Fine motor skills, other than spinning small items like a dime, have been a bit of a challenge for Andrew. I wrote about some handwriting helpers (markers, crayons and pencil grips) I found that help with finger positioning and I would also like to share some fun toys/tools he's gotten that I’ve incorporated in My Obstacle Courses to help engage him in the writing/drawing process. See Mom? I DO Need Help! It never failed, as soon as I would get out paper and writing tools, he would hold them … [Read more...] about No Paper Or Pencils Required Here!
Archives for December 2010
Puff Blowing
I’m sure that I am different from many people in that I have spent a good deal of time thinking about a skill that children usually pick up early on - being able to blow air out of their mouth. This skill usually comes naturally as parents model and teach their children to blow on their food when it is too hot. Well, this was a skill that was very difficult for Andrew and no matter how much it was modeled and practiced he couldn't get it. I’m sure those of you out there with children who also … [Read more...] about Puff Blowing
Make Your Own Tunnel
Andrew began getting OT (occupational therapy) services this year and it has made such a big difference for him. I would sit in the waiting room and listen to the laughter coming from the kids and the therapists - what a fun job!! One day they had me come back and Andrew was creeping and crawling through this stretchy tunnel and when he would get to the end he would come out with this huge smile on his face. I love anything that gets him creeping and crawling and when I saw that smile, I knew … [Read more...] about Make Your Own Tunnel
Cookie Cutter Decorating
While I love to cook, I cannot bake. When I say I cannot bake, I mean I really cannot bake, not even cookies you drop onto a tray. This has been an issue all of my life and whenever I get up the courage to try again, I always end up with cookies that are either still raw or very crunchy (my husband kindly refers to them as "cookie crackers"). At first I thought it was the oven but when my mother came to visit she was able to bake cookies just fine. I think it's just me and I am fine with … [Read more...] about Cookie Cutter Decorating
New Toys Not Played With…Now What?
It seemed like every year Christmas would come, I would go out, search for toys and find some that I thought would be fabulous for Andrew. I tended to choose pretty basic things that had lots of possibility in my mind to build his pretend play skills. He would open the toys and they would get set aside with all of his attention turned to the toys with on/off switches, music and lights. My choices couldn’t compete but that was fine, I figured we had a whole week in the house together. During … [Read more...] about New Toys Not Played With…Now What?
Gingerbread Man Activity- No Baking Required!
This past week, with the holiday season upon us, I have noticed things related to gingerbread men and gingerbread houses all around me. It reminded me of an activity I did with Andrew in one of My Obstacle Courses. One of my favorite websites to get thematic ideas and printable materials is www.enchantedlearning.com. I don’t usually use the print outs as they are unless I am working on a specific skill but I do like the literacy and math skills that they help build. To make it more … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Man Activity- No Baking Required!