There are some station activities that I love to use because they have a basic structure that allows me to not have to think about what to do with regards to setting it up so I can place my attention towards what concepts I want to help Andrew build. They also have worked really well to keep him engaged for almost the same reason, so this actually helps us both out! In my experiences with the children I have taught and with Andrew, they tend to like structure and predictability, which these … [Read more...] about Favorite My Obstacle Course Station Activities
Archives for July 2011
Sample My Obstacle Course Using Kit Items
I hope you have found these past posts on what I would include in a basic My Obstacle Course kit helpful. These are just some of my favorites and are examples of items that could easily be assembled to provide activities to help build your child's skills. I encourage you to go on a little treasure hunt through your own house and see if there's anything else you can find. (Click here for a past post on Treasure Hunting At Home.) Academic and Developmental Skill Areas Just like when I set up My … [Read more...] about Sample My Obstacle Course Using Kit Items
My Obstacle Course Kit Item #10: Tunnels
Kit Item #10: Tunnels Tunnels are one of my favorite items to include in My Obstacle Courses because they encourage cross patterning, creeping and crawling while creating a fun, movement filled transition from activity to activity. Tunnels can be created a number of different ways. I have used dining room chairs (ones that don't have the foot/cross bar underneath work best) in the past which helped encourage creeping and crawling. After seeing a fabric tunnel at his OT, I made my … [Read more...] about My Obstacle Course Kit Item #10: Tunnels
My Obstacle Course Kit Item #9: Clothesline and Clothespins
Kit Item #9: Clothesline and Clothespins This is one of my favorite tools and the fact that I can use it to build multiple skills and concepts by combining an academic or concept driven skill with the fine motor skills and planning involved with using clothespins just makes it even more awesome! It adapts beautifully to whatever I need Andrew to be working on, which helps to keep it interesting. This is huge in keeping him engaged and motivated and I love the smirk on his face when he sees it … [Read more...] about My Obstacle Course Kit Item #9: Clothesline and Clothespins
My Obstacle Course Kit Item #8: Beach Ball or Balloon
My Obstacle Course Kit Item #8: Beach Ball or Balloon I chose a beach ball or balloon to build gross motor skills involving ball play because they can deflate and fit perfectly into a kit. They are also colorful, light and float in the air a bit longer than a regular playground type ball, making them better for visual tracking and giving more time for motor planning. The fact that they don't hurt when a catch is missed is a huge bonus!! This is a classic example of not needing … [Read more...] about My Obstacle Course Kit Item #8: Beach Ball or Balloon
My Obstacle Course Kit Item #7: A Writing Surface
Kit Item #7: A Writing Surface There are many different writing surfaces out there that would be perfect to put into a kit. I love using things that can be used again and again to help Andrew build his handwriting skills. I have the following items in my own My Obstacle Course materials: Magna-Doodles (I have even found small seasonal ones!) Aqua-Doodles white boards (write on/wipe off or dry erase) that come lined like beginning writing paper and plain white (make sure to use the … [Read more...] about My Obstacle Course Kit Item #7: A Writing Surface