Developing the skills to express and understand spatial skills are the first step in understanding spatial ability and awareness such as math skills, visual perceptual skills and body awareness. Child Development published research on the importance of block play in over one hundred preschoolers. The children in the study who were better at copying block […]
Happy Thanksgiving to all the therapists, assistants, parents and teachers who work so hard to help children achieve their best!
Neurology published research on a small study consisting of 24 adolescents, half with autism and half without autism. Using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment Test, intelligence test and Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle (Motor) Signs (PANESS), the researchers found that the adolescents with autism showed worse overall scores on handwriting just like younger children with autism […]
If you are a pediatric physical therapist who works with young children you have most likely been asked by parents “will my child with cerebral palsy walk?” Many times the response is based on evaluation results, clinical experience and research. Disability and Rehabilitation published the results of a systemic review on 1123 identified articles on prognostic […]
Pediatrics International published research on 100 Brazilian children (ages 8-11 years old) evaluating interlimb coordination and its relationship to their academic performance. Each child was assessed with the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Academic Performance Test. Participants were grouped into low (<25%) and high (>75%) academic achievers. The results indicated: a significant difference between groups […]
With the popularity of Trolls in full swing right now, I though the kids would enjoy some Troll yoga poses. These Troll yoga poses are beneficial to increase focus, concentration, balance, core strengthening and relaxation. Download your free Troll yoga poses below. Here are the directions to complete the yoga poses: Tree Pose – 1. […]
After seeing this on Turkey Squares craft on Pinterest, the original blogpost at A Spoonful of Learning and seeing it on Pediatric OT Group Facebook page, I decided to make a template for the activity (see below for free download). You can print out four different versions of the template – black and white turkey, color turkey, […]
How cute are these trolls? Since I grew up in the 80’s, perhaps I am finding them even more adorable! This is a 5 page freebie from the Trolls Pencil Challenges packet. Children can practice visual motor skills with this fun troll themed activity. Download the Trolls Pencil Challenges Freebie The complete Trolls Pencil Challenges […]
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS AND CLOTHING FASTENERS Buttons, zippers, snaps and buckles are all clothing fasteners that require finger dexterity and fine motor skills to open and close. Did you know that they also require gross motor skills? In order to be able to open and close traditional clothing fasteners one must have proper stability, postural […]
The American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published the results of a randomized controlled clinical trial on the effects of dance in the functionality and psychosocial adjustment of 26 young people with cerebral palsy (GMFCS levels II to V). The participants were randomly chosen to complete 1 hour sessions, two times per week, for […]