Happy New Year and Best of 2022!

Looking back always helps with looking forward!

As 2022 draws to a close, I look back on the year. The first year back to complete face to face direct occupational therapy services post pandemic.  The nasty virus continued to play havoc to attendance, although to-date I'm still a "no-vid". 

If you are new to Your Kids OT, you may not know that I'm an sole mobile private OT based in Sydney Australia.  I find it hard to say "no" but I'm getting better at it. The year started with a very very very full client load which is always exciting, however it did mean that I need to balance this with my blog here at YKOT, social media, online shop and TPT.  At one point, I was visiting 11 different schools, 2 preschools, a child care centre as well as several home visits weekly.

You will find me almost daily uploading to Instagram which is now my preferred platform, where I have shared over 1700 posts in the last 8 years.  I share candidly, the activities that I have been doing, what I've packed in my OT bag (which has become a popular weekly feature) and some behind the scenes things that I enjoy.  Many of you like to know the real-me, popping into IG stories to see my dog, my baking, my scenic walks... and ideas that I've shared in my memories from the past. 

This newsletter and blog is a platform that I use to share more detail. I place my free and new printables here on the YKOT website so that there is a reference point. There are 31 freebies scattered here through blog posts and at the YKOT shop which continue to be very popular. Which is your favourite?

Each year, I collaborate with other therapy bloggers or whilst I don't necessarily seek new opportunities, I've had the pleasure of trying a few new things over the last few years.  In 2022, I was interviewed for A Current Affair (a Australian National News Program) to provide an OT opinion on risky play at playgrounds. 

The top 5 activities in 2022 voted by your views and likes on IG are:
5. Draw and Roll - Using a vertical whiteboard to draw a path and using squigz to work on wrist stregnth and fine motor skills.  Read more HERE and HERE.
4. Balancing on Foot Pods - I like to look at "old" tools and try new things. Here I upturned the footpods to add more of a challenge to balance, adding pop tubes for motivation. Read more HERE.  To increase the challenge, I added a "figure 8"  between the legs for some children. Read more HERE. 
3. Oral Motor Activities and Playdough - Breathing is an important tool for regulation.  Here I used playdough and pom poms to create child-friendly oral motor activities. Reaad more HERE. 
2. Therapeutic use of self - We can't escape the draw of games and apps on devices for our children. Here I used myself to engage a child with an activity with the inspiration coming from technology. I used my voice to increase in volume and this provided feedback to the child in an engaging way.  The shape peg paper plate activity was intrinsically motivating for most but this addition of sound helped one child in particular to give it a go. Read/listen more HERE.
1.  Peanut Ball Ring Game - By far the most popular activity of the year! A combination of gross motor skills, core muscle strength, shoulder stability, neck muscle strengthening, motor planning, sequencing, active listening, completing a multiple-step activity whilst providing an engaging activitiy for children! Read more HERE.

Click the links above for a more detailed look at the activities or watch the video below for a summary! 

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A post shared by Cindy @ Your Kids OT ✏️□□□□ (@yourkidsot)

​I love sharing my ideas with you here on this corner of the internet. I aim to be personable, relatable, practical with my (almost 25 years) experience evident in all that I do. This will no doubt mean that I share irregularly but I would rather not bombard you with emails for the sake of it.  Your Kids OT is built on my reputation and I thank you for your ongoing support. (PS. If it is not for you, then I'm never offended if you unsubscribe.) I'm not here just for the numbers but honestly want to make a difference with what I do share.

So, thank you again for those who have been around for a while and welcome to those who are new here!

Looking forward to sharing more simple ways to make learning fun for your children in 2023. Happy New Year!

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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 contributing author 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€‹
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