,

Is the Developmental Visual-Motor Integration Test an Effective Measure of Handwriting Progress?

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published pretest-posttest research with 207 kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students.   The intervention group participated in the Size Matters Handwriting program for 40 sessions and the control group received standard instruction.  All the groups were evaluated with two handwriting measures and the Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual–Motor Integration (VMI) […]

, , , ,

Writing SMART Goals for School Based OT and PT

Are you familiar with SMART goals?  SMART is an acronym for guiding someone how to write a goal.  It stands for: S – SPECIFIC: what, why and how are you going to do it M – MEASURABLE: evidence that the goal will be achieved ie data collection A – ATTAINABLE: goal needs to be challenging […]

, , , ,

Who Are You In September? Owl Themed Handwriting Activity

Here is a cute freebie from Who Are You? – a new owl themed handwriting and drawing activity packet. Use it to track student’s progress throughout the year and create an adorable keepsake while you are at it. Download the sample page, Who Are You in September? here https://www.yourtherapysource.com/whoareyoufreebie.html and find out more about the complete […]

, , , ,

10 Back to School Tips for School Based Therapists

It is that time of year again – back to school.  Here are 10 tips to help you get started on the right “foot” (for the PTs) or “write path” (for the OTs).  Get it hahahaha!  Ok, I know lame joke but I couldn’t resist.  Here we go: #1:  Get organized.  Here are a few […]

, , , , ,

Movement and Math Animal Action Freebie

Here is a fun game, Roll, Move and Cover that incorporates movement, visual perceptual skills, fine motor skills and math skills.  It is a freebie game from Animal Actions A to Z.  Basically, the student rolls two dice, adds up the numbers, finds the number, performs an animal action and then colors in the circle […]

, , ,

ADHD, Fidgeting and Improved Performance

The Journal of Abnormal Psychology published research to determine if hyperactivity with ADHD is a deficit or a compensatory behavior.  The researchers compared the working memory (WM) performance and attention in boys aged 8–12 years  with ADHD (n = 29) and typically developing children (TD; n = 23).  Each child’s phonological WM and attentive behavior was evaluated during four counterbalanced WM tasks […]

, , , , ,

Building Block Pattern Freebie

Here are a several free printables from Building Blocks Patterns and Games.  These free sample patterns are full size, ranging from simple to more complex patterns.  The full size patterns make it easier for children to match up the blocks exactly if they need a little extra help to complete the cards.  You will need DUPLO […]

, , ,

Physical Versus Mental Practice, Motor Learning and Cerebral Palsy

The Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities published research on the effects of physical and mental practice in acquisition, retention, and transfer of a motor skill in 29 males with cerebral palsy.  The participants were assigned to three homogenous groups; physical practice (n = 10), mental practice (n = 10), and control (n = 9). The experimental groups (physical and mental […]

, , , ,

Listen for The Code Movement Game

Purpose: Encourage listening skills, following motor commands, self regulation skills and left right directions. Materials: small object i.e. toy car, small doll, etc. Activity: Before you start establish what the movement pattern will be.  Try to write it down so the children can refer to it if necessary.  For example a pattern could be the […]

Play Strong and Review Academic Material Too!

Here is a activity idea similar to one from our electronic book Play Strong – Activities to Promote Muscle Strengthening in Children Through Play This is a four year old boy working on bilateral coordination, upper extremity and trunk muscle strengthening. The equipment needed is a regular size rolling pin and index cards. There are […]