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Just 12 Minutes of Exercise Improves Reading and Attention

A recent Dartmouth study of 85 participants (ages 17-21 years old) compared selective visual attention, reading comprehension and stress levels of low income and high income students following 12 minutes of jogging in place in the individual’s target heart rate zone. The following results were recorded: 1.  both groups saw improvement in selective visual attention up […]

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4 Free Summer Printables for Motor Skills

Need a summer motor activity in a hurry?  Check out these freebies: 1.  Watermelon Multisensory Handwriting Activity Page at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/mssummerfreebie.html 2.  Hand Out on Fun Physical Activities for the Summer at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/summerfree.html 3.  Summer Tic Tac Toe at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/summerfitnessfreebie.html 4.  Outdoor Bingo at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/fmsummerfree.html Happy Summer!

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Exercise Rocks!

Make some exercise rocks!  Here the kids thought of some exercises and we wrote them on smooth rocks with metallic pens.  Try these activities: 1.  Scavenger Hunt:  hide the rocks outdoors.  When you find a rock perform 10 of the exercises on the rock and then return it to start.  The person or team with […]

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5 Suggestions to Increase Family Involvement

Here are some simple suggestions to increase family (child, parents, siblings, other care givers, etc.) involvement in a child’s therapy plan of care: 1.  Ask the family what their goals are in terms of therapy.  Collaborate to create appropriate goals. 2.  Take your time and be attentive.  Don’t rush the family when talking about the […]

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Free Reward Punch Cards

With the end of the school year, kids sometimes need a little motivation.  How about using these free reward punch cards.  After 10 punch holes for completing an activity or following the rules, the child wins a prize.  Download the free printables at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freepunchcards.html Need cheap prize ideas?  Check out this previous blog post at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2010/09/03/positive-reinforcement/

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Self Improvement to Help Achieve Goals

Here is a self improvement worksheet to complete to establish what steps need to be taken to achieve a goal.   I love any activity that requires the child (or an adult like myself) take ownership of how one can improve or reach a goal.  You can print this FREE worksheet with blank boxes to […]

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Your Opinions on the Effects of Tablet Use on the Overall Development of Young Children

We asked and 264 of you responded on what effects you think tablets and smartphones have on the overall development of young children.  Here are the highlights: 61% of the respondents were pediatric OTs. 53% of all respondents think that tablet/smartphone use delays social development in 0-5 year old children. 36% of all respondents think […]

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My Favorite Summer Activity Plus Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

When asked to participate in this blog hop with a recommendation for a favorite summer time activity, I knew what my answer was right away.  Sidewalk chalk is my absolute favorite.  Depending upon how you use it, sidewalk chalk can encourage physical activity, fine motor, gross motor and visual perceptual skills.   Now of course […]