Play2Learn

05/27/2023

We swing often at Play2Learn on our trapeze!

Float through the air with the greatest of ease by trying a trapeze!

Incorporating a trapeze into your pediatric occupational therapy sessions can:

👉 help strengthen upper extremities
👉 increase flexion posture
👉 improve motor planning skills

What's your favorite way to use a trapeze in your sensory gym?

05/27/2023

UNDERSTANDING A MELTDOWN AND THE EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIORS THAT FOLLOW

This explanation of a what happens in the brain during a meltdown can help parents understand emotions and behaviors of their child.

https://hes-extraordinary.com/de-escalation-techniques

03/27/2023

SO MANY DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS OF SWINGING

Swinging is not only fun for all children, but it can be calming to children who struggle to regulate and help children who need sensory stimulation for learning!

03/27/2023

We had so much fun working on our fine motor skills

02/24/2023

Today we had fun doing ice cube painting

11/20/2022

Why babies who skip the crawling phase could have learning challenges as they grow older. How to get them crawling and tummy time.

11/20/2022

This is especially true as we gather with family and friends during the holiday season! Little ones often communicate through their behavior (not their words) that they need some quiet time with you...away from the hustle and bustle and all of the extra people ❤️
"Your child’s brain may interpret the noises as too loud, the temperature in the room as too hot or too cold, the slight bumps or touches from others in the crowd may be painful or make them feel like they’re going to fall over." https://yourkidstable.com/child-is-overwhelmed-at-parties/

11/20/2022

11/20/2022

Tearing paper a simple fine motor activity that requires only scrap paper and your hands. In fact, tearing paper actually helps children develop so many essential skills: hand strength, hand eye coordination, precision, refined movements, bilateral coordination…

When a child tears a piece of paper, they improve hand strength and endurance in the small muscles in the hand. These intrinsic muscles are important in so many fine motor skills, including those important to handwriting and coloring, managing buttons and zippers, manipulating pegs, and more.

When paper is torn, the hands assume a great tripod grasp which is effective and a mature grasp for writing and coloring. The non-dominant hand is assisting in the tearing and encourages appropriate assistance for tasks like holding the paper while writing, and managing paper while cutting with scissors.

Just look at the skills kids develop with a tear paper activity:
https://www.theottoolbox.com/torn-paper-art-awesome-fine-motor/

11/20/2022

HOW TO CREATE THE BEST CONDITIONS FOR PLAY AND THE BENEFITS FOR DEVELOPMENT

"Impairments to cognitive, language, emotional, and physical development have all been linked to a deficit in play."

https://macnamara.ca/portfolio/infographic-why-play-matters/

11/13/2022

Sensory systems that make up the learning hierarchy needed for greater academic development.

11/13/2022

Rewiring the brain for emotional readiness, muscle memory and impulse control to help your child reach their academic potential.