Lancaster Children's Occupational Therapy

15/09/2025

Screens are everywhere — and as occupational therapists, we want to remind you: it’s not about ❌ removing screens, but about ✅ finding balance that supports your child’s growth.

Here’s what to keep in mind:
✨ Connection first 🤝 – co-watch/play with your child & chat about what they see. Builds language + social skills.
✨ Protect routines 🛏️🍽️ – keep mornings, mealtimes & bedtime screen-free. Supports sleep + family bonding.
✨ Balance the day ⚽🌳🎨 – match screen time with movement, outdoor play & hands-on fun. Strengthens motor skills + creativity.
✨ Model healthy habits 👀📱 – kids copy what we do, not just what we say.
✨ Watch for signs 🚩 – meltdowns, trouble focusing, or less interest in play may mean it’s time to scale back.

💡 Kids learn best through play, movement & real-life connection 💛 Screens can be helpful, but they shouldn’t replace the experiences that truly shape development.

11/09/2025

🍂✨ Fun Autumn Craft for Kids! ✨🍂

Looking for a cozy autumn activity that keeps little hands busy? 🙌
Try making Leaf Animals! 🦊🦉🐿️

👉 Collect colorful leaves on a nature walk 🌳
👉 Glue them onto paper to create animals (fox, owl, hedgehog… or even made-up creatures!) 🎨
👉 Add googly eyes & marker details for extra fun 👀✏️

✅ Builds fine motor skills
✅ Sparks creativity
✅ Perfect for a rainy afternoon ☔🍁

📸 Here’s an example of what it can look like ⬇️

Who’s giving this a try this weekend? 💛

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03/09/2025

👉 Don’t miss out! Follow our amazing Physiotherapy colleagues on Facebook for handy hints, tips, and advice

03/09/2025

🌟 The Power of Motivation in Children 🌟

Motivation is what keeps kids going even when things get tough. A motivated child is curious, creative, and determined to reach their goals 💪✨

Here are some simple ways to boost your child’s motivation:
✅ Make learning fun 🎉
✅ Celebrate progress (big or small!) 🎊
✅ Set realistic, achievable goals 🎯
✅ Involve the family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
✅ Offer choices to promote independence 🙌
✅ Be patient – mistakes are part of learning 💡
✅ Encourage creativity 🎨

💖 The Benefits?

More effort and persistence

Improved well-being & confidence

Greater creativity and performance

Better attendance and participation

🚫 What to Avoid:

Unrealistic expectations

Criticism or disappointment as motivators

Dwelling on past mistakes

Over-relying on rewards

👉 Motivation is the key to helping children thrive—not just in school, but in life! Let’s use the right strategies to bring out the very best in them 🌈💫

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26/08/2025

🌟 How to Support Your Child with Their ‘Back-to-School’ Anxieties 🌟
After 6 fun-filled weeks off school, the return to routine can be tough for children. It's normal for them to feel nervous or unexcited, but there are ways we can help them adjust smoothly and feel more confident. 💙
Here are some tips to reduce/manage their worries and ease them back into school life:
🕒 Ease Back into Routines
A few days before school starts, adjust bedtimes and wake-up times to make the transition easier. Set up a consistent morning routine (breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth) so they know what to expect and feel more confident. 📅
🏫 Talk About School Positively
Discuss what school will be like and address any questions they have. Make it exciting by mentioning familiar faces like teachers and friends! This helps them feel connected to the routine. ✨
For children with anxiety, especially those with autism, social stories can be a helpful tool. They offer a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect, reducing anxiety by making the unknown more predictable. For example, a social story could describe the classroom, teachers, and daily activities.
🎒 Prepare Together
Let your child help pick out school supplies like pens, pencils, and their lunchbox. Getting them involved in packing their bag also builds responsibility and excitement! 🖍️ This is also a great time to talk about what their school day might look like and allow them to bring a comfort item, like a small stuffed animal or picture, to help them feel secure and confident. 🧸💖
💬 Normalize Feelings
It’s okay for them to feel nervous. Encourage open communication and let them know their feelings are normal. Talking through these emotions helps them process and feel heard. 💕
🖼️ Use Visual Aids
If transitions are tricky for your child, create a simple ‘daily routine chart’ or a ‘now and next’ board with images for things like brushing teeth or getting dressed. This helps them feel more in control and know what to expect. ✅
🧘‍♀️ Encourage Mindfulness
Teach simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing or counting to ten when they feel overwhelmed. A cozy “calm-down corner” with stuffed animals or sensory toys can also help during stressful moments. 🧸
🌞 Start the Day with Positive Talk
Share affirmations like “I am brave” or “I can learn new things.” This sets a positive tone for their day and boosts their confidence. ✨
🤗 Be Patient During Transitions
Adjusting to a new school year is a big change! Remember that every child adjusts at their own pace. Stay positive and patient as they get used to their new routines and expectations. 💙
Let’s make the start of this school year as smooth and positive as possible for our children! 🌟💙
What other tips do you have to ease back-to-school jitters? Share in the comments below! 👇

18/08/2025

🌟 Starting Primary School in September? 🌟

It’s such an exciting milestone! 🎒👩‍🏫👦 Here are some fun ways to help your little one practise everyday school skills over the summer:

✨ Skills to try:
👕 Practice getting changed for PE
🧥 Putting on & taking off their coat
✂️ Cutting out simple shapes with safety scissors
🍴 Eating with cutlery
🎨 Drawing simple shapes (I, +, O, X, Δ) in paint, crayons, foam, or sand
🍽️ Carrying a tray (just like at lunchtime!)

✨ Top tips for success:
⏳ Take your time — weekends are perfect for practice
➡️ Start small, then build up (e.g. carry a tray with just a spoon, then add more)
🔄 Try backward chaining — let them finish the last step first, then gradually step back
🪑 Sitting on a chair helps with balance when getting dressed
🍌 Use child-sized cutlery — begin with soft foods like banana
🎉 Most importantly… make it FUN!

💡 Helpful resources from NHS GGC:
👉 General Hints and Tips
👉 Backward Chaining
👉 Holding a Pencil
👉 Dressing Myself
👉 Getting Ready for Nursery/School

Let’s get our little ones feeling confident, independent & ready for school this September! 🌈✨

11/08/2025

Preparing for Independently Dressing into Your School Uniform! 📚✏️👔

School mornings are often stressful and time-restricted 😅 — which makes it tricky for children to practice the harder parts of dressing: buttons, zips, socks, and shoes!

School holidays & weekends are perfect for letting your child practice these skills so they can learn to dress themselves independently which will make those rushed school mornings that little bit easier for the whole family!

⸻

🧠 1. Start with the Basics
• Begin with un******ng first — it’s easier.
• Use loose-fitting clothes, elastic waistbands, Velcro, or large buttons.
• Start with easy items: pants, T-shirts, etc.

🎯 2. Break It Down
• Teach one step at a time (“First put your arm through the sleeve”).
• Try backwards chaining: You do most of the task, they finish the last step. Slowly give them more until they can do the full routine.

⏱️ 3. Allow Extra Time
• Practice at calm, unhurried times (not school mornings).
• Make it part of play, not just getting ready to leave.

🎨 4. Make It Fun
• Turn dressing into a game (“Beat the timer!”).
• Let them choose practice outfits — even if they don’t match 😉.

🧦 5. Teach Clothing Orientation
• Use visual cues: tags at the back, stickers inside shoes for left/right.
• Lay out clothes in order or in the shape of a person.

👐 6. Encourage Fine Motor Skills
• Practice zips, buttons, and snaps with toys or real clothes.

👏 7. Be Patient & Celebrate Success
• Praise effort: “You tried really hard with those buttons!”
• Expect some mistakes — it’s part of learning.

🧍 8. Model & Narrate
• Dress in front of them and talk through each step.
• Help them copy you.

🪞 9. Use Mirrors
• Kids can spot and fix backwards or inside-out clothes themselves.

🧼 10. Add Hygiene Habits
• Combine dressing with teeth brushing, handwashing, and hair brushing for full independence.

11/08/2025

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust Hospital Passports video.Created by the UHMB/OneLSC i3 Digital Service Team.Produced by Adam Lucas: Digital ...

06/08/2025

🧘‍♀️ Why is BALANCE important for kids? 🤸‍♂️

Learning to balance helps children in SO many ways! 💡✨
✅ Boosts coordination & motor skills
✅ Helps prevent injuries
✅ Improves posture
✅ Supports focus & brain development 🧠
✅ Builds the foundation for fine motor skills like writing ✍️ and dressing 👕

When kids develop strong gross motor skills (big body movements), they’re better able to control their hands and fingers for daily tasks. Balance is the first step toward independence! 🙌

⚽🏃‍♀️ Plus, good balance helps them safely enjoy sports, navigate new environments, and try exciting new things with confidence!

🎯 Fun balance-building activities to try:
🪵 Stepping stones
⭕ Hoops
🧍 Planks
🌿 Uneven surfaces
🚲 Balance bikes
🧘 Yoga
🎯 Hopscotch

Let’s help our little ones grow strong, steady, and confident! 💪💛

28/07/2025

28/07/2025

🎒✏️ Starting Primary School

To all the amazing parents preparing your child for big school — this is such a special time! While it’s normal to feel nervous, remember: kids don’t need to be perfect before they start. They just need a little support, encouragement, and time to grow. 🌱

Here are some OT-based skills your child can practice to help them feel more confident and independent at school:

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✅ Self-Care & Independence Skills:
🧺 Let them pack and unpack their school bag each day
🥪 Practice opening lunchboxes, snack packets, drink bottles
🧻 Work on toileting independence – wiping, flushing, and washing hands
👕 Practice putting on/taking off jumpers, socks, and shoes
🎽 Choose easy-to-manage uniforms – elastic waists are your friend!

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✋ Fine Motor Readiness:
✏️ Strengthen little hands with fun activities like:

Pe***ng clothes to a line

Playing with playdough

Threading beads or pasta

Using tongs or tweezers for games

Drawing, colouring, and cutting with child-safe scissors

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🧠 School-Ready Habits:
📅 Set a simple morning routine with consistent wake-up and breakfast times
🧘‍♀️ Encourage calm-down time with quiet play, stories, or deep breathing
🗣️ Practice listening to instructions with 2–3 step directions
🎲 Play turn-taking games to build social and attention skills

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💛 And most importantly...
Give your child time, patience, and praise. Every child adjusts at their own pace, and small wins are worth celebrating! 🎉