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Weighted Vests and Compression Garments
Weighted vests, weighted clothing, and compression garments are used to offer proprioceptive input to elicit a calm and focused response. They tend to be used as a sensory intervention for children with diagnoses like sensory processing disorder, autism (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with the purpose of calming the body for functional activities.…
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Sensory Room Rules, Protocols, and Guidelines
Today’s post on sensory rooms in schools is part of a series focusing on sensory rooms. We are going to explore the rules, protocols, and guidelines to using your sensory room. Other posts in the sensory room series highlight benefits, why have one, things to consider, cleaning materials, supervision, use by teachers and aides, building…
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What you Need to Know about Interoception
Interoception is a sensory term you may not have heard of before…but you have certainly felt or been impacted by the processing of our interoceptive sense! Internal feelings of hunger, fatigue, thirst, body temperature, digestion, and other internal systems offer a certain “feeling”, right? This is your interoception sensory system at work! Here, we’re covering…
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Jack Be Nimble Nursery Rhyme Craft
Looking for a fun way to bring movement into your circle time? This Jack Be Nimble craft pairs perfectly with nursery rhyme activities that get kids up and moving! Traditional rhymes like this one offer the perfect opportunity to build coordination, balance, and listening skills through gross motor rhymes. Add in a simple hands-on kids…
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Teach Your Child To Zip a Jacket
Zipping a jacket can be a complicated task for a lot of kids. However, this is such an important life skill, so it’s worth spending some time to learn it. Here are a few tips and tricks to teaching this skill.
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How to do “Push In” Occupational Therapy
Are you a new school based occupational therapist wondering how to implement a “push in” therapy service delivery model? Perhaps you have been practicing for a while and are looking for some tips to transition your services from your therapy space to the classroom. For additional reading, the OT Toolbox has a comprehensive post on…
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Easy Shapes School Bus Craft
We love this easy bus craft as back to school crafts for kindergarten! School buses and the back-to-school season is the perfect time for a fun, low-prep bus craft that supports creativity and fine motor skills. We love using back to school themed activities in occupational therapy sessions for a reason…This paper bus activity is…
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Sitting Positions on the Floor
In this post we will explore the classic crisscross style of sitting, as well as acceptable alternative sitting positions on the floor. We will explore floor sitting for circle time, gym class, and other classroom learning situations. Not only are we learning about alternative sitting positions on the floor, I am hopeful you will become an advocate…
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How Sensory Processing, Executive Function, and Emotions Are Connected in Child Development
As occupational therapy professionals, we see firsthand how tightly woven sensory processing, executive functioning, and emotional regulation are in a child’s daily life. While each of these systems has its own role, they don’t operate in isolation. Instead, they constantly interact, either supporting or interfering with one another depending on the child’s sensory experience and…
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Separation Anxiety Activities and Tips
Today, we have a couple of separation anxiety activities that can support kids who struggle with school drop off. Many times, kindergarten or preschool drop off is full of tears, especially those first few weeks of school. Here, you’ll find a great connection activity to help preschoolers and parents find a way to make preschool…
