There are more and more active games coming out on the market. LoopzTM is a toy available in stores ranging from $35 to $50 (Walmart, Target, ToysRUs, etc) and online that is a great tool to practice motor planning and coordination skills. It is a set of four arches that has lights in each arch. […]
Here is a super simple and super economical activity to encourage the pincer grasp. Recycle and clean a Styrofoam tray. Draw some simple shapes, letters, numbers or just let the child make a free form sculpture. Put the toothpicks next to the tray in a container. Poke the toothpicks into the tray around the shapes […]
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics recognizes the benefits of exercise to improve academic abilities in children with ADHD. In this study, 40 children total (20 with ADHD 20 without ADHD), ages 8 -10 years old spent 20 minutes walking briskly on a treadmill or 20 minutes reading. This was followed by […]
Research will be published on the focus and amount of pediatric occupational and physical therapy services for 399 children, ages 2-6 years old, with cerebral palsy. Parents completed a questionnaire over the telephone with therapists reporting the child’s Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level. The results indicated the following regarding the amount of services: […]
Download this free Mummy pose from Halloween Poses. Go on a Monster Halloween Handwriting Hunt with this freebie.
Recent research studied the effects of ankle foot orthotics on trunk postural control and lower limb coordination in 20 children (ages 4-12) with and without cerebral palsy. The results of tridimensional trunk kinematics and thigh, shank, and foot elevation angles while walking barefoot and with ankle foot orthotics indicated the following: significantly greater trunk excursions […]
The Edie Neurolearning Blog posted information on some research on the brain basis of dysgraphia. It appears to be very interesting although there is not a reference. It confirms what many pediatric therapists observe – many children require extensive visual monitoring of letter formation. Functional MRI’s compared “good writers” with “bad writers”. The testing revealed that […]
Here is something to try that does not have to necessarily do with swimming – immersion in one particular motor skill. When we are teaching a child a new motor skill or perhaps working on refining a motor skill, try bombarding the child with the skill. Here are some examples: The goal is to write […]
Came across these fun YouTube videos to use as a quick brain break for teachers in class or some activities during a therapy session. It reinforces learning right side from the left side, bilateral coordination, body awareness and following directions. Here is the BeanBag Beatbox #1: Here is Beanbag Beatbox #2: If you need more […]
Pediatrics published research on the relationship of IQ to motor skills. Data on motor skills and IQ was assessed on 460 children in educational and clinic settings. The results of the data analysis indicated that typical and atypical motor skills were seen at all levels of IQ. In addition the following was seen: “for each […]