8 ways to use a baby play table

Posted on October 31, 2012 by christiekiley

Baby play tables are a great invention. As far as I can tell, they came onto the scene fairly recently (relatively speaking), and I have been amazed at how versatile they are. I’ve used them with infants in early intervention therapy, and they’ve also come in handy for promoting my own son’s development during his first year of life. They have all sorts of cause/effect buttons that sing and light up while introducing baby to songs, shapes, spatial concepts (open/close, up/down), ABCs, and 123s. Many of these play tables (including the one pictured above) now come with English/Spanish modes so you have the option of exposing your baby to more than one language at an early age.

Unless someone purchases one for you, don’t bother forking over forty bucks for a brand new baby play table. You should be able to easily find a gently used one on Craigslist or at a second hand store for twenty dollars or less. Just make sure it has removable legs so you can use it in a variety of ways throughout baby’s first year.

Here are eight ways you can use a baby play table:

1. Remove all legs and tilt against a couch, wall, or other stable surface so the play surface is nearly vertical.

Developmental stage: Newborn to rolling (approximately 0-4 months).

Interact with baby and talk to him about the lights, music, and sounds. Help baby lay on his side so he can look at and reach for the play surface. It’s important to get baby on his side while engaging, rather than just laying on his back and reaching over to the side. This is because when baby lays on his side, he is able to engage in “midline play”, which means he is being oriented to where the middle of his body is. Babies are not born with a midline orientation, and it is through midline play that they begin to develop a sense of symmetry (a balance between the right and left sides). If baby will not stay put on his side due to lack of strength or control, simply roll up a receiving blanket and wedge it behind his back. This side-lying position is also helpful for babies who have low muscle tone and find it difficult to engage in midline play while laying on their backs (as they would while playing in a baby gym).

2. Remove all legs and place flat on the ground.
Developmental stage: Tummy time to independent sitting (approximately 2-6 months).

This gives baby some incentive to push up during tummy time. It also gives baby something to play with while sitting up, even if she isn’t so sure about using her hands quite yet. Stay close by your baby on this one. It’s easy for the tummy time baby to suddenly drop her head and bonk her face, and it’s just as easy for the new sitter to quickly topple forward…also bonking her face. If your baby is not yet an independent sitter, that’s okay. Just support her trunk with your hands from behind while she sits and plays. The higher up you support her (closer to her armpits), the less she has to work. The lower down you support (closer to the hips), the more she has to work. Assist her accordingly.

3. Remove only two legs so the table tilts at a 45 degree angle.
Developmental stage: Pushing up and shifting weight during tummy time to pushing up onto all fours (approximately 4 to 8 months).

This is more stable than suggestion number one and, thank goodness, because now baby can reach out and clobber those buttons! The more advanced tummy time baby will find this fun and, again, it gives him an opportunity to engage in midline play no matter where he is around the table. As a therapist, I like this stage because it gives baby an opportunity to practice shifting his weight from side to side while on his tummy. He must shift his weight to one arm while he reaches out with the other. This is an important skill to learn before he can ever think about crawling. The more weight he can bear on one arm while he uses the other to play, the closer he is to crawling! This position also requires quite a bit of trunk and neck strength, which is important for — again — developing the muscles necessary for crawling. And, of course, this position is also fun with the baby who sits independently and is now able to engage more freely with his hands while sitting.

If your baby isn’t really comfortable on his tummy or doesn’t weight shift yet during tummy time, try putting him on his tummy on an exercise ball and slowly zooming him forward to the point where he can reach the play surface. You can help him practice shifting his weight by slowly tilting the ball to the left side (only, like, an inch or two, not a lot) while he reaches with his right. And then tilt it to the right while he reaches with his left. Not comfortable putting your baby on an exercise ball? Check out my post with video about how to play with your baby on an exercise ball. Sometimes a demonstration is all you need to ease your nerves.

4. Remove all legs and place flat on one couch cushion (or an object of similar height).
Developmental stage: Pre-crawling to crawling (approximately 6 to 9 months).

This is a great intro to assuming the hands-and-knees position because it’s easier to sustain a semi-upright quadruped position than it is a fully horizontal one. It takes some of the weight off the arms so baby can venture into a pre-crawling position without needing quite as much upper body and core strength. It also teaches baby about moving up and down through space, as opposed to only moving horizontally all the time (rolling, scooting, etc.).

5. Remove all legs and place flat on two couch cushions (or an object of similar height).
Developmental stage: Crawling to standing with support (approximately 8 to 10 months).

This just about mimics the height the play table will have when you put the legs back on, but it gives baby something to hold onto, lean against, and push against as he transitions to learning how to play in a kneeling and half-kneeling position. Translation: baby’s hand won’t slip off the bottom of the play table and he won’t hit his face on the hard plastic on his way down. We want to avoid injury where we can, right? This is also the perfect height and place for baby to start experimenting with pulling to a stand and remaining in an upright position for more than a few seconds at a time. We’re getting ready for cruising and walking!

6. Stand table up on all 4 legs and have baby use with table wedged into a corner.
Developmental stage: Standing with minimal support to cruising (approximately 9 to 12 months).

You’d be surprised at how much a newly standing baby leans into a play table…and how easily the table can slide or tip with that much weight being put on them. Once my little one reached this stage, I always felt most comfortable if I just wedged the play table into a corner so it couldn’t slide or tip. Of course, a baby this age still needs constant supervision because, as you will soon find out, those chunky little legs are still getting used to supporting all that baby weight and they have a tendency to unexpectedly give out. So stay close to your baby, keep a hand on her, and make sure she’s safe while you engage her with play and talk to her about all the fun stuff going on. Also, don’t be surprised if your baby pulls to a stand, plays for a minute, and then begins to cry…it’s probably because she can’t figure out how to get down! Help her problem solve and, over the course of the next few days or weeks, she’ll soon become a pro at using the table to stand up and squat down.

7. Stand table up on all 4 legs and place in an area where baby can access all four sides independently.
Developmental stage: Standing with minimal support to cruising (approximately 9-12 months).

As baby becomes more comfortable in a standing position, he won’t need to lean against the table so much, so you can get it out of the corner and into the middle of the room! He’ll start to experimenting with taking a step or two to the side, which is the beginning of the “cruising” phase. He’ll also start to become better at pulling to a stand and squatting down to the floor when he’s all done. Don’t be surprised if he starts to become a dare devil and tries to see if he can take both hands off the table. Or better yet, he may become so engrossed in his play time that he will “accidentally” take his hands off without even realizing it…and then quickly put them back on as soon as he realizes what he’s done!

8. Stand table up on all 4 legs and place near another surface so baby can reach over and “walk” to it.
Developmental stage: Cruising to early walking (approximately 10-12+ months).

It may take a while before baby gets up the guts to let go of the table AND step away from it. But oh the look of joy on his face when he does! Create safe opportunities for him to transfer between supportive surfaces, whether it’s a couch, a soft chair, or the very best thing — you! This is the beginning of the walking stage and it — in my opinion — is the best stage of all. Soon your baby will be saying good riddance to that play table in exchange for other, more exciting things to explore. You know, really safe things, like glass coffee tables, fireplaces, toilets, and garbage cans.

Always be sure to supervise and interact with your baby while he or she engages with their baby play table. And have fun!

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Coming Soon…Photo Friday!

Posted on October 30, 2012 by christiekiley

Throughout my week as a mom and a pediatric therapist, I have the opportunity to take lots of pictures of fun things my kiddos and I do together. I totally wish I could write a full blog post about each successful (or, I guess, unsuccessful) thing we do, because I want to get those ideas to you so you can try them out with your little ones. As reality would have it, tending to my family and working a full-time job aren’t so conducive to extensive blogging.

So…

That’s why I’m creating Photo Friday!

Photo Friday starts THIS WEEK!, and it will include a photo or two of an activity or idea that can help boost your child’s development. It’s a quickie. I’ll throw in a sentence or two about why it’s helpful, and then you can take it into your world and try it at home. Please give me feedback on my ideas — I love hearing how they go over with other kids!

I also like to share photos of fun, therapeutic activities on my Pinterest account, so make sure you’re following Mama OT on Pinterest so you can have access to all the good stuff I share, but don’t have time to write about. My Pinterest home page will give you access to all my boards and can be found by clicking here. If you are only interested in therapy or mommy stuff, you can choose to only follow those boards (don’t worry, I won’t be offended!).

You can follow “the therapist in me” (click here to follow), “Handprint/Footprint Art” (click here to follow), “mommy stuff” (click here to follow), and “pregnancy stuff” (click here to follow).

See you Friday!

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Tips for addressing throwing behavior

Posted on October 28, 2012 by christiekiley

Let’s be honest: isn’t it annoying when cute little babies or toddlers start throwing stuff? And you can’t even reason with them!

Here are five reasons why babies or toddlers might exhibit throwing behaviors, and what you can do about it.

Reason #1: Developmental stage.
From about 9-12 months, it’s totally developmentally appropriate for babies to throw things in order to see what happens when they land. This is a normal part of their cognitive development. They are learning about cause and effect and are often fascinated by the sounds different objects make when they fall. However, 9-12 months is also about the time babies start to test limits, and they often do this by throwing food or utensils during feeding time.

What you can do about it:
Label and describe to your baby what’s happening when he or she tosses that baby spoon on the kitchen floor. Talk about the quality of the sound (loud, quiet, etc.). Describe the mess it made (gooey, sticky, oatmeal or spaghetti sauce all over the floor, etc.). Describe where it went (under the high chair, next to your chair, etc.). Explain what you’re going to do with the spoon now that it’s on the floor (rinse it off, get a new spoon because this one is dirty, etc.). Set limits if the throwing is becoming a problem (such as, “If you throw the spoon one more time, we’re going to be all done.”), and offer them other toys that are fun, noisy, and okay to throw instead (such as rattle balls). All of this will help them start to understand more about cause/effect, which is a huge pre-requisite for higher level problem solving skills needed in the toddler years.

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Reason #2: Seeking sensory input.
Some little ones who are past the 9-12 month cause/effect phase will still throw because they’re seeking a lot of “heavy” input into their joints and muscles (you know it when you see it). One way they can accomplish this is by throwing stuff. Blocks, toy trucks, dolls, you name it. If they can pick it up, they’ll throw it. Watch out…and duck.

What you can do about it:
Offer them a replacement item. Instead of chucking puzzle pieces or shoes, how about beanbags, balls, or stuffed animals? This will provide similar sensory input in a safer way. Direct their throwing by encouraging them to throw toward a target of some sort, such as into a laundry basket or cardboard box. You can easily make weighted stuffed animals for throwing by ripping the seam, inserting a reinforced bag of sand or rice, and then stitching back up. Not cool with them throwing things, period? Encourage them toward other activities that provide “heavy work” to the shoulder/elbow/wrist joints such as safely crawling up and down surfaces of various heights (steps, short slides, pillows, etc.), hanging on bars, pushing things around the house (heavy diaper box, laundry basket, etc.), or walking like a bear. Make a game out of it when you can so it’s both fun and functional.

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Reason #3: Communicating that they’re “all done”.
The most logical way for babies to get rid of something they’re finished with is to toss it, right? Makes sense. Most babies don’t begin handing items to adults in order to indicate they’re finished until about 18 months (but some can learn sooner with the strategies listed below).

What you can do about it:
A) Be physically present with the child and tune in to their cues that indicate they are all done before they get to the point of throwing. Does their eating slow down? Do they start playing with their food? Do they start to drink more slowly out of their bottle or cup? Do they look around the room and show less interest in their toy just before they throw it? This requires you to be physically present with the child so you can intervene just before they begin their pitching practice. As you see them nearing their throwing threshold, you can either ask them or tell them that they’re all done (“Oh, are you all done?” or “You look like you’re all done.”). Then reach out your hand (or stop their hand from throwing), get the item from them, and thank them for it.

B) Teach them the baby sign for “all done”. It basically looks like they are shaking both of their hands at the same time (click here for video). This gives them a more functional and mature communication tool to be able to use in times like this. Teach it to any other caregivers as well so they can be aware of what the baby means when they sign it, rather than just thinking baby is being funny and then they miss the cue and all of a sudden baby starts throwing stuff.

Here’s a sample:
Baby: Slows down eating at end of meal, starts to play with spoon in high chair and motions to throw it
Mom: Stops baby’s hand. “Oh, are you all done?” (Models baby sign for “all done” while saying it)
Baby: Signs “all done”
Mom: “Okay, give the spoon to Mommy.”
Baby: Slightly moves hand toward Mom
Mom: Takes spoon and says, “Thank you! All done.”

You can do this with spoons, food, toys, and more. If you practice this interaction on a regular basis, your little one will start to understand the routine (remember cause/effect from earlier?) and should begin to initiate the sign or words for “all done” without needing to be prompted by an adult.

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Reason #4: Communicating that they’re frustrated.
This can be especially true when they’re playing with their toys. Baby’s first year is typically littered with toys that are pretty straight forward — you shake it, it makes noise; you push it, it lights up. But toys for the late baby/early toddler years are not quite so simple. Shape sorter, blocks, and basic puzzles are great for their development…not so good for their frustration, though. The common response? Throw it.

What you can do about it:
A) Again, be physically present with the child and tune in to learn what their pre-throwing cues are. How long do they struggle with a toy before they toss it? One attempt? Several attempts? Don’t jump in right away. Let them struggle and problem solve. Give them a chance to try. But don’t let them get to the point of throwing. Once they are close to that threshold, then you can jump in and either ask them if they need help or tell them that they do (“Oh, do you need help?” or “It looks like you need help.”). Then help them figure out whatever it is they’re trying to do and give them a chance to contribute to the problem solving process, such as letting them do the final push into the shape sorter or the final slide over of the puzzle piece to fit it in the slot.

B) Teach them the baby sign for “help”. Most kids I know must be taught to ask for help, and it comes back to giving them the appropriate, mature communication tools to be able to do so. To do the baby sign for “help”, simply flip one palm up toward the ceiling, place your other hand on top of it in a thumbs-up position, and raise both hands up a few inches. (Click here for video.) Younger kiddos may do any variation of this because it’s a little tricky, so you just want to focus on establishing a consistent, functional gesture to indicate that they need help.

Here’s a sample:
Baby: Starts to fuss while playing with toy and appears to be frustrated
Dad: “Do you need help?” (Models baby sign for “help” while saying it)
Baby: Establishes eye contact with Dad. Doesn’t yet know how to sign “help”, so Dad takes babies hands and helps her do it.
Dad: “Okay, Daddy helps.” Assists baby with toy/activity, allows her to finish the last step, and then cheers.

Again, teach this sign to all other caregivers so they can be on the same page and will be able to read the child’s cue prior to extreme frustration and throwing. Baby will develop an understanding of this routine over time and you should see a decrease in throwing behavior as a result. I’ve seen a lot of little ones stop throwing things simply because someone took the time to teach them how to ask for help.

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Reason #5: Seeking attention.
Babies learn in the first several months of life that their actions can influence the behavior of others. This is such a basic yet vitally important social skill. Additionally, kids often develop the desire to become the center of attention around 12-18 months of age. Some do it by being silly or performing a new skill. Others do it by throwing. As it turns out, this age often happens to coincide with the arrival of a new sibling or some sort of life change like a family move or transition to daycare or school. It’s not uncommon for kids’ behavior to deteriorate for a little while with big changes like these, particularly a new sibling. So now you’ve got a double whammy. There, I warned you.

What you can do about it:
A) Ignore the throwing behavior, but only as long as it’s safe to do so. If the child gets attention (whether positive or negative) when they throw, or they like the way you respond when they throw (a funny face, funny noise, etc.), they will keep doing it. So ignore it. I know, this is hard. But it’s often effective. Of course, if their throwing risks injury to a person or property, then you can’t just ignore it. That’s where you have to step in and be the parent (or other authority), and use your best judgment about the situation.

B) Provide plenty of positive attention when they are doing things you consider to be “good”. Maybe they are playing appropriately with their toys or doing a good job of helping clean up. Be sure to tell them you notice that! If they are old enough to understand “token systems”, consider involving them in a star chart or marble jar so you can catch them being good and give them a tangible way of understanding when they have done something good. Then they can work toward some sort of reward that you choose or at least that you agree with (a certain movie, play date with a friend, etc.). If they feel they are receiving adequate attention from you because of the positive things they are doing and being reinforced for, then the throwing-as-a-means-of-getting-attention should cease.

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As with most things in real life, there is rarely one “right” answer to addressing throwing behavior because the root causes of the behavior are often intermingled. For example, the child may be all done with their food or toy, but they are also seeking sensory input and attention. This means you’ll have to use your best judgment in order to problem solve how to best address their throwing behavior. If the behavior persists despite your very best efforts or seems extremely defiant, go ahead and mention it to their pediatrician at the next visit. He or she may be able to provide you with some helpful insights.

I hope you can use these suggestions as tools in your toolbox as you endeavor to train up your own (or someone else’s) child to the best of your ability!

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5 safe aerobic exercises for pregnant women {Guest Post}

Posted on October 23, 2012 by christiekiley

I am happy to introduce MamaOT’s newest guest blogger, Katie Moore. Katie is a mom who loves to blog about all things “mommy” and today she is here to share some tips for engaging in aerobic exercise during pregnancy.

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When a woman becomes pregnant she often becomes more conscientious about her health and the health of her developing baby. Exercise is a great way to enhance both mental and physical health during pregnancy because it increases cardiovascular circulation and produces “feel good” hormones (Dopamine and Serotonin).

Bringing a life into this world is a serious enterprise, and what a woman does during pregnancy can have a significant impact on her baby’s health. Exercising regularly can benefit not only the health of a pregnant woman but also the health of her unborn baby and, when combined with eating nutritious meals and getting plenty of rest, will help give her and her baby the best chances of a healthy delivery.

It’s important for a pregnant woman to speak with her doctor about what exercise is best for her. Doctors are the best resource for information and it is normal to ask them questions about pregnancy- and delivery-related topics like exercise, diet, pain management medicine, cord blood banking, and even circumcision.

Aerobic exercises were a great way for me to stay in good physical health while pregnant. However, these exercises are also beneficial to the health of a woman both before becoming pregnant and after the delivery of her baby. While every pregnant woman should talk to her doctor before beginning any exercise program (especially if you have a special health circumstance), there are many types of exercises that are generally considered to be safe during pregnancy. Be sure to keep tabs on how much you are exerting yourself and check with your doctor to find out what advice he or she gives for keeping a safe max heart rate.

That being said, here are five safe aerobic exercises for pregnant women:

1 • Step stool aerobics. Step stool aerobics can provide an easy workout. Use a wide, sturdy, four-inch high step stool, and step up and down for about fifteen minutes, at least once a day. Do this at a moderate pace and be sure to maintain good balance. A few months after my baby was born, I raised the stool to a higher level, increased my pace, and prolonged the amount of minutes.

2 • Elliptical. This equipment can be purchased to use at home or can be found at the nearest fitness center. This provided an excellent aerobic and cardio workout without impacting my joints. My advice, start slowly and increase the minutes gradually.

3 • Swimming. Swimming pools offer a fun and easy way to get an aerobic workout. Since the water offers resistance to body movements, many types of exercises can be performed, aside from simply swimming. Try standing in a corner of the pool, with both arms providing support on the ledge, and exercise your legs by pretending to ride a bicycle or hold both legs together and do a mermaid paddle. Doing the breaststroke will exercise both the arms and the legs. Thirty minutes to an hour a day will do wonders for improving mental health, as well as physical health.

Swimming was one of my favorite exercises to engage in when I was pregnant because it brought back childhood memories of all those summers I spent swimming in my grandparents’ pool with all my cousins when I was very little. And not only that, it also made me look forward to creating memories like those with my daughter after she was born (not to mention I was getting exercise!).

4 • Stationary bike. A stationary bike is a great way to get a good workout, regardless of the weather. I liked to set up my stationary bike in front of a television to watch movies or my favorite TV program, and it made the time go faster. As with all exercises, start slowly and gradually increase the resistance on the pedals.

5 • Walking. Walking is viewed by many as being one of the easiest exercises to engage in while pregnant. However, the jostling encountered can be hard on some people’s knees. Putting on a good pair of walking shoes can minimize this problem. Walking on a pretty day used to always lift my spirits. You can invite other people to walk with you to make it a little more fun, and you can even get the dog in on the act!

Walking was also one of my favorite exercises, both before and after I gave birth. Before delivery my husband would go walking with me. This was something we really hadn’t done and it gave us an activity to do together. After I gave birth, walking was the easiest exercise for me to do. I started gradually but now I enjoy going for long walks with by daughter in her stroller. We enjoy going just the two of us, but grandma likes to join, too!

With all of the options out there and with the advice your doctor gives you for aerobic exercise while pregnant, do what makes you feel the best. Start your pregnancy off right and have fun with it!

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Katie Moore is an active blogger who discusses the topics of motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie you can contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie, or follow her on Twitter, @moorekm26.

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4 Halloween Fine Motor Activities

Posted on October 21, 2012 by christiekiley

I had a lot of fun working on Halloween fine motor activities with my students last week, so I thought I’d share four that turned out to be a great hit! These were done with kiddos ranging from preschool all the way to fourth grade.

1. Eyeball sensory bag.
This might have been my favorite all week because of its versatility. All you need is a gallon-sized ziploc bag, a few squeezes of dollar store hair gel, and a gooey eyeball (dollar store two-pack). I taped the bag on a whiteboard and then drew mazes and pre-writing shapes on the board underneath so they’d show through the bag. I drew an eyeball to indicate where the gooey orbit should start, and then the kids had to use their fingers to make the eyeball follow the lines. The boys, of course loved it…but so did the girls! It was quite a workout for their little fingers (with the added benefit of working at a vertical surface to encourage better wrist activation for mature pencil grasp). I’ve never seen kids so mesmerized! This activity was great for providing input to my sensory seekers (squish, squish!) while also serving as a protective barrier for my sensory avoiders (no touching that gooey, yucky stuff). Lots of adorable giggling with this one!

Fine motor/visual perceptual skills addressed: isolation of index finger, pincer grasp, bilateral coordination, hand-eye coordination (visual motor skills), following lines and pre-writing strokes
Good for ages: preschool through elementary
Make it harder: use one hand to hold the bag and the other to slide the eyeball (rather than using two hands to slide it around); slide upward; shapes with more angles; complete the path in both directions (as in picture 3)
Make it easier: hold the bag in place for them so they can use two hands to slide the eyeball; slide downward; shapes with fewer angles

2. Spider web lacing plate.
I was surprised at how easy or difficult this was for some students. My string was only long enough for six holes, but you can do more holes if you have a longer string (good thing I tested it out beforehand!). I pre-knotted the string and wrote the numbers on the plate before involving the kids, but I had them punch the holes themselves going from 1 to 6. Then they laced the web and got to hide the spider or bug at the very end as their reward (bag o’ bugs from dollar store). Some kids needed a lot of assistance to coordinate holding the plate with one hand and lacing with the other. Some needed help holding the string effectively and figuring out whether to go up or down. Some needed help scanning the plate to find the numbers in the correct order (either due to visual processing difficulties, attention/impulsive difficulties, or both). Again, this was a good Halloween fine motor activity for both boys and girls!

Fine motor/visual perceptual skills addressed: hand strength (punching holes), pincer grasp, bilateral coordination, hand-eye coordination (visual motor skills), visual scanning
Good for ages: preschool through early elementary (or older depending on skill level)
Make it harder: use one hand to punch holes rather than two; use one hand to hold and manipulate lace; add more numbers and longer string; use a thicker plate to require more strength for punching holes
Make it easier: slide plate into a 3-hole puncher (but only punch one hole at a time) so they can use their whole upper body to punch holes; use fewer numbers and shorter string

3. Wiggly spider hat.
This one I found at Sweet Tea Classroom via Pinterest (of course). I’ve been using it in the clinic and in the schools, and boys and girls think it’s hilarious! It’s a great basic cutting activity (just lines and 2 circles) that can easily be adapted based on skill level. It also involves some fine motor dexterity as they help tear off pieces of tape, press them on the hat, and roll up two pieces to use for the eyes. (You could use a stapler instead of tape but I am so not comfortable giving a preschooler a stapler, no matter how well supervised. You could also use a glue stick, but then the pieces tend to slide around when in the hands of a little one.) The best part of this craft, though, is when the kids put on the hat. It’s hilarious. The 8 legs bounce around and they just think they’re sooooo funny. The googly eyes help, too.

Fine motor/visual perceptual skills addressed: pincer grasp, bilateral coordination, hand-eye coordination (visual motor skills), dexterity, scissor skills
Good for ages: preschool through early elementary (or older depending on skill and interest level)
Make it harder: have them cut and tape on their own; show them a model and have them figure out how to make it from the model; show them a model and give them a written step-by-step list of how to make it on their own
Make it easier: only have them cut out the short, straight lines (circles are obviously harder to cut); take the lead on the tearing and rolling of tape, but have them help where they can

4. Group pumpkin collage.
I came up with this activity when I was laying in bed one night thinking about work (can’t turn that brain off). It has actually turned out to be a really neat collaborative project, and we’re not even done with it yet! I got a big piece of black bulletin board paper from the school supply room, taped it to the wall, and drew an outline of a jack-o-lantern. I found big sheets of orange and green tissue paper in a drawer somewhere and then told each student that they could contribute to a group project that all the kids were doing in OT. There’s something about contributing to the greater good that really gets some kids fired up.

Because my focus was more on having the kids crumple the paper and glue it to the wall rather than wasting time wrestling with a big sheet of tissue paper, I tore it into small squares and then handed it to them so they could get to work. Some students needed constant reminders and demos to crunch it up into a little ball (as you can see). Some had poor strength and/or dexterity, so they had to push the tissue on their body while crumpling in order to gain added stability. Some also needed help holding the glue stick correctly, like you would hold a pencil (they wanted to grab with their whole fist instead). And yet others needed frequent reminders to stay inside the lines (or out of the eyes, nose, and mouth, which will remain black). We did this as part of our fine motor warm-up before sitting down to do tabletop work such as cutting or writing. Many students have been excited to come back to OT to see how much more of the pumpkin has been made. I can’t wait to do more themed collages with my students in the future!

Fine motor/visual perceptual skills addressed: pincer grasp, dexterity, finger strength, visual scanning for where to place tissue, shoulder strength to reach up and press onto paper
Good for ages: preschool through elementary
Make it harder: have them crumple using only one hand, have them tear the tissue paper themselves, use a glue stick with a twist top to challenge more refined finger skills
Make it easier: allow them to use two hands to crumple paper, do glue for them so they can just focus on crumpling and placing the paper over and over

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I hope you get a chance to try one or more of these Halloween fine motor activities before October is over and you have to wait until next year to give them a go. Have fun!

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50 Fun Ways to Play with Tongs

Posted on October 16, 2012 by christiekiley

Tongs, tweezers, and chopsticks are great for developing hand skills necessary for cutting with scissors and writing with pencils. Earlier this week I shared a DIY tutorial on how to make kiddie chopsticks, and I mentioned that the ability to use tongs is a pre-scissors skill, and the ability to use scissors is a pre-writing skill. When kids use tongs, they have to learn to “separate” the two sides of their hands (thumb/index finger side and middle/ring/pinky finger side), and this is exactly what is needed in order to successfully operate both scissors and a pencil. Think about it…

Tong play can begin as early as toddlerhood (I love to give toddlers short salad tongs so they can use with their whole hand to start) and can progress to more refined use of kiddie chopsticks and tiny tweezers as kids progress through elementary school. It’s never too late to have fun with tongs!

Below you’ll find a list of 50 fun ways to play with tongs. Some are my ideas (which I’m sure have also been done by others) and the rest are the wonderful ideas of those who work with kids and have blogged about it — therapists, parents, teachers, daycare providers, and more. Be sure to submit other ideas for tongs/tweezers/chopsticks play in the comments section at the end of this post…we’d love to hear your ideas!

Practice Makes Perfect

1. Feed the Big Mouth Frog from Therapy Fun Zone

2. Tongs with Pipe Cleaners from Embrace Your Chaos

3. Candy, Tongs, and Suction Cups from Havin’ Fun Yet?

4. Beads with Suction Cups from PreKinders

5. Beads in a Paint Palette from PreKinders

6. Pom Poms with Tweezers in an Ice Cube Tray from PreKinders

7. Pom Poms in a Bottle with Tongs from PreKinders

8. Pom Pom Tea Party from It’s a Long Story

9. Seeds and Tweezers from PreKinders

10. Tongs and Marbles on a Bath Mat from Play Based Learning

11. Tongs and Bath Toys from i’m going to make it (after all)

Around the House

12. Pick up dirty clothes with tongs and place in laundry basket

13. Go on a toy scavenger hunt with tongs and a bag/basket

14. Feed the family pet (e.g., dog, fish) using tongs

15. Clean up bath toys with tongs and put in a bag or bucket

The Great Outdoors

16. Collect pieces of nature (leaves, sticks, etc.) with tongs and put in a bag or bucket

Games and Puzzles
17. Stack blocks while using tongs from Embrace Your Chaos

18. Tong Jenga

19. Use tongs to move game pieces while playing board games from Embrace Your Chaos

20. Use tongs or chip clips to pick up puzzle pieces that have tiny knobs on top from Embrace Your Chaos

Games with Names

21. Bed Bugs from Amazon.com

22. Operation from Amazon.com

23. Hungry Dog from Amazon.com

24. Hungry Monkey from Amazon.com

25. Hungry Bunny from Amazon.com

26. Wok and Roll from Amazon.com

27. Scatterpillar Scramble from Amazon.com

In the Kitchen
28. Use tongs to pull toast out of the toaster

29. Use tongs to help serve foods at mealtime such as fruits, veggies, pasta, and salad

30. Eat with tongs (salad, pasta, meat, popcorn, etc.)

Getting Crafty

31. Complete crafts while using tongs or tweezers (e.g., placing items like beans, dry macaroni, cotton balls, pom poms, balls of tissue paper, etc. onto glue) from Embrace Your Chaos

32. Beans on a Tiger with Tweezers from Lessons Learnt Journal

33. Pom Pom Tong Art from It’s a Long Story

34. Winter Crafts with Tongs from Embrace Your Chaos

35. Wizard Hat Craft with Tongs from Embrace Your Chaos

36. Perler Beads with Tweezers from christiekiley

Pre-Academics

37. Pom Pom Muffin Tin Sorting from Childcare Land

38. Math with Tongs from PreKinders

39. Beads and Numbers in an Egg Carton from Mrs. Kelly’s Kindergarten

40. Rainbow Beads in an Egg Carton from Katy Lane

41. AB Pattern in an Egg Carton from Katy Lane

Sensory Play

42. Sensory Bin Fun with Tongs from Embrace Your Chaos

43. Tongs, Teddy Bear Counters, and Water from We Can Do All Things

44. Water Table Tongs from The Activity Mom

Unique Tongs/Tweezers

45. iPad Chopsticks from Therapy Fun Zone

46. Bug Tongs from christiekiley (for bugs or something less gross…like balls of playdough…your call)

47. Straw Tweezers from Teach Preschool

48. Gator Grabber Tweezers from Achievement Products for Special Needs

49. Squinkies and Zinkies from Therapy Fun Zone

50. Edison Training/Helper Chopsticks from Therapy Fun Zone

. . . . .

Share your ideas below for more fun ways to play with tongs!

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How to Make Kiddie Chopsticks

Posted on October 14, 2012 by christiekiley

Kiddie chopsticks are really easy to make. And did you know that when kids play with tongs and chopsticks, they are actually practicing fine motor skills that will help them with cutting and writing?

The ability to use tongs and kiddie chopsticks is a pre-scissor skill, and the ability to use scissors is a pre-writing skill.

Pretty cool, huh? Tong play is especially great for older toddlers and preschool-aged kids. Be sure to encourage them to use their “pincher fingers” (thumb and index finger, and younger ones can add in the middle finger) when operating their tongs so they can exercise the right muscles for learning to use scissors, crayons, and pencils. If they have difficulty figuring out which fingers to use, tell them to make an “L” shape with their thumb and index finger before placing them on the tongs…learned this trick from a parent, and it’s brilliant!

You only need three things to make kiddie chopsticks:
• A set of cheap chopsticks
• The paper that comes with the chopsticks
• A rubberband

Step 1. Break apart the chopsticks.

Step 2. Roll up the paper all the way to the end.

Step 3. Place the rolled up paper in between the two broken ends.

Step 4. Place the rubberband over the chopsticks, on the side of the paper that’s closest to the middle.

Step 5. Pull the rubberband down, twist to form an “X”, and bring it up over the outer end of the chopsticks.

Step 6. Wrap remaining rubberband around the end until tight and secure.

Ta-da! Easy peasy.

A few tips: (1) The thicker you roll the paper, the wider your chopsticks will be (great for beginners). (2) Cheap, square-ish chopsticks are easier for kids to use than fancy round ones. Just grab a pair the next time you order take-out and you’ll be good to go.

If you feel like you need a little more visual guidance check out this great, easy-to-follow video: How to Make Kid-Friendly Chopsticks (this is actually how I learned to make them).

Kids can use these chopsticks to practice picking up and placing various items (such as balls of play dough) into containers. Have them pinch off the dough and roll the balls themselves for added fine motor practice.

Kids can also use tongs to increase challenge while stacking small blocks. (I’m thinking chopstick Jenga might be a fun challenge, too!)

Be sure to check back later this week for a big list of ideas with lots of different ways to play with tongs/chopsticks to promote your child’s fine motor and pre-writing development.

Have fun!

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Easy Pipe Cleaner Bracelet

Posted on October 7, 2012 by christiekiley

Bracelets are fun to make, but they can be really tough for kids who have poor fine motor skills. If a child wants to make a bracelet but is struggling with being able to use two hands together (bilateral coordination), has difficulty using their “pincher” fingers effectively (thumb and index finger), can’t seem to coordinate hands and eyes (visual motor), or is just downright clumsy, try having them use a pipe cleaner instead of a string.

All you need are some beads…

…and a pipe cleaner.

That’s it!

Pipe cleaners are a great string substitute because they stay in place and don’t flop around, thus reducing the amount of fine motor control needed to successfully complete the task. Their fuzzy texture and hard wire give more sensory input to the fingers, which is great for kiddos who have underdeveloped or newly emerging fine motor skills. And their thick, fuzzy nature encourages beads to stay in place so they don’t slip off if the bracelet-maker loses focus or accidentally fumbles with their fingers. What a great way to minimize frustration and maximize success!

Pipe cleaner bracelets can also serve as a great fidget toy for the child who must always be touching, spinning, or jiggling something. They can play with it — spin beads, bend bracelet, etc. — while it is either on or off their wrist. Just make sure you’ve looped the pipe cleaner around the end enough times to know that the beads won’t go flying with all that fidgeting.

I hope you’re able to grant a child the gift of bracelet-making with this simple pipe cleaner trick. What are some other ways you like to modify bracelet-making for kids?

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Let Them Put a Triangle in a Round Hole {One Thing Thursday}

Posted on October 4, 2012 by christiekiley

Welcome to One Thing Thursday, where we share one thing you can do to boost your child’s development.

. . . . .

One Thing Thursday is back, and here’s the deal: I’m not gonna sugar coat this one. Here we go.

Dear Parents,

If you remember nothing else this week (or this month…or year…you get the point), please remember this ONE THING:

Don’t be afraid to let your child make mistakes.

In fact, please allow them to make mistakes. Give them enough space so they have the option of making mistakes. Especially as young toddlers.

They NEED to learn from their mistakes. They NEED to learn that “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” is actually a real thing. They NEED to learn that if they mess up the first time, they can try again next time. They NEED to learn how to persist in a task even if they don’t succeed the first, or the second, or the third time. They NEED to learn that if they can’t do something, they can ask for help rather than throwing a tantrum, having someone swoop in to do it for them, or simply giving up.

I have seen far too many little ones who, after being given the chance to engage in trial and error without an adult jumping in at the first sign of difficulty, have made tremendous strides in their cognitive and physical abilities. You should see the way these kiddos light up when they discover they can do something themselves. Could be learning to put on a shirt. Could be figuring out a shape sorter. Could be learning to cut with scissors.

Yes, every child is different and has varying capabilities. But the message is the same: give them a chance to try it by themselves.

So the next time you see your child trying to put a triangle in a round hole (or engaging in some metaphorical equivalent) and you have the urge to jump in and immediately do it for them, hold your horses. Give them a second. Or two. Let them try to put the triangle in the round hole. Encourage them. Point them in the right direction. Give them a chance to look up to you and ask for help. Guide them to the right solution. And then if they need you to ultimately finish it for them, go right ahead. But please don’t deprive them of the process of problem solving and the rich learning experience that only trial and error can bring.

Let them put the triangle in the round hole.

And then see what happens.

I will thank you for it when they are older.

Respectfully yours,

Mama OT

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eBook Review: 75 Ways to Have More Fun at Home

Posted on October 3, 2012 by christiekiley

I recently had the privilege of reading a great eBook called “75 Ways to Have More Fun at Home”. The author, Anna Luther, was a working woman who had three kids in three years (woah!). She quit her job and, though she never thought she would be a stay-at-home mom, she has realized it was the best decision her family ever made.

Anna blogs about all of this stuff – the good, the messy, and the funny – at My Life and Kids: Finding the Fun in Life and Motherhood. I’m a big fan of her down-to-earth, anti-supermom vibe. She keeps it real and isn’t afraid to admit that her house is a mess and, yes, there are days where she and the kids don’t make it out of their pajamas. Love it!

Anna is celebrating the release of her new eBook and she’s asked me to share some of my thoughts on it. After having read through it, I am totally game. This is great stuff.

As an OT, I want to share three of Anna’s ideas I loved (it was hard to pick just three…seriously, so much great stuff).

#45: Sticker Scavenger Hunt. This is a great one for fine motor, visual scanning, and understanding of positions in space when you give them clues about where the stickers are hiding (up/down, left/right, over/under, “hot”/”cold”, etc.).

#55: Obstacle Course. Obstacle courses can be set up inside or outside and you can use anything and everything in the environment to make them great. They are great for challenging kids’ gross motor skills and teaching them an understanding of sequence (1st this, 2nd this, 3rd this). Encourage them to incorporate animal crawls or wheelbarrow walks to help strengthen their upper body and trunk, both of which are necessary for strong fine motor skills.

#67: DIY Puzzles. Don’t throw out that cereal box until your kids have cut it apart and turned it into a puzzle! Great for fine motor and problem solving skills.

And as a mom of a boy who will someday love things that are disgusting, I absolutely MUST mention this one:

#3: Make Farting Noises. With a straw. Into your armpit. Say what?! Wait, it gets better. This one comes with video tutorial by Miss Anna herself. Now this you’ve gotta see.

Interested in finding out all 75 ways to have more fun at home? Well, you’re in luck. This eBook is hot off the (virtual) press and you can read more about it or instantly download it for $3.99 by clicking here.

I hope Anna’s eBook can serve as a great resource that will equip and inspire you to make the most of your time with your kids, whether you work full-time inside or outside the home. Check it out, and be sure to stop by her blog to leave her a note of encouragement or gratitude for a job well done!

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Mama OT

Tips and tricks for those who care for children

Monthly Archives: October 2012

8 ways to use a baby play table

Coming Soon…Photo Friday!

Tips for addressing throwing behavior

5 safe aerobic exercises for pregnant women {Guest Post}

4 Halloween Fine Motor Activities

50 Fun Ways to Play with Tongs

How to Make Kiddie Chopsticks

Easy Pipe Cleaner Bracelet

Let Them Put a Triangle in a Round Hole {One Thing Thursday}

eBook Review: 75 Ways to Have More Fun at Home