The very beginning is a very good place to start.

A new year seems the appropriate time to go to the "fundamentals". A parent of a potential client contacted me recently asking about occupational therapy services.  Whilst I think there is an increasing awareness about occupational therapy in the community, what we do, how we can work with children... this family were not sure.  They asked me if I provided speech services... which inadvertently told me that they really didn't understand what occupational therapy was all about. 

We use a lot of "jargon" in occupational therapy and this article aims to demystify it. Let's start at the top. 

Occupational therapists are interested in a person’s roles. “Occupational roles” tell us about “occupations” or “activities” that need to be performed. Being able to participate, become independent, be functional in these roles is important for a person (child’s) well-being and inclusion in society.

When considering a child, some of their main “roles” (childhood occupations) include being a family member, student, friend, self-carer (looking after themselves) and player.  A family member could mean being a son, daughter, sibling, niece, nephew, grandchild or dependent.  There is a sense of belonging to the family and should be where a child is most securely attached, comforted and loved.  

As a child grows and begins to attend preschool or school, they become a member of this community.  In Australia, belonging to a school means wearing a uniform with most schools having a motto and badge. These symbols unifies the school community.  Within the school community, a child may also have a role within a year (grade) group and as a team member (eg. sporting team or debating team).  There is usually a "house system" which unifies children across age groups to barrack for points and accolades too. 

As a child develops friendships, their role as a friend will also develop.  This may be as a play mate where the children share time and play.  This may develop into a group of friends forming a social group.  The role of friendship can lead to a new sense of attachment, trust, respect, people to confide in, a confidant for others and deeper relationships. 

The roles of a self-carer (looking after one's self) and as a player (independently and with others) will change over time as the child develops their skills. More to come on these roles.

Childhood occupations (occupational roles) is our starting place for context before we break down into activities and skills, strengths and difficulties.

Occupational performance areas stem from the roles we have discussed previously.  Performance areas form the functional more concrete activities that are needed to be able to fulfil a role. 

Self-Maintenance refers to any activity that a child needs to complete to look after themselves. This may change over time as the child gets older.  It may include self care tasks such as eating (with fingers, cutlery), dressing, bathing/showering, brushing teeth, toileting, grooming (hair, nails, body odour) and tying shoe laces.  A teenager may also complete tasks to manage puberty (period management, shaving) or gain independence with catching public transport or learning to drive. 

Productivity for a child generally refers to school based tasks as this is "work" for a child.  Some people will also regard "play" as a child's work and categorize it here.  School based tasks may include anything that is needed to function within a school community such as going to the appropriate classroom, following a teacher's instruction, participating in floor activities, table top activities (such as writing, drawing, cutting, mathematics, etc), moving to and from recess, participating in the playground, participating in sporting activities, attending at a school assembly, etc.  The list of school based tasks is large and can be different depending on a child's age and the school they attend.  

Play is also complex and expectations for play may be developmental initially.  Play may also be singular where a child plays independently.  It may be imaginary, collaborative, sensory based, exploratory, structured and/or repetitive.  Children may develop play skills such as object permanence, cause and affect, turn taking, waiting and understanding rules. 

Leisure infers a sense of joy and self-direction.  For a child, play and leisure and productivity are all intertwined.  There may not be a distinction at all (and that's ok).  Children benefit from leisure to provide them autonomy, safety and pleasure. 

Rest refers to sleep and down time (usually less activity).  A child's ability to go to sleep and stay asleep for an age-appropriate length of time is important so that they are rested for the next day! 

Digging deeper, components of occupational performance are those underlying skills that a child needs to participate or do the activities listed above.  These performance components form the basis for many therapy interventions as there is an interplay between these components with the multiple activities.  For example; we need the same underlying physical skills (such as balance and coordination) to sit in a chair at school as well as stand for dressing. 

Biomechanical refers to physical body skills that may include being aware of a child's muscle tone, reflexes, range of motion, strength, manipulation and coordination. These physical components may impact postural stability, balance, gross motor skills, bilateral coordination and fine motor skills. 

Sensory-motor refers to an awareness of a child's sensory preferences, ability to modulate their body, regulate sensory demands placed on them and perform tasks.  It may require a child to manage visual perception, auditory processing, tactile stimuli, vestibular input and oral sensitivities.  

Cognitive skills refer to thinking and planning skills. It may include executive functioning skills such as setting goals, sequencing steps, managing time and attention.  It may include problem solving and reflecting. 

​Intrapersonal skills refer to skills a child has internally.  I'm categorising "interoception" (an awareness of one's own body signals and responding appropriately, however I have also seen this categorised as a sensory system.  Intrapersonal skills may also refer to self-esteem, confidence, regulation, inner drive, motivation and an awareness of one's self. 

Interpersonal skills refer to a child's ability to relate to others.  This may include social skills, friendship skills, participating in a group, participating in a community, participating in a family, etc. 

The list of skills here is not definitive.  You may be able to add to this list! 
​
We are to also remember that a child is seen in the context of their family, culture and community.  There are environmental factors to consider as well as the child's own strengths and difficulties. 

The role of occupational therapy is to assist a child in any of the areas above (a huge list) and different therapists will have speciality skills in specific areas. We may look at "upskilling" a child, helping a child to "problem solve" or compensating for skills with equipment.  In future articles we will take a closer look at the therapeutic relationship and client centred practice. 

The information provided in this article is based on the Occupational Performance Model.  You can see another summary of the model HERE with a printable summary HERE. 

Looking for more...

• Just Right Challenge
• Why is my "just playing" when they see an OT

Did you learn something about paediatric occupational therapy in this article? Is there anything you would add? 

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. ​​​
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/

Happy Birthday to me!

Your Kids OT is celebrating it's 10th Birthday! Hip hip Hooray for 10 years!

As I look back on the last 10 years there are so many reflections that I want to make.  The first blog article was written was published on January 31st, 2014.  I was so nervous hitting the first "publish" button (even though I don't know how many other people outside my friends and family read it)!

When I read back on the first blog (you can find it HERE), I outline the goals of the blog and why I wanted to start it! I think that I've pretty much achieved what I set out to achieve with Your Kids OT so that makes me incredibly proud.  I'm also pleased to say that my photo quality and images (not always my own) have improved, as well as the printables that I have created! 

So on with the celebrations! 

The YKOT 10th Birthday Bundle is a huge bundle of nine NEW resources created with all my current clients in mind. There is something for every age group and a broad range of referrals.  You can start using them straight away !

The YKOT 10th Birthday Bundle includes: 

1) Mix and Match Occupational Therapy Activities
Mix and match fine motor, gross motor, oral motor, pencil control, writing and printable writing activities.  There are over 130 activity ideas in this one printable alone! 

2) The Wheels on the Bus Preschool Printable
This printable includes visual prompts for the song which I have been using with my toddlers, preschools and other older children who have developlmental delays. It is a fantastic way to bring groups of children together in a preschool setting for inclusion and participation.  There are also pre-writing pages, shape drawing and hidden picture pages in this printable.

3) Search and Find Grids 
I love grids and this printable is all about building visual spatial skills.  Help your children to work on spatial awareness, visual discrimination, visual form constancy, eye-hand coordination, figure ground and memory skills.  There are search and find pictures, map reading and hidden message grids.  Ps. The hidden messages are all positive affirmations, which makes them perfect to use for emotional regulation as well as handwriting goals!

4)Story Creation Grids
Thos printable includes story arc visual pages, writing planning worksheets and 15 story writing themes.  Some of these themes include the circus, the beach, school and the farm.  Children can seelct from who, what, when, where and why to create multiple stories with the one theme. 

5) Story Board Picture Prompts
This printable assists early writers to sequence 3 part narratives.  There are pictures for 12 stories and 6 partial stories to fill in the gaps.  Some sentence starters are included with writing templates.

6) Solve the Mystery "Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?" 
Do you have difficulty engaging your child with handwriting? This printable includes handwriting, however it is not lengthy.  Children love to solve the clues and work out the answer to this mystery.  This was a huge hit with the children I trialled this out with last year! 

7) Self Awareness for Children and Teens
This printable was created for multiple reasons.  Some children find it difficult to answer a straight question regarding their thoughts, feelings and preferences.  Most of the questions in this printable allow children to select from a choice or rank their preferences.  Children can build body and self awareness through answering questions about their relationships, routines, environment, sensory and activities.  There are also pages which look at emotions and body signals. I've used this printable with children from 8 to 14 years. 

8) Coding Challenge Game and Worksheets
This printable also builds on grids and working on visual spatial skills.  Cut out the game pieces and choose from two different boards.  Children use arrows and numbers to guide characters to reach the chosen destination.  They can also watch out for obstables.  The printable worksheets encourage children to draw arrows from the characters to the chosen destination. 

9) Handwriting True or False Game
This game is in the form of a powerpoint presentation.  Children answer true or false to 50 handwriting related questions.  Questions cover handwriting legibility (spacing, sizing, writing on the line, punctuation, use of capital letters), letter formation, the purpose of writing and posture in a fun way!  Choose the questions that are suited to your child.  You could also use this game as a pre/post therapy intervention activity. I have made a physical prompt (paper plate with true on one side and false on the other) to use together with this game! An interactive way to have a pop quiz!

The YKOT 10th Birthday Bundle is available for 10 days only at $19.95 ($Aust). That is a little over $2 per item (less if you are converting $US)! Offer ends Sat 10th February at 12:00 midnight (Sydney Time). Don't miss it! 

This is just the beginning of the 10 days of birthday celebrations so make sure you check your inboxes to see what else is happening!  Head over to instagram too where I will be dropping much more including a birthday suprise that you don't want to miss! 

Don't forget your party favour on your way out! 

 Christmas is almost here!

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I don't think you can help (at least in Sydney, Australia) sense the mood and frenzy associated with Christmas.  The shops are buzzing, school children are beginning their holidays, roads are busier and perhaps a few tempers are rising. 

This can be a difficult time of the year for some families.  There are expectations. There is grief.  There is also sillines and craziness in hyperdrive for others.  

I've put together a few tips to help us all (regardless if you have a child with a disability) to survive this Christmas!

1. Realistic meal expectations.
So much about celebrating Christmas is about the food.  This is not helpful for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions. Have realistic expectations about what your chid will or won't eat.  Make sure that your child has access to "safe" food during Christmas. You could also introduce new foods before Christmas so that they may be willing to taste it. Christmas is not the time to work on increasing a restricted diet.
 
2. Communicate with extended family members. 
It can be difficult if there are family members whom you don't speak with often. Maybe you haven't told them that your child has special needs or is neurodiverse? Maybe you haven't had the need to mention anything and don't feel you have to. That's okay.  However, if you are anticipating that a family member may make a comment or ask an uncomfortable question that may disrupt your Christmas celebration, perhaps a quiet word (or email) before hand to let them know you have things under control could be helpful.

3. Quiet spaces and places. 
Whether you are celebrating in your own home or elsewhere, create a quiet corner where your child (or you) can retreat to if things are becoming overwhelming.  Maybe a quick walk outside into some fresh air and sitting on the front porch may a good spot.  

4. Minimize suprises. 
Some children thrive on routines and knowing when this changes. You could talk through, or draw or print out photographs to represent different things that may happen.  You could create a social story for Christmas Day so the sequence of activities or events are predictable.  You could "introduce" extended family members online or via photographs before Christmas Day.

5.Maintain some routines.
Keeping some regular routines can be helpful for children to have some control over their day. For example, If they always brush their teeth after dinner, then they could still do this with people visiting. 

6. Have options for participating and sitting out of activities.
"Compulsory fun" is never fun for everyone. We are looking forward to "family fun games" this year, however there is also anticipation that not everyone will want to participate.  You could involve the spectators with signs for cheering a team. You could ask someone to be the score or time keeper.  

7. Prepare for potential problems and have a plan if someone is not coping. 
It is impossible to predict all potential problems, however you are your child's expert.  You know what has triggered them in the past and what (or who) may potentially trigger them on Christmas Day.  Perhaps this means that you have seating plan so it is clear where everyone is sitting.  Perhaps you could change the sequence of activities.  You could plan a later arrival or an early departure.  Most importantly is talking to your child before Christmas Day with a plan if something is not going well.  

8. Include sensory accomodations and regulation. 
9. Practice regulation strategies. 
Being aware of your child's sensory needs before Christmas Day will help to guide you before the day.  Are they sensory seeking and need a lot of input before they meet the rest of the family?  Are they avoiders and will they be reluctant to join the group? Is your child sensitive to sensory information from noise or lights?

Use the regulation strategies that are helpful throughout the year in the context of Christmas.  Practice strategies with your child when they are calm.  Provide access to tools such as headphones, fidgets or weighted toys and let them know where they will be kept.

More sensory strategies to come in this article. 

10. Regular check-ins to see how everyone is doing. 
We all want to enjoy the celebration of Christmas. This can mean even in the busyness of preparing a meal or keeping relatives happy, that you check-in with your child (and yourself) to see how they are doing.  Are they becoming excessively silly? Are they sad? Are they overwhelmed?  Are they doing okay? 

By "checking-in" you are continuing to build the connection with your child that they often seek to feel safe and loved. 

The expectations at Christmas of an adult can be very different from the expectations of a child.  The list above is just an example of the many things that are often our minds.  We have tradition and high hopes wrapped up into one day.  This compares to our children who are usually focused on just a few things. 

Realizing the gap in expectations can help us to have more empathy for our children! 
​

There is no doubt that Christmas brings sensory overload.  The light displays on our neighbourhood streets seem to be growing.  Music in shopping malls are festive.  More events are happening in the community. 

Here is a list of sensory strategies that you may want to use over this Christmas period. 
​
Tactile and Propriocetive Stratgies:
* rip up wrapping paper
* scrunch and throw wrapping paper
* squeeze a soft toy
* pat a pet
* provide comfortable clothing options (or pre-wash clothes so that they are "worn in"

Vestibular Strategies:
* jump on a trampoline
* jog around a yard
* dig up snow or sand (depending whether you are in the northern or southern hemishere)

Visual strategies:
* light a candle
* draw or colour-in
* make a craft

Auditory strategies:
* listen to calming music
* wear headphones

Oral Motor Strategies:
* blow bubbles
* drink water
* drink hot chocolate (cocoa)
* crunch on carrot sticks (like Rudolph)
* provide safe food options
* introduce new foods before Christmas

Environmental Strategies:
* create a quiet place
* visit shops during quiet hours
* provide boundaries for interactions with relatives
* use a timer for time spent with people (vs alone)

I'm hoping that your Christmases are not just about survival but you enjoy this celebration.  Let me know if any of these tips help you through the Christmas period or what else you would add to this list. 

Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I am looking forward (with realistic expectations) to it!  

Thank you for your ongoing support of Your Kids OT! Did you know that Your Kids OT is turning 10 years old in January 2024.  I hope you stick around to celebrate. 

Wishing you a fantastic Chrsitmas and a very Happy New Year!

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. ​​​
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/

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year!

This year I have collated a collection of previous printables that I have released over the years together with some new colouring pages in one huge pack! There are over 35 pages of activities from visual motor, handwriting, colouring, craft and more!  You can download this printable pack HERE.

I am always looking for simple achieveable activities to incorporate into OT sessions. With only a couple of weeks left, it is time to incorporate some festive cheer.  This year we will be making some Christmas ornaments that are achievable for kids! Here are 5 variations.

1. Paper Circle Bauble 
* Cut out 6 circle shapes on festive paper.
* Fold each circle in half.
* Glue the half-circles together until you reach the last two half-circles.
* Create a hanging ring with some pipe-cleaner, tinsel or wool. Place that between the last two half-circles and fix with sticky tape. 
* Glue the last two half-circles together. 

2. Christmas Tree ornament with washi tape decoration.
* Create a Christmas tree from a toilet paper roll.  
* Cut out green paper and glue this onto the tree shape toilet paper roll.
* Decorate with washi tape.

3. Christmas Tree ornament with sticker decorations.
*  Create a Christmas tree from a toilet paper roll.  
* Cut out green paper and glue this onto the tree shape toilet paper roll.
* Decorate with coloured stickers.

4. Styrofoam pipecleaner bauble.
* Cut down pipe cleaners into small pieces. 
* Poke one end of the pipe cleaner into the top of the styrofoam ball and the other end into the base. 
* Repeat until you reach the desired look.

5. Styrofoam cellophane bauble.
* Cut down cellophane paper into small pieces.
* Glue on cellophane to the styrofoam ball. 
Hint: you may need to wash (or wet) your hands regularly as the cellophane will begin to stick to your fingers rather than the ball. 

Watch the video to see how each or these ornaments are made HERE. 

Don't forget to download the huge FREE Christmas Printable Pack! 
​

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€‹
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/
​

A quick trick for pencil grasp!

Create a "stabiliser" by using a felt strip.  I use felt strips approximately 2.5 cm wide x 5 cm long (but the size doesn't really matter). Sew a button to one end of the felt strip and place a small slit at the other end.  Place your pencil through the hole create in the felt.  

Ask your child to hold the button end of the felt strip so that it is hidden into the palm of their hand whilst holding the pencil with the thumb and index finger. Rest the third finger behind the pencil. 

This felt strip helps to work on the "separation of the two sides of the hand".  The fourth and fifth fingers holding the button are stabilising the hand so that the other fingers (thumb, index and third fingers) can move the pencil.  A pencil grip can also support the fingers to hold the pencil. 

For some children, the pencil grip and felt strip create a "superhero costume" for the pencil (a mask and cape). The pencil is then given super hero powers to help with writing on the line, staying in control of the pencil for formation, not rushing, remembering the size of letters ... or anything else you need help with! 

Watch me put this simple felt strip into action... HERE

A side note that these felt strips have been used for buttoning practice! Create a chain of buttoned strips to form a daisy chain!

​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€‹
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/
​

t seems like an old fashion idea now.

Writing a letter. Mailing it. Receiving a letter. 

These days with emails and text messages, the need for "physical mail" seems unnecessary.  

...and yet, the benefits of writing in this way as a form of communication are really wonderful! 

Did you ever have a penpal when you were a child? I remember writing to a girl in the UK and looking forward to a new letter in the mailbox.  I remember receiving postcards and even a tea towel! 

About once a year, I introduce a penpal program amongst my OT children.  I keep it just between the children I work with and match children from different schools of the same age and gender. I supervise the letter writing and deliver the letters.  There is no pressure on parents to find envelopes and stamps. 

Why include a penpal program during occupational therapy sessions? 

Benefits of program.
Social skills

•  communication skills
• knowing what to share of one's self
• being socially curious (wondering) about others
• considering someone else's perspective
• developing a positive relationship
• feeling special with having a new friend and making a connection
• feeling heard/listened to 

Writing 

• Motivation for writing  so that it can be read by someone else.
• We can work on legibility, use of capital letters, punctuation and sentence structures. 

When it ends
*  I will generally run the penpal program for a school term (approximately 10 weeks in Australia), however I leave it up to families if they want to continue contact or meet in person.  Some of my current clients are enjoying the program this term so we may even continue!
* Some children don't make a connection and that is fine too.  
* Some children will not be motivated with the handwriting aspect. The challenge may be too difficult or it doesn't engage their interest in making friends. 

NOTES:
* I have found that children 8 years and older benefit most from this program. I have also done this with slightly younger children. When the child is younger (ie. 6- 7 years), we keep the letters brief, focusing more on a drawing or craft inclusion. 
* I tend to repeat a craft that I do with one child so that each child makes and receives the same craft. Sometimes I change it up so that it is not always the same child "starting" the craft, so that they are surprised by the letter content too! 

To help you get started with a penpal program, I've created a printable pack of some of the resources that I use.  This printable pack includes:
* Writing paper (letter writing pages fold to create an envelope)
* All about me page
* Topic cards
* Printable craft and game templates 
* More craft ideas. 

This penpal printable pack is currently FREE for a limited time (Sept 25- Oct 25th 2023)! So it is a perfect time to give penpals a try in term 4 (Australians will understand this reference). 

Download your FREE copy of the Penpal Printable pack from the Your Kids OT shop! 

Keep an eye on your inbox over the next few weeks as I have more freebies and new products to tell you about! 
 

​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. ​​​
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/
 

Sit up, don't slouch!

Why are you lying on the floor?

You don't need to hold up your head. 

Postural instability is a common reason we see children slouched, or propping themselves up or falling over.  There may be other reasons too but today let's talk about postural stability...

We talk about core muscle strength as being "the sturdy central link in the chain connecting your upper and lower body".    Core muscles describe both the muscles which assist with stability as well as those which enable trunk movement. 

In order for our children (and us) to use our limbs (arms and legs) we also need those joints connecting to the trunk (ie. the shoulder for arms and the hips/pelvis for legs) to be strong.  We need stability for mobility.

We need to be able to use our arms and legs separately and together. Individually as well as cooperatively.  This involves bilateral coordination as well as a established trunk rotation and crossing the midline  A separation of the upper body from the lower body is needed too.

We need to move and sustain our movements against gravity. In self care, our arms need to be raised so that we put on a jumper.  Our legs need be raised individually to put on or take off pants.  These actions work against gravity whilst keeping the body stable. 

Balance and coordination also come into play with postural stability. Mature balance and equilibrium responses also minimize the need for primitive reflexes.

Controlled movements of our arms and legs then develop into controlled movements of our hands and feet.  We then look at the stability and strength from our elbow and wrists for fine finger movements.  We look at stability from the knees and ankles for our feet and toes.

We also gradually reduce the base of the support (eg. legs wide apart to shoulder width apart).  This helps a child to reduce the need for abduction and external rotation at the hips and shoulders.  In turn, this helps with controlled movements. 

To SUM up... to achieve postural stability and strength, we need to be placing our body in different positions whilst we play or work! 

Yoga is highly valued for mindfulness as well as gentle stretching to work on stability and mobility. It is an excellent way to incorporate a change of body positions throughout the day. 

 We can also intentionally try a variety of positions that can have therapeutic benefits! Here is a list below. 

Body Positions!
When choosing a body position, also consider your placement of toys or activities.  You may place toys or items on the floor, a low height table, a high table or on a vertical surface.  Perhaps you have items placed on two different surfaces to allow for movement between boday positions. 

Also take caution that these positions are not recommended for babies under 12 months old. Older toddlers should also be supervised.  These recommendations are for preschool and school aged children. 

Single leg or Tall Kneeling. 

• This position encourages an elongation of the back and trunk, activating core muscles.
• This position stretches the pelvis into a neutral position. 
• This position encourages use of the upper limbs with a stable base. 

​Adults have long used kneeling chairs to work with at a desk. Some find this position more comfortable than sitting or standing. 

Four Point Kneeling.

• This is the "get ready for crawling" or quadruped position. 
• Crawling is a wonderful way to build bilateral coordination whilst developing strength, however if we stay in the four-point kneeling position for activities, there are also many benefits. 
• In this position the weight can be distributed between the arms and lower body with hands and knees planted on the ground.  Rocking forward and backwards can also be calming as weight is transferred. 
• In this position the core muscles are activated to maintain your back straight against gravity (back not too arched and tummy not too rounded). 
• In this position the knees are aligned under the pelvis (and not too wide apart). 
• In this position the shoulder and neck muscles are activated with stability and strength. 
• In this position the head and neck can turn from side to side, up and down; working against gravity.
• As your child gains stability in the position, you can increase the difficulty with one hand and the one leg lifting from the ground.  You can try the opposite arm and leg (eg. right arm and left leg). This will challenge stability and strength. 

Long sitting.

• Long sitting allows for a wide base of support with legs extended during sitting. 
• Gradually bring the legs from spread far apart closer together, reducing the base of support and developing balance skills. 
• Encourage use of the arms and hands whilst sitting in the position. 
• Encourage midline play and trunk rotation to reach objects. 
• Avoid leaning back on one arm. Rather lean forward to align the head over the trunk. 

Side sitting.

• Side sitting is an alternative body position that does require good balance and trunk control. 
• The position places the body in asymmetry (not symmetrical) which encourages more upper body movement. 
• Encourage use of the arms and hands whilst sitting in this position. 

Squat to stand

• Maintaining a squat position can be difficult to encourage a squat to stand by positioning items at different heights.
• Squatting can help to develop bone density.
• Squatting can relieve the pressure on knees and ankles, whilst building leg and hip strength. 
• Encourage an upright head and chest. 
• Discourage leaning forward and avoid the knees going over the toes.
• Modify this position by doing a squat against a wall (wall sit). 

Standing

• Standing engages the back, core and leg muscles and can improve posture. 
• Standing encourages placement of activities on a vertical surface which can build shoulder and arm stability. 
• Standing can encourage crossing the midline with trunk rotation. Discourage shuffling of feet or leaning to one side. 
• Encourage a small base of support with feet shoulder width apart.  

Prone 

• Prone or the "tummy time" position will strengthen neck, shoulder, arm and trunk (front and back) muscles.
• This position encourages reaching and pivoting skills.
• The elbows are can be points of contact for stability, freeing the hands for play. 
• This position can be achieved with the use of equipment such as a scooter board, gym ball or even a rolled up towel. 

You may have heard that children should avoid "W sitting"! 

This position is often used with very young children to gain a wide base of support. It is not problematic if they also move into other positions voluntarily. 

However, if the "W sitting" extends beyong toddler years, there can be associated difficulties.  They continue to need this wide base of support to compensate for weakness in joints, mucles and bones.  Read more about "W sitting" with this excellent infographic by North Shore Pediatric Therapy. 

How?? 

• Start with short time periods with a preferred activity. 
• Try the position together! Lead by example.
• Try multiple positions in one day (or during one therapy session). 
• Incoporate the position into a natural choice. 

Which positions are you going to try today? 

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. ​​​
Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/yourkidsot
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The latest printable resource available from the Your Kids OT Shop!

"Word Search Spot It" is a printable resource designed for children to develop early literacy skills, handwriting, spelling, visual perceptual skills and copying skills.

This printable resource contains pages focusing on CVC words, general words, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and emotions.

The words are situated within circles to help children to focus on a small area at a time when searching for a matching word. This promotes skills in switching and dividing attention whilst developing visual scanning and figure ground skills.

This printable resource also contains word searches based on themes with matching pictures.

A blank template page also enables the user to design words to suit the indivdiual child or a class.

Words have Australian spelling.

Watch a preview of this product on You-tube. Select a playback speed of 2X to watch it a little faster! 

Does pencil grasp matter? !

Well the short answer is yes. Yes it does matter. 

Occupational therapists have a role in identifying when it is important to address it! 

There has been a lot of talk recently, actually probably since 2012 when Schwellenus et al published their article in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (reference below).  Their article report the four pencil grasps found to not affect legibility amongst their small sample.  Changing pencil grasp has been seen as unnecessary and unneeded as long as function is obtained. 

If you are a long time follower, you will have read some my previous articles on grasp.  I do agree that function is the aim of the game when it comes to writing. Pencil grasp is just one aspect that we consider. If you are new to Your Kids OT, you may want to head over to read here with reference to the above article for "Dynamic Pencil Grasp Why Do We teach it?". I discuss the Schwellenus article here as well as the question about when grasp has not yet been established.   I also address "What if my child can't use a normal grasp? Should I change it?"  taking into consideration when fatigue, pain, endurance and legibility are affected. 

Occupational therapists use their clinical reasoning all the time to work out what needs to change, what can remain the same, what skills can be taught or how to do we compensate? 

When we look at pencil grasp,  there are lots of things to consider but one of the main things is actually "pencil control".

Where is control of the pencil coming from?  The shoulder? The elbow? The wrist? The fingers?

What if the child looks like they are using one of the four pencil grasps that are seen as "efficient" but really they don't actually have a hold of the pencil? Pencil slips rather than a good pencil grip?! 

As a clinician and a blogger (and not a researcher), I can only share what I see in my own practice, my own experiences and how I make clinical decisions.  I'm seeing an increasing number of children (of all ages) who allow the pencil to slip whilst they are using it. Their fingers touch the pencil but do they actually have a "grasp" or "hold" of it.  Are they controlling the pencil or is the pencil controlling their movements? 

The pencil might slide so that the webspace of the hand closes up. The fingers might slide so that they end up very close to the nib of the pencil (or up too far away from the nib).  The pencil may even slide so that it ends up pointing backwards rather than forwards.  If we look closely are fingers touching fingers rather than the pencil? 

The affect of this, is loss of pencil control. Loss of pencil control can then lead to wobbly lines for some, poor legibility, fatigue or less writing than others of the same age. 

So what do we do about it? 
In these situations, a silicon pencil grip is very helpful! They allow the fingers to be positioned on the pencil for maximum support.  Silicon pencil grips can relieve a child with fine motor skill difficulties to concentrate on the marks being made on the page (ie. drawing and writing). Many of the children (but not all) we see also struggle with the motor planning and thinking skills to make visual motor connections on the page.  You can head over to this article "From Scribble to Drawing and Writing" if this is also a concern. 

At the same time, we continue to work on fine motor skills and hand strength (with lots of the activities that OTs are fabulous at incorporating into sessions).  You can find browse a few ideas from the YKOT Fine Motor Page or Instagram Page. 
​
I've recently shared a few ideas to bring physical awareness to the important fingers needed or grasping in a video.  My OT children have loved "pencil wars"! The "Losing Pencil Control Video" is also available on You tube HERE. 
​

Did you find this article helpful? Let me know if you have noticed an increase in "pencil slips" !

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. ​​​
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/
​
Reference: ​Schwellnus, H., Carnahan, H., Kushki, A., Polatajko, H., Missiuna, C., & Chau, T. (2012). Effect of pencil grasp on the speed and legibility of handwriting after a 10-minute copy task in Grade 4 children. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 59(3), 180-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2012.01014.x

To be honest... it scares me.  

The world is changing and artificial intelligence is here to stay. 

There has been so much talk about AI recently; taking over our society, doing our jobs, creating everything from recipes to songs…. I’ve been reflecting on the impact for OT.

I have heard of AI being used by OTs with grammar checks, program development and report writing. 

As I said, it scares me. 

OT is a fundamentally “human” profession that is built on relationship and connection. It is a two way process of engagement, function and collaboration. There would be so much missed if Ai is substituted into our process.  

So here is my list of why AI will never replace OT…

* Empathy
* Critical Thinking
* Therapeutic Use of Self
* Kindness
* Compassion
* Flexibility
* Client Centred
* Emotional Intelligence
* Creative ways to address goals
* Good communicator
* Ability to form real connections
* Ability to help clients develop sense of self
* Ability to motivate
* Ability to pivot during therapy session
* Ability to work in a team
* Ability to build rapport
* Ability to be culturally sensitive
* Ability to adapt/stretch boundaries like time and place
* Ability to think on the spot and make quick decisions
* Ability to know when to be light-hearted and went to be serious

From discussing this with others...  I would also add lived experience, expert opinion, human warmth and the ability to build trust. 

What would you add to this list?

​

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. ​​​
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/
​