,

Sensory Over-Responsivity and Behavior: What Does the Research Say?

When a child reacts intensely to a sound, a fabric texture, a crowded hallway, or bright lighting, adults often wonder why. What is the relationship between sensory over-responsivity and behavior? Research published in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders offers important insight into what is happening inside the brain during these moments of sensory overload. For […]

Read more →
/by

Music and Interoception: How Sound Supports the Mind–Body Connection

Interoception is the sense that helps us notice internal body signals such as heartbeat, breathing, muscle tension, temperature, and more. Children and adults rely on interoception to understand emotions, regulate behavior, and participate effectively in school and daily routines. Music is a powerful doorway into interoception. Research shows that music can influence heart rate, insula […]

Read more →
/by

Sensory Based Interventions: What Does the Research Say?

Sensory based interventions are widely used in classrooms, therapy settings, and homes to support children with sensory processing differences. A recent systematic review examined research from 2015 to 2024 to determine which approaches improve real functional outcomes for children and youth. The review focused on participation, attention, sleep, regulation, and daily task performance. Learn more […]

Read more →
/by
,

Hand Strengthening Activities for Kindergarten and Up: Free Printable

Strengthening hand muscles is essential for successful handwriting, scissor use, drawing, and everyday classroom tasks. This free printable set of hole-punch strips is a simple, highly motivating way to build fine motor strength and coordination in kindergarteners and older students. These hand strengthening activities for kindergarten and up provide opportunities to trace shapes, draw shapes, […]

Read more →
/2 Comments/by
,

Occupational Therapy Activities for Children – Free Printables

If you need simple, engaging occupational therapy activities for children that you can use instantly, this free four-page printable set is a great place to start. These movement station pages come from the complete OT Playground Sensory Trails and are perfect for sensory paths, hallway routes, classroom brain breaks, or quick motor warm-ups. The best […]

Read more →
/by
,

Early Executive Function, Parenting, and School-Age Outcomes

A recent longitudinal study followed children from preschool age into third grade to understand how early executive function skills and parenting behaviors shape later resilience, self-regulation, and behavior. Findings from this research offer practical guidance for educators and pediatric therapists who support young children every day. Learn more about early executive function and parenting. How […]

Read more →
/by
,

Math War Games Free Printable

Turn math practice into an exciting competition with this Math Tug of War Game! This free printable combines counting, number sense, and strategy in a fun, interactive way that keeps kids engaged. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, working in therapy, or playing at home, this game offers a simple yet effective way to strengthen […]

Read more →
/by
,

How Self-Talk Can Help Students Regulate Emotions and Stay on Track

Affirmations are everywhere in education right now: posters, sticky notes on desks, locker mirrors, and classroom doors. For students, those simple phrases like “I can handle this,” “I’m still learning,” or “I can calm my body” aren’t just feel-good slogans. They are one small piece of a much bigger system: how children use language with […]

Read more →
/by
,

Freeze Dance Impulse Control Song with Free Printables

Support self-regulation and executive functioning in your students with the Freeze Dance Impulse Control Song. It combines music, movement, and mindfulness to help students build impulse control skills. It’s perfect for the classroom, therapy sessions, homeschool, or movement breaks and it includes free printables to support instruction. You can download the FREE freeze dance printables […]

Read more →
/by