Move, Play, Learn, Grow

06/07/2020

Sunday Yoga Party!

Toddler Yoga: Partner Poses is aimed at a toddler and an adult performing partner poses together. This one is lots of fun and helps develop strength, flexibi...

06/06/2020

Weekend Dance Party!

TROLLS (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) out now! iTunes: http://smarturl.it/Trolls?IQid=dwyt Spotify: http://smarturl.it/StreamTrollsOST?IQid=dwyt Amazon...

06/04/2020

Another Sesame Street town hall

As anger and heartbreak have swept across America over the killing of yet another black man at the hands of police, CNN and Sesame Street are refocusing their second town hall to address racism.

06/03/2020

Sponge targets!

It is hot, hot, hot this week, so water activities are where it's at! This activity is a super simple set-up to work on throwing skills. Throwing a ball (or in this case a sponge) at a target requires your child to generate enough force for the ball to travel the correct distance to the target, a timed & coordinated release for accurate aim, visual tracking and gaze stability, and postural control to maintain their balance while throwing....wow!! Have fun & stay cool!

Set up an easy backyard activity with sponge targets! Your whole family will love playing this silly simple game (and you'll love the quick set up).

06/02/2020

As you may have noticed, my posts have been a little less frequent lately. With restrictions loosening and my own kids finished with school, I am finding time to post more difficult to come by. I still have LOTS of ideas to share & will be posting as often as I can!! I hope you all are enjoying outdoor adventures with your kiddos. Have a great day! 👶🕶🌞👶🕶🌞

05/28/2020

Motor Minutes!

There are soooooooo many opportunities during daily activities to add gross motor skill practice or strengthening to your daily routines. Every minute adds up to improve your child's motor skills. Check out this list of toddler chores & brainstorm all the motor benefits in the skills.

I'll get us started!
1. Push the dirty laundry basket to the washing machine- BAM! Shoulder, core & hip strengthening with a dose of heavy work for proprioceptive input.
2. Sweep the floor- BAM! Standing balance, trunk rotation, crossing midline
3. Gather leaves from ground into yard bag- BAM! Leg strengthening with squats, balance while reaching up, rising on tiptoe, all while engaging in a tactile activity.

So, lighten your load of at-home chores by letting your littles help out & sneak in motor minutes throughout your day!

Are you looking for ideas on how to get started with toddler chores? Look no further! This has it all, from a free printable chore chart to tips for getting started.

05/27/2020

Crossing midline is such an important skill for gross motor skills. It is also crucial for learning too! Check out this great article.

Cross the Midline: Crossing the Midline Exercises Using Arms and Legs for Brain Integration This article contains activities to help your child cross the midline for better learning. Affiliate links are included for your convenience. Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS) is a learning and academic ce...

05/26/2020

I am soooooo hopeful that I will be able to return to providing in-home therapy services soon!!! When I mentioned that I may be wearing a mask upon return to work, my mom immediately got to work & made me a whole collection of kid-friendly masks.

For children who receive in-home therapy, seeing their therapists with masks may be surprising, unexpected or unsettling. If your therapists plan to wear masks upon their return, ask them to send a picture ahead of time so you can show your child and talk about why we wear masks right now. Simple, child-friendly language, like "Ms. Lyndsey is going to wear a mask to keep us all healthy and safe," will go a long way to reassure your child. Also, look for kid-friendly characters that wear masks, or pretend-play a grocery store outing wearing masks.

Which mask do you like best?

05/24/2020

Sunday Yoga Party

Episode 34 - The Very Hungry Caterpillar | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure! A fun kids yoga adventure based on Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Join Ja...

05/23/2020

Weekend Dance Party!

The Chicken Dance Song for Kids! Dance the famous Chicken Dance Song with Giggly, his bear friend and a very funny chicken! This fun video will teach your ki...

05/22/2020

Let's talk about baby equipment. There are so many options out there, it is no wonder new parents often feel overwhelmed with their choices! As a PT, I evaluate baby equipment by it's capability to provide opportunities for your child's gross motor skills and overall development to flourish. I'm also a mom of two kids less than 2 years apart, living in a home with pets, so I completely understand the reality of needing a safe and fun play space for your child. See my guide below for recommendations on baby equipment. **Photos just indicate a 'type' of baby equipment and are not an endorsement of any particular brand.