Breeze Hill Therapy

08/08/2025

Day 1 of summer camp: bug jars, dig up worms and find insects, make caterpillar sticks and a baby goat.

08/08/2025

Day 1 of summer camp: bug jars, dig up worms and find insects, make caterpillar sticks and a baby goat.

08/08/2025

Day 2 of Summer camp: picture frames, paint our bodies, mud kitchen creations and baby pigs.

07/28/2025

Day 1 of summer camp 2025 at Breeze Hill Therapy. We discovered insects, made a caterpillar and petted baby goats and baby ducks.

05/15/2025

Breeze Hill Therapy is hosting Summer enrichment camp in July 2025. The intake forms are on the website link. You can email me if you have any questions.

05/15/2025

Breeze Hill Therapy is hosting Summer Nature Based camp in July 2025. The intake forms are on the website link.

05/15/2025

We are hosting Summer Camp at Breeze Hill Therapy in July. We have fun with nature based activities and farm animals. therapy
camp 2025

03/27/2025

Before March is over, we had some St. Patrick’s day fun with green mustaches. Who would have thought? You just never know what the day will bring.

03/17/2025

I agree.

Time for this reminder!

This is my most widely shared post. And rightly so, it’s an important one. These are “prewriting patterns”, with the average (but not prescribed) age at which children are developmentally ready to achieve these patterns listed below them in years and months. Being able to process visual information and produce a movement in response (e.g. copying these prewriting patterns or letter formations), is known as “visual motor integration”.

Note that an X is not typically achieved until 4 years 11 months, and a triangle at 5 years 3 months. If a child can’t form these basic shapes...then they probably won’t be able to form letters. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
It is quite concerning then that there are 3 year 7 month olds starting formal schooling (in Western Australia at least), where they’re soon expected to write. Not only are their visual motor integration skills not developed enough, their hands are also physically under-developed. In addition, recognising letters, understanding phonics and beginning to read are all needed in order for a child to write meaningfully, skills which children starting kindy (and preprimary) typically don’t have. We also know that when a child learns something that doesn’t hold meaning, it‘s unlikely to stick.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
So if you have a 3-4 year old who spontaneously asks or attempts to write letters, that’s great; otherwise, there is no need to initiate or worry about this. Unfortunately there is a misconception, particularly with the way that the current curriculum and expectations stand, that earlier is better. Earlier is not always better.

Preschool children should be focusing on the foundation skills needed for writing, and most of this can be achieved through PLAY. Big body movements like running and jumping and climbing to strengthen the core, shoulders and hands; playing and tinkering with small parts and toys to develop fine motor skills and the coordination and strength needed to grasp a pencil; drawing and experimenting with shapes; and finally guidance from adults on how to form individual letters efficiently, BEFORE writing words and sentences.

Please note that this message does not translate to “don’t teach prewriting patterns” or “don’t get help if you’re concerned” - it is more to ease the minds of parents who may be concerned that their child is “behind”.

Source of shape and age ranges: Beery Buktenica Test of Visual Motor Integration, 6th Edition

03/14/2025

Steve

03/14/2025

It is with deep sorrow that Breeze Hill Therapy lost our beloved mini donkey Steve, on 12/20/24. We tried our best to save him but it didn’t work out how we had hoped and prayed. For so many children and families, Steve was the favorite animal. He was our “Eeyore”, slow going, cooperative, sweet face and beautiful big ears. For me personally he surprised me with his sweet humble personality. His thick hair took all summer to brush off. His eyes were beautiful, often hidden by his long facial hair. My sister, Dawn, got him hooked on peppermints. He would trot to the fence if he thought he would get one. Another surprise was that I didn’t know how many people loved mini donkeys. His small stature made him approachable for children to lead him around, brush his hair and pet him without fear. I want to thank all of my friends, co workers, dads of patients, neighbors and especially Jim for helping us care for Steve. And to Steve, I will see you on the other side, over the rainbow. You stole my heart and many others. If anyone has photos of Steve please feel free to share them with me. Jayne

02/13/2025

Are your kids struggling with their fine motor skills?

They're not alone. Educators are noticing it too—young students are having difficulties stacking blocks and gripping pencils. Screen time may play a part in this, but according to recent research, shifting habits and parenting conveniences may also be causing those skills to take a back seat.

Discover the latest science on motor activities and ways to integrate them into your child's routine: https://on.natgeo.com/4hjQNOx