Pennyrile Area KEIS- First Steps

04/14/2026

Sensory "Diet" or tools to support a need...🤔

We love using the outdoors as a tool in sensory support programs! Here's one example...
Did you know that a few minutes outside in the morning can have a huge impact on your nervous system?

☀️Exposure to natural light in the morning is beneficial for waking up the nervous system and establishing a healthy circadian rhythm. Here's how it works:

🌟Natural light, especially in the morning, helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that controls sleep-wake cycles. Morning light exposure signals to the brain that it’s time to be awake and alert.

👁The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus receives light signals through the eyes and helps regulate the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep. (Sleep is one of the daily occupations that OTs might help to support!)

👁Natural sunlight stimulates the photoreceptors in the retina. This stimulation sends signals to the brain that help increase alertness and reduce the production of melatonin during the day.

🤗Exposure to bright morning light helps improve mood and cognitive function by boosting serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and happiness.

That's just the beginning! Here are more ways to support sensory needs with an outdoor sensory diet: https://www.theottoolbox.com/outdoor-sensory-diet-activities-for-backyard/

04/14/2026

There is no one right way for a baby to learn to crawl. Learn about six of the most common crawling methods babies use. Tap the link in the first comment to learn more. ⬇️

04/14/2026

Choices Over Commands: A Calmer Way Through Meltdowns

When toddlers are overwhelmed, commands can often make emotions escalate.

Hearing constant directions can feel like a loss of control for a young child.

In those moments, offering choices instead of commands can shift everything.

Simple options like, “Do you want to walk or be carried?” create a sense of safety and control.

Choices help toddlers feel heard, respected, and included in what’s happening.

This reduces power struggles because the child isn’t being forced—they’re participating.

When children feel a sense of control, their nervous system can begin to settle.

Over time, this approach builds independence and confidence in decision-making.

It also strengthens trust between parent and child.

Even during meltdowns, small choices can gently redirect big emotions.

Instead of control, you’re offering connection and collaboration.

Choices don’t remove boundaries—they create a calmer path to cooperation.



Image credit: Pregnancy Guide

04/14/2026

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/

04/14/2026

Our OT month celebration continues with education and information on the vast areas that we support in occupational therapy. Today, we're talking about bilateral coordination. Here are tools and supports for bilateral coordination skills: https://www.theottoolbox.com/bilateral-coordination-activities/

04/14/2026

Pom Poms + Tape = Fine Motor Power on the Wall

Here’s a simple setup with big developmental benefits:
Stick a loop of tape (sticky side out) on the wall and have your child press craft pom poms onto it. That’s it—but the impact goes far beyond fun!

What it supports:
🖐️ Pincer grasp – Pinching and placing pom poms strengthens the thumb and fingers
🧠 Hand-eye coordination – Aiming and sticking to a small space builds precision
🧍 Core and shoulder stability – Working on a vertical surface activates muscles in the shoulders, arms, and core
🧷 Wrist extension – A key foundation for handwriting and other fine motor tasks
🔁 Crossing midline – If you place tape across the child’s midsection, reaching across builds important brain-body connections

Modifications:
✔️ Use larger pom poms for younger kids or those with low dexterity
✔️ Swap in Velcro dots if tape loses its stick
✔️ Add tweezers or clothespins for extra fine motor challenge
✔️ Make it multisensory—use scented pom poms or add color-matching challenges
✔️ Try taping shapes or letters on the wall and have kids fill them in

Simple setup, endless skill-building!

04/14/2026

A surge of very warm temperatures are giving millions of people an early taste of summer this week. 🔥🌡️

Parents, remind yourselves that it's NEVER safe to leave a child in a vehicle. ⤵️

04/14/2026

Hope to see all new parents and soon to be parents at our community-wide baby shower on Thursday! Door prizes, free gifts & more! Sponsored by SOAR, Muhlenberg County Health Department, Pathway of Hope, Champions for a Drug Free Muhlenberg County, Family Childcare Aware, Owensboro Health, Pennyroyal Regional Center,UK Extension, CHC, Adult Ed, Baptist Health Deaconess,KEIS, Head Start & Early Head Start! Possibly more! 🙂

04/14/2026

Parents! Stop by our many community booths tomorrow for some great resources! ✔️

04/14/2026

04/14/2026

We serve children ages birth to three who have a developmental delay or a particular medical condition that is known to cause a developmental delay.

We serve Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden and Hopkins. Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg.

☎️270-886-5186

04/14/2026