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Finger Games for Fine Motor Fun
Fine motor “finger games” like finger twister, Where is Thumbkin, and a thumb battle are a powerhouse of motor skills. Did you ever think about using a finger game as a warm-up to handwriting or a fun way to target fine motor skills like finger isolation? Finger games are fun fine motor activities using the…
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Wheelbarrow Walking
Raise your hand if you have a permanent back ache from wheelbarrow walking with your children or clients? In this post you can discover how to do wheelbarrow walking, the benefits of this gross motor coordination activity, and some more ergonomic methods to save your back. Let’s get started with wheelbarrow walking for occupational therapy!…
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Tools to Stop to Think
Pausing for a moment to stop to think before acting is an essential executive functioning skill that stems from the development of impulse control, working memory, flexible thinking, self-control, and metacognition. The skill of pausing to think allows individuals to consider the potential consequences of their actions, make informed decisions, and exercise impulse control. This…
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Fine Motor Toothpick Activity
This toothpick activity requires only one item: a toothpick container found at the local dollar store. Typically a toothpick container is filled with toothpicks and has a few holes in the removable lid, making it a great fine motor tool for children. This occupational therapy activity is used because you can target many precision skills…
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Light-Bright Toy Fun!
In occupational therapy, we target the occupation of play in kids, making toys one of the main tools like a Lite Brite toy to support and drive development. Pediatric OTs love to foster development through innovative and meaningful activities in therapy interventions, and the Light Bright toy is one fun toy that sparks creativity and…
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Ambidexterity or Mixed Dominance
Many parents see their child switch hands during tasks, or show refined use of both hands and wonder if their child is ambidextrous. Maybe a child uses their left hand to throw a ball, but bats with their right hand. Maybe they kick a ball with their right foot, but hold a pencil with their…
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Growth Mindset Sorting Activity
The freebie for today, the Growth Mindset/Closed Mindset Sorting Activity is a great tool to begin to teach learners the difference between growth and closed mindset. Today, we have a great resource for you: a worksheet on growth mindset sorting. Do you have a growth or closed mindset (also called a fixed mindset)? Are you…
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Hand Gripper Workout
Today, we have a great addition to our hand strengthening exercises: several hand gripper workouts to support stronger grip strength and pinch strength. Occupational therapy practitioners working in a hand therapy clinic know the value of a hand gripper, to support functional performance with data. Who knows what hand fitness is all about? Well, it includes…
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Zoom Ball Games for Occupational Therapy
Have you heard of the Zoom Ball? Is zoom ball games and activities part of your OT Toolbox? This classic activity is a must for elementary school aged children and above. In this post we will explore ways to play with a zoom ball in occupational therapy, and how a zoom ball supports the development of…
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Just Right Challenge
In the field of occupational therapy, there is an intervention concept known as the “just right challenge”. In this blog post, we’ll cover what this challenge means and how we can best support clients and patients by meeting their needs and abilities at just the right level of intervention. Occupational therapy interventions cover a vast…
