Hand and Heart Kid's Occupational Therapy - London

Hand and Heart Kid's Occupational Therapy - London Pediatric occupational therapy in London, Ontario - in-home and virtual services
Supporting children’s development through creativity, connection, and care.

📚 Sunday Stories 📚One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for ...
08/31/2025

📚 Sunday Stories 📚

One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for fun or learning something new to support the families I work with.

I’m excited to share that love through Sunday Stories, a weekly feature where I highlight books I love reading with clients, as well as titles that can be helpful for caregivers, educators, and fellow clinicians.

Whether it’s a story that supports emotional regulation, sparks creativity, or deepens understanding of child development, I hope these picks offer something valuable for the children and families you support.

On theme with being back to school, this week’s pick is: “I’m Your Bus” by Marilyn Singer. I love how the author has personified the bus to introduce or review bus routines and expectations in a warm and approachable way.

Sunday is my favourite day to slow down, recharge, and curl up with a good book, and I hope this series brings a little inspiration to your own reading list!

✨ Stay tuned each Sunday for a new story worth sharing.

The countdown is on, but back-to-school prep doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here are 3 simple things you can try thi...
08/27/2025

The countdown is on, but back-to-school prep doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here are 3 simple things you can try this week to help your child ease into the transition:

✨ Do a “morning routine practice run” so the first day feels familiar.

👟 Break in new shoes, coats, or backpacks so they’re comfy from day one.

🤗 Create a special drop-off ritual (hug, high five, or secret handshake) to keep connection front and centre.

Which tip will you try first?

Before we focus on routines, supplies, or separation… we focus on connection. 💛Because when a child feels safe and seen,...
08/27/2025

Before we focus on routines, supplies, or separation… we focus on connection. 💛
Because when a child feels safe and seen, everything else becomes easier.

Connection isn't just a nice extra, it’s the foundation for regulation, learning, and resilience.

So in these last days before school starts, try this:
✔️ Snuggle before the morning rush
✔️ Ask “What are you feeling about school?”
✔️ End the day with special 1:1 time, even 5 minutes matters

Let’s lead with love, not pressure.
Connection first. Then school. 🌱

📚 Sunday Stories 📚One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for ...
08/24/2025

📚 Sunday Stories 📚

One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for fun or learning something new to support the families I work with.

I’m excited to share that love through Sunday Stories, a weekly feature where I highlight books I love reading with clients, as well as titles that can be helpful for caregivers, educators, and fellow clinicians.

Whether it’s a story that supports emotional regulation, sparks creativity, or deepens understanding of child development, I hope these picks offer something valuable for the children and families you support.

This week’s pick is: “Lena’s Shoes are Nervous” by Keith Calabrese. This book has the brilliant idea of externalizing emotions to Lena’s shoes feeling nervous before the first day of kindergarten, while emphasizing the importance of validating caregiver support and positive self-talk.

Sunday is my favourite day to slow down, recharge, and curl up with a good book, and I hope this series brings a little inspiration to your own reading list!

✨ Stay tuned each Sunday for a new story worth sharing.

Back-to-school tip: Build and practice your after-school reset routine before the chaos kicks in. After a long, sensory-...
08/21/2025

Back-to-school tip: Build and practice your after-school reset routine before the chaos kicks in.

After a long, sensory-filled day, many kids need:
✔️ Nourishment (hello snack!)
✔️ Emotional safety (a snuggle or quiet presence)
✔️ Time to regulate (screens off, nervous system reset on)

You don’t need a perfect plan, just a predictable rhythm.
Try setting it up now so your child has something to count on when school starts.

Do you already have an after-school ritual? Or want help building one?
Let me know below!

Back to school is just around the corner… but there’s still time to ease into it.Instead of diving into rigid routines, ...
08/18/2025

Back to school is just around the corner… but there’s still time to ease into it.

Instead of diving into rigid routines, focus on gentle, connection-first transitions:
✔️ Shift sleep schedules slowly
✔️ Preview routines + environments
✔️ Support emotional and sensory needs
✔️ Build in connection time each day

Your child doesn’t need to feel “ready”, they need to feel supported.

Save this post or share it with a friend who needs the reminder 💛

📚 Sunday Stories 📚One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for ...
08/17/2025

📚 Sunday Stories 📚

One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for fun or learning something new to support the families I work with.

I’m excited to share that love through Sunday Stories, a weekly feature where I highlight books I love reading with clients, as well as titles that can be helpful for caregivers, educators, and fellow clinicians.

Whether it’s a story that supports emotional regulation, sparks creativity, or deepens understanding of child development, I hope these picks offer something valuable for the children and families you support.

This week’s pick is: “Pete’s A Pizza” by William Steig. I love completing the actions alongside this book as part of a sensory diet/sensory break. Great to incorporate into therapy sessions and everyday life!

Sunday is my favourite day to slow down, recharge, and curl up with a good book, and I hope this series brings a little inspiration to your own reading list!

✨ Stay tuned each Sunday for a new story worth sharing.

Fidgets aren’t just for fun, they’re a tool for regulation.But only when we teach how to use them.Fidgets can help kids ...
08/14/2025

Fidgets aren’t just for fun, they’re a tool for regulation.
But only when we teach how to use them.

Fidgets can help kids stay focused, calm, and engaged if the purpose and expectations are clear.
Otherwise, they can become just another distraction.

As an OT, here’s what I recommend:
✔️ Choose the right tool for your child’s sensory system
✔️ Set clear boundaries (when/where/how it can be used)
✔️ Keep it simple, quiet, and meaningful. It doesn't have to be flashy, sometimes a pipecleaner or piece of putty is enough to do the trick!

📚Sunday Stories 📚One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for f...
08/10/2025

📚Sunday Stories 📚

One of my favourite *occupations* has always been reading, whether it’s diving into a great story for fun or learning something new to support the families I work with.

I’m excited to share that love through Sunday Stories, a weekly feature where I highlight books I love reading with clients, as well as titles that can be helpful for caregivers, educators, and fellow clinicians.

Whether it’s a story that supports emotional regulation, sparks creativity, or deepens understanding of child development, I hope these picks offer something valuable for the children and families you support.

This week’s pick is: “The Body Detective!: Decode Your Sensory Signals” by Janey Krauthamer. The interactive pull-tabs throughout this book really capture children’s interests and make reading the book an engaging and collaborative activity.

Sunday is my favourite day to slow down, recharge, and curl up with a good book, and I hope this series brings a little inspiration to your own reading list!

✨ Stay tuned each Sunday for a new story worth sharing.

Ever had a meltdown because it was time to clean up and your child wasn’t done yet? 😩The “Not Done Yet” Box is a simple ...
08/07/2025

Ever had a meltdown because it was time to clean up and your child wasn’t done yet? 😩

The “Not Done Yet” Box is a simple tool that can help ease tough transitions. It gives kids a sense of control and reassurance that their activity isn’t gone, it’s just paused.

Great for kids who:
✔ struggle with stopping
✔ love routine
✔ get upset during transitions

Keep the box in a visible spot, use it consistently, and let them return to what they saved. It builds trust and smoother transitions over time.

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Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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