New Idea

I was in line to check out at Dollar General and noticed some interesting bracelets. They were squishy and had shapes with bright colors. They were also only $1.00 a piece!

These are so much fun for tactile sensory manipulation. You could even cut the bracelets apart and use them for sequencing or counting.

New Idea

I found some clear plastic shower curtain rings for $1.00. My son immediately started playing with them when I got home.

He loves connecting them together to make a chain. Great for fine motor skills!

You could wrap colored tape around them to do sequencing or counting. A great find!

Here is today's quote.

New Idea

I was looking at a deviled egg tray at the store the other day. Then it occurred to me that it could be used as a counting game.

I purchased 2 small bead bracelets and used the beads for this project. There are indents which are marked 1, 2, 3, and 4 on both sides with the number 10 in the middle.

You could also use letters for this game to spell simple words.

This has multiple applications to help with fine motor, math, and spelling!

Here is today's quote.

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.

New Idea

I took one week off after the end of this semester and do apologize that I haven't posted in a while. I came across a very neat idea while shopping at Family Dollar.

This is a large bendable ruler. It is based on the concept for slap bracelets, but it is thicker and larger. It does require some strength to straighten it out and bend it. It can also be used to help with counting!

Here is today's quote.

Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goals.

New Idea

I found something that can be used at the beach or pool as an incentive during the summertime. I found a large inflatable tube for $2.00.

The child can step inside and out of the opening in the center. This can be done side to side or forward and back. Weights can be added to the arms or legs as well.

We do a lot of boating during the summer time so I will be trying this when we go out on the beach. It doesn't need to be strenuous for them. I will try for three repetitions of  two side to side and two front to back with a swim break in between. I think he will be more receptive if it seems like a game to him!

Here is today's quote!

Don't limit your challenges - challenge your limits.

Idea In Action

My son's occupational therapist sent me some pictures of Tyler using one of my ideas. I donate most of the items that I post to her. She uses them with her other clients. This is one of the items I gave to her.

Tyler is shown holding the cookie cutters for tracing. Then weights are added to improve coordination and muscle dexterity. He had to separate the shapes from the inside out and arrange them back in order.

Demonstration

My son's occupational therapist was kind enough to let me capture a video  and a picture of her working with Tyler today. Tying shoes has been an ongoing struggle for us.

It was suggested for us to use a jump rope for practice as it is a larger scale model. It worked very well and with some more practice, Tyler should be able to tie his own shoes soon!

Here is today's quote!

No act of kindness, 
No matter how small, 
Is ever wasted.

New Idea

I went to our local Swap Meet and found something interesting. I picked up a plastic baby bottle dryer. I also bought some rubber bands and did some experimenting.

The tall prongs can be used to place rubber bands around them, and you can turn it into a counting game. The small prongs can also be used to place smaller rubber bands around them and this can be turned into a pattern game.

Grasping the rubber bands helps with fine motor skills and the addition of a game makes it fun!

Here is today's quote!

This above all, to thine own self be true.

Flower Project

I was able to have three volunteers today for the flower project. It was awesome. All of the kids enjoyed themselves and had pretty flowers to share at the end.

Here is today's quote!

Once you choose hope, anything is possible.

Family Fun Night Project

While volunteering at my son's school, I helped with a project they were doing on the parts of a flower. I want to share this project because it can help with fine motor skills.

The end result is a flower with leaves, roots, and lots of petals. I will share the process with pictures when we do this at home. Here are the basic supplies that will be needed. Cut a sheet of tissue paper in half. You will need four halves per flower, green pipe cleaners for the stem and leaves, and brown pipe cleaners for the roots.

The flower shown here is the one we completed at school. This can also be an educational opportunity to explain how flowers get water and grow!

New Idea

I was shopping at Walgreen's and noticed they had some cute red noses for sale at the pharmacy. They are for Red Nose Day and the proceeds are for charity. I was looking at the nose and had a wonderful idea!

If you put a pencil in the opening where your nose would go, a child could easily grasp the squishy foam, and this would help with correct finger positioning for writing. I had my son try it, and it worked! The only setback is that the pencil may need to be taped to help keep it in the opening.

Here is today's quote!

No one has ever become poor by giving.

Family Fun Night Project

I came across a project post on Facebook, and I would like to share it. This will require one gallon size plastic bag, clear hair gel, glitter, and an assortment of small plastic sea creatures.
Add the gel to the gallon bag along with some glitter. Now, add the sea creatures. Seal the bag.

This project creates a sensory bag that would be great for little one to manipulate!
The post was originally from Ziploc and they call it Ocean In A Bag!

Instead of using sea creatures, try using bugs or dinosaurs. The possibilities are endless.

Big Project Started

Yesterday, I began the task of starting my big project. I still have quite a bit to do, but it is coming together nicely!

I am hoping to have it finished within the next week. I will keep updating with pictures. Here is the first picture!

Here is today's quote.

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.

New Idea

We have all seen those plastic back scratchers. I bought two at our local Sunday swap meet. They have a hand at the end that is cupped.

You can put  blocks or some other small toys in front of a child, and have them sit and reach with the hand part of the back scratcher to pull the objects toward them. This can be used to cross mid-line. Can't wait to try this out!

Here is today's quote.

Happiness is a journey... Not a destination.

New Idea

While shopping at our local weekly swap meet, I came across some small plastic clamps. I tried them, and it took very little tensile strength to squeeze them open.

This is perfect for helping to increase hand strength! They came in cool colors too!

Big Project

I gave a hint the other day that I was trying to finalize a really big project. I am not going to spill the beans just yet, but I have a wonderful idea.

I am starting the process of creating this tool, which I hope will be greatly beneficial and universal across the board. I am giving you a picture of the materials I have collected so far for this project.

I will keep you updated as things progress and will display the final product with a big bang!

Here is today's quote!

Don't wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.

Ideas Are Everywhere

I was at Big Lots again the other day picking up some more of those salad tongs I found earlier. Tyler's teacher wanted a couple sets for her classroom! I happened to spy a set of cookie cutters that had a unique pattern to them.

One side of the cookie cutter is a solid square. The other side is a scalloped pattern. These can be used as stencils. Have the child grasp the side that has scallops, and then they can trace around the solid square. This will help to enforce that pressure is needed to write and to hold the stencil in place.

Here is a demonstration!

The scallops allow a place to firmly grasp the shape!

Tooth Brush Update

After a few days of using the spin brush followed by the double sided brush, we are having some great results. Those hard to reach places are finally getting some attention.

Tyler also has a condition known as enamel hypoplasia. He had to have a special sealant placed on his permanent molars to delay erosion. Hopefully with this new toothbrush, we will continue toward health dental habits that he can tolerate!

Here is a picture of Tyler holding his special toothbrush. It has an indentation under his thumb to help with gripping.

Help From The Dentist

I had a dentist appointment today, and I was talking with him about Tyler's refusal to brush his teeth sometimes. The stimulation from the brush will cause him to go into a meltdown every now and then. He suggested we try a double sided toothbrush and gave me one to take home.


 I will post an update late and see if this helps. It is supposed to cut brushing time in half because it cleans all angles of the teeth at once. I will also post a picture with this update.

New Project

I found some interesting magnetic clips the other day at Family Dollar. They are refrigerator magnets. I added a face and they look cool!

They have hard rubber grips with an indent. This is perfect for maintaining correct finger position to manipulate the clips. They were only $2.00!

Here is today's quote.

You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you cannot have it.