The Functional Skills for Kids is a 12-month long series written by occupational and physical therapy bloggers on the development of 12 functional skills for children. This month the topic is play! Each month throughout 2016, we will discuss the development of one functional skill in children addressing the many components of that skill. The […]
Here is a one page FREE download to print for three different Spring time egg activities. You can print the page(s) and use to create a matching game, hidden eggs game or scissor practice. Print and make a matching game. Print, cut out the eggs and laminate. Hide them in play dough or a sensory […]
Pediatrics published a large study on the relationship between delayed walking in children and the severity of intellectual disability in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) versus other non-ASD diagnoses. The study sample included 1185 individuals (ASD, n = 903; non-ASD, n = 282) who received an evaluation at age 4 to 12 years that included […]
Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics published research comparing differences in gross motor performance of 20 children ages 3-5 with motor delays when assessed individually versus assessment in a group setting among 42 peers with typical development (TD). Each child with motor delays was tested 4-8 days apart in an individual setting and […]
Physical Therapy published research examining postural control during a functional play activity. Previous research has indicated that when motor tasks are made more relevant through functional tasks, performance improves, including in children with movement pathology. The participants in the study included 30 children with cerebral palsy who were compared with 30 typically developing children during […]
I just love this idea from Dr Jean. In her blogpost, she describes how you can use this four square idea to teach children concepts about math, reading, writing and more! I thought this was a great idea for school based occupational and physical therapists as well. To start, fold a piece of paper […]
This fun activity encourages bilateral coordination, timing, eye hand coordination, visual tracking skills and upper extremity muscle strengthening. The key to this activity is teaching the child to hit each balloon or ball with the right hand and left in a rhythmic, controlled pattern. Have fun with it! Need more activity ideas? Turn fine motor […]
The Functional Skills for Kids series written by occupational and physical therapy bloggers on developing 12 functional skills for children continues today with the topic of toilet training. Each month throughout 2016, we will discuss the development of one functional skill in children addressing the many components of that skill. The ability to complete the […]
Gait & Posture published research on whether flexible flat feet (FF) results in the development of musculoskeletal symptoms at joints proximal to the ankle. Using an observational study, data was collected on 95 children between the ages of 8-15 including foot posture using the arch height index (AHI), frequency of knee and hip/back pain and […]
With intricate coloring sheets being super popular right now, I thought I would create a few for occupational and physical therapy. Simple but cute! Here are three things to do with your coloring sheets: Color and decorate the therapy room. Have a coloring contest and award a small prize to the winner. Tell everyone not […]