Children typically have started scissor cutting skills by age three snipping paper. Yet, many parents are often reluctant to start cutting due to safety concerns. Cutting can seem like such a simple task, but when I start to explain to parents all the elements involved, they start to look overwhelmed. Here are a couple things to consider to ease into...
Crossing midline is a phrase used often by occupational therapists. When children have difficulty crossing the midline of the body, they may not easily cross the sagittal plane. This plane divides the body evenly into the left and right sides. Early in development, children will perform tasks on the same side of the body as the hand used. For example,...
In all my years of working with parents, there is one certainty. Parents need as much help as they can get with their kids especially during the busy holiday season. Interestingly, they often don’t realize that their children can be their biggest helpers by learning how to do things for themselves. Understanding appropriate expectations for a child is what stops...
Every day kids are spending less time holding a pencil or crayon and more time manipulating tech gadgets. This can lead to immature handwriting skills that can impede on academic skills and daily living skills like tying shoelaces or even opening a water bottle. Parents are seeking ways to help their children become more successful and independent. Here are 5...
I'm an occupational therapist with close to 20 years of experience working with parents of young children. I often get asked, “What do you recommend I buy?” First, I try to use toys and objects already in the home as much as possible. I understand that starting therapy services with your child can be overwhelming enough without having to buy...