Primary School by

Typical Grasp Development

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:30:38 UTC

Pre-Writing Exercises

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:39:12 UTC

Warm-Ups

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:39:25 UTC

Multi-Sensory Writing

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:39:38 UTC

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

Auditory - learning through sound and hearing

Visual - learning through seeing

Tactile - learning through our sense of touch

Kinaesthetic - learning through body movement

Vertical Surfaces

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:39:51 UTC

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

Handwriting Apps

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:40:04 UTC

Letter Formation Songs

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:40:16 UTC

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

Adaptive Pencil Grips

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:40:40 UTC

Size and Spacing Awareness

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:40:55 UTC

Posture Awareness

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 17:42:02 UTC

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

Mindfulness Practices

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 18:40:14 UTC

Emotion Identification

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 18:58:59 UTC

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

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

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

Visual Emotion Charts

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 18:59:12 UTC

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

Journaling Feelings

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 18:59:24 UTC

Affirmations

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 18:59:34 UTC

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

Sensory Breaks

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 19:01:17 UTC

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

Teach Coping Skills

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 19:01:34 UTC

Coping Strategies Jar

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 19:01:48 UTC

Modeling Emotional Regulation

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 19:02:30 UTC

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

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

Encourage Seeking Support

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 19:02:51 UTC

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

Emotions Check In

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-09 19:03:04 UTC

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-12 18:06:26 UTC

Tips to help children to wait

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-14 08:43:21 UTC

Cutting Rhymes

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-22 13:27:08 UTC

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

How to Hold Scissors

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-22 13:30:19 UTC

What exactly is attention?

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-22 20:05:12 UTC

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

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-22 20:18:46 UTC

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

Ninja Focus App

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-22 20:44:14 UTC

Sensory Circuit

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:39:31 UTC

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

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

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

Focused Breathing

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:42:57 UTC

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

Mindful Listening

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:45:08 UTC

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

Visual scanning

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:47:07 UTC

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

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

Memory Games

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:47:26 UTC

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

Simon Says

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:47:40 UTC

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

Story Sequencing

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:50:25 UTC

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

Movement Breaks

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:51:09 UTC

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

Break Tasks into Time Blocks

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:56:27 UTC

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

Heavy Work Activites

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:57:10 UTC

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

Sensory Tools

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:57:31 UTC

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

Use Visual Supports

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 15:58:41 UTC

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

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 16:10:50 UTC

Emotional Check-In

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 16:12:55 UTC

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

What did you feel happy about today?
What did you feel sad about today?
What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

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

Teach Problem Solving Skills

clarefulton1 — 2024-02-28 16:21:05 UTC

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Sensory Padlet

clarefulton1 — 2024-03-19 14:43:42 UTC

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

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

Technology Padlet

clarefulton1 — 2024-03-19 14:47:30 UTC

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

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

Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy

clarefulton1 — 2024-03-20 19:58:13 UTC

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

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

Ready to Learn Pack

clarefulton1 — 2024-07-17 08:14:46 UTC

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

Early Pencil Skill Development

clarefulton1 — 2024-07-17 08:18:37 UTC

Strategies for Handwriting difficulties

clarefulton1 — 2024-07-17 08:19:48 UTC

clarefulton1 — 2024-07-17 08:22:56 UTC

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

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

Scissor Skills and Using a Ruler

clarefulton1 — 2024-07-17 08:23:45 UTC

Attention and Focus

clarefulton1 — 2024-07-17 08:24:31 UTC

When Does Handedness Develop in Children?

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 08:21:35 UTC

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

CBeebies - Starting School

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:29:29 UTC

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

What does 'school readiness' really mean?

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:30:19 UTC

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:33:05 UTC

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

Big Little Feelings

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:34:26 UTC

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

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:35:42 UTC

Fine motor skills

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:37:38 UTC

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

Handwriting and fine motor skills

clarefulton1 — 2025-08-14 09:38:28 UTC

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

Posture and Seating for Writing

clarefulton1 — 2026-01-27 13:08:53 UTC

Plymouth CDC Occupational Therapy

clarefulton1 — 2026-02-19 15:26:43 UTC

Handwriting: tips and tricks

Starting Reception

clarefulton1 — 2026-04-18 13:48:33 UTC

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

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