When I was a child, outdoor play was the norm. I spent hours with the kids on my block building forts in the snow, riding bikes to team practices, and choreographing dance routines until dark. Now, children struggle to find friends to play with outside choosing to play indoors with their electronic devices. Parents have to make an effort to...
Executive function is a set of skills which includes flexible thinking, working memory, and self-control. These skills are used to complete the daily tasks needed to manage life. Difficulty with executive function can cause children to struggle with following directions, focus, and handling emotions. Imagine the steps it takes to get ready for an activity, participate in it, and clean...
If there is one thing that occupational therapy and mindfulness practice have in common, it is that many people don't easily know how to describe them. Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment. Additionally, it includes acknowledging one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. This may seem like a lot to ask of a small child....
With the overwhelming collection of toys available to children, sometimes it’s the simplicity of wood blocks that we often ignore. With all the games and electronic toys calling your name in stores, parents sometimes forget to appreciate these traditional toys. Blocks are often overlooked and shouldn’t be. Most parents don’t realize that square building blocks are used by therapists to...
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...