Lancaster Children's Occupational Therapy

02/03/2026

✏️ Pre-Writing Shapes: The Foundation for Handwriting

Before children write letters, they need to master pre-writing shapes. These early strokes build fine motor control, visual-motor integration, motor planning, and pencil control — all essential for legible, efficient handwriting.

Developmental frameworks influenced by Arnold Gesell outline a general progression:

Vertical line → Horizontal line → Circle → Cross → Square → Diagonals → Triangle → X

These shapes directly support letter formation (e.g., circles for “o,” crosses for “t,” diagonals for “k”).

🛠 OT Tip: Think big before small!

Before expecting success on paper, practice shapes on a larger scale first.

Try:
• Tracing taped shapes on floors or walls with fingers or toys
• Forming shapes with playdough
• Drawing in sand or shaving cream
• Painting shapes with water outdoors
• Using chalk on walls/floors outside or large paper

Build big movements first—then move to paper.

Strong foundations build confident writers 💛

26/02/2026

Does your child want to know more about a future career in health services? 💙

‘Spill the T’ – T-Level Information Event for Students, Parents/Carers & Educators.

Join the Careers Team at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 7pm for an informative and supportive session all about Health T-Level opportunities.

This is a fantastic chance to:
✨ Learn what Health T-Levels involve
✨ Explore exciting career pathways in the NHS and Social Care
✨ Get expert advice from experienced professionals
✨ Ask questions and plan next steps

Whether your child is already considering a career in healthcare or just starting to explore their options, this session will provide valuable insight and guidance.

Follow the link below, or scan the QR code on the picture below.
https://forms.office.com/e/FgcJcEWyM2

23/02/2026

🪑✨ Why good seating matters for kids ✨🪑

Let’s talk about something that seems small—but makes a BIG difference 👀👇
Good seating isn’t just about comfort. The way a child sits directly affects their attention, learning, behaviour, and even confidence 📚🧠💪
When children are seated well:
✅ Feet are supported (touching the floor or a footrest 👣)
✅ Hips, knees, and ankles are at comfy right angles 🔺
✅ The table is at the right height for drawing, writing, and eating ✍️🍽️
This kind of setup helps their bodies feel stable and calm, so their brains can focus ✨
Less fidgeting ≠ “being naughty” — it often means their body needs better support 💡
On the flip side, poor seating can lead to:
❌ Slouching and fatigue
❌ Reduced concentration
❌ Avoidance of table-top tasks
❌ Frustration (for kids and parents 😅)
You don’t need fancy furniture 🪑
👉 A box under the feet
👉 A cushion behind the back
👉 Adjusting chair/table height
Small changes = big wins 🌟
If your child struggles to sit, focus, or stay engaged, it might not be motivation… it might be posture and support ❤️

11/02/2026

🌙 The Importance of a Bedtime Routine 🌙

Bedtime routines are a key part of supporting a child’s regulation, development, and overall well-being. Consistent routines help children transition from the demands of the day into a calm, restful state, setting the foundation for quality sleep.
🧠 Why bedtime routines matter:
Support nervous system regulation and emotional stability
Increase feelings of safety, predictability, and security
Improve sleep onset and sleep quality
Reduce bedtime stress for both children and caregivers
🛁📖 What an effective bedtime routine includes:
Consistency ⏰: similar timing and sequence each night
Calming activities 🌿: bath, pajamas, quiet play, reading
Connection 💕: shared reading, gentle conversation, cuddles
Low stimulation 🔕: limited screens, noise, and high-energy play
Simplicity ✔️: routines should be realistic and sustainable
From an OT perspective, routines are meaningful daily occupations that shape how children function and self-regulate. A predictable bedtime routine helps the body and brain recognize that it is time to rest, making sleep more accessible and restorative.
🌟 Supporting healthy sleep habits benefits the entire family—better rest leads to improved regulation, learning, and participation in daily life.
Small, consistent changes can have a powerful impact over time.

02/02/2026

🎭✨ Why role play is so important for children ✨🎭
Role play isn’t just about dressing up or pretending — it plays a huge role in supporting children’s communication, play, and emotional development 💬🧠
🗣️ Supports communication
Through role play, children practise using words, sounds, gestures, and facial expressions in everyday situations like shopping, bedtime, or going to the doctor.
🤝 Builds social skills
Pretending together helps children learn turn-taking, sharing ideas, and understanding other people’s feelings — all key skills for friendships ❤️
🧩 Develops play & thinking skills
Role play encourages imagination, problem-solving, and flexible thinking as children create stories and explore different roles.
💛 Supports emotional expression
Children often show us how they’re feeling through play. Role play gives them a safe way to explore emotions and experiences they might not yet have the words for.
🌱 OT tip for parents:
Follow your child’s lead, keep it simple, and enjoy the moment — there’s no right or wrong way to role play!
👶🎨 Dressing up, small world toys, or acting out daily routines all count. Play really is powerful!

31/01/2026

🌟Exciting news!🌟

☕We have a new Coffee & Connect – One Stop Shop!

Looking for friendly faces, practical advice, and a warm cuppa? Join us at Firbank Family Centre, Lancaster for our brand-new Coffee & Connect sessions!

Our first sessions agencies are :
Barnardo’s Lancashire Young Carers
HCRG - Health visiting team
Department of work and pensions
Citizens Advice Bureau
Fire & Rescue

📅 Starts 11th February
🕘 Every second Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Firbank Family Centre, Firbank Road, Lancaster, LA1 3HL

Get support on housing, finance, employment, parenting, emotional wellbeing, and more – all in a warm, welcoming space.

25/01/2026

Learn to Cycle this February half term 🚲
📆 Thursday 19th February
⏰10.30am & 11.45am
Our Learn to Cycle sessions are the perfect way to get children bike confident and riding in a fun, safe and supportive environment 👍🏻

These sessions are back by popular demand 💥 book now to avoid disappointment 👇🏻
https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/salt-ayre-leisure-centre/school-holiday-activities

20/01/2026

20/01/2026

Teaching your child to tie shoes? Try the Two Bunny Ears technique 🐰🐰
It’s one of our OT favorites because it: ✨ Uses both hands equally
✨ Is easier for visual learners 👀
✨ Reduces frustration 💛
🧠 OT Tips for Success:
👟 Practice with the shoe on the table, not on the foot
🎨 Use two different-colored laces
🗣️ Say the steps out loud every time
🐰 Step-by-Step:
1️⃣ Cross the laces ❌
2️⃣ Make two bunny ears 🐰🐰
3️⃣ Cross the ears 🤗
4️⃣ Push one ear through the hole 🕳️
5️⃣ Pull tight 🙌
Remember: shoelace tying is a big motor skill 💪
Struggling doesn’t mean your child isn’t trying—it means they’re still learning 🌱
Velcro today ➡️ bows tomorrow 🎀💛

14/01/2026

Stay & Play is open to every child under 5 with a disability, their siblings and parents/carers.

The team from Longlands Child Development Centre will be joining us at Wednesday's session, hope you can make it!

Find out more info about us - https://uniquekidzandco.org.uk/support/stay-and-play/

05/01/2026

❄️🧊 Wheelchair safety in winter: Navigating Snow & Ice ♿️💙
Winter weather doesn’t have to stop the fun! Here are some everyday winter tips to help young wheelchair users and their families stay safe, warm, and confident ❄️✨
✅ Prepare your wheelchair before heading out
🗺️ Plan your route in advance
🧣 Wrap up warm (even for short trips!)
🧤 Protect hands from the cold
👀 Stay visible in low light
🐢 Take it slow on slippery surfaces
📱 Keep electronics dry
🎒 Pack a simple winter grab bag
💪 Whizz Kidz wheelchair skills training also helps young people build confidence and practical skills to handle real-life situations — including tricky winter conditions!
👉 Find out more here:
https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/news/navigating-snow-and-ice-everyday-winter-tips-for-young-wheelchair-users-and-their-families/
Stay safe this winter! ❄️♿️💙

Whizz Kids News

29/12/2025

✨ New Year’s Resolutions—The OT Way! ✨

New year = new chances to build routines!

In OT, we love goals that are small, fun, and doable—because little steps lead to BIG

Top Tips for Setting Goals :
⭐ Keep it simple — focus on 1–2 goals at a time
⭐ Encourage your child to do a little more independently on each practice
⭐ Build skills and confidence through play
⭐ Celebrate effort — high-fives, smiles, and praise count!
⭐ Let your child choose their goal! It makes the goal meaningful and boosts motivation and engagement.
⭐️ Use sticker charts, visual goals and small rewards to keep motivation high and make practice feel like play- not work!

Examples of goals:
🪥 Brushing my teeth with less help
👕 Putting my t-shirt on the right way around
🍽️ Sitting at the table for meals and using cutlery
🛏️ Creating and following a structured bedtime routine
🧺 Helping with simple chores

Remember—progress doesn’t have to be fast to be amazing. Every little win matters 🌈

Here’s to a year full of play, progress, and proud moments—Happy New Year from Our OT team! ✨

💬 What’s one fun goal your child is working on this year?