December 2019

Hand Eye Coordination Toys

April 10, 2024December 4, 2019 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

Today, we’ve got just one of the many fun eye hand coordination toys to share. Occupational therapy toys like these hand eye coordination toys are powerful tools in child development. Let’s talk coordination skills needed for tasks like play and self-care.

hand eye coordination games and activities to promote eye hand coordination skills in tasks like handwriting and play.

What is Hand Eye Coordination

Working on hand eye coordination is part of play. It occurs from a very young age…in fact development of hand eye coordination begins in the first month. The early development of this essential skill serves as a building block for functional tasks occuring much further down the road in beyond the infant period.

Eye hand coordination is needed for tasks such as handwriting, tying shoe laces, managing clothing fasteners, catching and throwing a ball, reading, managing school supplies, and even walking through crowded hallways while managing items such as books, jacket and the backpack.

Other examples of eye-hand coordination include catching a ball, manipulating pegs into a pegboard, lacing a lacing card, etc. This is a skill that is an integral part of each day.

Poor hand eye coordination

When delays in coordination skills are present, children struggle in many ways.

While eye hand coordination plays closely with other visual processing areas such as visual perception and visual efficiency, visual tracking, convergence, etc., there is a motor component to consider as well. The visual portion and motor portion must be integrated in a coordinated manner, allowing for effective and efficient use of the hands so that we can manipulate and manage objects. This coordinated motor skill requires fine motor skill development equally as much as the visual skill component

These motor skills allow us to collect visual information and use it in a motor action. Eye-hand coordination requires fine motor dexterity, strength, shoulder stability, core stability, etc.

When there are difficulties with coordination of these areas, we see trouble with movement games, clumsiness, difficulty with sports, disorganization, and challenges with motor control in functional tasks.

Coordination Games and Activities

Hand eye coordination games and activities can be an effective way to work on these areas, even while addressing other areas such as sensory input, problem solving, and even learning. We’ve got many hand eye coordination activities here on the website:

Eye-Hand Coordination Activities using Paper– work on hand eye coordination using an everyday item…something you have in your therapy bag right now!

Bilateral Coordination Visual Motor Integration Clover– Work on the integration of visual processing skills with motor movements with this symmetrical drawing activity.

Jumbo Fine Motor Threading Activity– Threading and lacing is a great way to work on hand eye coordination.

Eye-hand coordination activity with letters– Sorting, manipulating, and organizing small items can be a way to boost skills with coordination exercises.

Feather Beading– Threading beads onto feathers is a creative and fun way to improve eye hand coordination skills.

Fine Motor color sorting– Encourage coordination skills for preschoolers and eye hand coordination in toddlers by sorting colors or shapes.

Hand Eye Coordination Toy

One such eye hand coordination toys that doubles as a tool for addressing sensory needs, motor planning, problem solving, and creative play is the Punkinfutz PunkinPitch Kit. This open-ended game uses a vest and soft, velcro “paint balls” that can be used to work on eye-hand coordination, motor planning, and more.

For example, we love to start with buckle toys as a tool to support eye hand coordination skills because they require integration of they eyes and hand movements and it’s a great clothing fastener toy to support self dressing goals!

Kids can wear the vest and move through an obstacle course or move from base to base as they dodge and avoid paint balls. They can then throw the soft balls at another player who is wearing the vest. The options are limitless, and part of the fun is coming up with creative ways to incorporate this coordination game into therapy needs or learning.

Kids can work on other skills beyond eye-hand coordination as well: Motor planning, gross motor skills, core strength and rotation, and social play are just some of the areas covered by this coordination activity.

Eye hand coordination activities

Some of the smartest and most creative folks I know are the readers of The OT Toolbox. I asked readers to tell me sensory strategies they personally love and use to address sensory modulation. Scroll through the comments…you might just find some new sensory strategies that will work for you! Hopefully we can learn from one another!

Also, check out these other soy suggestions based on therapeutic development through play.

Mightier for Self-Regulation

November 16, 2023December 3, 2019 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

If you are a pediatric occupational therapist working with kids on self regulation or emotional regulation, then you may have heard of Mightier. The biofeedback games help kids build emotional regulation skills by playing games as they learn calming skills to stay focused and in control through game playing. Mightier is just one tool that can be a means to help kids thrive. Today, I’m excited to explore this kit a bit more.

This post was part of our Therapy Giveaway Series.

What is Mightier

First, let’s talk about the Mightier application. I came across Mightier at last year’s AOTA annual conference. I had the chance to talk with Mightier representatives and the regulation tool sounded really interesting. I’ve seen threads here and there on various occupational therapy pages and forums asking about Mightier and it’s use in addressing self-regulation needs.

Mightier is a way for kids to play games and see their emotions come to life in the process of playing the game. They then have to identify feelings and coping strategies that impact those various emotional regulation changes. The games adjust to challenge the child as they become more proficient in coping strategies.

Kids can use those strategies in real life situations. Through the process of playing the game and analyzing the data associated with it, parents have the opportunity to connect with a clinical coach to set goals, track progress and practice strategies to help their child use and apply their specific calming skills fin real life situations where emotions, worries, frustrations, or meltdowns may impact function or learning.

Self Regulation Strategies

We’ve shared a lot of strategies to help kids cope with various needs here on the website.

You’ll find self regulation strategies for addressing regulation needs.

There are coping strategies to assist and support sensory processing and meltdown issues.

There are DIY and on-the-go self-reflection tools.

And there are mindfulness tips to help kids become more aware of themselves and their world around them.

Using strategies such as biofeedback games are just one more tool to add to the self-regulation toolbox.

Mightier Giveaway

This giveaway has ended.

More self regulation strategies

Also, check out these other soy suggestions based on therapeutic development through play.

Best Therapy Resources

June 14, 2021December 1, 2019 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

There are a lot of online therapy resources and informative websites out there. I wanted to compile a list of the best therapy resources for pediatric occupational therapists. The resources that are in this post are so incredible. They are some of the best occupational therapy resources on the web!

Best Therapy RESOURCES

Each of these items alone is well worth its price tag. From handwriting tools to self-regulation, to functional tasks, these therapy resources have you covered in the way of helping kids meet their maximum potential.

Some of the best handwriting resources for therapists include e-books, bundled occupational therapy worksheets, and tools for addressing underlying skills.

The Handwriting Book- The Handwriting Book is a 62 page digital file written by the team of occupational therapists and physical therapists at Functional Skills for Kids. This book breaks down the functional skill of handwriting into developmental areas. These include developmental progression of pre-writing strokes, fine motor skills, gross motor development, sensory considerations, and visual perceptual skills. Each section includes strategies and tips to improve these underlying areas. Valued at $15.99.

Strategies to address letter and number formation and reversals
Ideas for combining handwriting and play
Activities to practice handwriting skills at home
Tips and strategies for the reluctant writer
Tips to improve pencil grip
Tips for sizing, spacing, and alignment with overall improved legibility

Handwriting Bundle from Your Therapy Source- The Handwriting Bundle includes titles to assist with prewriting skills, letter formation and handwriting practice. When you purchase all the titles together you receive occupational therapy worksheets to address line awareness, pencil control, shapes and pre-writing skills, handwriting stations, action activities, visual perception handwriting practice pages, and a handwriting template and letter guides. Valued at $24.10

Basics of Fine Motor Skills by Growing Hands on Kids- Basics of Fine Motor Skills is a digital resource covering all things fine motor, including an explanation of which fine motor skills are important for fine motor development, plus what fine motor development looks like in children at all age levels.Your go-to-guide for everything fine motor related, it’s the perfect resource for parents, teachers, and therapists. Explore how gross motor, visual-motor, and sensory processing skills affect fine motor development. Plus how to find what fine motor red flags to look for as your child developments. Get activity ideas and suggestions for all the different fine motor skills and also find age-appropriate activities based on your child’s skills and abilities. Your go-to-guide for everything fine motor related, it’s the perfect resource for parents, teachers, and therapists. This is a 70 page PDF/digital resource valued at $15.00.

Animal Theme 10 week Preschool Occupational Therapy Program From Your Kids OT – The 10 week occupational therapy preschool program was created for children 3-5 years old. It was originally designed to be carried out with small groups of children, however could also be used with an individual child. Each week of the program includes activities for the whole body, hands/fingers and tool use. The activities are designed to engage the child in learning through play.

The session plans are organized in themes with each week’s program taking approximately 30 minutes to run. This time will vary according to the number of children participating, the number of times an activity is repeated, whether additional activities are used and the amount of assistance a child might need to participate in an activity. The program may be used for school readiness in the year prior to the commencement of school.

The program outlines developmentally appropriate goals for pre-school age children which may be targeted whilst carrying out this program. These goals include the development of gross motor skills, sensory-motor skills, bilateral coordination skills, visual-motor skills, fine motor skills, hand strength, pencil grasp and control, scissor skills, self-regulation and social skills.

The Scissor Skills Book- The Scissor Skills Book breaks the functional skill of cutting with scissors into several developmental areas including areas listed below. This 81 page resource is valued at $15.99.

Developmental progression of scissor use
Fine motor skill involvement
Gross motor development
Sensory considerations and
Visual perceptual skills
Each section includes strategies and tips to improve these underlying areas.
Help for kids who struggle with cutting accurately
Creative tips to keep things interesting for kids who lose interest easily
Quick, practical strategies that can be put into action today!
Ideas for kids who cut too fast or too slow
Support for kids who can’t grasp scissors efficiently
Strategies for right-handed and left-handed children

The Toilet Training Book- The Toileting Book is a comprehensive resource covering every aspect of toilet training. Written by a team of experienced pediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists with decades of experience, this toilet training resource is packed with information on toilet training readiness and achievement of toileting success. Includes Toilet Training Guides for special populations (children with fine or gross motor needs, behavioral or cognitive challenges, physical disabilities, etc.) including Sensory Processing Disorder, Trauma-Informed Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injuries. This book is valued at $19.99.

Provides information on interoception and the role this sensory system plays in potty training
Discusses common toileting equipment and special needs toileting tools
Includes tips and suggestions for individualized toilet training

The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook- The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook takes the specific and individualized activities that make up a Sensory Diet and transitioning them into a lifestyle of sensory modifications, strategies, and techniques is a Sensory Lifestyle! Whether you are a parent or teacher, this handbook will help you better understand “sensory” and use the recommendations to address sensory needs in a whole new way.

Therapists will find valuable resources to explain sensory processing and transition “what we know” about a child into action plans guided by evidence-based strategies, resources, and guidelines.

Use sensory accommodations, sensory strategies, and sensory routines integrated right into the various tasks within a child’s day in order to navigate kids toward a “just right” state, with better attention, focus, and confidence…using activities based on the child’s strengths, needs, and interests. Valued at $19.99.

Impulse Control Journal- The Impulse Control Journal is your ticket to helping kids manage their impulses, strategize ways to “shift gears”, and learn valuable lessons in self-regulation. This 80 page impulse control journal for kids to keep track of their day. Valued at $16.99.

30 Drawing Journal Pages to reflect and pinpoint individual strategies
28 Journal Lists so kids can write quick checklists regarding strengths, qualities, supports, areas of need, and insights
8 Journaling worksheets to pinpoint coping skills, feelings, emotions, and strategies that work for the individual
Daily and Weekly tracking sheets for keeping track of tasks and goals
Mindset,Vision, and Habit pages for helping kids make an impact
Self-evaluation sheets to self-reflect and identify when inhibition is hard and what choices look like
Daily tracker pages so your child can keep track of their day
Task lists to monitor chores and daily tasks so it gets done everyday
Journal pages to help improve new habits
Charts and guides for monitoring impulse control so your child can improve their self-confidence
Strategy journal pages to help kids use self-reflection and self-regulation so they can succeed at home and in the classroom
Goal sheets for setting goals and working to meet those goals while improving persistence
Tools for improving mindset to help kids create a set of coping strategies that work for their needs

Sensory Diet Cards- These printable sensory diet cards includes 24 pages of 345 sensory diet activities can be used with any child, based on individual needs and preferences. Valued at $9.99. Use these sensory diet cards in the classroom, clinic, home, or community to address:

Calming and alerting movement activities
Heavy work fine motor activities for pre-writing needs or fidgeting needs
Sensory activities
Sensory support cards

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