Therapy Wedge Activity
To do this activity with your child, you will need a therapy wedge (www.especialneeds.com) and the big red switch (as seen on play/leisure page). This may need two adults depending on your child’s severity.
- Assist your child to lie on their stomach with the therapy wedge supporting their upper body.
- Hold the switch behind their head. The switch should be attached to a battery operated toy or radio.) Depending on your child's severity, one adult can hold the switch, while the other supports the child's body.
- Encourage your child to hold their head up to activate the toy or radio. (This will encourage head control.)
Cotton Ball Catch
2 Adults and child
Materials: Radio, one cotton ball, and one clothes pin
One adult will control the radio while the other engages in the game with the child. Position child on the floor sitting next to the adult playing the game. Place the cotton ball attached to a clothes pin on your child’s lap. Have other adult turn on the radio, while you and the child pass the cotton ball back and forth. (Encourage your child to cross midline to place the cotton ball in your lap.) During this game, the adult that is controlling the radio will stop and play the music at various times. The object of the game, is if you have the cotton ball in your lap you lose! This game is best suited for children ages 6-7. This game challenges the child to reach and cross over their own bodies which benefits them, while it is still fun!
(This game was articulated by www.OTplan.com.)
Materials: Radio, one cotton ball, and one clothes pin
One adult will control the radio while the other engages in the game with the child. Position child on the floor sitting next to the adult playing the game. Place the cotton ball attached to a clothes pin on your child’s lap. Have other adult turn on the radio, while you and the child pass the cotton ball back and forth. (Encourage your child to cross midline to place the cotton ball in your lap.) During this game, the adult that is controlling the radio will stop and play the music at various times. The object of the game, is if you have the cotton ball in your lap you lose! This game is best suited for children ages 6-7. This game challenges the child to reach and cross over their own bodies which benefits them, while it is still fun!
(This game was articulated by www.OTplan.com.)
Matching Color Cups Game
Materials: 4 Different colored markers and paper cups
The parent or caregiver will take four different colored markers and color the outside of four different paper cups. The parent or caregiver will place these four cups on the left side of the child. With the rest of the cups, color the inside different colors that match the first four and flip the cups over. Place these cups on the right side of your child, opposite to the first four. Encourage the child to reach over and pick up the cups from the right side, flip them over and match them with the correct color on the left side and stack them accordingly. This encourages them to cross over the midline of their bodies and promotes his/her cognitive skills in matching the correct color. It will also increase strength in his/her arm muscles by having them flip the cups over. As he/she improves, you can make this game more challenging by timing it with music and/or if they choose the wrong color at first try, they have to place the cup with the rest and start over.
(This game was articulated by www.OTplan.com)
The parent or caregiver will take four different colored markers and color the outside of four different paper cups. The parent or caregiver will place these four cups on the left side of the child. With the rest of the cups, color the inside different colors that match the first four and flip the cups over. Place these cups on the right side of your child, opposite to the first four. Encourage the child to reach over and pick up the cups from the right side, flip them over and match them with the correct color on the left side and stack them accordingly. This encourages them to cross over the midline of their bodies and promotes his/her cognitive skills in matching the correct color. It will also increase strength in his/her arm muscles by having them flip the cups over. As he/she improves, you can make this game more challenging by timing it with music and/or if they choose the wrong color at first try, they have to place the cup with the rest and start over.
(This game was articulated by www.OTplan.com)
Tissue Paper Art
Materials: Multiple colors of tissue paper, glue or tape, either a large cutout of a desired figure (ex. Snowman, rainbow, or cartoon character) or a large blank piece of construction paper.
Allow your child to either sit at a table or desk with crumbled pieces of colored tissue paper in front of them. You (parent or caregiver) place the desired figure or blank piece of paper on the table top next to your child. Encourage your child to pick up any color of tissue paper they choose and assist them by taking the tissue paper and placing glue or tape on it. Give the tissue paper back to your child and have them stick the tissue paper on the figure or blank piece of paper wherever they choose. (As your child’s strength improves, have him/her begin to glue or tape the tissue paper themselves and have them crumble the tissue paper themselves.) This art’s and crafts activity will encourage arm movement, improve strength and allow them to cognitively think about the colors they choose. Display this art on the refrigerator or wherever you choose. This activity will increase your child’s creativity and imagination and by you displaying this art, they have something to be proud of!
Allow your child to either sit at a table or desk with crumbled pieces of colored tissue paper in front of them. You (parent or caregiver) place the desired figure or blank piece of paper on the table top next to your child. Encourage your child to pick up any color of tissue paper they choose and assist them by taking the tissue paper and placing glue or tape on it. Give the tissue paper back to your child and have them stick the tissue paper on the figure or blank piece of paper wherever they choose. (As your child’s strength improves, have him/her begin to glue or tape the tissue paper themselves and have them crumble the tissue paper themselves.) This art’s and crafts activity will encourage arm movement, improve strength and allow them to cognitively think about the colors they choose. Display this art on the refrigerator or wherever you choose. This activity will increase your child’s creativity and imagination and by you displaying this art, they have something to be proud of!
Swimming
As mention play is an essential part of your child’s development. The above games are great for your child and you to engage in however, one of the most beneficial activities that you can do with your child is swimming. Swimming is becoming increasingly popular to normalize tone and help your child to move in ways that they may not be able to on land. Not only will you and your child have fun while swimming but what they don’t know is that it is great exercise for them. “The buoyancy of water decreases the influence of gravity and provides increased postural support.” (Kelly, 2007) This activity is appealing for your child and it helps them to improve their posture, balance and muscle strength. It is important to take your child swimming in a pool with warm water, not cold because colder water will encourage muscle spasms. You can even put fin’s on your child’s feet so they are encouraged to move their feet while swimming. According to Kelly, not only does swimming help to loosen up tight muscles, but it also increases neurological development and his/her personal confidence. It is important to consult with a professional before you take your child swimming. This activity may be done in therapy with your child, but you may also do this activitiy at home in a smaller swimming pool or even your bathtub! You must also ensure that the environment is safe and suitable for this activity.