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We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we’re all learning from birth. When it’s time to start school, some children will need more help than others.

There are key skills that schools expect children to be learning before their first day. Practising these will make your child’s journey to Reception as positive as possible.

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What should I do if I have concerns about my child's development?

If you're worried about your child's progress, talk to your childminder/nursery/pre-school team, health visitor, local children's centre or Family Hub.

If your child has developmental delays or SEND (suspected or confirmed), speak to their nursery, childminder, or health visitor/nursery/pre-school team well before they start Reception and discuss their needs when you are selecting schools.

You can work with your child's early years setting to help your child with self-care, managing emotions, social skills and communication in a way that suits their stage of development.

​You might want to share details about: their development, needs, what motivates them, what might trigger difficulties, how they learn best, and what strategies work well.

Make sure you share important information with everyone supporting your child, including their new Reception teacher.

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Your child's journey to school starts at home. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we're all learning from birth. When it's time to start school, some children will need more help than others.

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Handwriting: tips and tricks

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Rainbow Relaxation: Mindfulness for Children

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Big Little Feelings is a fantastic Instagram page with solutions to problems relating to emotional regulation

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When it comes to pre-writing activities for preschoolers, there are a lot of different things you can do to help prepare your kids for writing letters and numbers. Let's take a look at 10 pre-writing activities that are both fun and educational. These activities will help your child develop the skills necessary to grip a pencil correctly, control a pencil, and begin to form letters correctly.

What are Pre-writing Skills?

Pre-writing skills are the basic skills your child needs to develop to be able to write. These skills include:

Why are Pre-writing Skills Important?

Pre-writing skills are important because they help your child be able to write letters and numbers correctly.

How can I help my child develop Pre-writing Skills?

You can do several pre-writing activities with your child to help them develop the skills necessary and prepare to write. Heere are some fun pre-writing activities for preschoolers that don't involve writing:

Drawing Lines and Shapes

Tracing Lines and Shapes

Dot to Dot Activities

Coloring Pages

Play Dough Activities

Building with Blocks

What are Pre-writing strokes?

As kids get more hand strength and have more control over their pencil or crayon, they begin to have the ability to make different strokes with their writing instrument. Practicing pre-writing strokes will help them develop even more control to write letters.

Pre-writing strokes are the basic strokes your child needs to know to form letters correctly. Think about all the strokes you use when printing the letters of the alphabet. These strokes include:

Horizontal Lines

Vertical Lines

Curved Lines

Zigzag Lines.

Ways to Practice Pre-writing Strokes

There are a bunch of ways that you can help your child practice pre-writing strokes. Here are some fun pre-writing activities for preschoolers that you can do at home or in the classroom:

Use a Salt Tray

Your kids can practice pre-writing without even holding a pencil. A salt tray is a great way to introduce making lines. Fill a tray with salt and have your child make pre-writing strokes in the salt with their finger, a paintbrush, or a magic wand.

Finger-tracing

While I love a good salt tray, you don't need to have salt to practice pre-writing. Kids can just use their index fingers to trace the lines on a letter or shape.

Write in Shaving Cream

Write letters or shapes in shaving cream on a mirror, window, or on tabletop. This is a great way to make pre-writing strokes more fun and tactile.

Shaving Cream Connect the Dots

This is a cute connect the dots idea from School Time Snippets. Before writing in shaving cream, start out by putting dot of shaving cream on the surface, then have kids connect the dot.

Writing on a Friend's Back

Beware! This one might invoke lots of giggles. Kids can make lines on their friends' backs. They can also make lines on their own palm or thigh.

Pre-writing worksheets

There are a ton of pre-writing worksheets available online and in classrooms. These are great resources to help your child practice pre-writing strokes. Some pre-writing worksheets, like this ocean-themed pre-writing activity, have just strokes. Others, like these Easter egg pre-writing practice printables, have tracing lines within images.

Simple Mazes

I think that easy mazes for preschoolers are a great way to help kids practice pre-writing strokes. Start with simple mazes and then move on to more complex ones.

Match and Connect Images

You can make your own match and connect activity with stickers or use a printable activity page. Add stickers to a piece of paper and make sure that you have two of every sticker. The activity is similar to a maze, but it challenges kids first to find the matching images and then connect them with a line. Challenge them to NOT touch any other images on the page.

This is a great idea from Fantastic Fun and Learning. Roll playodugh out and use a chopstick or pencil to make lines in the surface.

Fine Motor Crafts

Fine motor crafts can have many benefits for preschoolers. My printable fine motor crafts, provide were specifically designed to give kids opportunities to build fine motor skills. Each of the projects includes a variety of dotted lines that kids can trace.

You can also find additional fine motor crafts like beaded stars, necklaces, and more to help with pre-writing skills.

Tactile Cards

I love these touch & feel prewriting cards from Teach Me Mommy. You can also use my ideas from my tactile letter cards to create cards with different textures.

I hope that these tips and ideas will help you as you work on activities to help your preschoolers prepare for writing. Remember, pre-writing skills are important for helping your

Pre-Writing Activities in the Store

Are you ready to get to work on some pre-writing activities for preschoolers? Check out the following pre-writing activities in the Early Learning Ideas store today.

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10 Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers to Prepare for Writing Success

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When it comes to pre-writing activities for preschoolers, there are a lot of different things you can do to help prepare your kids for writing letters and numbers. Let's take a look at 10 pre-writing activities that are both fun and educational.

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HANDWRITING WARMS UPS With Pencil l Beginner Hand and Finger Exercises for Kids

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Maintaining optimal posture is crucial for successful handwriting in children. Good posture ensures a stable foundation, minimising muscle strain and fatigue. Proper alignment supports ergonomic efficiency, enhancing fine motor control and reducing discomfort. Optimal posture also improves attention and concentration, contributing to neater handwriting and more effective learning outcomes. Establishing good posture habits early on sets the stage for confident and comfortable writing experiences.

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Multisensory writing techniques are all about encouraging learners to use more than one of their five senses when taking in new information. This teaching style promotes using activities that appeal to our visual, auditory, kinaesthetic and tactile senses. The multisensory approach to writing is a particularly popular teaching method for children who find writing and literacy difficult. The multisensory approach to writing involves using four sensory modalities:

Auditory - learning through sound and hearing

Visual - learning through seeing

Tactile - learning through our sense of touch

Kinaesthetic - learning through body movement

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Engage kids with the multisensory approach to writing! This forward-thinking approach will help you elevate your teaching today. Learn our top tips and find fun resources below.

Download FREE teacher-made resources covering 'Multisensory Approach To Writing'

What is the Multisensory Approach to Writing?

Benefits of the Multisensory Approach to Writing

How to use the Multisensory Approach to Writing in the Classroom

Top Tips for Using the Multisensory Approach to Writing

Find out what type of learners you have in your classroom first. This will help you tailor your multisensory approach to writing much more effectively . For example, if your class are half tactile learners and half auditory learners, focussing on both these styles would help engage the whole class simultaneously .

Blend different techniques together. Whilst children may identify more with one of the five learning styles, nobody fits into one box . Instead, we are all a mix of all five types! Engaging all the senses will help children make even more mental associations and get the most out of your teaching .

Have fun! The multisensory approach to writing is all about teaching a core skill in a new exciting and engaging way . We're sure that if you're enjoying yourself, your students will too.

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Multisensory Approach To Writing | Info + Primary Resources

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Engage kids with the multisensory approach to writing! This forward-thinking approach will help you elevate your teaching today. Learn our top tips and find fun resources below.

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When children engage in writing or drawing on vertical surfaces, they naturally develop wrist stability and shoulder strength. This improved upper body strength contributes to better control over writing tools, leading to more fluid and controlled movements.

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* Two versions: block and cursive. Block is preferable as cursive follows American style
* Teaches capital and lower case letters and numbers
* Very visual and engaging with fun audio
* Different skill levels (silver and gold)
1. Enables progression in learning through demonstration, trial and freestyle forming letters and numbers
2. Prevents common errors, and graphics and audio motivate
3. In freestyle mode, guidance is provided if needed
4. Parent and teacher portal with access code to record and check child's progress
5. Associated support website for teachers and parents
6. Used successfully with different abilities and age groups
Use tip above and then practise writing the letter or number with conventional pencil and paper

* One of the Dexteria family of apps
* Progressive skill levels, and performance is measurable
* Relies on responding to audible spoken instructions
* Kinaesthetic control required to give the correct answer
* Uses swipe action to orientate letters, words and numbers correctly
1. Helps with discrimination of left and right and between similar shape letters/ numbers
2. Works on visual perceptual skills and laterality

Piko's Blocks
£1.99 from Apple App Store or free 'lite' version

* Designed by OTs and teachers
* Presents 3-D block shapes to copy
* Shapes can be orientated using swipe action
* Guides if repeated mistake
* Visually appealing and can enlarge or shrink shapes using 'pinch' action
* Different levels of difficulty including mirroring and spatially orientating around a focal point
1. Helps spatial and visual reasoning, 3-D geometric thinking and problem solving
* Try copying the shapes on screen using actual blocks to help praxis and spatial orientation
* If it is distracting, turn background music off in Settings

* Designed by an OT
* Progresses through pre-writing skills in a specific order so children can master the skills necessary for writing
* Nine gradable activities developing specific skills fundamental for writing
1. Works on finger isolation skills, visual scanning skills, visual tracking, visual motor integration skills, fine motor skills and pincer grasp
2. Best for 3-7 years old or older if working on pre-writing skills
* Use tip in the introduction above, and then practise writing the letter or number just completed on the tablet
* Practise transferring the skills to paper by making paper and pencil tasks that match the app

Touch follow Shapes
Hatchworks Ltd
Three apps:
Touch follow Shapes
Touch follow Alphabet
Touch follow Numbers

* Simple to allow the child to follow different shapes using touch
* From 18 months to 5 years
* Uses sounds and 'sparkle' graphics for engagement
1.Works on visual motor integration skill, fine motor skill, shape recognition
2.Simple interface and very colourful
* Use tip in the introduction above and then practise drawing the shape and writing the letter or number with conventional pencil and paper
* Very good for maintaining attention

Hairy Letters
Nessy Learning Ltd

* Teaches the sounds and names of each letter with the 'Hairies'
* Fun, animated characters
* Watch the letter movement, then trace the letter shape (both lower and upper case) onscreen with a finger. Play games to build simple words and learn to blend sounds. Letters are introduced in six colour-coded stages.
* Ages 4-6 years old
1.Very visual and engaging with fun audio and character animation
2.First letters to be released are a, p, s, t
3. Phonics, basic 'cvc' word building and blending
4. Motor planning and teaching letter shape and movement patterns
* Once all letters have been unlocked (possibly by an adult playing it first) it can then be used to work on learning letter formation in a motivating and very visual way. It can be accessed in letter family groups according to movement patterns.

Dexteria Junior Available for Apple

* Has three sections:
Squish the squash
Pinch the pepper
Trace and erase
* Suitable for 2-6 years old
1.Helps to promote finger strength, finger isolation, fine motor control, pincer grasp, dexterity skills, pre-writing skills and visual motor integration
* Use tip in the introduction above for Trace and Erase. Very good for maintaining attention. Fun and motivating for pre-writing skills

* Arrange the matrix by dragging each shape into the right place. Each card is a combination of shapes from the horizontal row above and the vertical column on the side
Game 1 - Age 4 +
Game 2 - Age 5 +
Game 3 - Age 6 +
1.Helps develop visual discrimination, attention, spatial orientation, principles of classification and categorisation, planning and perseverance
2.Enables progression through games 1, 2 and 3

Spatial Line Puzzles
Free version or £3.99

* Engaging game designed by an OT
* Complete the puzzles by copying the lines to the empty box. By analysing the position of the dots or blocks and identifying how the lines relate to each other, spatial skills are strengthened. For additional stimulation of visual memory skills, with the option turned on in settings, the puzzle will disappear after a selected period of time
* The puzzles are graded from easy to more challenging according to the following levels:Dot 3×3, box 3×3, Dot 4×4, box 4×4, dot 5×5
* Multi-user scoring is included so you can add many users
1. Develop spatial skills and visual memory
* Use Dot/box outline option to make puzzles more challenging
* Bird game option - after successful completion of five puzzles you will be rewarded with a short, fun game designed to reinforce spatial concepts
* The free version offers five puzzles in Dot and box 3×3 levels

Includes two engaging activities: Make and Match.
* Make - recreate objects using combinations of shapes by dragging them together
* Match - identify matching objects from a variety of differing shapes and orientations
1.Develops visual motor integration, specifically visual figure ground discrimination, visual discrimination, copy build, visual motor and fine motor skills
2. Enables best score tracking

* Consists of three games of hand and finger activities that use multi-touch screen to help build fine motor skills. Enables auto tracking of time on task and progress and creates usage reports that can be emailed
* Write it - trace over upper and lower case letters and numbers 0-9
* Pinch it - pinch pictures of crabs to play the game. Numbers of crabs and the speed they move increases as you progress
* Tap it - place all fingers on screen and it calibrates your finger position then you tap the corresponding finger indicated by visual on screen
1. Develops finger control and dexterity
2. Write it - indicates a starting point of each letter/number. Uses basic print font with no option to change font and no play back. Name of letter given on completing of tracing. Repetitive xylophone sounds whilst tracing
3. Pinch it - develops basic pinch grip, however, can achieve the result by just sliding two fingers together. Has sound reinforcers
4. Tap it - develops finger isolation and sequencing. Speed increases as you progress thus developing greater speed and dexterity
* Write it is more grown up than some apps as it consists of only two colours on a still screen with no additional visuals or sound reinforcers
* Pinch it - quite fun and visual

* Learning letter formation, names and sounds
1.Enables progression in learning through demonstration, trial and freestyle forming of letters and numbers
2. Prevents common errors and the graphics and audio motivate
3. Used successfully with different abilities and age groups
* Use tip in the introduction above and then practise writing the letter or number with conventional pencil and paper
* Can do customised spelling lists, etc

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Apps and Tips for Teaching or Helping with Handwriting

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Two versions: block and cursive. Block is preferable as cursive follows American style* Teaches capital and lower case letters and numbers* Very visual and engaging with fun audio* Different skill levels (silver and gold) 1. Enables progression in learning through demonstration, trial and freestyle forming letters and numbers 2.

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The repetitive nature of letter formation songs aids in reinforcing muscle memory, helping children internalise the correct strokes and sequences for each letter. By associating specific movements with musical patterns, children can enhance their fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and overall motor planning skills.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Strategies for Handwriting difficulties 

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Strategies for Handwriting difficulties 

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Pencil grips, pencil grips, pencil grips, there are so many types of pencil grips! Do I try this grip or that one? Does this child really need a pencil grip? Will they use this pencil grip? Will it be used correctly if they use it in the classroom? Ugh! So much to decide and so many variables to consider when it comes to handwriting. It is overwhelming! Does this sound like you in your practice as an OT? I've been there, and I've said these things to myself, and sometimes even to others. This post is here to help you decide what pencil grips to try and why!

Types of Pencil Grips

In this blog post, we'll dive into pencil grips occupational therapy practitioners may offer as a tool to support handwriting needs.

We'll address types of pencil grips (with links for purchase) and why each pencil grip is used.

Finally, we'll cover a variety of related resources and activities to support the development of pencil grip use.

To further explore pencil grasp development, take a look at our blog post, Pencil Grasp Development and get this great Pencil Grasp Quick Visual Guide, which helps Occupational Therapists identify and explain grasp patterns, using pictures to educate, and explain how pencil grasps progress developmentally.

The visuals will help parents and teachers understand grasp development and the goals for an appropriate grasping pattern. My prediction is that these tools will help get buy-in from the educational team and the family. It helps them understand exactly where the child is developmentally and where you, as the OT, wants the learner to head, and why!

pencil grips and Occupational Therapy

First, let me begin by saying that pencil grips are NOT a miracle cure for pencil grasp. They can help in certain circumstances based on the child's individual needs.

Different types of pencil grips do not help to overcome the root of the inefficient grasp, as these issues must be addressed simultaneously, while implementing the gripper.

In occupational therapy sessions, the OT practitioner is striving to achieve the most effective and functional pencil grasp for each individual. A therapist may have 40, 50, or even 70 students on their school-based OT caseload...and each student will be completely different when it comes to grasp patterns, pencil pressure, positioning of the fingers, preferences, letter formation strokes, executive functioning skills, self-regulation, visual motor skills, sensory preferences, and handwriting considerations. All of these areas play into handwriting.

To meet the needs of the individual student, a pencil grip may be supplied as a tool to support those individual needs.

Before we get into the various types of pencil grips you may see an occupational therapy practitioner recommend, it's important to cover functional pencil grip.

Pencil grips are designed to support the most functional and efficient pencil grasp a child can achieve.

This is based on many factors including; their current skill level, motivation, and understanding that the pencil grasp should be efficient and effective, but NOT perfect.

Functional grasps have a few basic components, which include; an open web space, skill fingers holding the pencil (thumb, first, and middle fingers), and stability (achieved with the ring and little fingers being curled securely into the palm). This results in an efficient and functional tripod grasp for the most success with handwriting, drawing, and coloring.

Inefficient grasps are used as a child attempts to compensate for lack of stability, skill finger strength, and endurance. With this inefficient grasp comes fatigue, pain, stress on the joints, decreased writing speed and overall legibility.

A pencil grip may be a tool provided to support a functional pencil grasp, depending on the needs of the individual student.
Think of pencil grips as a supplemental tool to aid a child as they continue to work on building the hand and finger skills needed to achieve an independent and efficient grasp.
The type of pencil grip can also serve to support the child as they focus on the writing process, therefore not exhausting their thought and energy, trying to remember to grasp the pencil properly for the best function.

The OT Toolbox has a great Pencil Grasp Bundle available for purchase to support various needs related to pencil grasp.

types of pencil grips

Now, without further ado, let's proceed to types of pencil grips that most OTs recommend, what their purpose is, and why they are recommended!

Amazon affiliate links are included below for purchase of various types of pencil grips.

Sometimes the easiest way to ensure a better grip on a pencil is by getting a smaller pencil into those hands. Golf pencils are some of the best tools for smaller hands, as they are the right size. The use of larger pencils and crayons leads to compensatory grasping patterns, as they are too long and too heavy for little hands to grasp and hold for long periods of time. A typical sized pencil in the hands of a child, is the equivalent of an adult trying to use a 12 inch pencil!

The physical size of hands and biomechanics of the muscles and joints in a child's hand can't possibly hold a large writing instrument unless they grasp it with compensatory efforts. This generally results in inefficient and ineffective grasps. Younger learners have far more maladaptive pencil grasp patterns than older adults, due to the young age at which learners are instructed to write. 40 years ago, writing did not begin until first grade. That gave the hands time to develop. Now writing starts in the two year old class, or in preschool many times. It's because of the early push to trace, copy, and write letters in preschool that we see poor pencil grips established.

This grip, simply called "the pencil grip", is an oldie, but a goodie for some children. It is designed to provide cushiony comfort, with proper finger placement indicators for left AND right-handed writers. The Pencil Grip helps learners gain improved pencil control, while reducing fatigue. This type of pencil grip supports an open web space and tripod grasp. The pencil grip comes in mini, standard, and jumbo sizes, making it available for a variety of children and adults. Recently, I have been unable to find the mini-sizes.

Honestly, this grip is essentially "The Pencil Grip", with a wing on the front to help prevent the fingers and thumb from wrapping over the pencil shaft. This helps keep the web space open. The crossover grip will aid some children who do not have a strong thumb overwrap pattern yet. If their thumb overwrap is significant, this grip may not be the one for them, as it allows a wrap grasp with little resistance. It is cushiony and does not prevent the learner from wrapping their thumb over the material.

This type of grip is great for the children that have a thumb wrap grasp which closes up their web space. The Grotto Grip is not as cushiony as "The Pencil Grip", but it is easier to use, as it has molded finger slots for the thumb and index fingers, and an indentation on the bottom for the grip to rest on the middle finger. It also has a wing on the front, and the material is stiffer in design, which can help aid in the prevention of any finger or thumb wrapping.

Left and right-handed writers can easily use the Grotto Grip, as the finger placement is exactly the same, making it less confusing for children to know where their fingers should be placed while using it.

This grip has three finger cups to support finger placement, and can be used by both left and right-handed writers with a simple change of finger placement within the cups. The finger placement indicators are on the bottom of each cup. The design leaves little room for error, and supports a variety of children, as it comes in three different sizes.

The Writing C.L.A.W. fits a wide variety of writing, drawing and coloring tools such as standard pencils, primary pencils, crayons, markers, and paint brushes!

This grip is similar to the Writing C.L.A.W. as it has two cups for the thumb and index fingers, but it has a ring for the placement of the middle finger. The Firesara Grip can easily be used by left and right-handed writers. Learners place their thumb and index fingers into the cups, and the middle finger goes into the ring finger of either hand.

Using this grip, helps the three fingers to be fixed tightly to the pencil shaft. The Firesara type of grip is made of soft, durable silicone.

The Twist n' Write, also called the Rocket Pencil, is not a pencil grip, but a pencil that has a wishbone-shaped design. This helps fingers to be placed into a tripod grasp with little guidance. It has rubbery sides that double as erasers! The pencil twists at the bottom to push forward more lead. It needs a special tool to add more lead, which makes it a little less efficient for use. It is often easier to buy multiple pencils rather than trying to replace the lead. The pencil design is for not for tiny hands, but is effective for finger placement without the use of a pencil grip, making it more motivating to use.

The Twist n' Write pencil can easily be used by left and right-handed writers. Some learners or teachers might not like the rocket pencil, because it looks so different from traditional pencils.

This is not really a type of grip, but rather a position support for the pencil. There are some children who hold the pencil vertically instead of at an angle, or have a thumb overwrap grasp with a closed web space. The Handiwriter positions the pencil at the correct angle within the hand. This pencil positioner helps to reposition the pencil within the web space, by pulling the pencil back into the web space, while promoting improved finger placement on the pencil shaft.

The "charm" on the commercially purchased Handiwriter is grasped by the ring and pinky fingers, and curled into the palm, providing increased hand stability. These can purchased as pictured, but can also be made with or without the charm support, by using two terry cloth hair bands using these directions, or by following the visual sequence for creating one using elastic bands.

You can put a grip on an existing tablet stylus, or buy get his great stylus that has a gripper on it! I tried this device with some of the kiddos I work with, and it worked well with the added index finger placement into the cup that is on the shaft of the stylus.

The Write Right Stylus will only work if the index finger is properly placed into the cup, and ensures proper positioning when using a tablet or screen for writing tasks. This placement helps to promote a tripod grasp. The symmetrical design allows it be used by left and right-handed writers.

Stetro- This pencil grip is efficient when The Pencil Grip is too large and the individual benefits from a smaller "target" to pinch the pencil.

Traditional Triangle- the Traditional triangle grip is a common pencil grip that is offered to the whole classroom from teachers, parent teacher groups, or in back-to-school kits. The triangular sides offer a flat placement for the fingers, but this grip may not work for all individuals. One therapy tip is to cut the triangle grip in half or in thirds and use the triangular ridges as bumps on the pencil to stop the fingers from moving too close to the pencil point. This way the ridges bring awareness for placement.

Weighted pencil grips- Pencils with weighted added on are typically an adaptation to support specific needs related to tone, proprioceptive sensory input, tremors. Read about pencil pressure and the benefit of adding a weighted pencil grip for more information.

Adaptice Pencil Grips

The alternative pencil grasp pattern that is successful for many kiddos who simply cannot achieve an efficient grasp is use of an adaptive tripod grasp, or any grasp which enables a functional grip on the pencil.

For those struggling to manipulate, use, position, and write with a pencil grip during written output, sometimes an alternative grip is the answer.

There are several alternative grasps for pencil manipulation.

The Adaptive Tripod Grip is appropriate to use when low muscle tone or hyper mobility of the finger joints limits pinching and manipulating the pencil.

It is easy to achieve, and I often use it if I am writing a lot. My husband uses it all of the time, and has since grade school.

In the adaptive tripod grasp, the child places the pencil between the index and middle fingers rather than within the traditional web space. They grasp the pencil shaft with the thumb, index, and middle fingers. The placement of the pencil between the index and middle fingers provides ample support and stability allowing for good pencil control, and less hand and finger fatigue.

This grasp pattern is similar to the "Rocket Pencil" described above. This can be used with different types of pencil grips if needed.

When pencil grips are uncomfortable

One final note on the use of pencil grips, they WILL be uncomfortable to use at first. Learners are having to utilize the correct finger and hand muscles.

They are not used to using them in this way, therefore they will be uncomfortable and met with resistance. With this discomfort comes less motivation and desire to use.

Rest assured, the use of the right pencil grip, when coupled with the activities you are using to get to the root of the problem, will help.

Be patient, encouraging, and rewarding to your learners, as they work on these skills. A good grasping pattern will be essential later in school, as handwriting tasks become longer and more complex. You are supporting their present AND future success!

Pencil Grip Kit

Here is an OT tip just for you! Create a pencil grip kit as pictured below. This will serve you coordinate an approach to determining the best pencil grip for any learner. You will have children that the typical grip will not work for, and you'll need that one rarely used grip just for them! Have it on hand!

Below is a picture of my own pencil grip kit, which I have used with kiddos to help determine which one is the best grip for them. You can buy pencil grip kits on Amazon that come with several different types of grips.

Pencil Grip Activities

Be sure to check out our FREE Pencil Grasp Challenge . This is a 5-day email series that will provide you with loads of information about everything you need to know about the skills that make a functional pencil grasp. You will gain quick, daily activities that you can do with learners to help them right now.

Explore the other blog posts we have here at The OT Toolbox regarding pencil grasps by reviewing the convenient list of these just for you:

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Types of Pencil Grips (and Why to Use Them) - The OT Toolbox

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Pencil grips, pencil grips, pencil grips, there are so many types of pencil grips! Do I try this grip or that one? Does this child really need a pencil grip? Will they use this pencil grip? Will it be used correctly if they use it in the classroom? Ugh!

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Handwriting: Sizing and Spatial Awareness - The Inspired Treehouse

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This week’s writing practice will focus on letter sizing, and we have more great printable writing prompts for your kiddos!

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Showing your child you hear, see, and understand them is the water hose extinguishing the burning embers of a meltdown. Over time, thanks to your help, your child will learn to name and cope with their own emotions.

By simply naming and acknowledging their feelings, you help your kid take one more step toward becoming an emotionally healthy, resilient adult.

You’re nervous to go to school today. It’s okay to feel nervous. It’s not okay to throw your backpack. I’ll carry your backpack to the car now.

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Give your child a little extra guidance with expressing their feelings using this handy How Do You Feel Today? Emotions Chart. Some children may struggle to communicate their needs and emotions. This children's emotion chart has been designed to help children identify, communicate and express their feelings effectively.

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Give your kids a little extra guidance in expressing their feelings with this How Do You Feel Today? Emotions Chart. Some children struggle to communicate their needs and emotions, particularly younger children.

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What is Journaling

Journaling is writing down ideas, thoughts, feelings, or experiences in a journal. It is an excellent tool for expressing both positive and negative emotions. It helps you organize thoughts, express emotions, cope with stress, reflect on experiences, and improve your writing.

A journal can be a diary, log, notebook, or blank book.

Journaling can take place in different forms.

It can be structured with specific topics and objectives. Some people journal to document their daily events or upsetting feelings. Others use journaling to keep track of thoughts and ideas in daily life.

It can also be unstructured and open-ended to process thoughts, explore issues, or record creative self-expression.

Themes can be used as part of journaling - a gratitude journal, nature journal, art journal, math journal, bullet journal, and travel journal, for example.

There are different ways to keep a personal journal.

Some people prefer to write in long-hand, while others prefer to type on a computer or tablet.

Some like to add photos or drawings to their journals, while others prefer to keep it simple with just words.

There is no wrong way to journal.

Benefits of Journaling

Journaling is a great activity for adults and kids of all ages. Young children can get a lot out of it, in particular, if they start in the early years.

Here are some life-changing benefits of journaling for children.

Strengthen learning in school

Journaling is writing to learn. It is a powerful tool for children to reinforce what they've learned in school.

Articulating an idea forces the mind to process and clarify its meaning.

In school, students make connections between new and previous knowledge when they journal. It encourages deeper understanding rather than surface learning.

Studies showed that students gained a better understanding of course materials and were able to apply them in more situations.

Journaling provides a safe space where children can express themselves freely. It allows them to reflect on what they've learned from their daily experiences.

They can process stressful events and look for opportunities for learning.

Express emotions and build resilience

Journaling can be a source of comfort for children as emotion suppression is bad for them.

It allows a child's emotions, especially negative ones, to be expressed safely and confidentially.

Expressive writing helps them process and reflect on difficult emotions, make sense of life events, and understand themselves better.

They learn from past experiences, as well as build resilience toward future challenges.

Better mental and physical health

There are many great benefits to keeping a journal. It benefits not only mental health but also physical health.

Journaling enhances mental wellbeing by improving moods, reducing stress, and increasing self-esteem.

Over time, stress reduction results in a healthier immune system and fewer physical illnesses.

Improve writing and communication

An obvious benefit of journaling is that it enhances one's writing skills.

Journaling provides children with a regular opportunity to practice and improve their creative writing , reading, and communication skills.

Kids with difficulty writing or communicating in other contexts will benefit from this.

With daily journals, children learn to find their voice, communicate openly, gain confidence, and become more comfortable expressing themselves.

Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Through reflective journaling, children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

They learn how to handle difficult situations in the future by working through problems.

They also learn from their mistakes and develop coping strategies for future challenges.

Grow characters

As children grow older, journaling promotes self-reflection that helps them develop self-awareness and a deeper connection to themselves.

Self-reflection is looking back on what has occurred with the goal of self-evaluation and personal growth.

Kids discover meaning, make connections between experiences, gain values, and understand perspectives from others through it.

Nurture creativity

Journaling is a fun and creative outlet for a child's imagination.

Children are free to express ideas and unleash their creativity​in this private space .

Tips on How to Start Journaling

The beauty of journaling is that there is no "right" way.

But parents can guide children to make the most of it with the following tips.

Typing vs. handwriting

Your child can choose from many different types of journals.

Some spiral-bound notebooks contain simple paper, while others are adorned with colorful paper and interesting designs.

Then there is the digital journal.

Some people believe putting pen to paper is better than typing, primarily because research shows that handwritten words are retained better in memory than typewritten ones.

Handwriting training helps preschoolers recognize letters better than typing.

However, no conclusive studies have concluded that handwritten journals are better than digital ones.

Some children may prefer typing to writing in this digital age. Choosing what your child likes and feels most comfortable with will help them make journaling an enjoyable, healthy habit.

Choose a place

Find a quiet space that is also comfortable for your child so they can write without distractions.

Establish a daily routine

Children benefit most from journaling when they do it consistently.

Encourage them to journal on a daily basis.

Do it at the same location around the same time every day to create a regular journaling habit.

Start with a small step

Asking your child to write a 500-word essay or spend 30 minutes writing time on their first day of journalling will ensure that they give up early.

Instead, begin with small steps.

Start small, perhaps with one or two sentences. Make the first journaling session short, 5-10 minutes, and then gradually increase.

Not just emotions

Journaling is often used as a form of therapy by mental health professionals.

To derive a therapeutic effect from writing about frustrating experiences or traumatic events, encourage children to not only express their big emotions but also try to make sense of the experience.

The benefits of journaling come from combining understanding the facts with examining one's unwanted emotions, not just one or the other.

Additionally, it helps if the writing includes some positive emotions.

Privacy

Consider whether your child will share their journal entries with others.

Give them guidelines regarding sharing their writings and keeping their privacy preferences in mind.

Choose topics or formats that interest them

Kids should feel free to write about any topics that interest them.

But to help them get started, give them several journal prompts to choose from.

Journal Writing Prompts for Kids

There are countless journaling prompts around. Start your child's daily journaling practice with these simple ones.

1. List three things you are proud of today and the reasons.

2. List three things you had feelings of gratitude for today and the reasons.

3. List three things you could improve on today and the reasons.

4. List three things you are looking forward to tomorrow and the reasons.

5. Write about something fun you did today. Give details, reasons, and feelings.

6. Write about a challenge you faced today and how you dealt with the difficult time.

7. Write about your dream and how you think you can achieve it.

8. Write about something you didn't like, the reason, and your preferred outcome.

9. Write about a decision you made today, the reason, and feel afterward.

10. What is your favorite subject in school and why?

11. What do you love most about yourself?

12. When was the last time something made you laugh?

13. What interesting stories have they heard or seen recently around them?

14. What is your favorite book, and what is it about?

15. What do you want to learn the most in school?

16. What was the favorite thing you did during the weekend?

17. What is your favorite food and least favorite food, and why?

18. What are you grateful for today?

19. What are your key strengths?

20. List three personal strengths.

References

1. Kerka S. Journal Writing as an Adult Learning Tool. Practice Application Brief. 2002;22.

2. King FB, LaRocco D. E-journaling: A strategy to support student reflection and understanding. Current Issues in Education. 2006;9.

3. Fritson KK. Impact of Journaling on Students' Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control. Insight: A journal of scholarly teaching. 2008;3:75-83.

4. Dunlap JC. Using guided reflective journaling activities to capture students' changing perceptions. TechTrends. 2006;50(6):20-26.

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Benefits of Journaling For Kids, Tips & Prompts

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Journaling is the practice of writing down ideas, thoughts, events, experiences, and emotions, both positive and negative ones, in a journal.

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Introduce simple, positive affirmations your child can repeat, such as "I am brave," "I can learn new things," or "I am kind." Encourage them to say these affirmations regularly.

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Sensory breaks are short pauses designed to help individuals, especially children, regulate their sensory experiences. These breaks aim to promote focus, emotional well-being, and self-regulation.

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Timing is everything! It's so tempting to try and teach mid-tantrum, but trust us-it's a Very Bad IdeaTM and will just make both of you more frustrated. A ramped-up toddler is not ready to receive your teaching, no matter how much knowledge you have to drop on them.

If you want your child to respond to your teaching, you need to wait until they are calm.

We know, we know: Your toddler is the reason you can't even remember what calm means. We totally get it! When you're parenting a toddler, calm moments may seem few and far between. But if you'll take advantage of them now (even if they're only 60 seconds long), you'll start to have more calm over time, which means you might actually be able to nap when your toddler naps, or at least squeeze in a shower or an episode of Housewives.

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How to Teach Coping Skills to Your Toddler - Big Little Feelings - Happy Parents, Happy Toddlers

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Your go-to resource for all things toddler (ages 1- 6) + best-selling online course "Winning the Toddler Stage" that provides real-life tips for real-life toddler challenges.

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Introduction: Self Care Jar

In my school a lot of time is spent teaching our students how to develop self-care and coping skills. We are constantly trying to come up with new ideas for the kids and figure out how to help them remember to take advantage of these ideas when we are not around.

One way we have found is by using a "self care" or "coping skills" jar. In the jar are a bunch of craft sticks with different self care or coping skill ideas. Suggestions the kids can use on their own, particularly when they're having trouble coming up with ideas.

Students may have their own set of self care craft sticks or there may be larger containers in classrooms and common areas filled with ideas and options.

Supplies

Jar or container (big enough to hold craft sticks)

20+ craft sticks

Washi tape, glue, glitter, etc.

Permanent Markers

Step 1: Gather Materials

We use a variety of containers, mostly from $1 store, but I like see through jars the best.

I have a bunch of decorative tapes from my mother, glue, glitter, markers, and all kinds of embellishments for the craft sticks.

When I have students making their own jars, I offer a wide variety of art/decorative materials so they will to refer back to the different options for self care/coping skills.

Step 2: Ideas

When I do this activity with students, we brain storm ideas as a group and I write them down on the board. The kids will also look on Pinterest or think about preferred activities and things that make them happy.

Keep things simple. One idea is listed on each craft stick.

I keep a large container filled with a variety of ideas, including some the kids might not have access to outside of my classroom like playing with the class gecko or using sensory integration tools.
Sample Movement Activities:
-Take a walk

-Yoga

-Pushups/situps

-Shoot 25 hoops

-Short hike

-Balance on a giant ball

-Gardening

-Chew gum
Sample Olfactory Ideas
-Use scented lotion

-Use a scented rice bag

-Essential Oils
Sample Taste Ideas
-Have some tea/coffee

-Eat a popsicle (the clinicians at my school frequently suggest snacks that are really cold, really sour/tart etc. to increase sensations.)

-Eat a piece of hard candy (bitter, sour, tart, minty).

-Eat a piece of lemon.
Sample Touch Ideas
-Pop bubble wrap

-Make a stress ball with flour/sand and a balloon

-Use lotion

-Pet an animal (as good for them as it is for you)

-Use a weighted blanket, pillow, toy, etc.

-Silly Putty or Magic Sand
Sample Auditory Ideas
-Listen to calming music

-White noise machine

-Sit outside and listen for birds

Sample Visual Ideas

-Read a short story

-Watch fish (I find aquarium/saltwater fish EXTREMELY relaxing to watch. If you can't get to your local aquarium, any shop with saltwater fish will work.)

-Bird watch

Step 3: Decorate

To make things fun, we decorate the sticks. Some like to color code and separate between self-care and coping skills. Others like to categorize by senses (see, touch taste, smell, hear) or by physical or non-physical options. Sometimes self-care means shooting a basketball for 5-10 minutes.

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Self Care Jar: In my school a lot of time is spent teaching our students how to develop self-care and coping skills. We are constantly trying to come up with new ideas for the kids and figure out how to help them remember to take advantage of these ideas when we a...

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It’s beneficial for your children to see how you react when you have big feelings such as frustration.

Next time you’re stuck in traffic, try saying out loud, ‘This traffic is making me feel so frustrated’ name the feeling
‘I’m going to take some deep breaths to help me calm down’ model the coping strategy

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Remind your child that emotions are like a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Create a safe space where they can openly share their feelings without fear of judgment. Celebrate the joy, acknowledge the sadness, and embrace the entire spectrum.

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Why will I find this resource useful?

This Areas of Regulation: Emotions Check-in resource allows students to visually communicate how they are feeling with an interactive emotion poster. This resource also has regulation cards that give students six strategies for changing a negative emotion back towards a positive one.

This Areas of Regulation: Emotions Check-in resource helps students effectively regulate, manage and monitor their own emotional responses, and persist in overcoming obstacles. They develop organisational skills and identify the resources needed to achieve goals.

It also helps them develop the skills to work independently. In addition to this, it allows children to show initiative, learn to be conscientious, delay gratification, and persevere in the face of setbacks and frustrations.

World Cancer Day is a good time to introduce this resource. A lot of different feelings can arise, and it can be a difficult time for students. Encourage them to share their emotions with this resource.

You can find out more about World Cancer Day here.

Check out our Inclusive Education teacher Planner 2023.

More resources like this one

If your young learners found this Areas of Regulation: Emotions Check-in resource helpful, then we've got some great news for you. Here at Twinkl, we have lots of inclusive resources that help children control their emotions, and develop vital skills. Take a look below if you would like to see some more resources like this:

How can I teach my child about emotions?

One great way to teach kids about emotions is by discussing them openly. For example, you could tell them about something that makes you feel sad. You can then ask them to tell you about a situation that makes them feel sad. Set aside some time to do this often.

If you want to help them develop control over their emotions, you should lead by example. If you are put in a stressful situation in front of a child, you should maintain your composure. This will positively influence your child. You can also do some exercises to help your child know how others feel in certain circumstances. In doing so, they will develop empathy and understanding.

The above video may be from a third-party source. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Please let us know if the video is no longer working.

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This Areas of Regulation: Emotions Check-in resource allows students to visually communicate how they are feeling with an interactive emotion poster. This resource also has regulation cards that give students six strategies for changing a negative emotion back towards a positive one.

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Simple rhymes like “Fingers on the bottom, thumb on the top, OPEN up the scissors and CHOP, CHOP, CHOP!” will help children to learn where their hands should be.

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Think of it as your child’s ability to stay focused and engaged in whatever they’re doing - whether it’s listening to a teacher, completing homework, or even playing with friends. It’s like the spotlight in their brain that helps them tune in to what’s important and block out all the other stuff vying for their attention.

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Attention isn’t just about sitting still and paying attention for long periods. It’s also about being able to shift focus when needed, filter out distractions, and stay flexible when things don’t go as planned. It’s like a dance, with your child learning to move gracefully between tasks and adapt to different situations.

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A sensory circuit is a structured series of activities designed to provide individuals, particularly those with sensory processing challenges, with a variety of sensory input.

The activities are carefully chosen to stimulate different sensory systems, such as proprioception, vestibular, and tactile, to help regulate and organise the individual's sensory experiences.

Sensory circuits are often used as part of sensory integration therapy to improve attention, focus, and overall self-regulation.

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Healthy Screen-Time to Increase Positive Behaviors, Improve Sleep & Enhance Focus

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It may seem nonsensical to suggest meditation for your child with ADHD given kids with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, restless and/or impulsive. But, many leading ADHD experts agree, meditation is the very thing your child needs the most. Meditation...

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Healthy Screen-Time to Increase Positive Behaviors, Improve Sleep & Enhance Focus

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Meditation, mindfulness, music and more... made just for kids.

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Teach children deep breathing exercises where they focus on inhaling and exhaling slowly. This helps calm their minds and improve attention.

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Belly Breathing: Mindfulness for Children

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Play a sound or music and ask children to listen carefully, then identify different instruments or elements in the sound. This activity improves auditory attention and concentration.

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The Listening Game  | Cosmic Kids Zen Den - Mindfulness for kids

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Provide children with a picture or scene and ask them to find specific objects or details within the image. This activity helps improve visual attention and scanning skills.

Use a torch or pointer to trace patterns or letters on a wall, and ask children to follow the light with their eyes. This activity improves visual tracking and sustained attention.

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Visual scanning is basically the ability to find and search for information in your environment. The information could be letters on a page, headlines, people, or objects. Children need to search and compare what they are looking for as they scan the environment at school, and home. By practicing visual scanning activities, children may become more efficient and quick at finding the information that is necessary for different tasks.

An example of visual scanning is looking for someone in a crowd, searching for a matching sock in a pile of laundry, or locating a vocabulary term in a textbook.

You can download some FREE visual scanning worksheets for occupational therapy sessions, vision therapy, or just for fun at the bottom of this post.

Visual Scanning Activities Can Be Fun

Children love novelty and to play games. Working on visual scanning activities can be fun and entertaining! Here are 5 suggestions:

1. Download a FREE printable at the end of this post to challenge visual scanning skills. The children have to scan and find 10 different objects as quick as possible. This freebie is from Ready, Set, Scan Level 2.

2. Play "I Spy" with extra clues. Ask the children to scan the room for very specific objects and see who can find it first. This adds in executive functioning skills as well. For example, ask the children to visual scan and find a black object that helps hold paper together. The children can scan the classroom to find and point to the stapler.

3. Complete letter finds, word finds or hidden pictures puzzles to visually scan and find objects on a page. For younger children, Find and Follow is fun! For older children, check out One of a Kind.

4. Play Hide and Seek with Toys. One player takes a small toy and hides it in another room where at least part of the toy is showing. The other player(s) then go into the room and see who can visually scan and find the object first. They both have to stand in the same spot in the room.

5. Have a scavenger hunt in a book. Grab any random book. Call out words that are used often such as the, and, said, who, etc. The child has to find the word you call out in the book as quick as possible.

WHAT IS VISUAL SCANNING?

The definition of visual scanning is the ability to quickly and accurately search text, an area, or scene for relevant information.

This is a complex skill. Visual scanning is the process of observing and absorbing information from a printed page or computer screen by looking at each word, line, and paragraph in turn. On its own, it does not sound like much, but for many students this simple skill can hold them back from reaching their full academic potential.

Visual scanning is such a fundamental aspect of literacy that most people take it for granted, meaning that it has been largely overlooked as a key factor in reading difficulty. However, despite its relative simplicity, there is evidence to show that poor visual scanning skills can result in students experiencing significant difficulties with their literacy learning (Ferretti et al, 2008).

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF POOR VISUAL SCANNING SKILLS?

Some examples of poor visual-scanning skills are:

Unable to find objects in a crowded area

Decreased ability to find things around the house

Unable to recognize words or letters quickly - the inability to recognize words and letters can lead to difficulties with reading comprehension, spelling and vocabulary acquisition.

Poor paragraph comprehension - the inability to understand written information spread across several pages. This can result in students having difficulty with essay writing, book reports and general research.

Poor proofreading skills - the inability to accurately identify errors. This can lead to all types of writing-related difficulties such as poor punctuation, incorrect grammar and incorrect spelling.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VISUAL SCANNING AND TRACKING?

Visual tracking is the ability to follow a series of different images with your eyes, without losing track. Tracking skills allow you to move your gaze from one object to another and helps you avoid tripping or bumping into things when walking around.

Tracking is the ability to smoothly shift eye gaze from one point in space (the center) and smoothly follow moving objects. When you are tracking objects, your eyes will automatically make small saccades (tiny movements) to help move the object of interest to your fovea (the center part of the retina).

When people catch up with written text as they read, it is because they have developed tracking skills. If you were unable to track and maintain your gaze on a single point, you would not be able to read.

Visual Scanning is just one part of tracking skills - it involves being able to organize information from different parts of the visual field into a whole. It also means that the eyes are working together so that both eyes send their images through the brain at the same time.

WHAT ARE SOME RISK FACTORS FOR VISUAL SCANNING PROBLEMS?

There are a number of reasons why a student may have problems with visual scanning.

A lack of exposure to print - where a child has not been exposed to enough words printed on paper, they will struggle to learn how written language works and so will experience difficulties with decoding and encoding words.

Poor vocabulary - a lack of understanding of how words work limits a child's ability to identify the words they are looking at. This leads to slow and inaccurate word recognition, which in turn leads to problems with decoding and encoding words.

Decreased phonemic awareness - where children struggle to make connections between how letters represent sounds, making the connection to recognize words and letters can be difficult.

Attention difficulties - where a child experiences problems with attending to and completing tasks, they can find it hard to engage their visual scanning skills in a meaningful way.

HOW DO YOU TEACH VISUAL SCANNING?

As a parent or teacher, there are many things that you can do to support your child in learning how to scan properly. Below are some tips that may be helpful:

Teach your child to recognize the first letter of words quickly - once they recognize the first letter, they are able to recognize what word it is

Develop phonemic awareness - many reading difficulties stem from a lack of phonemic awareness (understanding that words are made up of sounds or speech sounds). You can help develop your child's phonemic awareness by using a variety of activities such as making up rhyming word games.

Teach them the parts of a word - discuss with your child what letters make up each part of the word, for example: 'in' is made up of an 'i' and a 'n'.

Help your child figure out the whole words - by teaching them to recognize the parts of the word, they will find it easier to work out what words are.

Teach your child that spaces between words help them break up words into smaller pieces - this makes recognition much easier.

Develop pattern awareness - show your child how some words follow patterns (like 'op' for cup, pop, shop etc.)

Find games and activities to support your child's visual scanning - there are many games and exercises available that may be helpful in developing a child's scanning skills.

Make reading an enjoyable experience - use reading time as a way of encouraging your child to read more often with you!

HOW ARE VISUAL SCANNING PROBLEMS TREATED?

There are many different therapies that can be used to help improve visual scanning skills. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, vision therapists, and teachers may all treat visual-processing problems differently, so it's important to find the right person for your child.

The key is finding out what part of the process is causing the problems for your child, and then finding the right way to support them.

As a parent, you can help your child by providing plenty of opportunities to learn how to scan both at home and in school. Many children with visual scanning problems find it difficult to concentrate in the classroom because they are constantly bombarded with visual distractions, so make sure that there are many opportunities to practice as possible.

It's also important to try and find fun ways to support your child in practicing visual scanning throughout activities of daily living too. One example would be to increase exposure to reading by writing words on signs and labels around the room. Another example would be to practice when scanning for the toothbrush on the counter or the white socks in a dresser drawer. Visual scanning is not just about reading.

Just remember - if you think there is a chance that your child may have some sort of visual processing problem, the more you know about it, the easier it will be to find ways to help them.

IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS... seek help. Early intervention is key! The earlier you can identify a possible issue and determine what needs to be done, the better it may be for your child. It's important to remember that many children with visual-processing problems are bright kids who just need help developing certain skills. You may want to seek out a full assessment by an occupational therapist or vision therapist in your area if you feel there is even the slightest chance that your child may have some sort of visual-processing disorder and you want to determine what can be done.

REFERENCE

Ferretti, G., Mazzotti, S., & Brizzolara, D. A. N. I. E. L. A. (2008). Visual scanning and reading ability in normal and dyslexic children. Behavioural Neurology, 19(1-2), 87-92.
Summer Visual Scanning Activity Smile Find Visual Scanning Ready Set Scan Set #1 Ready Set Scan Pumpkins Scan and Find the Animals

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Visual Scanning Activities - Free printables and Ideas

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By practicing visual scanning activities, children may become more efficient and quick at finding the information that is necessary for different tasks.

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Play memory-matching games where children have to remember the location of matching pairs of cards. This activity enhances working memory and sustained attention.

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Play the classic game of Simon Says where children must listen carefully and follow instructions. This game improves listening skills and attention to detail.

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Give children a set of picture cards depicting a sequence of events and ask them to arrange the cards in the correct order. This activity improves sequencing skills and sustained attention.

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Incorporate short breaks throughout the day where children engage in simple breathing exercises or quick physical activities like stretching or jumping jacks. These breaks help re-energise and refocus their attention.

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Set a timer for a specific amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes) and encourage children to work on a task until the timer goes off. This helps them stay focused and provides a clear endpoint for the task.

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Engage your child in activities that provide deep pressure input to their muscles and joints, known as “heavy work.” This can include activities like pushing or pulling heavy objects, carrying books or backpacks, or using a therapy ball for activities like wall push-ups or rolling.

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Offer sensory tools such as stress balls, textured toys, chewable jewellery, or weighted blankets to help your child regulate their sensory system and maintain focus during tasks.

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Visual aids such as checklists, schedules, and timers can help children understand and follow routines, manage their time, and stay focused on tasks.

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During a calmish moment—like bedtime or another winding-down time— ask your child three questions:

1. What did you feel happy about today?

2. What did you feel sad about today?

3. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

This may be tricky and awkward at first, but over time your home will be a safe space where emotions can be felt and shared. Your child will gain the ability to verbalise and cope in healthy ways with their big feelings.

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Research has shown that intentionally regulating our breath by taking slow inhales and longer exhales can immediately impact emotion and cognition by way of the parasympathetic nervous system. 

But the trick is to do it so often that it’s just part of our routine, and not just waiting until she’s dysregulated to tell her to take a deep breath so they don’t just associate deep breaths with negative feelings or stressed moments. 

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 Laura Petix | Neurodivergent parenting on Instagram: "This week I’m sharing the top 3 things I consistently do that I think has contributed to my daughter’s emotional regulation skills. 

One of those things is that we have made deep breaths and parasympathetic activation more intentional and consistent and PROACTIVE.

Research has shown that intentionally regulating our breath by taking slow inhales and longer exhales can immediately impact emotion and cognition by way of the parasympathetic nervous system. 

But the trick is to do it so often that it’s just part of our routine, and not just waiting until she’s dysregulated to tell her to take a deep breath so they don’t just associate deep breaths with negative feelings or stressed moments. 

When I first taught her deep breaths, we used a lot of visual tools- a breathing ball, a star to trace, her fingers to trace, a stuffy on her belly… some of which she still likes, but is more willing to do deep breaths on their own without visual cues. 

We work breathing into our morning routine, when we wait at stoplights, after bath time, and every afternoon when she joins me for my cool-down after exercising. 

Let me know in the comments- have you been able to practice deep breaths at neutral times? 

#deepbreathing #parasympatheticnervoussystem #emotionalregulation #neurodiversity #selfregulation #nervoussystem #neurodivergent"

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494 likes, 17 comments - theotbutterfly on February 21, 2024: "This week I’m sharing the top 3 things I consistently do that I think has contributed to my dau..."

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laura Petix | Neurodivergent parenting (@theotbutterfly)

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 Laura Petix | Neurodivergent parenting on Instagram: "This week I’m sharing the top 3 things I consistently do that I think has contributed to my daughter’s emotional regulation skills (even as a neurodivergent kid). 

The 2nd thing I’ve been doing consistently in the past year is teach my daughter about her internal sensations (interoception) and how to listen to those sensations as a way to find out what her body needs. 

The way I taught it to her initially was by narrating my own interoception sensations and then inviting her to do movements and exercises to elicit some interoception sensations so she could resonate more in the moment as we talked about it. 

I would say things like “Man, these stop lights are making my worry bug think we’re going to be late and my heart is pounding so fast and I feel my jaw getting tight,” or 

“Ohh I am so hungry, I didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast and now my hands are kind of shaky and my tummy is starting to hurt right here” 

She started picking up and would share things she noticed in her body, which allowed me to validate those experiences like “ohhh I know that feeling! 

That happens to me too” and also opened up the conversation for us to start experimenting with regulation strategies to alleviate some of those unpleasant sensations. 

Recently I’ve noticed her saying “I know exactly how you feel” when I express a moment of stress or an emotion I’m having. 

She’s going to be the best friend, companion, partner, (maybe therapist!?) in the future with these tools she’s learning at such a young age!

#interoception #sensations #emotionalregulation #empath #highlysensitive #neurodivergent #neurodiversity"

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996 likes, 25 comments - theotbutterfly on February 27, 2024: "This week I’m sharing the top 3 things I consistently do that I think has contributed to my dau..."

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 Laura Petix | Neurodivergent parenting on Instagram: "This is the 3rd and final post of a series where I shared my top 3 things that I’ve been doing consistently in order to help my neurodivergent daughter build emotional regulation skills.

Nervous systems can “catch” someone else’s dysregulation, and this is ESPECIALLY true for my highly sensitive, empathetic neurodivergent kid who notices any shift in facial expression/tone of voice/ body language and becomes immediately impacted from it. 

There’s  one thing I learned that has been so helpful. 

I call out my dysregulation as it’s happening. 

Before, I would *try* to keep it in, but we all know that energy radiates off of us. I’d breath deeper/huff and puff/ close cabinets harder, maybe rub my face/hold my head in my hands in stress, be short and monotone with her— she could pick up on all of this and rather than just denying it and saying “i’m fine- don’t worry”…

I started leaning into it and calling it out. I’ve said things like, 

“Mommy has so much going on at work today, my brain is full of so many thoughts and I’m just feeling overwhelmed so if you notice my voice different or if I seem cranky, it’s not about you, I love you.” 

“I’ve had too many sounds and talking today, and I’m really hungry. I don’t feel like talking at dinner today so I’m going to just eat and be quiet. I’m not mad at you, just hungry and tired.” 

This stops her from creating a false narrative of her thinking I’m mad at her or that she needs to be in charge of my emotions. This creates a shield around her nervous system so it can stay safe and regulated even when I’m dysregulated.

In turn, I’ve seen her explain her own dysregulation as it happens, like that one time she wrote me a note after she stomped off and said “I’m not mad at you I’m just disappointed we don’t have icecream” 😅

Let me know below- do you ever call out your emotions as they’re happening? Would you try it? 

#dysregulation #millennialparent #momsofig #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #nervoussystem #emotionalregulation"

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377 likes, 28 comments - theotbutterfly on February 28, 2024: "This is the 3rd and final post of a series where I shared my top 3 things that I’ve been doing ..."

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Find a Psychologist - Find a licensed psychologist that's right for you.

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This article, written by Jennifer Wendt, PhD, was originally published on TherapyChanges.com and is being shared on FindaPsychologist.org with permission from Therapy Changes.
As adults we solve problems all throughout the day, from minimal to major problems. We are called upon to make decisions and find solutions to problems occurring in our homes, jobs, relationships, health, etc. The list is endless! Many problems we fix are common and we have learned a variety of solutions to use without much thought. Problems that are novel or larger may require us to pause and actively use our problem solving skills.

One of the most exciting moments is to witness a child learning to solve his or her own problems! The moment when a child spits out a pacifier and instead of crying, she reaches out her hand to search for it and places it back in her mouth. A toddler stands up, notices his feet feel funny and then switches his shoes to be on the correct feet. An 8 year old runs upstairs to grab a jacket because the weather is colder than she thought. A 12 year old realizes he has been unkind to a peer and makes up for it by inviting him to join his friends at lunch. While doing homework, a 15 year old studies for his math test first because he felt terrible after getting a C on his last test. An 18 year old decides to not ride in a car with her friend because she is driving without a license.

Children are faced with decisions and learning opportunities every day during every stage of life. One of the best things we can do is to nurture these opportunities and encourage them to solve problems on their own. As parents, we routinely rise to our responsibilities as provider and protector of our children. It often takes a conscious effort for a parent to step back from their provider instinct and allow the child to find a solution to a problem at hand. For example, it is much easier and faster to help a child turn the sleeves of their jacket right side out then to patiently watch them struggle to figure it out on their own. Another example may be when a parent asks a high school teacher to include him in class emails regarding assignments so he can monitor his 16 year old's progress. Although the intentions are to protect and help our children, when we solve the problem for them, we deny them the opportunity to figure it out themselves.

Here are 8 steps to help your child learn problem solving skills:

1) Encourage Creativity
Allow children and adolescents to think outside of the box and try new ideas. Encourage young children to play creatively with objects they find or plain wooden blocks, while encouraging older children to explore new ideas with their imagination.

2) Have Patience
Recognize those moments when you can spend a few extra minutes allowing a child to solve a problem on their own rather than quickly solving it for them.

3) Play Problem Solving Games
Games are for all ages and not just for young children: from hide-and-go-seek to capture the flag.

4) Model
Think out loud and let your children listen to you solve a problem. Demonstrate how you are working to find a solution.

5) Allow Them to Fail
As tough as it is, allowing your child to fail provides an amazing learning opportunity. It also provides the message that it's ok to make mistakes.

6) Ask for Their Help
Ask your children for help making decisions or solving a problem. It's remarkable to hear the possibilities they can come up with.

7) Propose Multiple Possibilities
Offering a variety of possible answers to solve a problem can help to get the ball rolling. It encourages a child to consider multiple options and to project possible outcomes.

8) Praise Their Efforts vs. the Result
As humans, we do not magically solve every problem the right way, nor is there one solution to a problem. Praise a child for their efforts & when there is success you can highlight the result!
"I can see how hard you are working to figure this out!" "You really put a lot of effort into this!" "I bet you are glad you didn't give up. You're determination helped you solve the problem!" "I knew you could figure it out!" "I can imagine how good you must feel about completing this."
Learning to solve problems is an essential life skill. Strengthening these skills not only allows children to gain independence and self-confidence, it also primes them for success in academic learning, leadership, social relationships, athletics, finances, health, leisure skills and all other areas of life.

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8 Steps to Help Your Child Learn Problem Solving Skills - Find a Psychologist

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Find a licensed psychologist that's right for you.

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Teaching children patience can be a challenge. Try these 10 ideas for supporting kids during wait times.
*This post contains affiliate links. Read more.
Whether it's at home or at school - waiting is every kid's worst nightmare. Why?Because for kids, it's boring, it's confusing, and it's usually kind of abstract...which means that it almost inevitably comes along with behavior challenges.

For younger kids and kids with attention and behavior challenges, the best option is to minimize the amount of waiting kids have to experience by planning ahead.For example, if we know that a child struggles with waiting for the next activity to begin at circle time, we can plan ahead to make sure that our transitions between activities are as quick and seamless as possible.

But...sometimes having to wait is unavoidable.Whether you're in the dentist's waiting room orin the car in the drive-thru - waiting can be tough.Try some of these strategies to support success (and sanity) during wait times! And scroll down to find the free printable handout!

The Self-Regulation Handbook

If you are overwhelmed by behavior challenges in your classroom or therapy sessions...

If you are frustrated with your child's behavior at home...

If you are working with kids who need help with listening, following directions, transitioning between activities, tantrums/meltdowns, peer/adult interactions, problem-solving, and flexible thinking, and processing emotions...
It's time to check out The Self-Regulation Handbook!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
10 Tips for Teaching Children Patience During Wait Times

Make waiting time a more concrete concept by trying some of the following strategies.

1 || Timers

2 || Visual schedules and picture cues

Using pictures and icons in a simple visual schedule format can help show what is coming next, which can be essential to teaching children patience during waiting.This can even be a simple board that with a "wait" icon and a "my turn" icon.Place the "wait" icon on the board when other kids are taking their turns.Place a "my turn" icon on the board to indicate to the child when they can take their turn.

3 || Put-in tasks

Try providing kids with a simple put-in task to give them something to do while they wait!Sometimes simply keeping kids' hands and minds busy is enough to take some of the worry out of wait times.

4 || Visual boundaries

For some kids, providing a visual boundary for where they should sit or stand while waiting can be helpful. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Shapes taped on the floor for kids to stand inside

Floor spots

Hula hoops

5 || Hallway Waiting Games

This pack of waiting games is perfect to use at school when kids have to wait in line to go to the bathroom, gym, or library.They can also be packed in the car or a bag to use during outings from home.

6 || Fidget tools

Fidget tools are another great way to keep kids' hands and minds busy while they wait!Try these DIY Fidget tools!

7 || Seating options

Providing different seating options for wait times is not only fun and interesting - it's a great way to provide sensory input for kids who need more movement to regulate themselves.

8 || Heavy work

Activities where kids are pushing and pulling against resistance are called heavy work activities.These activities can have a calming and organizing effect for many kids and can be beneficial during wait times! Try one of these:

-Wall sits

-Wall pushes

-Chair dips

-Crab balance (balance an object on your belly in a crab walk position)

9 || Social stories

Providing a social story about waiting can be another effective strategy for teaching children patience during wait times.Social stories can include descriptions of when kids might have to wait, what behaviors are expected during wait times, and options for what they can do if they feel anxious, fidgety, or upset while they're waiting.

10 || Self-regulation Games and Activities

If you're working on teaching children patience during waiting, try some of these fun self-regulation games and activities. Working on calming breathing techniques and guided meditation can also be helpful for helping kids during wait times.

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Teaching Children Patience: 10 Ways to Support Kids During Wait Times - The Inspired Treehouse

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Teaching children patience can be a challenge. Try these 10 ideas for supporting kids during wait times.

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Plymouth Occupational Therapy - Sensory Resources 

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Have a look at this wonderful Padlet created by our CDC OT Team on all things Sensory

https://padlet.com/plhtrsensoryot/plymouth-occupational-therapy-sensory-resources-ogopltmogfma77af

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Have a look at our Technology Padlet for lots of information on the benefits of technology within child development

https://padlet.com/janeskillington/technology-in-children-s-ot-jq02oc8pkakeansv

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Cambridgeshire Occupational Therapy Team have developed this fantastic resource with lots of ideas to help develop skills needed for school

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The purpose of the resource pack is to give school staff and parents ideas to support their children to practise and develop skills, prior to accessing our advice line or referring to Occupational Therapy.

By providing advice and strategies at a universal level, a more specialised and targeted service can be provided for children who are presenting with complex difficulties.

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If the child is not making progress and/or school staff/parents feel further advice is required, then please contact our Advice Line as a referral to Occupational Therapy may be appropriate. If a referral is deemed appropriate, the worksheet/record forms in this pack can be used to support the referral as they provide evidence of strategies already trialed.

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children with additional needs and sensory differences

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Mainstream school training and resources

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Schools and parents can explore the ready to learn pack. Watch online videos to understand sensory differences including strategies that can support the child.

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Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy

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Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy

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PACE is a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that aims to make the child feel safe. It is based upon how parents connect with their very young infants. As with young toddlers, with safety the child can begin to explore.

With PACE, the troubled child can start to look at himself and let others start to see him, or get closer emotionally. He can start to trust.

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PACE is a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that aims to make the child feel safe. It is based upon how parents connect with their very young infants. As with young toddlers, with safety the child can begin to explore.

With PACE, the troubled child can start to look at himself and let others start to see him, or get closer emotionally. He can start to trust.

Playfulness

This is about creating an atmosphere of lightness and interest when you communicate. It means learning how to use a light tone with your voice, like you might use when story telling, rather than an irritated or lecturing tone. It's about having fun, and expressing a sense of joy.

It is similar to parent-infant interactions when both parent and infant are delighting in being with each other and getting to know each other. Both are feeling safe and relaxed. Neither feels judged nor criticised. Playful moments reassure both that their conflicts and separations are temporary and will never harm the strength of their relationship.

Having a playful stance isn't about being funny all the time or making jokes when a child is sad. It's about helping children be more open to and experience what is positive in their life, one step at a time.

Sometimes a troubled child has given up on the idea of having good times and doesn't want to experience and share fun or enjoyment. Some children don't like affection or reject hugs. A playful stance can allow closeness but without the scary parts.

When children find it hard to regulate their feelings, anger can become rage, fear, terror, and sadness, despair. If this is the case, then children may also find it hard to regulate feelings of excitement, joy and love. Feeling these emotions can sometimes turns to anxiety.

Playfulness allows children to cope with positive feelings. It also gives hope. If you can help the child discover his own emerging sense of humour, this can help him wonder a little more about his life and how come he behaves in the ways that he does. When children laugh and giggle, they become less defensive or withdrawn and more reflective.

A playful stance adds elements of fun and enjoyment in day-to-day life and can also diffuse a difficult or tense situation. The child is less likely to respond with anger and defensiveness when the parent has a touch of playfulness in his or her discipline. While such a response would not be appropriate at the time of major misbehavior, when applied to minor behaviours, playfulness can help keep it all in perspective.

Acceptance

Unconditional acceptance is at the core of the child's sense of safety.

Acceptance is about actively communicating to the child that you accept the wishes, feelings, thoughts, urges, motives and perceptions that are underneath the outward behaviour. It is about accepting, without judgment or evaluation, her inner life. The child's inner life simply is; it is not right or wrong.

Accepting the child's intentions does not imply accepting behavior, which may be hurtful or harmful to another person or to self. The parent may be very firm in limiting behavior while at the same time accepting the motives for the behaviour.

One hopes that the child learns that while behavior may be criticised and limited, this is not the same as criticising the child's self. The child then becomes more confident that conflict and discipline involves behavior, not the relationship with parents nor her self-worth.

Curiosity is the foundation of acceptance of whatever underlies the behaviour. Making sense of how the child has learnt to behave in certain ways can help with acceptance.

Curiosity

Curiosity, without judgment, is how we help children become aware of their inner life, reflect upon the reasons for their behaviour, and then communicate it to their parents or therapist. Curiosity is wondering about the meaning behind the behaviour for the child. Curiosity lets the child know that the adults understand.

Children often know that their behavior was not appropriate. They often do not know why they did it or are reluctant to tell adults why.

With curiosity the adults are conveying their intention to simply understand why and to help the child with understanding. The adult's intentions are to truly understand and help the child, not to lecture or convey that the child's inner life is wrong in some way.

Curiosity involves a quiet, accepting tone that conveys a simple desire to understand the child: "What do you think was going on? What do you think that was about?" or "I wonder what...?"

You say this without anticipating an answer or response from a child.

This is different from asking the child, "Why did you do that?" with the expectation of a reply.

It is not interpretation or fact gathering. It's just about getting to know the child and letting her know that.

Curiosity must be communicated without annoyance about the behaviour. Being curious can, for example, include an attitude of being sad rather than angry when the child makes a mistake. A light curious tone and stance can get through to a child in a way that anger cannot.

You might make guesses about what a child may be thinking and feeling, saying this aloud, and keeping it connected to the present. It can be about having a conversation, almost with yourself, with the child in the room, without anticipating a response.

If an adult can stay curious about why their child is behaving as they are, the child and adult are less likely to feel cross or frustrated. As curiosity is non-judgemental, this can help the child to be open to how she, and other people, are thinking and feeling. Curiosity lets the child stay open and engaged in conversations.

Children then start to reflect upon their own inner life with their parent and therapist and start to understand themselves. As the understanding deepens, the child can discover that her behavior does not reflect something bad inside her, but rather a thought, feeling, perception, or motive that was stressful, frightening, or confusing and could only be expressed through her behavior.

As the child communicates this to the adults, the need for the behaviour may reduce, and with that the behaviour itself. The child's feelings about the behaviour may change, with less defensiveness and shame but more guilt, leading to less of the behaviour.

Empathy

Empathy lets the child feel the adult's compassion for her. Being empathic means the adult actively showing the child that the child's inner life is important to the adult and he or she wants to be with the child in her hard times.

Brené Brown on Empathy, RSA Shorts

With empathy, when the child is sad or in distress the adult is feeling the sadness and distress with her and lets the child know that.

The adult is demonstrating that he or she knows how difficult an experience is for the child. The adult is telling the child that she will not have to deal with the distress alone.

The adult will stay with the child emotionally, providing comfort and support, and will not abandon her when she needs the adult the most.

The adult is also communicating strength, love and commitment, with confidence that sharing the child's distress will not be too much. Together they will get through it.

The impact of communication using the principles of PACE

PACE focuses on the whole child, not simply the behavior. It helps children be more secure with the adults and reflect upon themselves, their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, building the skills that are so necessary for maintaining a successful and satisfying life. The child discovers that they are doing the best that they can, and are not bad or lazy or selfish. Problems diminish as the need for them reduces.

Through PACE and feeling safer, children discover that they can now do better. They learn to rely on adults, particularly their parents, and trust them to truly know them. They learn that their parents can look after them in a way that they could never do on their own.

When children experience the adults doing the best they can to understand them and trying to work out together more effective ways for the child to understand, make sense of and manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviour they start to believe that the adults really will keep on trying until things get better for all of them.

For adults, using PACE most of the time, they can reduce the level of conflict, defensiveness and withdrawal that tends to be ever present in the lives of troubled children. Using PACE enables the adult to see the strengths and positive features that lie underneath more negative and challenging behaviour.

Further reading from the Resource Library
All Resources concerning PACE

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Playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy. PACE is a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that aims to make the child feel safe. It is based upon how parents connect with their very young infants. As with young toddlers, with safety the child can begin to explore.

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Wendy | Pediatrician on Instagram: "Comment LINK for our loop scissors! ✂️ TODDLER CUTTING HACK💡Not having to focus on holding up a wriggly sheet of paper made it SO MUCH easier for her 🙌🏻 

🌟 Cut out strips of paper - stiffer paper will be easier to handle 
🌟 Tape strips over a bowl or tupperware 

If you ❤️ this, don’t forget to SAVE and TAG me if you try! 
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#toddlerfun #kidactivities #activitiesforkids #prek #busytoddler #preschoolactivities #invitationtoplay #parentinghacks #everydayplayhacks #pedsot 
#quickeasyplay #screenfreekids #playideas
#playingislearning #preschoolteacher 
#childdevelopment #kindergarten #sensoryactivities #finemotor #playathome #preschool #artforkids #finemotorskills #kidcrafts #montessori #homeschool #childdevelopment #playandlearn #actividadesparaniños"

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4,440 likes, 1,125 comments - ohhappyplayday on February 9, 2024: "Comment LINK for our loop scissors! ✂️ TODDLER CUTTING HACK💡Not having to focus on holding up a wriggly sheet of paper made it SO MUCH easier for her 🙌🏻 

🌟 Cut out strips of paper - stiffer paper will be easier to handle 
🌟 Tape strips over a bowl or tupperware 

If you ❤️ this, don’t forget to SAVE and TAG me if you try! 
.
.
.
.
.
#toddlerfun #kidactivities #activitiesforkids #prek #busytoddler #preschoolactivities #invitationtoplay #parentinghacks #everydayplayhacks #pedsot 
#quickeasyplay #screenfreekids #playideas
#playingislearning #preschoolteacher 
#childdevelopment #kindergarten #sensoryactivities #finemotor #playathome #preschool #artforkids #finemotorskills #kidcrafts #montessori #homeschool #childdevelopment #playandlearn #actividadesparaniños". 

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A post shared by Wendy | Pediatrician (@ohhappyplayday)

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When Does Handedness Develop in Children? 

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When Does Handedness Develop in Children? 

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Every child is unique and develops skills at different times and in different ways. Give them space to explore with both hands and try not to push them to use one over the other when they’re not ready.

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When Does Handedness Develop in Children?

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Babies are neither right-handed or left-handed. They use both hands equally and swap all the time. It isn’t until they’re between 3 and 5 years old that most toddlers start to prefer one hand.

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For kids starting primary school, or heading back to school after the holidays, it can be hard to juggle making new friends, homework, phonics – even trying new food! Help them settle in with our collection of learning tips, articles, activities and more.

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For kids starting primary school, or returning after the summer holidays, it can be hard to juggle making new friends, homework, phonics – even trying new food! Help them settle in with our collection of learning tips, articles, activities and more.

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What does 'school readiness' really mean?

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What does 'school readiness' really mean?

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Preparing your little one for school will have a positive impact on how well they settle in and interact with other children.

So, what can you do to better prepare you and your child for this big step?

1. Talk to your child about starting school

Bring the topic of starting school into daily conversations. Perhaps you could ask your little one what they expect from school or what they hope it'll be like.

You could tell them about your school days and show them pictures of you on your first day or with your school friends. Even if you didn't enjoy school, it's important to be positive about it around your child so they feel more relaxed about their new adventure.

New experiences can make us a bit nervous as well as excited, so if you or your little one has any worries about starting school do have a chat with their teacher.

2. Read books together about school

Swap out one of your bedtime books for one that talks about starting school. Whether your little one is excited or nervous to start school, reading fun stories about school adventures might help them get used to the idea. Visit your local library and ask the librarians if they have any suggestions for you, you might even bump into other families while you're there!

3. Practise the basic skills they'll need for starting school

Mark making is another fun activity. It's a simple way to encourage your little one to draw; whether it's a dot or a squiggly line, you could doodle together or take a bucket of water and paintbrush outside to get creative, all this helps them with their writing skills.

By incorporating these skills into their daily activities, children will learn through play and begin to understand the world around them during their everyday life.

4. Visit their new school

If possible, try to visit your little one's new school and ask for a tour. It'll help them feel at ease and get used to their new surroundings. Some schools even offer 'settling in' days which are a great opportunity for your child to get used to their new learning environment.

5.Practise self-care

If your child is not fully confident in going to the toilet alone or getting dressed, don't worry! Take some time to practise self-care with your little one until they become more confident. There's no rush and every child progresses at their own speed.

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What does 'school readiness' really mean?

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How can you help your child get school ready? We go through some useful hints and tips to help grow your child's confidence ready for starting school.

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Have a look at our Activities of Daily Living Padlet for resources on how to encourage independence in children

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What Does ‘School Readiness’ Really Look Like?

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A question that seems to crop up again and again among discussion groups is “what do I need to teach my child so that they are ready for school?”, this is commonly followed by questions such as “do…

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Get ideas for encouraging children to develop fine motor skills, which contribute to gross motor skills

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Help for early years providers : Fine motor skills

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Fine motor skills involve small muscles working with the brain and nervous system to control movements in areas such as the hands, fingers, lips, tongue and eyes. Developing fine motor skills helps children do things like eating, writing, manipulating objects and getting dressed.

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Fine motor skill efficiency significantly influences the quality of the task outcome as well as the speed of task performance. Efficient fine motor skills require a number of independent skills to work together to appropriately manipulate the object or perform the task.

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Handwriting and fine motor skills :: Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust

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Handwriting and Fine motor skills involve the use of the smaller muscle of the hands, commonly in activities like using pencils, scissors, construction with bricks, doing up buttons and opening lunch boxes.

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Sensational Brain on Instagram: "My favorite way to work on handwriting is doing everything except working on handwriting 🙃

If you want to learn MORE strategies to take into the classroom, join us LIVE on Wednesday for: Posture . . . Stability . . . Grip . . . OH MY! Strategies for Preparing Your Students for Handwriting Success! by @kimwigginsot 

Live on 5/20 at 3pm EST with 0.2 AOTA CEUs / 2 contact hours

The details ⤵️

Academic expectations increase every year. Even preschool children are expected to write! 

Many children struggle with handwriting legibility because they experience issues with body positioning, hand dominance, grip, and more. 

Teachers, parents, and professionals working with children must understand the developmental sequence needed to write. 

In this 2-hour webinar, participants learn easy, inexpensive adaptations and techniques that can be used in the classroom, at home, or in the clinic. 

This course addresses: 
(a) promoting good posture while learning how to make your own adaptations, 
(b) shoulder stability exercises that can be done anywhere, 
(c) bilateral coordination and the helping hand, 
(d) determining hand dominance, 
(e) facilitating wrist extension, 
(f) grip explanation and techniques, and (
g) grip problem-solving opportunities

Comment: GRIP for the link to save your seat! Join live or watch the recording at your convenience when you register! 

See you Wednesday! 👋🏼 

#occupationaltherapy #handwriting #livewebinar #schoolbasedot #continuingeducation"

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1,927 likes, 147 comments - sensationalbrain on May 18, 2026: "My favorite way to work on handwriting is doing everything except working on handwriting 🙃

If you want to learn MORE strategies to take into the classroom, join us LIVE on Wednesday for: Posture . . . Stability . . . Grip . . . OH MY! Strategies for Preparing Your Students for Handwriting Success! by @kimwigginsot 

Live on 5/20 at 3pm EST with 0.2 AOTA CEUs / 2 contact hours

The details ⤵️

Academic expectations increase every year. Even preschool children are expected to write! 

Many children struggle with handwriting legibility because they experience issues with body positioning, hand dominance, grip, and more. 

Teachers, parents, and professionals working with children must understand the developmental sequence needed to write. 

In this 2-hour webinar, participants learn easy, inexpensive adaptations and techniques that can be used in the classroom, at home, or in the clinic. 

This course addresses: 
(a) promoting good posture while learning how to make your own adaptations, 
(b) shoulder stability exercises that can be done anywhere, 
(c) bilateral coordination and the helping hand, 
(d) determining hand dominance, 
(e) facilitating wrist extension, 
(f) grip explanation and techniques, and (
g) grip problem-solving opportunities

Comment: GRIP for the link to save your seat! Join live or watch the recording at your convenience when you register! 

See you Wednesday! 👋🏼 

#occupationaltherapy #handwriting #livewebinar #schoolbasedot #continuingeducation". 

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