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Silly to Calm: Quick kids yoga movement break complete with dancing and breathing.

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Melting Exercise - Learn To Destress | Guided Meditation For Kids | Breathing Exercises | GoNoodle

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Easy-to-Use Calming Strategies for Autism

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Circle Of Control Activity For Kids - Good Mental Health And Stress Management

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Follow-up Video with coping strategies for different zones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcnGoEUKEC8

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How to introduce Zones of Regulation to Children - Kids Version - InfOT

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Kids Feelings and Emotions SONG Animation with A Little SPOT

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Resources for learning about emotional regulation and examples of exercises and strategies to support regulation

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Collaborative discussion run by a Pediatric Occupational and Speech Therapists.

What are feeding disorders and challenges?

What factors contribute to disordered feeding?

When is treatment necessary?

What are some basic strategies to address feeding?

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MeBe Learning: Feeding Therapy | Feeding Disorders | Picky Eaters

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Try presenting food in small portions, large portions can be intimidating and overwhelming for someone who has difficulty with feeding.

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Make new foods and flavors available and accessible, offer but don't force tasting. Trying new things should be an achievement to be proud of not a chore/demand associated with negative emotions. You can even try a rewards system for exploring new foods. (see Behavioral Strategies column for more info). Foster a comfortable and safe environment to allow your child to venture outside of their comfort zone.

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Sometimes making food look fun can increase the willingness to eat, there are many different ways to do this online, or you can get creative yourself.

More on this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vm7SXeg08U&list=PLKcWYLWp_YP8mTXmHBIJ4G7Sw-9HQ_V7E&index=6

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Involving your child in the process of choosing and preparing meals helps to get them more excited to taste or eat it. Even contributing to small portions of the cooking like mixing the ingredients or putting toppings on the pizza can lead to increased participation in mealtime.

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Using properties of food to slowly transition over time

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Addie's AutismFITT Club Pediatric Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy | Mission Valley

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Feeding Therapy | How To Introduce New Foods | Pediatric Occupational Therapy Tips

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How to Help Your Picky Eater Explore New Foods

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Food Exploration vs therapy meals vs. meal time

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Why We Play with Food in Feeding Therapy

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Hierarchy of food tolerance

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Krysti McKenzie MSOT OTRL Occupational Therapist

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Feeding Hierarchy: How it Leads to Eating New Foods - CWJR

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It can be overwhelming to introducing new foods into a child's diet. Here is how to follow the feeding hierarchy approach.

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Do you have a picky eater at home?

Does your child eat fewer than 30 different kinds of foods?

Less than 20?

Does your child avoid entire food groups all together?

If you answered yes, to any of the above you're in the right place! Occupational therapists can teach picky eaters and problem feeders how to increase the variety of foods in their diet. OTs are also helpful when it comes to providing you with helpful mealtime strategies.
What is Feeding Therapy in Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists who specialize in feeding therapy understand that the key to mealtime success is creating a positive experience for the child in a secure, low-pressure environment. Occupational Therapy treatment can help kids with picky eating habits and strong sensory-based food preferences to expand the types of foods they eat.

The primary aim of sensory-based feeding therapy is to help children broaden their range of foods within their diet. These therapy sessions do not emphasize caloric intake or quantity but instead focus on gradually introducing new foods, tastes, and textures while enhancing tolerance for unfamiliar or less favored foods.

Before starting any feeding therapy program, it's important to identifying any potential food allergies and ensure there is no risk of choking.
The truth is...Feeding therapy is not a sprint; it's a marathon.
Did you know that there are 29 steps to Eating? Taking small, incremental steps, such as bringing the food close to the lips, licking it, taking a nibble, chewing, and eventually swallowing, are just a few of the many steps towards a successful eating experience. Keep in mind to start with small steps, exercise patience, maintain a relaxed atmosphere, and respect your child's pace.

Keep in mind, the long-term goals of occupational therapy feeding sessions are for your child to incorporate new foods into their diet, improving their overall health and nutrition. There may also be objectives related to behaviors and habits during mealtimes and cultural expectations. Let's simplify feeding therapy and outline the role of occupational therapy and supporting successful mealtimes.
Building Up Tolerance
Some children have such restricted food preferences that the therapy begins with merely tolerating the presence of the food in the room, on the plate, its smell, and appearance. It's important to note that before a new food is even tasted, allowing exploration and interaction with it is crucial. The initial goal is to foster interaction with the food, not immediate ingestion. Children can interact with new foods by assisting in food preparation, pretending to conduct food experiments like scientists, or creating fun recipes.
Your Child's Safe Food Zones
Many children with feeding issues often stick to their "safe foods," which typically include bland or beige options such as bread, rolls, tortillas, and crackers. While these foods can provide essential nutrients, it's essential to note that they lack the variety found in colorful fruits and vegetables. They are considered safe food zones because kids know what to expect with each bite when it comes to texture and taste.

For instance, let's consider the texture of a dinner roll. It remains consistent throughout the entire roll. Now, contrast that with eating a handful of blueberries. Here, not only does the size of each blueberry vary, but you may also experience a different flavor profile with each berry you try. Some may be sweet and delightful, while others might be tart and sour.

This unpredictability can make eating certain types of foods more challenging or perhaps even "scary" to try, especially for picky eaters.
Oral Motor Skills Are A Prerequisite
Before you start any type of feeding therapy program, it's crucial to ensure that the foods you want your child to try are developmentally appropriate for their oral motor skills. For example, a soup consists of liquid and various sized chunks of meat or veggies. This type of mixed texture is the most difficult to manage from an oral motor perspective. In contrast, foods with a consistent texture throughout are easier to manage on the developmental food continuum, especially if they are soft, mashable, melt or dissolve easily in the mouth. This is an area where the developmental expertise of an OT can help you better understand the possible reasons why your child is rejecting certain types of textures of foods.
The ABC of Texture
Texture plays a significant role in feeding therapy. Some textures are easy to chew, disintegrate readily, and demand less effort. Popular foods with children, such as muffins, mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets, often share what we call an "ABC texture" or "Already Been Chewed" texture. From an oral motor perspective, these mashed textures require less effort to chew. Picky eaters generally prefer predictable textures where each bite tastes the same, as opposed to foods with variations, which can make eating more challenging.
Food Chaining Is a Link to Feeding Therapy Success
An essential aspect of feeding therapy is food chaining, which provides a child-friendly approach to therapy. It encourages children to try foods they already consistently eat or currently enjoy and gradually modify them. For instance, you can start with a preferred food and alter its appearance, like changing its shape. This helps expand the child's food repertoire. Explain to your child that the bread remains bread, even if its shape differs, or that an apple remains an apple whether it's sliced or cubed.
Try Food Pairing For A Winning Combo
Food pairing involves pairing a preferred food with a complementary taste. Dipping foods is an example of an occupational therapy feeding concept called Food Pairing. A fun way to introduce new flavors is by taking a familiar food and dipping it into a sauce. Kids often enjoy dipping foods because it gives them control over how much they dip while allowing them to explore new flavors and tastes. Incorporating play-based ideas, like imagining the breadstick going for a swim or adding silly sound effects, can make this activity even more enjoyable. Preferred foods like breadsticks can be dipped into marinara or chicken nuggets into various sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey, ranch dressing, mustard, and more. If they take a taste of the sauce or a new flavor paired with a preferred food, consider it a success!
Three Reasons Why Snack Ideas Work Well for Feeding Therapy:
Reason #1. They make interacting with new foods fun and novel

Reason #2. They begin with kid-friendly ingredients

Reason #3. They provide a safe space to explore new foods while fostering conversations about sensory aspects such as color, shape, texture, smell, and taste.

Check out more feeding therapy recipes or make these snacks at home. CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW.

These snack ideas have been "OT Tested and Kid Approved" by kids in the Play It Forward Therapy Kitchen.

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How Occupational Therapy Helps Picky Eaters

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Occupational Therapy treatment can help kids with picky eating habits and strong sensory-based food preferences enjoy and eat a wider variety of foods.

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Education and strategies to support success with mealtime and feeding for children who struggle with food sensitivities or aversions.

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Riding bike's has a lot of benefits requiring strength, endurance, good posture, balance, reciprocal motion, focus, as well as multi-sensory system integration.

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Teach Bike Riding: Tips from a Therapist - The OT Toolbox

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Want to know how to teach a child to ride a bike? Use a balance bike! These bike riding tips are therapist-approved.

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Recipe for Fun!

Looking for a challenging, yet fun way to keep your kids active? Jump rope is a classic game that is fun to play alone, and also a fun, simple game for siblings to play together. Once your kids learn to jump rope, they can challenge each other to a jump-off. Plus, it will keep them occupied (and burning off the wiggles) while you work from home.

Tips for Choosing the Right Jump Rope: In general, the longer the jump rope the easier it is to use. Longer ropes are slower, so kids can become accustomed to knowing when the exact right moment is to jump. To make sure a jump rope isn't too long or too short, have the child stand in the middle of the rope and pull up the handles. If the handles are about where their armpits are, it is the right length. Short ropes can cause tripping, so watch out for older kids using ropes that are made for younger - and shorter - kids. Also, pay attention to how much rope clearance there is above your little jumper's head. There should be 20"-30" between the top of your child's head and the rope while jumping.
How to Jump Rope for Beginners:

1. Lay the rope on the ground and pick up the handles.

2. Step over the rope. The rope needs to be behind your feet to start.

3. Hold the handles out about 10 inches from either side of the body.

4. Practice swinging the rope around without jumping at first, using only the wrists and hands to swing the rope.

5. Once that is mastered, swing the rope over your head and jump over the rope one time.

6. The jumper should not bend their knees, but try to jump using only their feet and ankles.

7. Continue practicing a single jump until the jumper has the rope swing and jump in one continuous movement.

8. Start with small goals, like 3 jumps in a row.

9. Jump away!

The Benefits of Jump Rope for Kids: You could probably guess that jumping rope burns calories. But did you know that jump rope burns more calories per minute than jogging? It's a high-intensity workout that's also a lot of fun. It's the perfect kid's activity to burn off energy while kids are cooped up at home due to the coronavirus. And it doesn't just burn calories! Jumping rope is also an excellent motor skill-building activity. Since kids have to pick up both their feet simultaneously while jumping rope, it builds bilateral motor coordination. Jumping rope for beginners also takes a lot of concentration, which helps kids hone their ability to focus. And like all physically challenging kids activities, jumping rope teaches kids emotional resiliency and the importance of having a try, try again attitude.

Play ideas for jumping rope: Once they have mastered the basics of jumping rope, there are lots of fun twists to keep them occupied and having fun:

Count how many times they can successfully jump rope.

Play music and jump rope to the beat.

Try jumping rope backward.

Does my child need a weighted jump rope? Weighted jump ropes are used in fitness centers and gyms. Adults use them as a cardio fitness tool. They are not toys, and as such we do not recommend them for children. Stick with a classic kid-friendly lightweight jump rope, which can be found in the toy section of your favorite retailer.

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The Genius of Play | Play Idea: Jump Rope

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Get more play ideas for kids of all ages! #GeniusofPlay

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Coming up with new ways to play and challenge your children doesn't have to be expensive, use what you have and get creative!

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Paper Plate Ring Toss Game - Early Education Zone

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This easy-to-make homemade paper plate ring toss game is a great way of practising gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

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You can DIY or use available resources to make a game out of exercises that are assigned to your child by their OT or exercises that support their health and development in general. The premise of OT is to make therapy fun and tailor it to each child, you can do this at home too.

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This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Keep your kids moving when they're stuck inside with this simple roll the exercise dice game! This game requires minimal materials so it's easy for everyone to get some exercise!

Stuck indoors with your kids? Get everyone the exercise they need with this free printable dice movement game!

Being stuck indoors with kids can be so hard! Whether it's due to inclement weather conditions, illness, a global pandemic (oh hi, coronavirus), or something else, not being able to get out of the house to go to regular activities like sports or the park can be really tough on parents and kids.

Get your kids (and you) moving with this fun dice movement game. It will help break up your day and give the whole family the bit of movement they need.

This exercise game for kids is pretty open ended so you can adapt it to your kid's ages and needs and change up the number of movements or length of time as you go. My favorite is the dance party-we throw on Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop the Feeling and just let loose. It is a FANTASTIC stress reliever.

Supplies Needed for the Roll the Dice Game

This game is so simple and best of all, you hardly need any supplies! You'll likely already have these on hand:

Download the Game Here

Click on the box to enter your name and email address and to receive the game! If you are unable to click the box, make sure you turn off any pop-up blockers.

How to Play the Roll the Dice Exercise Game for Kids

1. Download the free printable below and print it out.

2. Grab a die and start rolling. You can take turns with all the family members playing.

3. Do the corresponding activity to the number you roll. For example, if you roll a two everyone has to touch their toes.

4. You can also set a corresponding number to each item so the game lasts longer and everyone gets more movement in. Maybe you do 10 times for each roll or switch up the amounts based on the activity or the age of your kids.

5. Find what works best for your kids and make it a fun exercise game you can all play!

Have fun moving your bodies indoors and keeping everyone healthy!

More Printable Games

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Printable Roll the Dice Exercise Game for Kids - Hey Let's Make Stuff

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This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Keep your kids moving when they're stuck inside with this simple roll the exercise dice game!

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10 Gross Motor Activities for 5-6 Year Olds

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Playing catch is a tried and true game for parents to play with their children that works on a myriad of skills from strength and coordination, to hand-eye- coordination and timing of movement. If your child isn't able to safely play with a traditional ball and glove use something more appropriate like a large bouncy ball, a velcro ball/mit, or a beach ball.

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Catch! Practice can improve eye-hand coordination!

Playing catch can be a struggle and create a social impediment. Try these tips to help every child enjoy the feeling of success when you catch the ball:

Start simple! If you have a "sports challenged" child, encourage play at every age and level. Try rolling a ball back and forth on the floor. Sit with legs spread apart to create a "goal" if needed.

Use a large ball: Bigger objects are easier to catch.

Use a weighted or highly tactile ball: The sensory receptors will anticipate the "catch" sooner.

Stand close together while playing catch: Do this before trying to throw and catch at a distance.

Practice, practice, practice: Not everyone is gifted, but practice will show improvement. Just 5-10 minutes a day can make a big difference.

Use a sticky ball and glove that literally makes the ball stick to the hand: Later you can progress to a standard glove and ball.

Use a lot of different objects to give variety to learning how to catch: Frisbees, football, basketball, tennis balls, and rubber balls are all great options for mixing things up.

Remind the player to look at the target when throwing: Also, to look at the ball when catching.

Use boardagames: Puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot and other quiet board games can help to improve visual tracking.

See if your child can track well: Follow a slow moving object from side to side without moving the head. (By age 5, children should be able to do this ten times.)

Practice tossing with small scarves. Start with just one scarf. Toss right, catch left. Then toss left, catch right.

Sign up for a group sport only if the coach will work with your child. Otherwise, practice with your child yourself at home or research other options.

Playing catch in various forms is an important part of childhood. We hope these tips help your family to improve hand-eye coordination!

Do you have creative ideas for improving hand-eye coordination skills? Share it with us at social@funandfunction.com or on our social media pages!

Explore our range of therapy balls to play catch!

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Playing Catch to Help Eye-Hand Coordination

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Large selection of toys and therapy products for children with special needs like ADHD, autism, or sensory processing disorders. Vests, fidgets, swings, interactive learning and mobility tools. Offering parents, therapists, and teachers with articles and information.

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10 Backyard DIY Obstacle Course Ideas for Kids

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Get your kids active and entertained with these 10 backyard DIY obstacle course ideas. Whether they're jumping, crawling, or balancing, these obstacles will bring excitement and adventure to your backyard. Create unforgettable memories with these creative and age-appropriate obstacle courses that will have your kids laughing, learning, and staying active all day long.

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When we say that hopscotch is an old-fashioned form of fun, we aren't kidding. Some experts believe it was created back in Ancient Rome, if you can imagine that. One group suggests that Roman soldiers participated in the activity on 100-foot-long hopscotch courses, dressed in heavy armor, to build endurance. Others believe that the modern game comes from an earlier version played by Roman children.

Meanwhile, Wikipedia states that this game was first mentioned in print in English more than 300 years ago, although it was usually called "scotch-hop" or "scotch-hopper." No matter how and when this game was invented, it has clearly stood the test of time and can still be enjoyed by young children today.

How to Play: the Basics

If you haven't played or have forgotten specifics, a court is typically drawn with chalk on a sidewalk. Usually, the court starts with a rectangle labelled 1. Above that, there are side-by-side squares numbered 2 and 3; above that, a rectangle labelled 4; above that, side-by-side squares numbered 5 and 6. Then, there is a rectangle labelled 7; above that, side-by-side squares numbered 8 and 9, topped off by a square labelled 10.

Players each find a stone and player one tosses it on the first rectangle; the stone must land completely in this area and can't even touch a line. If the toss was successful, then player one hops the course from beginning to end, and back to the beginning again, not stepping on the area with the stone. Single rectangles must be hopped on with one foot, side-by-side squares with a foot in each one. When player one returns to the area labelled 1, the stone is picked up- and then, standing at the beginning of the court, the stone is tossed into area number 2. The process continues as long as player one does so without error. Once he or she loses balance, steps on a square or misses one, player two gets a turn. The first player who completes the entire course first wins.

Benefits of Hopscotch

Don't let the simplicity of this game fool you. There are countless benefits of hopscotch for your child; this Moving Smart blog post lists 11 of them (yes, 11!). You'll want to read the entire article, but here are highlights:

"For kids, it feels good to move, and when it feels good, they want to do it over and over again... just as the rules of Hopscotch require."

This game helps children to master body control.

Hopscotch also helps children to manage body rhythm, which is the core of numerous other skills.

Movements involved build body strength, balance, eye/hand coordination and more.

It's a great "social campfire" for young children.

Bonus: Math Aptitude

This game involves numbers, and counting skills are naturally developed as children participate. Imagination Soup recommends another variation that makes learning numbers and math fun in multiple ways. Instead of creating the standard hopscotch course, create a 5-by-5 grid, numbering squares in order from 1 to 25. For young children, suggest that they hop from 1 to 5; then from 1 to 10; from 1 to 15; and from 1 to 20-and then 25.

As your child gets older and more number-savvy, ask him or her to hop on even numbers only, in order, then on odd ones. You can even use this grid to teach addition, subtraction and multiplication.
Looking for more ways to enrich your child's life? Horizon Education Center provides affordable quality care including educational and enrichment opportunities for children in the following Northeast Ohio locations.

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Who's Up for Hopscotch? Benefits of this Time-Tested Game

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Though it is an ancient game, there are still so many benefits of hopscotch for children today.

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All you need is something to play music and some time set aside to stop and start the music.

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Targeting strengthening, coordination, reflex integration, reciprocal movement, sensory processing, and more through play

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Getting your child involved in sports and activity groups can be a great way to build gross motor coordination, strength, and endurance, but there are other benefits too!

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We love using our bodies and playing sports at Sports Movement. In fact, we're so passionate about exercise and athletics that we started a company to teach young people new sports! It is our firm belief that youth sports are absolutely essential for growing children to be happy, healthy, and successful. We've put together a short list of just a few of the benefits young people receive by participating in athletics from an early age.

Sports Teach Teamwork and other Soft Skills

We may all be individuals, but we will belong to teams of various kinds our entire lives. Whether you're on the high school robotics team or part of the accounting department at a big corporation, today's youth must learn to be part of team. By participating in youth sports, they learn how to work together towards a common goal, share their talents and resources, and communicate effectively. They will learn leadership and they will even have to learn a lesson we all struggle with: how to lose gracefully.

Youth Athletics Improve Academic Performance

Studies of high school students have shown over and over again that students who participate in athletics maintain higher GPAs, graduate at a higher rate, and score better on the SAT and ACT than students who don't. A better GPA and a higher standardized test scores may mean the difference between getting into top colleges or settling for a backup school. In the modern world's competitive academic environment, students need to find every advantage they can to improve their lives.

Youth Sports improve Mood and Self-Esteem

American children report higher rates of depression and anxiety than ever before in the history of the United States. A lack of physical activity may be contributing to this epidemic as computers and smartphones become more and more central to our lives. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends kids get at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. Psychologists claim that exercise is one of the most effective methods to enhance mental health and improve mood. Not only that, by learning a new skill and experiencing success on the field, students build their self-esteem and find reasons to believe in themselves.

Healthy Habits Learned Early Last a Lifetime

The sooner a child can learn how important it is to exercise regularly, eat healthy, and get plenty of sleep, the better. Youth sports strongly encourages a healthy lifestyle and those lifestyle decisions often last a lifetime. For their entire lives, these kids will enjoy stronger bodies, faster minds, quicker reflexes, and improved well-being.

Youth Athletics are a Great Way to Make Friends!

Last but not least, there is no better way to make new friends than playing with other young people! The kids are having fun, working together, learning new skills, interacting in unique ways, and connecting with others. Good friendships are the key to a long and happy life and youth sports provide a easy and low-pressure way to make those lasting friendships. The coaches at Sports Movement are still close friends with their old teammates from decades ago!

Conclusion

There is no doubt about it. Participating in youth athletics is one of the very best ways for children to become happier and healthier, make new friends, learn, and develop in every way. If you think your child would like to participate in a sports program, please check out our soccer and cricket programs and get in touch with us.

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Youth Sports are Essential for Happy, Healthy Children

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We love using our bodies and playing sports at Sports Movement. In fact, we're so passionate about exercise and athletics that we started a company to teach young people new sports! It is our firm ...

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Are you stuck inside? Too rainy, too hot, too snowy? Kids still need to get the wiggles out and a stuck indoors day can mean a ton of unused energy. If your kids seem like they are climbing the walls, then try this easy and cheap balloon tennis game. I always make sure I have balloons on hand for indoor gross motor play.

EASY INDOOR BALLOON TENNIS GAME!

This balloon tennis game couldn't be any simpler, but it is loads of fun. Just take a look at my son in the photos below. Make sure to pick a up a few extra fly swatters. Everyone, adults included, will want to get in on the fun.

Our tennis balloon game is an awesome energy buster on an indoor day. We have more simple indoor gross motor games too plus a DIY air hockey indoor game

BALLOON TENNIS GAME SUPPLIES

Balloons

Fly Swatters

Find your supplies at the dollar store or grocery store. Pick up a few fly swatters and a bag of balloons for your next balloon game. That's all you need to keep everyone busy on a rainy or cold day.

If you are stuck inside, balloon play is the way to go. This game will get everyone moving and chasing balloons around the house. It's super important for kids to get energy out. If you have a roll of painters tape, try this fun line jumping game too.

This balloon tennis game really kept this guy busy and burned a lot of energy too!

This balloon tennis game is a keeper for us. My son has high energy and being stuck inside all day is no fun unless he can get some energy out. I love simple, inexpensive games that are easy to set up.
BALLOON BAKING SODA SCIENCE LEGO BALLOON CARS TEXTURE BALLOONS

Click on the photos below for more awesome, energy burning ideas!

MOST POPULAR POSTS

My Publication and Favorite Items from Amazon {see disclosure}

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Balloon Tennis Indoor Gross Motor Play Activity

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Are you stuck inside? Too rainy, too hot, too snowy? Kids still need to get the wiggles out and a stuck indoors day can mean a ton of unused energy. If your kids seem like they are climbing the walls, then try this easy and cheap balloon tennis game.

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Exploring ways to encourage movement based play at home and fun ways to interact with your children. Foster development of balance, coordination, timing and intensity of movement, reflex integration, and more.

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You can play this at home to work on listening, working memory, attention, and impulse control.

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Play and recess to support social-emotional learning

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You can play Simon Says at home, this game works on attention and direction following and fun for many kids.

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All activities should be supervised by an adult. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

Simon says is a great activity to keep kids busy and active indoors. Whether you are encouraging kids to play a game of Simon Says in a classroom setting, or just at home, it's usually a big hit with lots of giggles and laughter. Sometimes it can be hard to think of creative Simon Says actions on the spot, so we created a list of over 50 Simon Says action ideas you can print off.

RELATED: Would You Rather Questions for Kids

To make it easy, we have created a printable list of 50+ Simon Says Actions.

We also have all of the Simon Says actions in this post if you need them. You can copy and paste to create your own printable, or use the one that we have already created for you! We only ask that if you are reprinting in a community newsletter or school newsletter that you credit our website as the source.

How Do You Play Simon Says?

One person is the leader and calls out the actions. Everyone else must follow the leader and do the action, but only when Simon says. For example, Simon says, touch your toes. Everyone must touch their toes.

Then the leader has to try and get everyone to do an action without saying Simon says. If someone does the action and the leader did not say Simon says, that person is out of the game. For example, if the leader says just "touch your toes" and someone touches their toes, they are out of the game.

The leader can try to make things more difficult by speeding up the pace of calling out the actions.

When Should I Play Simon Says?

Get kids active when stuck inside on a cold or rainy day

Have ideas ready when you need a quick activity in a classroom setting

Bring them with you on a trip or a vacation

Make it a fun activity for a sleepover

Play the game for a family game night activity

Use as an Icebreaker

Printable Simon Says Ideas

Here are the 50+ Simon Says Ideas. Some are simple enough for a toddler to do, others are so silly that it will result in giggles.

Either way, these Simon Says actions are great for kids of all ages and will keep them busy while getting their bodies and minds moving.

Here is an image with all of the actions you can print off. A pdf file for printing is located at the bottom of the post.

50+ Simon Says Ideas for Kids

Sit down

Turn around in a circle

Jump up and down

Hop on the right foot

Hop on the left foot

Clap your hands

Touch your knees

Wiggle your fingers

Put one arm in the air

Flap your arms like a bird

Slither on the ground like a snake

Quack like a duck

Run in place

Stand on one foot

Put your hands on your hips

Pretend you are a dog

Moo like a cow

Wink your right eye

Pucker your lips

Sing as loud as you can

Pat your belly

Put both hands on your head

Wave hello

Raise both hands in the air

Shake your right arm

Shake your left arm

Pretend like you are sleeping

Roll on the floor

Do a somersault

Skip around the room

Gallop like a horse

Meow like a cat

Hop to the right

Hop to the left

Make circles with your arms

Touch your ears

Stick out your tongue

Do jumping jacks

Do a silly dance

Do a cartwheel

Squeak like a mouse

Walk like a penguin

Sit down and scoot across the room

Walk on your tip toes

Make a sad face

Make a happy face

Act like you are ice skating

Do a sit up

Talk like a robot

Act like you are driving a car

Do a push up

Wiggle your toes

Get the PDF printable of all of these Simon says ideas HERE.

We hope your kids enjoy these Simon Says actions and maybe you will as well! No one says that adults can't join in on a fun game of Simon Says too!

If you're looking for another easy indoor game, try Would You Rather Questions for kids. We have a printable file you can get with cards that you can pass around for everyone to take turns asking questions!

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All activities should be supervised by an adult. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here. Simon says is a great activity to keep kids busy and active indoors.

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This site, when given microphone access, will create a visual representation of noise in the room, originally designed for keeping a school classroom quiet but can be used for other purposes

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Bouncy Balls – Manage classroom noise with bouncing balls!

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A free classroom noise level meter, monitor and management tool. Perfect if your school kids are too noisy! Bouncing balls react to sounds from the microphone.

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Listening Skills Game: Learn to Listen with Miss Emily (Preschool & Kindergarten Listening Game)

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"What Am I?" Guessing Game with Answers for Kids

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Rhythm Clap Along - Level 1 to 3  (For Beginners/Kids) 👂🎵👏

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Hand Clap Rap | Jack Hartmann | Repeat After Me Listening Skills | Clap Back

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Music Attention and Listening Games for Kids #1 with Miss Julieann

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Magic Activity - Kids Learning Adventures

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Animal Riddles for Kids | 20 Fun Riddles with Answers

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"What Am I?" Guessing Game with Answers for Kids

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Guess The Transportation Sounds For Kids | 4K

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Simon Says Musical Brain Break Game for Kids!

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Guess the Animal Sound Game | 31 Animal Sounds Quiz | Multiple Choice

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Listening skills sound recognition are important skills for everyday life and development, these interactive videos are fun, engaging, and work on crucial developmental skills

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The Making GOOD CHOICES Game!!! for Social and Emotional Learning Grades K-5

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Everyday Speech - Playlist for Social Skills

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Everyday Speech - Playlist for Social Skills

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Learn to Read Body Language! - Bay's Body Language - Lesson Preview

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Coping Skills For Kids - Managing Feelings & Emotions For Elementary-Middle School | Self-Regulation

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What Are Social-Emotional Skills?

Social-emotional skills are essential for connecting with others! They help us manage our emotions, build healthy relationships, and feel empathy.

Some examples of social-emotional skills in use are:

Recognizing if someone is sad, and asking if they're ok

Expressing yourself with your friends in a different way than with your parents

Understanding your thoughts and feelings, and being able to relate to others

While these skills may sound complex, social and emotional development begins at a very young age.

Watch to see more about baby's social-emotional development:

Social-Emotional Skills: Know the Basics

When does social and emotional development begin?

Babies start learning these skills from birth! As soon as they begin interacting with the people who care for them, they begin to develop an understanding of feelings.

How do parents impact social-emotional development?

Parents help to nurture social-emotional skills so kids develop healthy relationships with friends and family members. Even as a baby, your little one is picking up on how you respond to their social and emotional needs. They feel safe at home and in your presence. They learn how to empathize, respond to the emotions of others, and say "I'm sorry" by following your lead.

What do social-emotional skills help kids do?

Kids with healthy social-emotional skills are more likely succeed in school, work, and life. Social-emotional skills help kids:

Make friends and keep friendships

Gain confidence

Resolve conflicts

Manage stress and anxiety

Learn social norms

Make appropriate decisions

Resist negative social pressure

Learn strengths and weaknesses

Gain awareness of what others are feeling

How long does it take to develop social-emotional skills?

Social-emotional growth takes time. Early experiences with family, caregivers, and peers greatly impact social and emotional development, but throughout our lives we will continue to be shaped by our experiences! These experiences can include meeting new people, overcoming difficult situations, or even raising children.

Social-Emotional Abilities

Is your child meeting their social-emotional abilities?

Be on the lookout for these abilities as your child grows. They are encouraging signs that your child is making progress in their social and emotional development.

Developing social-emotional skills can boost your child's confidence and help them succeed in school, work, and life.

Missing one or two abilities should not cause alarm, as every child develops differently. However, if they are missing multiple abilities, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider.

Social-Emotional Tips

What you can do to help your child's social-emotional development

Be a model of the emotions and behaviors you want your child to show. You are your child's first teacher and they look up to you as a role model.

Be responsive to your child's emotions and behaviors. Responding will help to develop trust between you and your child.

Ask open-ended questions, such as "What would you do?" to help develop problem-solving skills.

Use stories to talk to your child about different social situations and how each person might be feeling.

Encourage kids to try new things and learn how much they can do.

Play games to teach kids how to take turns, win and lose, share, and negotiate. Ask yourself these questions when choosing a game for family game night.

Ask your child questions when they are upset. These questions can be about why they are upset, or offering alternatives to understand the root of their unhappiness. For example, "Would you like to brush your teet h or take a bath first?"

Sit with your child when using a screen (not recommended before 18 months) and make it a social activity, e.g. asking them questions or playing turn-taking games.

Social-Emotional Activities

What to Watch For

How to address social-emotional issues and delays

The sooner your child receives help in developing their social-emotional skills, the better off their health and well-being will be. Your healthcare provider may be able to help you address the issue or refer you someone who can help.

Here are a few examples of specialists who may be able to help your child:

Child psychologist

Social worker

Neuropsychologist

Psychiatrist

Occupational therapist

Speech-language pathologist

Developmental and behavioral pediatrician

Visit Understood.org or Child Mind Institute for more information and resources on social-emotional development.

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What Are Social-Emotional Skills? | Child Development Skills

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Learn how develping social-emotional skills help us manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and show empathy and understanding.

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Resources for learning about our emotions in relation to being around and interacting with others to support age appropriate and safe social behavior.

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In this blog post, we are discussing ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) for kids and teens. These occupational self care tasks are tasks that make up day to day living. Let's break this down. For additional information on various roles, check out our article on IADLs.

Occupational self care refers to many things. Occupational therapy practitioners support individuals with daily activities that are part of a functional life. One of those important daily tasks is personal self-care, or the ability to care for one's own being. From dressing oneself to toileting, all of these include daily occupational self care tasks.

In this blog post, you'll find resources and activities to support children of all abilities in self-care skills.

When exploring the topic of occupational self care, you'll also want to check out our resource on developmental checklist as a tool for understanding typical development of skill acquisition.

ADLs are self-care skills

Self-care skills, also known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), are essential tasks that individuals of all ages perform to take care of their own physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

For children, occupational performance in ADLs is dependent on the child's age and stage. We can take a look at various stages of development with regard to ADL participation. Those stages include:

infancy

toddlerhood

early childhood

elementary childhood

adolescense

adulthood

Each of these stages will involve different components and abilities when it comes to occupational performance and ADL skills. You will see and expect different occupational roles, adaptive behaviors, self-care skills and abilities, and changes in self-management needs.

Infant Self-Care Skills

Infant self-care involves receiving nurturance of parents and guardians. Self-sufficiency involves primitive reflexes and accepting self-care. ADLs in the infancy stage is mainly regarding family participation which is a vital role.

The infant responds to nurturing, and takes nourishment they receive from their parent or caregiver. They are learning to move and communicate. During the infant stage, babies gain control of their body as they learn to move in daily self-care tasks.

Toddler Self-Care Skills

For toddlers, self-care continues to involve acceptance of the self-care routines provided by parents or guardians. However, at this age, there is more independence beginning as well. You'll see preference and willingness in toddler ADLs.

Toddlers are refining and mastering some of the skills that they have passively participated in during the first 2 years of their life.

They start to develop self-sufficiency in eating, dressing, washing, and toileting areas.

Childhood Self-Care Skills

During the ages of 6-12, children have continued occupational roles as a daughter or son, friend, and now as a student. These new roles with peers bring on additional self-care tasks as well as adaptive behaviors in childhood ADLs.

The self-care skills of a child include continuing to master ADL skills with more self-sufficiency, routine participation ( brushing their teeth each morning and evening with greater independence) and less support.

Children develop preferences in expressing themselves in hairstyles and clothing, which impacts self-care. There are also new learning opportunities which impact occupational performance, including social skills and peer interaction.

Refer to our blog post on occupational therapy for middle school for the end range of this stage.

Adolescence and Self-Care

The years between ages 13 and 19 bring on even more development and self-sufficiency during adolescence. They also have more occupational roles such as an employee, a driver on the road, a teammate, volunteer, and may have a different peer group than before.

Self-care, and ALDs in the teen years include mastery or independence of ADLs and IADLs. There is self-expression, building relationships, and defining occupational roles involved in this stage. The adolescence is preparing for independent living, so self-care supports that transition.

Check out our bog post on occupational therapy for teens for more information.

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled in analyzing, evaluating, and creating detailed plans of care of ADLs at all stages of life.

What are ADLs?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are daily tasks, or activities, that make up a person's day. They are tasks that are required for participating (or living) in an environment such as a home or workplace. ADLs involve occupational roles or the various roles one plays throughout their day.

These skills are fundamental for daily life and can vary depending on a person's age and abilities.

Activities of Daily Living Examples

Self-care skills encompass a wide range of activities and typically include:

Personal hygiene

Bathing or showering: The ability to clean one's body, including washing hair, face, and body.

Oral care: Brushing teeth, flossing, and mouthwash.

Hair care: Brushing hair, combing, and washing hair with shampoo and conditioner

Grooming- hair care, shaving, hygiene

Makeup application

Washing face

Caring for hair styles including using a ponytail holder, styling hair, etc.

Handwashing: Proper handwashing techniques to maintain hygiene.

Dressing and clothing management

Dressing: Putting on and taking off clothing, including clothing fasteners like buttons and zippers.

Selecting appropriate clothing: Choosing weather-appropriate clothing and outfits suitable for different occasions.

Putting on and tying shoes or fastening shoes

Nutrition and meal preparation

Eating independently: Holding utensils to eat, using utensils, drinking from a cup, and managing food.

Meal preparation: Basic cooking skills, such as preparing simple meals or snacks.

Toileting and Bathroom Skills

Using the toilet: Going to the toilet independently, managing clothing, and proper wiping and perineal hygiene skills

Toilet training: Learning to use the toilet for children.

Mobility and transfers

Safety skills in daily tasks

Awareness of danger: Recognizing and responding to potential hazards.

Emergency procedures: Knowing what to do in emergencies, such as fire drills or safety protocols.

Medication management

Taking medications: The ability to take prescribed medications independently and follow dosing instructions.

Time management and organization to participate in daily tasks

Scheduling: Managing daily routines, appointments, and activities.

Staying on task: Using calendars, reminders, or tools to stay organized.

Transferring or mobility in daily tasks, like moving from one surface to another, sitting and standing from the toilet, getting into and out of a car, moving in and out of the shower or bathtub, getting into and out of bed, sitting and standing from various surfaces and seats. All of these are considered functional mobility in ADLs.

Self-care skills are crucial for promoting independence, maintaining health, and participating in daily life. These skills are typically learned and developed throughout childhood and adolescence, and they may need to be adapted or supported as individuals age or face physical or cognitive challenges.

Occupational Self-Care

Occupational therapy professionals often work with individuals to enhance or regain occupational self-care skills as part of rehabilitation or therapeutic interventions.

Personal care tasks are part of life. As children grow, they tend to want to "do it myself!" Sometimes however, children grow and tend to continue to require continued support to perform self-care functional tasks. Parents, caregivers, and support staff can use varying degrees of verbal and visual cues to encourage independence in personal care tasks, but sometimes it's just not enough.

Be sure to check out our resource on toddler behavior red flags for more information on participating in daily activities at the toddler age.

This month in the Functional Skills for Kids series, 10 Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist bloggers have come together to analyze and dissect personal care skills. Take a look through the links below to find tricks, tips, developmental milestones, and creative ways to encourage independence in personal care tasks.

These therapist-approved strategies are perfect for typically developing children and those with special needs.

How to Help Kids Learn Self Care and Personal Care Skills:

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ADLs and Occupational Self-Care - The OT Toolbox

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These ADLs or occupational self care tasks are daily functional tasks that kids complete in a day. Includes examples for each age.

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OT Tips to Help Your Child Learn to Use a Fork | Feeding Skills | Occupational Therapy Tips

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Children’s Special Needs Shoes & Sensory Socks | SpecialKids.Company

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Shop our range of special needs shoes and sensory socks all designed with your child’s special needs in mind.

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Demonstration of hand-washing starts at 2:42

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Clean It Up! by The Juicebox Jukebox | Cleaning Room Educational School Song for Kids Children

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"The Tooth Brushing Song!" 🪥🦷 Danny Go! 2-Minute Brush Your Teeth Song for Kids

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Brush Your Teeth! Instructional Tooth Brushing Song for Preschoolers and Toddlers

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Brush to the Beat 🦷| Music Video | Learn to Brush Your Teeth | Mickey Mornings | Disney Junior

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Why do We Brush Our Teeth? | Health for Kids | SciShow Kids

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How to Brush Your Teeth Properly - For Kids

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How to approach teaching shoe tying, tips, and alternative methods for tying laces including a 1-handed method for those unable to use two hands

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Shoe tying is a rite of passage for many children. In school, kids are often encouraged to learn to tie their shoes in kindergarten, but that can be a real struggle for many students, developmentally. Shoe tying requires many underlying skill areas that just aren't developed at 5-6 years old. Here, we're breaking down shoe tying into activities to promote this functional task, shoe tying crafts, and resources to develop this functional skill. You'll also find shoe tying styles, tying shoes videos, and more strategies that you can use to help kids develop this functional task.

Shoe Tying

If teaching kids to tie their shoes is something that makes you want to give up and buy a pair of Velcro shoes, then you are in the right place. Here, you will find shoe tying resources for the therapist helping kids to work on the skills that go into successful shoe tying. You will find activities to build the underlying skills that kids need to tie their shoes. You will find shoe tying tips. And, you will find activities to make shoe tying practice fun.

Teaching Kids to Tie Shoes

The thing is that teaching kids to tie shoes is tricky! For some kids, tying shoelaces, is torture. They fumble the laces, make knots, or tie the laces so loosely that the shoes are not laced up.

There is more to it than handing kids a pair of laces and ending up with neatly tied laces. That's why I wanted to put together this resource on tying shoelaces.

Let's start by covering various shoe tying methods.

Shoe Tying Methods

There are several different shoe tying methods that can work for your child. There are benefits to each of the different ways to tie shoes, and what works for one child may not work best for another child. The important thing is to remain consistent when it comes to teaching a child to tie their shoes.

There are quite a few ways to tie shoelaces! One is not better than the other, it just depends on the child. For each shoe tying methods, a couple things to keep in mind:

Start practicing with the shoe NOT on the foot. Place it on the table or in the child's lap. Once the child has mastered tying the laces this way, he can then put the shoe on and practice while wearing it.

Consider practicing on laces that are thicker/stiffer. These are usually easier to manipulate.

Consider practicing with 2 different colored laces, tied together at the end and laced into a shoe. This provides visual cues to differentiate the laces. This is especially helpful for kids that mix up their left and right hand, or need more help with directionality. Check out this resource on mixed dominance to get started.

Some children need to learn this skill gradually. They might need to practice the 1st step over and over before moving to the next step, adding 1 step at a time until they have mastered it.

Traditional Shoe Tying Method:

This is the way most of us learned to tie our shoes. In the video link below, when making the 1st knot, I place the laces in an "X" over the shoe. Sometimes kids hold the laces in both hands and end up getting them twisted together. So this just makes it easier for some kids. For kids that don't know where to pinch the laces, this is a great strategy. For kids that make one loop too big when tying shoes, this strategy is quite helpful.

You'll also notice some black lines on the laces. These are placed on there so that when the lines are placed together, they form the 1st loop with the correct size.

Many kids tend to make the 1st loop so large that there is no lace left to finish tying it, so this helps them visualize the loop size.

Two Loop Shoe Tying Method:

This is an adapted method of shoe tying with two loops knotted into the shoe. The child then ties the two loops together two times. The 2 loop shoe tying method is different than the commonly known "bunny ear method". It has fewer steps, and can be easier for some kids to learn.

Pull the laces out from the top hole so they do not cross all the way to the top of the shoe.

With the left lace, thread it back into the top hole on the left side of the shoe.

Tie a small knot at the end of the lace so it creates a loop on the left side of the shoe.

With the right lace, thread it back into the top hole on the right side of the shoe.

Tie a small knot at the end of the lace so it creates a loop on the right side of the shoe.

Hold both loops and cross one over the other.

Push one loop under the other to create a criss cross tie.

Hold both loops and cross one over the other in the other direction.

Push one loop under the other to create a criss cross tie.

The shoes are now tightly tied.

Here are some videos that shoe different shoe tying methods:
Bunny Ears Method One Loop Shoe Tying Method
The Ian Knot (Fast knot method)
One Handed Shoe Tying
Sometimes shoe tying is just so frustrating for a child, due to a variety of reasons, that you might need another way to fasten shoes (without having to keep buying velcro fastening shoes). There are a variety of alternative laces, but my favorite ones are elastic and come in a variety of colors. They have a plastic sliding lock that slides up and down the laces to tighten/loosen them. These are easy and practical and look nice on the shoes.

This is your one stop spot for how to teach kids to tie their shoes.

Shoe tying tips

Before starting with shoe tying instruction, it can be helpful to set the child up for success. Try these shoe tying tips and then check out the resources below:

Chose a shoe tying method and stick with it.

Use two different colored laces.

Practice from the child's point of view. Sit behind the child so your hands are positioned the same as the child's would be.

Practice the underlying skills needed for shoe tying in fun ways...Shoe tying crafts and activities are below!

Use simple terms and one-step directions.

Try backward chaining- Complete the whole tying shoes process and let the child complete the last steps. This method gives the child a sense of accomplishment. Then, keep adding steps so they are completing more of the task.

Try forward chaining- Have the child complete the first step and you complete the rest. Then add more steps on so the child learns step-by-step shoe tying.

When shoe tying is hard

Sometimes learning to tie shoes causes meltdowns and tears. That happens! Tying shoes requires many advanced skills. It's ok to decide to put this skill on hold for a time.

Try using a practice chart where the child can color in parts of a shoe drawing as they practice each step.

Or they can put a sticker on a picture each day that they practice. This allows kids to see how much they have work they have put into this hard task of practicing.

One way to work on shoe tying in a functional manner is to get the buy-in and commitment of the child. Unless a child is committed to working on a functional tasks like shoe tying, it can be hard to see progress. This is true for functional tasks and complicated tasks with several steps such as learning to tie shoes.

We know that commitments to activities like no need to tie shoes or learning cursive or changing a pencil grasp requires a desire to complete the task at hand. This is a complicated task for many kids with many steps! In order to drive success with learning to tie shoes you can work on the performance of the task by incorporating interest and commitment to the activity.

When you get commitment to completing the activity like she tying kids can improve their self-confidence and you can see a positive result. This is this occurs because we have a desire of the child to actually complete the activity. When their fully committed shoe tying becomes easier to accomplish because the child will struggle but they have that any desire to actually learn to tie shoes.

Kids can write down their goal or draw a picture of shoes that are tied.

Shoe tying with a growth mindset

For a lot of kids the struggle of she trying is this difficult multi-step task where kids try a few times and then get frustrated. You might hear kids say things like: "This is too hard.", "I can't do this.", or "I can't do anything right". All of these are closed mindset thought processes that can limit the ability to progress.

When we help kids and support them with a growth mindset they can take the skills that they learned through a task like shoe tying and then carry them over to other complicated tasks.

When it comes to grow growth mindset and shooting you can show kids that hard things are possible.

Give them a vision of what they can accomplish such as wanting to tie their shoes and running out the door to play with friends.

Show them that it's easy to do hard things with practice and commitment and sometimes a lot of work.

Give them a vision for what they would like to accomplish such as learning to tie their own shoes and using that on a daily basis.

Give them steps to accomplish that and a plan of action including doing practice.

Show them that hard things are possible and it sometimes takes hard work and extra practice.

By offering kids growth mindset strategies, they can learn that doing a multi-stop task like learning to tie their shoes are not always a one and done thing. This will carryover in life to other difficult tasks. This way you can take kids from the impossible to the possible and even further by showing them how they can possibly accomplish this hard task so that they can then move from a closed mindset to a growth mindset.

Underlying skills needed for tying shoes

Once you have an intense desire from the child to accomplish a task that shoe tie then it's possible to identify the elements that are required for completing the task of tying shoes.

Putting shoes on

Putting shoes on the correct feet

Pulling the tongue of the shoe up

Holding a lace in each hand

Pulling the laces tight (but not too tight)

Making the cross tie beginning step

Knowing that the next step is different. Some kids will continue to make the first cross step over and over again.

Creating a loop with one hand and being able to pinch that loop.

Manipulating the other shoe lace at the same time.

Using finger isolation to push the lace under the hole with the thumb

Pulling the loops tightly

More ways to make shoe tying fun include the activities found below:

Lacing Skills in Shoe Tying

Lacing activities offers an opportunity for kids to work on so many skills that are essential to teaching kids to tie their shoes: manipulating string with dexterity, precision in fine motor movements, the pincer grasp to pinch and hold the string, bilateral coordination, and eye-hand coordination.

Try these lacing activities for practice and pre-shoe tying activities. Then, use them while working on shoe tying tasks, too and kids will hone their shoe tying abilities!

Shoe Tying Crafts

These shoe tying crafts are a fun way to work on the skills kids need to tie their shoes: fine motor skills, strength, motor planning, and precision...and they will be proud of their completed craft. Add these shoe tying crafts to your OT toolbox!

Developmental Skills for SHoe Tying

Kids need several developmental milestones in place for shoe tying! In order to tie shoes, there are many fundamental skill areas that are needed:

Visual motor skills (eye hand coordination)

Fine Motor skills (hand strength, pinch strength, separation of the sides of the hand, finger isolation, arch development, stabile wrist)

Bilateral coordination

Crossing midline

Core strength

Direction following

Concentration and focus

Visual memory

The articles below explain everything you need to know about development so that kids can independently tie their shoes.

You'll also find resources on the underlying skills that a child needs in order to tie shoes. Check out these links- you'll discover why shoe tying may be so tricky for some kids!

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The Very Best Shoe Tying Tips - The OT Toolbox

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Shoe tying is a rite of passage for many children. In school, kids are often encouraged to learn to tie their shoes in kindergarten, but that can be a real struggle for many students, developmentally. Shoe tying requires many underlying skill areas that just aren't developed at 5-6 years old.

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Personal Hygiene for Kids - Hygiene Habits - Showering, Hand Washing, Tooth Brushing, Face Washing

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Visuals and Support for Routines and Toilet Training

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Visuals and Support for Routines and Toilet Training

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Visuals to support independence and learning for children in the development of ADL's

dressing; hand washing; potty training; teeth brushing; routines; feelings and actions/rules; basic signs and communication

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Pictures can be a useful tool for teaching and communicating when pictures are a strength for an individual. Images of real items or pictures that represent items can be used in a variety of ways to support individuals.

Visual Supports is a strategy used to increase and support comprehension of what is happening. Pictures or visual supports are used in schedules, to teach new skills, or in social stories.

Since many therapy interventions use pictures, it is important to distinguish the intent when using or receiving pictures. When teaching the steps to a routine, you may be pointing to the pictures while talking about them and maybe even pointing to the actual items to use during those steps.

To help your child or loved one learn the steps to a routine, print out these helpful visuals and put them in the location where the steps are done (i.e. brushing teeth routine in the bathroom). Talk about the steps while you point to the pictures. Please keep in mind, things take time so it may take 3 times of modeling the routine or 30 times. Don't give up, you are helping your child be a step closer to independence when they are able to follow the steps 🙂

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Pictures can be a useful tool for teaching and communicating when pictures are a strength for an individual. Images of real items or pictures that represent

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Includes individuals on life skills for self-care, hygiene, laundry, cooking, eating, cleaning and much more. Taught by kids, for kids

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Teach kids, tweens, and teens how to be responsible, thoughtful, and independent. Thrive in life! Play the 52 Essential Life Skills card game: https://mindbr...

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Resources to foster self-care skills and independence in activities of daily living (ADL's).

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Videos created by educators and accessible in english and Spanish, check out the channel for more!

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Welcome to Smile and Learn, the best educational platform for kids aged 3-12 years. If you are looking for interesting and fun content for children this is your channel. Subscribe! You will discover unique educational material designed by lead educational experts. Our channel features didactic st…

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Free online typing curriculum and games, you can create an account to track progress and save your place in the lessons, or use without an account and choose levels as you go

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The highest quality free courses through the most awesome learning platform.

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Download the Sensical App and Make Learning Fun

SENSICAL is a free, safe online streaming platform for kids age 2-10. We hand-select learning and educational videos and the best kid friendly tv shows. We feature a unique mix of the best, most engaging, and popular kids' content to ensure that kids 2-10 always find something new and engaging!
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Watch New Popular TV Shows and the Best New Kid-Friendly Videos

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Free Kid-Safe Videos & TV Shows - All Kids Age 2-10 | Sensical

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Sensical is the place for safe, age-appropriate and educational videos, shows and music for kids age 2 to 10. Start watching for free now!

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Science based learning videos made for kids

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science scienceforkids education scishow "hank green" kids elementary ngss cartoon animation puppet biology chemistry physics engineering stem steam

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From the team behind the YouTube series SciShow comes SciShow Kids! Join Jessi, Squeaks the Robot Lab Rat, and all their friends at the Fort as they conduct experiments, research new questions, and talk with experts to learn about the science-filled world around us.

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Free website offering typing lessons, tests, games, and digital literacy. Requires creating a free account to access full materials and allows tracking progress

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Typing Games - Learn to Type with Free Typing Games - Typing.com

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Typing.com Typing Games. Our exclusive typing games are a great way to improve typing speed and accuracy. Adjust to your level or challenge yourself. Start now!

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Free online games grouped by school grade level. Requires sign-up account to use.

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Educational games are very effective in promoting learning. Online learning games for kids help them to develop valuable skills from arithmetic to word recognition, number sense to writing, and much more. Games make learning effective by merging learning and practice with fun. Children have a great time mastering essential curriculum concepts by playing interactive learning games from a varied selection online.
Moreover, these games are designed according to the CCSS curriculum. They offer an interactive learning environment that adapts to a child's learning pace and level. They provide immediate feedback, reinforcing correct answers and allowing for mistakes as part of the learning process.

Types of Educational and Learning Games for Kids

A wide range of subjects are covered by these learning games suitable for Pre-K to Grade 5. It ensures that children can explore and excel in various areas of their interest. Whether it's improving Math skills or enhancing ELA proficiency, educational games are proving to be a valuable tool in the learning journey of kids. Games for kids online not only supplement traditional learning but also provide a fun and innovative approach to learning.

Math Games

Math games include fun games for kids on essential topics such as number sense, arithmetic operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, time, money, algebra, and word problems. Every topic is further divided into bite-sized concepts (as per the curriculum) to make the games simple and easy for kids to understand and play. Explore educational Math games for kids to get a better idea!

ELA Games

ELA games refer to English Language Arts games. These games include fun curriculum-aligned activities to learn and master reading and writing skills. Reading games in ELA teach phonics skills to kids in an engaging way. Writing games include fun activities such as tracing letters and writing sight words. Browse our ELA games for kids for more information!

General Knowledge Games

Every parent hopes that their children gain not only textbook knowledge but also an understanding of the world around them. With this purpose in mind, we offer GK Games for kids which cover lots of topics such as food, birds and animals, flowers, kitchen and household items, musical instruments, space, transport, insects, different professions, colors, toys, and much more! The idea is to introduce a wide variety of topics through fun activities such as coloring. Visit General Knowledge Games for kids to explore more!

Art & Creativity Games

Art and creativity is an important part of our lives. Helping children to pursue their imagination and creative interests helps their overall development. Arts and creativity games go beyond entertainment and cover topics such as coloring, music (rhymes and poems), cooking, and fun stories!

Ready to spark creativity in your kids? Try our Art and Creativity Games today and watch your child's talents bloom!

Logic & Thinking Games

The first thing that comes to mind when you think about logic and thinking is "Puzzles." Our logic and thinking games include lots of challenging puzzle games based on numbers, pictures, matching shapes, building shapes, and more such fun topics! Visit Logic and Thinking Games and take your children on a fun adventure!

Multiplayer Games

What can be more fun than enjoying your favorite games with your buddies? Multiplayer games allow kids to engage with friends promoting teamwork, healthy competition, and strategic thinking in a virtual environment. Visit Multiplayer Games and explore time based games, player vs. player games, etc.

Motor Skills Games

Motor skills in kids refers to both fine motor skills (precise movements like writing) and gross motor skills (larger movements like running). Developing motor skills is vital for physical coordination, dexterity, and overall physical and cognitive development in children. Check out Motor Skills Games for kids and explore fun learning games to improve fine finger movement and also aim and precision.

Features of Fun Educational Games for Kids

Play on multiple devices: Online games for kids can be played on multiple devices.

Engaging and rewarding games: Children can purchase assets for their characters and more with the coins they earn through practice.

Offline access: These interactive games for kids can also be played offline for an interruption-free experience.

Benefits of Online Educational Games for Kids

Personalized learning: With personalized learning and entertaining rewards, online games strengthen students' confidence when solving mathematics and ELA problems.

Fun prompts and consistent techniques: Kids' learning games can provide a better learning approach for students as prompts and consistent techniques emphasizing the basics of math and ELA can assist your child in improving their knowledge.

Powerful visuals: Online learning games involve engaging visuals that educate students about complex topics effortlessly and present a way to work through them with ease.

What Are the 5 Best Games and Activities for Kids?

Here are 5 fun educational games online offered by SplashLearn:

1. Remove and Match the Number Game

2. Magic Canvas Color Your Imagination Game

3. Play Word Detective Game

4. Cupcake Coloring Fun Game

5. Uncover Hidden Green Shapes Game

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Free Online Educational Learning Games for Kids | SplashLearn

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Browse fun learning games for Pre-K to Grade 5 featuring math, ELA, motor skills, art and creativity, GK, logical thinking, etc. Loved by kids! Start for free!

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Games, videos, and interactive materials for fun learning created for kids.

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Kids games and materials for developmentally appropriate content and learning

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Educational games and videos from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts and other PBS KIDS shows!

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Miss Jessica uses song and craft videos to help children "to enjoy learning through music, movement, and cultural exploration".

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Miss Jessica's World - Where Kids Learn New Things

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Spanish for kids! | Learn useful Spanish phrases on Miss Jessica's World

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Tabitha Brown creates fun engaging content to learn about ourselves and the world - geared towards preschool age development

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Tab Time: How Things Grow | Preschool Learning | Educational Videos for Kids | Toddler Activities

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ABCya! • ABCya! • Learning Games and Apps for Kids

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Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games… and more!

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Kids videos on a wide variety of topics, fun, entertaining, and educational videos.

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Using interactive online and video based games can be a useful tool as a replacement for time spent watching TV and playing other electronic games and is a great way to motivate children to engage with therapeutic activities. Below are some free educational resources (games, websites, and videos) to help with learning during designated screen time.

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Your hosts are Chris and Sandy Colter, the parents of Bryce, who share their autism journey with stories about their nine year old son who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age two. The podcast is designed to connect with families who have been touched by autism and people who want to learn more about their world. You'll learn all about how they deal with day to day challenges and how you might apply it to your own life. It also sheds light on the "Mommy and Daddy" perspectives of parenting on the autism spectrum. Find their podcast on all of the popular platforms including Spotify, Apple iTunes, Google, Audible, Castbox, and Podbean. Also, follow their Facebook and Instagram pages. Their website (www.parentingautismshow.com) includes helpful resources on a variety of topics.

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Your hosts are Chris and Sandy Colter, the parents of Bryce, who share their autism journey with stories about their nine year old son who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age two. The podcast is designed to connect with families who...

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Resources, online learning, and information intended empower parents of special needs children.

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Our Mission

The mission of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center is to educate, support, and empower Connecticut's diverse families of children and youth with any disability or chronic conditions, ages birth to 26, and the professionals who serve them.

CPAC is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and language access for Connecticut families and youth with disabilities. We advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to help remove barriers that families and youth face when advocating for appropriate supports and services.

Our Vision

All families will have the confidence, knowledge and understanding they need to effectively advocate for their children and to partner with professionals to ensure the children and youth grow and learn to their full potential.

How We Help

Every day, CPAC's Parent Consultants provide individual training, support and empowerment for parents and professionals who reach out to us with questions about the education of their children and students. We provide training programs at no cost to families and educators across the state. We make available a wide range of accessible online training and information on our website and through social media. We work with a wide range of partners to reach out to families, youth and educators to find and address the issues in the education and transition of students and young people from birth through age 26. CPAC is staffed by parents of children with disabilities who have training in, and personal experience with, the law and disability issues.

Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
Connecticut's Resource for Children with Disabilities

Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
5 Shaws Cove, Suite 102
New London, CT 06320

Contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs #H328M200064. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned on this website is intended or should be inferred.This website is accessible to people with disabilities and conforms with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.

Website Design & Support by InnoTech

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Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center - CPAC

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CT Parent Advocacy Center, Inc. (CPAC) is a nonprofit that offers support to families of children with a disability or chronic illness, birth to 26.

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Access research and data to explore mental health treatment for children and families; source recommended by American Psychological Association.

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Evidence-based Approaches

Mental Health Information Based on the Best Available Science

Free
Assessment Center Advice for Choosing
a Psychologist Learn About
Evidence-based Treatment

When to Seek Help for Your Child

As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child's behavior is just a part of growing up or a sign of a bigger issue. There are several things a child and adolescent mental health professional will look at to determine if a child or teen's behaviors are problematic:

* Is the behavior more intense than it should be?
* Does the duration of the behavior continue after the situation has passed?
* Is the behavior typical for his/her age level?
* Is the behavior upsetting to your child or other family members?
* Does the behavior prevent your child from interacting with friends or performing well in school?
* Is the behavior inappropriate to the situation?
* Does the behavior happen for no obvious reason?
* Does your child avoid important social, school or family activities because of the behavior?

All children are different, and even the most typical child or teen may engage in "problematic" behaviors from time to time, especially when they are tired, stressed or sick. However, if your child or teen repeatedly engages in inappropriate or unwanted behaviors, consider meeting with a mental health professional.

Learn More

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Effective Child Therapy - By the Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology

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Mental Health Information Based on the Best Available Science FreeAssessment Center Advice for Choosinga Psychologist Learn AboutEvidence-based Treatment As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child's behavior is just a part of growing up or a sign of a bigger issue.

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Blog written to help reduce the stigma of Down Syndrome and to provide information and support to families learning to navigate life with Trisomy 21

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Award-winning Down's syndrome blog offering support, advice and resources as well as showcasing our family life and the experiences of others.

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How families can support healthy child development

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The Child and Family Blog reports on the latest research on how families influence child development. This overview highlights some of the key themes in this field of knowledge.

The blog overview looks at parenting as a team around children ("coparenting") and how it operates in the infinite variety of families across the world. It looks not just at parents' and carers' relationship with children, but at their relationships with each other (the "community of care"). It looks at how children can benefit from multiple and different experiences of parental care. It considers the historical origins of the term, "primary carer".

Key influences on how parents care for children are considered - separation and divorce, poverty and stress.

The overview concludes with a spotlight on attachment.

Child development involves four changes that take place from birth to adulthood:

physical: how children's bodies grow and develop

cognitive: how children think, explore, and figure things out

social: how children learn to interact with those around them

emotional: how children understand who they are and what they feel

Through these changes, individuals move from complete dependency at birth to increasing independence and autonomy as they reach adolescence and young adulthood.

The process of child development is strongly intertwined with a child's genetic makeup. But because development is an interactive process, genes alone do not determine who someone will become. The environment in which a child is raised also affects who he or she will be as an adult. It is not possible to say which is more important: Inheritance and experience are both key influences.

Continue Reading

All children go through stages of development, with each stage providing a foundation for the next. Many different stages have been described. For example, focusing on children's cognitive development, Jean Piaget described four stages:

The first two years-the "sensorimotor stage." Babies develop action schemes like sucking, pushing, hitting, and grasping.

Two to seven years-the "pre-operational stage." Children develop the ability to think, but have limited ability to apply logic to a situation to deduce something by thought alone.

Seven to 11 years-"concrete operational stage." Children start working things out through logical thought rather than just action.

12 to 15 years-"formal operational stage." Children engage in systematic experimentation, forming hypotheses, testing them, and trying alternatives.

Focusing on social development, John Bowlby described four stages: pre-attachment (first 6 weeks), attachment in the making (until 7-8 months, as the child shows increasing preferences), attachment (until the start of the third year, marked by distress when separated from attachment figures), and goal-corrected partnerships (when the child starts to take into account the attachment figure's needs).

2. Nature or nurture?

The answer is: This is the wrong question! It used to be thought that the genes children receive from their parents were completely separate from the experiences that shape their development. But the study of epigenetics has shown that our experiences affect our genes and these changes are inheritable. For example, if parents-either mothers or fathers-have experienced trauma in their lives, their children are more likely to be susceptible to anxiety. Our experiences produce proteins that attach to our genes and influence how the genes work. These changes may be passed down to generations. The good news is that they can be reversed by new experiences and with support.

3. The role of the family in child development

3.1 Team parenting

Families are infinite in variety within and across cultures, and also across history. But every family that successfully raises children has something in common: the ability of parents, relatives, and other caregivers to work together as a team or "community of care" to raise each child.

A child's relationships with parents, carers, and siblings play important roles in the development process. Early experiences, especially children's attachment to parents and other key carers, shape children's future development.

The relationships between parents and caregivers also strongly influence child development. Positive, interactive, and communicative relationships within the "community of care" help promote strong child development.

This dependence of development on relationships explains the extreme pain children experience when exposed to parental conflict. While conflict occurs in all families, children in families with high levels of discord are at risk of developmental damage. Parents who work together to raise their children and don't undermine each other's parenting have offspring who do better. Parents who struggle to reach this balance have children who may become fearful or anxious, and who may find it hard to focus on learning.

Does it matter if parents care in different ways? Children benefit from diverse experiences of care, for example, how far they are pushed in a game, or having parents and grandparents who care for them in different ways. If these differences go too far, however-if the carers are not agreed on basic principles and are not working together-it creates confusion for the children and disrupts strong development, leading in extreme cases to a child developing hostility, aggression, or passivity.

Throughout history, parenting has been a team effort. Anthropologists who have studied the origins of the human species have found that team parenting is key to the success of the human race. Human children are dependent on their carers for far longer than other animals and typically, multiple children grow up in families at the same time. Parents and others acting in a parenting role (called "alloparents") fill in for each other over time, protecting the child even in the most extreme case of a biological parent not surviving (which used to occur far more frequently). This robust form of parenting has meant that children can thrive in a large variety of conditions, including those that are harsh.

3.2 The "primary carer"

Is there such a thing as a single "primary carer"? In some families, one carer does more than the other and can be called a primary carer. In others, care is more shared. One parent carrying the lion's share of parenting is a relatively recent phenomenon historically speaking, emerging as families in some societies started to live in smaller household units and when work moved away from the home. But even in these families-and also in families where parents have separated or were never together-others help with the care of the children and can play an important part in child development.

Research shows that the most important factor is not the exact composition of the family, but the quality of the caring and how parents and carers-whoever they are-work as a team. Where there are differences in child development, it is because of other things. For example, studies show that single-parent families tend to have less money, which can disadvantage children, while same-sex parents tend to work together more closely as a parenting team, which benefits children. Warm collaborative parenting can take place in any family formation, and this is what matters to children.

3.3 Separation and divorce

The parent-child relationship, particularly a child's relationship with his or her father, is at risk during separation and divorce. Worse developmental outcomes in later life are among the effects of divorce on children who lose a parent-child relationship. That is not to say that every individual child does worse, just that the risk of doing worse is significantly higher. By understanding the effects of divorce on children, families can avoid damaging patterns of behavior and work to improve child development outcomes.

A review of research on divorce on this website, Scientists Urge More Priority to Protecting the Parent-Child Relationship to Limit the Effects of Divorce on Children, makes the case that family law should make it a priority to preserve not "at least one" relationship, but all parent-child relationships that are important to a child. And parents who separate or divorce might consider the benefits of shared parenting and shared physical custody, which mitigate the negative effects of separation and divorce on children.

3.4 Poverty

Poverty and disadvantage make parenting much more difficult. This is in part because these conditions create major challenges for parents. Poverty also has powerful effects on child development.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds can fall behind their peers in language and learning, even as early as age three. In classrooms, they often have difficulty focusing their attention, thinking, and managing their emotions.

But the good news from neuroscientists is that these impacts are not hard-wired or inevitable. Parents can and do make a huge difference in moderating and managing the stress of poverty to reduce the risk to child development.

Emotionally supportive parenting-when mothers and fathers share and model how to manage aggression and upset- can help impoverished children become more resilient. Moreover, keeping an orderly home and engaging in appropriate parental supervision predict better social and emotional outcomes for children in low-income families.

3.5 Stress

Much of the reason why poverty and disadvantage make parenting more challenging can be traced to stress. Parents who are under continual stresses such as food insecurity, low income, lack of employment or underemployment, and homelessness can have difficulty keeping their families functioning optimally. This, in turn, influences children's development.

When parenting is warm and collaborative, children are protected. In fact, warm, supportive relationships can reduce the stress hormones that are released in adversity and can even reverse the behavioral and other effects of hormone overload. (See Stress Of Adversity Harms Children Biologically And Behaviorally, But Good Care Can Reverse The Damage and Stress Of Adversity Harms Children Biologically And Behaviorally, But Good Care Can Reverse The Damage.)

4. Early childhood development: attachment

Attachment is a deep and long-lasting bond that connects one person to another. Developmental scientist John Bowlby, who originated attachment theory, defined attachment as a "lasting psychological connectedness between human beings." Attachment plays a very important role in parenting.

According to attachment theory, from birth children need people around them. They soon become selective in whom they seek contact with, developing attachment relationships with their most important caregivers. These attachments evolved as a survival mechanism, explaining why parents and other carers are of such key significance to children's development.

Almost all children have one or more attachment figures they can turn to. Researchers have discovered that children whose primary caregivers are mostly available and responsive to them and who support and care for them consistently develop what's called a "secure attachment relationship." When it is easy for infants to know that their caregiver is available, this gives them the confidence to explore the world around them. In contrast, children who are cared for in less reliable, consistent, and responsive ways are more likely to develop relationships characterized by ambivalence, avoidance, or disorganization. While it is still important that children have these early relationships, they might struggle more in finding security and support in future relationships.

Is there one attachment or multiple attachments? Attachment theory was developed in societies and at a time when many children were raised mainly by one parent, usually the mother. This resulted in the idea that children have one "primary attachment" with a maternal carer. This is true of some children, but more frequent across history and across cultures is multiple attachments. Children's development experience may be a combination of secure and insecure relationships, creating the possibility that negative experiences with one caregiver may be compensated by kind experiences with another.

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Child & Family Blog | Parenting Blogs | Home

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Discover our range of parenting blogs to support your child's development. Blogs designed for parents, led by research.

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A single mothers journey in embracing the needs of her sensory seeking son with ASD. Includes recommendations for in the home and sensory equipment to better create a supportive home environment for her son

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I am the single mother to a beautiful, funny, social, spirited and self-directed 12-year-old boy. Tristan is an AAC user who is non-speaking, autistic, ADHDer, has sensory processing disorder, anxiety, and apraxia. He is also the most sensory-seeking person I have ever encountered! We are a very active family and this is our journey. Welcome!

Our Sensory Apartment

Before (2016) & After (2021)

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I am the single mother to a beautiful, funny, social, spirited and self-directed 12-year-old boy. Tristan is an AAC user who is non-speaking, autistic, ADHDer, has sensory processing disorder, anxiety, and apraxia. He is also the most sensory-seeking person I have ever encountered! We are a very active family and this is our journey.

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Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support

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04/24/2024 - This is a place where we can come to share our challenges and success with sensory processing disorder.

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Developed by the director of Yale Parenting Center. Uncover misconceptions and ineffective strategies, learn step by step strategies for behavior change strategies for success in the home with children and adolescents

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For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

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Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing | Coursera

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Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing from Yale University. Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to ...

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Source for reliable information and research to learn about all things health, search for diagnosis, treatment/interventions, and much more.

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Official website of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is one of the world's foremost medical research centers. An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH is the Federal focal point for health and medical research.

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Pediatric MD and Parenting Expert Mona Amin runs a podcast to support and empower parents.

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Welcome to The PedsDocTalk Podcast Join Pediatrician, Parenting Expert, and mother Dr. Mona Amin as she equips parents with the tools to thrive and feel confident in parenthood. Episodes include interviews with experts in the field of Pediatrics, answering questions directly from parents, and parenting mindset coaching to get YOU the most out of your [...]