National Handwriting Day is January 23rd each year. This date honors John Hancock who is well known for his signature on the Declaration of Independence. Here are some suggested ideas to celebrate the day with your children or students. 1. Bake a cake to celebrate John Hancock’s birthday. Following a recipe, measuring, mixing and stirring […]
If the classrooms that you work in have an interactive whiteboard check out this cool free program entitled Sky Writer. You just click on the letter and the plane makes each letter in the air. The children can trace along with their fingers. It is also a fun visual for the child to see how […]
Here is a new activity video idea that encourages fine motor skills, muscle strengthening and coordination. Need more fine motor activities? Check out… Creative Clay ActivitiesClay Play MatsFine Motor Activity Pack #1Fine Motor Breaks
The November 2009 issue of Neuron reports on a study on how limb motion is encoded in the nervous system. The researchers determined that certain movement patterns were easier to learn than others. A quote from one of the researchers states: “We observed that the initial stages of motor learning are often quick but non-specific, […]
The current issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy reports on a small study done in a Virginia school district on the benefits of assistive technology. Thirteen students were followed regarding the benefits of assistive technology in reaching IEP goals compared to 9 other interventions including related services, tutoring, curriculum changes and more. According […]
I came across a comprehensive website for evaluating a student’s needs for writing. The Montgomery County Public Schools of Rockville, MD has developed a Written Productivity Profile (WPP). All of the forms and directions are on the website to evaluate a student’s handwriting versus typing abilities. There are also tools to evaluate spelling. What a […]
The most recent issue of Pediatrics reports on 20 healthy preterm infants that were exposed to a 30 minute period of Mozart music for 2 consecutive days. The resting energy expenditure of the infants was significantly lower during the 10 to 30 minute period of listening to the music. There was no difference in resting […]