 7 brought "IQ Twist" with her on holiday last year and enjoyed challenging herself with this game on the plane. It comes in a neat hinged box which keeps all the pieces together for travelling.
The game consists of 7 coloured pegs and 8 twisted puzzle pieces. The twisted pieces are different shapes and have some parts with holes and others which don't. To play, you choose a challenge from the booklet which gives you a picture to guide placement of the coloured pegs. Matching the coloured pegs to the board in the correct places involves good visual perceptual skills. The pegs are small; encouraging a good pincer grasp and open web space when manipulating them. The aim of the game is to fit all the twisted puzzle pieces back into the board whilst matching the colours appropriately. This challenge will require skills in visual discrimination and position in space. It will also require good problem solving skills and some perseverance!
Designed for kids 6 years old to adults, "IQ Twist" is a fantastic little game; perfect for those who love a challenge. It is available from various stores for A$15.00 approx. See Kidstuff, Five Senses Education or Amazon.
Note: I have not received any remuneration for this post and the opinions expressed are my own. Your Kids OT is an affiliate partner with Amazon therefore purchasing from Amazon will support this website.
The "Tupperware Shape-O" is a classic toy that brings nostalgic memories for some (including me) of their early childhood. We have a Tupperware "Shape-O" that has been a little ignored and forgotten in our household as the kids are getting older. I thought it was time to bring back the "Shape-O" and re-purpose it for now.
The "Tupperware Shape-O" includes 10 shapes which are numbered 1 to 10. There is the ball itself with holes for posting the shapes. Here is a round up of ways you can use your "Shape-O". Learning shapes
1. Trace the shapes onto paper to get an outline. Ask your child to match the shape to the outline. A great way to encourage visual discrimination.
2. Place the shapes into a bag. Ask your child to put their hand in the bag and feel a shape. Ask them to identify the shape. This ability to perceive and recognise an object using tactile cues without visual and auditory information is called stereognosis. 3. Draw or trace shapes on a doodle board, whiteboard or paper. 4. Use shapes as cutters with playdough. 5. Form shapes using pipe cleaners. 6. Form shapes using straws. 7. Draw shape outlines with chalk on the ground outside. Place the shapes in a bag. When the shape is selected, child runs (or hops/skips/jumps/pushes on the scooter board) to the correct shape. This activity incorporates gross motor skills with learning shapes. There is an element of visual perceptual skill development "form constancy and position in space skills". 8. Throw the "Shape-O" ball onto the lawn. Ask your child to identify the shape, run back to the shapes, select the correct one and post it into the hole. Again incorporating gross motor skills with learning shapes. Learning numbers and counting!
1. Line up your "Shape-O" shapes according to the number printed on the shape. Place the correct number of short straws into playdough sections. Count the straws. Remove the straws and count the holes.
2. Stack small blocks inside the "Shape-O" shapes according to the numbers inside. 3. Use small objects (eg. marshmallows, sultanas, beads) to count out the numbers inside the shapes. 4. Place the shapes inside a paint palette. Peg the correct number of pegs to the paint palette section corresponding to the number inside the shape. 5. Use a bingo paint marker to count out the numbers in each shape. For babies...
Babies will love to pull the scarf from the "Shape-O" ball. They can watch the colours of the scarf and problem solve to get the scarf out. Older babies may like to poke the scarf into the holes. {Supervise your babies as any cord may be a choking hazard).
Crawlers will love to go after the rattling ball with the shapes inside. They can push the ball to their grown up or around the room.
Do you have a "Tupperware Shape-O"? Have your children played with it recently? Let me know if I've given you some ideas to take it out of storage and back into the rotation of toys. Have fun!
Note: I have not received any renumeration for this post from Tupperware.
Visual perception is the process of extracting and organising information, giving meaning to what we see. It is required to perform everyday tasks, such as reading, copying information from a board or understanding symbols. Read more about visual perception on the Visual Perceptual Skills homepage.
As children develop visual perceptual skills and visual spatial skills, they develop an awareness of how they relate to the world around the. They develop body awareness and work out how to relate to objects. They also become aware of how objects relate to each other.
This simple shape matching activity is great for toddlers and preschoolers. It helps kids to become familiar with shapes and understand how to position something in space to match the picture given. This is a really important skill when they learn to draw and write, as they need to "figure out" where lines are in relation to each other to form a picture or letter.
How to use:
Simply match the craft stick {or other item} to the shape pattern sheets. Your child can match the appropriate colour as well. You could also make the patterns for your child to copy without the pattern sheet. But wait, there's more.... here are suggestions to progress this with your child. The list below is also useful for therapists who may carry this one activity in their "tool kit" and vary it for various children seen within a day according to their skills.
Older children might like the challenge of building a maze with their craft sticks!
For Telehealth OT, I've been using the pattern sheet via a "share screen" or "share pdf" with the children I'm seeing. I can select the pattern and then we can build it together using sticks in front of each of us. I have also used this to encourage drawing from the screen.
Watch how you can use craft sticks on the You-tube video below or via this link --->
If you have an older child having difficulty with letter formation, then it is worth re-visiting shapes and pattern making. Don't forget to visit theYour Kids OT shop for your copy of these shape pattern sheets.Craft Stick Pattern Copy Templates
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 products I love and recommend. I receive a 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/
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Here is a quick and easy way to help your child who is learning to put their shoes on independently.
There are two different "letter families" that I use. Letter families are groups of letters taught at the same time for a specific purpose. I have grouped these letter families when teaching to write NSW Foundation Font lowercase letters in print. NOTE: This blog post will focus on letter families. There are a few references in this blog to look out for future posts about activities that may be done to encourage learning letter families. There is just too much information for one post about this!! Thanks for your patience. Let me introduce you to the first letter family {Magic C letters, Line letters and the odd ones out}. I use this letter family when introducing or focusing on letter formation. Magic C letters are written with the "C" component drawn first during letter formation. Line letters are written with the "line" component drawn first during letter formation. I further categorise these letters according to size teaching tall lines, short lines and then the tail lines. Odd ones out are letters that have no common features.
Once letter families are introduced to children, I use several activities to help children classify the letters into the aforementioned groups. This may include sorting out flashcards into piles, using magnetic letters to put groups on different boards, completing a find a word puzzle of one category of letters, etc. Future posts will have photographs and further descriptions. The letters in the second letter family are based on size {small, tall and tail letters}. Look out for future posts for suggestions to work on letter size. Why letter families?
1) Letter families help children to "group" or "classify" letters. With the letter formation family - children group the letters not only in the way they look but also according to the first motor action it takes to write the letter {eg. draw a line down). This in turn, helps children to plan when writing as they can visualise what they need to do. With the letter size family - children group the letters in relation to each other [eg. tall letters are twice the height of small letters}. This again helps with planning and visualisation for writing. 2) The letter formation family may help with classification of common letters that children "reverse" such as"b" and "d". In this instance, children learn that "b" is a line letter so the line is drawn first. "d" is a magic c letter so the "c" is drawn first. 3) The letter size family can remind children of a letter's "starting point" when writing. For all "tall letters" start up high (with one exception being d). 4) Letter families help children with legibility and neatness. Do you use letter families? What letter families work for your children? A simple posting box made from a yoghurt container is a brilliant fine motor activity. Read on to see the other benefits of doing this activity. To make: Cover a plastic container with scrapbooking paper (or decorate by painting or with stickers). Cut three slits in the lids using a Stanley knife- horizontal, vertical and diagonal slits. To use:
This activity is suitable for older toddlers, preschoolers and even school age-children. Supervision is required for younger children as the buttons may be a choking hazard. Does your child struggle to do up the buttons of their shirt? Have they ever practised with the correct visual spatial orientation to themselves? Will you be making a posting box? |
AuthorHi, 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. SEARCH THIS SITE
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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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AuthorHi, 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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