iChildren's Developmental Therapy and Assessment Center

22/04/2026

Art meets nature! 🎨🌿

📅 Join us on Friday, April 24, 2026 for our DIY Garden Group Activity!

22/04/2026

Fine motor strengthening can be done with specific tasks that target different aspects of motor dexterity and precision skills. I wanted to put it all in one place for you. Here our some resources that explain how tasks like tearing paper, playing with play dough, or squeezing a sq**rt bottle supports motor skills. Check out each link and then let us know which you will try first!
1️⃣ Tearing paper (includes activities)>> https://www.theottoolbox.com/torn-paper-art-awesome-fine-motor/
2️⃣Tweezers (and great homemade version for more fine motor skills)>>https://www.theottoolbox.com/craft-stick-tweezers-to-help-with-pencil-grasp/
3️⃣Play dough (and activities OTs love)>>https://www.theottoolbox.com/fine-motor-activities-with-play-dough/
4️⃣Squirt bottles (and other household items)>> https://www.theottoolbox.com/play-with-household-items/

Resources:
📍https://www.theottoolbox.com/finger-strength-exercises/
📍https://www.theottoolbox.com/grip-strength-exercises/
📍https://www.theottoolbox.com/hand-strengthening-activities/
📍https://www.theottoolbox.com/finger-dexterity-exercise-game-for-fine/

16/04/2026

Play with a Purpose = Big Gains for Little Bodies

A recent study looked at goal-oriented play for kids ages 4–6, and the results were powerful. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8625902/

Activities like walking on a balance beam, jumping over goalposts, throwing balls, and arranging blocks weren’t just fun, they led to real, measurable improvements in motor skills.

The research showed significant progress (p < 0.05) after structured, purposeful play was introduced. That means targeted play activities can make a big difference in early childhood development, especially when they challenge coordination, balance, and problem solving.

Here are some fun and effective goal-oriented play ideas for kids that support motor skills, coordination, problem solving, and executive functioning—all while keeping play purposeful and engaging:

Gross Motor Goal-Oriented Play
⭕Obstacle Courses - Set up a series of tasks to crawl under, jump over, or balance on. Give a “mission” to complete the course.
⭕Bean Bag Target Toss- Aim for numbered or color-coded targets to encourage throwing with purpose.
⭕Animal Walk Races- Move like different animals to reach a finish line or retrieve items.
⭕Balance Challenges- Walk across a taped line or balance beam to deliver an object without dropping it.
⭕Musical Movement Games- Move between stations with a different movement goal at each stop (e.g., 5 jumps, 10-second freeze, touch your toes).

Fine Motor Goal-Oriented Play
🧩Lacing for a Pattern- String beads in a specific order to match a visual model.
🧩Build and Copy- Recreate a block structure or LEGO design shown on a card.
🧩Sticker Paths- Follow a visual path by placing stickers in a sequence (great for visual scanning + fine motor control).
🧩Pom Pom Transfer Missions- Use tweezers to move pom poms to matching colored cups or into shapes/letters.
🧩Puzzle Races- Complete a simple puzzle against a timer or in a group team challenge.

Sensory + Problem Solving Play
🎨Treasure Hunts - Search for objects with clues or visual cards to guide each step.
🎨Matching & Sorting Games - Sort by size, color, shape, or category with a visual or verbal goal.
🎨Construction Challenges- Build a bridge, tower, or shelter using limited materials (e.g., craft sticks, play dough).
🎨Nature Tasks- Collect 5 different leaves, find something soft, or arrange natural items by size.
🎨Task Cards- Give simple “job cards” with short tasks like “stack 6 blocks,” “hop 3 times,” or “draw a zigzag.”

Here are many more ideas:
Tunnel activities: https://www.theottoolbox.com/play-tunnel-activities/

Obstacle courses: https://www.theottoolbox.com/occupational-therapy-obstacle-course/

OT and Play: https://www.theottoolbox.com/occupational-therapy-play/

Crafts in play: https://www.theottoolbox.com/crafts-for-kids/

Balance beams: https://www.theottoolbox.com/outdoor-balance-beam-ideas/

15/04/2026

Every child with autism is different, and that’s okay.

Some kids need a little support.
Some need more.
Some need a lot.

The 3 levels of autism simply help us understand how much support a child may need, not who they are or what they can become. As a parent, you’re learning, adjusting, and showing up every single day. That matters more than anything.

You don’t have to figure it out alone; we’re here for you.

Get the support your family deserves 👉 www.apex-social.com

15/04/2026

OHANA SUMMER PARTY: FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION

Ohana means family.
Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. 💙

Join us for a day full of love, fun, and precious memories. It’s the perfect time for kids and parents to bond, play, and celebrate together under the sun. ☀️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Everyone is welcome! See you there! 🙌🥰

📅 When: Friday, May 1, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 NN
📍 Where: Anhawan Sunset Royal Beach Resort, Oton, Iloilo

10/04/2026

08/04/2026

Visual closure is needed for visual motor skills, which are the fine motor skills we see in in action in tasks. Here's more and activities to support this skill: https://www.theottoolbox.com/visual-closure

07/04/2026