Irma Koekemoer Arbeidsterapie/Occupational Therapy

05/08/2025

25/07/2025

With readily available cell phones, tablets, game devices, and more, screens are not only easy to access but also hard to avoid these days.

We understand there will be screen time, but not all screens are created equal. Just remember to set clear guidelines, such as time limits, and ensure these programs are both child-friendly and of high quality.

Comment "SCREEN TIME" to the full therapist-approved list of screen time recommendations!

29/06/2025

17/06/2025

Dandelion goals! 🌱

08/06/2025

Did you know that the visual system plays a pivotal role in shaping our perception skills? https://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-06-visual-system-lack-visual-development-creates-poor-visual-perception-skills/

06/06/2025

OUTDOOR PLAY PROVIDES SO MANY LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Let's get kids outside everyday!

via Moving Smart

06/06/2025

The many, many, many benefits of tree climbing:

🌳 muscle strength
🌳 endurance
🌳 gross motor skills such as balance and core strength
🌳 spatial awareness
🌳 tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive input
🌳 critical thinking skills
🌳 executive functioning skills
🌳 decision-making and problem-solving skills
🌳 motor planning
🌳 emotional strength and resilience
🌳 sense of accomplishment
🌳 self-confidence
🌳 imaginative and creative play

Most importantly...having fun!

23/05/2025

Did you know that handwriting skills are built on a foundation of various underlying skills? 📝 Here are some of the essential building blocks of handwriting development:

💺 Posture: Good posture helps with stability and control, allowing for more efficient use of the arms, hands, and fingers.

🧠 Executive Functioning Skills: These include cognitive processes such as planning, organizing, and self-regulation, which are crucial for following instructions and completing written tasks.

🎨 Visual Motor Integration: This refers to the ability to coordinate visual information with motor movements, allowing for precise and accurate letter formation.

🖐️ Fine Motor Development: This encompasses the development of small muscles in the hands and fingers, which are necessary for holding and controlling a writing utensil.

🧑‍🦲 Sensory Processing: This refers to how our nervous system processes and responds to sensory input, which can impact handwriting in areas such as pencil pressure and letter size.

📌 Check out our latest blog post which puts it all together, and has links for tips and tools to target each building block: https://www.theottoolbox.com/a-complete-guide-to-handwriting/

📝👨‍🏫👩‍🏫✏️📐📏🖊️📝

04/05/2025

♥️

23/02/2025

Schools are having to spend more money on occupational therapy because children are entering school without fine motor skills.

16/02/2025

Some love is in the air activities done this week in therapy ❤️. Various skills adressed:
- coordination
- crossing the midline
- bilateral integration
- visual focus
- visual scanning
- sequencing
- motor planning
- planning
- visual perceptual skills
- fine motor skills