The Journal of Early Childhood Research published research on executive function skills and reading comprehension. The researchers wanted to explore how children’s executive function predicted their reading comprehension performance. The results indicated that working memory and reading skills were associated along with other executive functioning skills. Executive function skills include planning, organization, working memory, initiation, […]
Are you struggling trying to figure out how to increase student participation in school activities? It can be hard to motivate students to start, to sustain and to increase their levels of participation. Here are 11 suggestions to increase student participation in school based activities. Student Choice Allow the students to choose activities. Have several activities […]
Most school staff are already aware of the physical benefits of exercise, such as strengthening of the heart and lungs, preventing weight gain, healthy bones, good posture and more. However, many are not aware of the potential brain-boosting benefits of physical activity with regard to school performance. How does physical development affect learning? What does […]
Stability at the shoulder muscles is an essential component for coordination, postural control and fine motor skill development. Basically anytime you move your hand and fingers you need your upper body and shoulders to either stabilize or actively contract. Upper body exercises for kids and shoulder strengthening activities can help children develop the muscles necessary […]
As pediatric therapists, teachers and parents, we often observe children with delayed motor skills and autism. Motor impairments are often present in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When children are diagnosed with ASD, they are not usually also diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). A recent study in Physical Therapy examined the relationship between ASD and […]
Ever wish you had a physical activity that could help children de-stress, calm down, return to balance, find center, and get grounded? Most of the time when children are beyond their own capacity to contain and control themselves, it’s because we have let them get too tired, too dehydrated, too over-stimulated. Self-regulation takes energy and if […]
The ability to complete the functional task of dressing requires various gross motor skills, balance and coordination skills. Many times dressing skills are worked on during occupational therapy or physical therapy sessions to help children to become more independent. Teaching dressing skills to children with autism is often a goal of parents and therapists during […]
If you work with young children, then you will want to read these easy to play self regulation games for children. These six games provide great suggestions for physical or occupational therapy self regulation activities and require no equipment! We all love activities that do need any preparation or equipment. Research Based Self-Regulation Activities A […]
How to do a jumping jack? Seems pretty easy right – a simple jumping jack. Well, it actually isn’t that easy! This exercise can be done anywhere with no equipment and it is a full body workout! If you are a school based OT or PT, you most likely have taught students how to do […]
Take a moment to look around your classroom or your house. Do you see children slouching or hunched over? In the classroom, student frequently lean over their desks. At home, children are often seen hunched over their smartphones or tablets sometimes for hours at a time. It is important to teach children how to maintain […]