These little wooden blocks are the perfect size for toddlers! They can easily hold onto the blocks, and build towers, trains, or whatever else they can think of! The letters and pictures on the sides are great for encouraging language development as well!
Tag Archives: Child Development
Developmental Milestones with Babies who are Born Premature Episode 16
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On this episode I discuss developmental milestones in babies who are born premature or preterm, and how they could be affected by their premature birth. Medical complications are considered as well.
website: https://mymidwesttherapy.com/
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Research Article: Visual orienting and attention deficits in 5- and
10-month-old preterm infants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Ross-Sheehy, Shannon, et al. “The Infant Orienting With Attention task: Assessing the neural basis of spatial attention in infancy.” Infancy : the official journal of the International Society on Infant Studies, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4530987/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Child Development
Special Needs
Sensory Processing
Developmental Milestones
Classroom Considerations for Teachers and Kids with Special Needs Episode 15
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In this episode I discuss possible considerations for teachers to use with children in their classrooms. These ideas could benefit both kids with and without special needs. Strategies are given for ways to potentially increase their attention to tasks as well as help them be calm when being over active or “wound up”.
Research Article: http://ajot.aota.org
Fedewa, Alicia L., and Heather E. Erwin. “Stability Balls and Students With Attention and Hyperactivity Concerns: Implications for On-Task and In-Seat Behavior.” American Journal of Occupational Therapy, American Occupational Therapy Association, 1 July 2011, ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1851485. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017
Wittfitt Website: https://www.wittfitt.com
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Child Development
Sensory Processing
Occupational Therapy
Special Needs
Weighted Sensory Lap Pad
Weighted lap pads can be a calming strategy to use with kids who are feeling fidgety and wound up or anxious. The weight on their lap can provide some deep pressure which could be enough to make them feel calm and ready to sit and learn.
Chew Stixx Pencil Toppers
These chewable pencil toppers are great for those kids who feel the need to chew on things like pencils, pens, clothing, etc. These are meant for chewing and biting to help fulfill the sensory need. Use with supervision and discard at the first sign of wear and tear.
Gymnic Disc-O-Sit Inflatable Seat Cushion
This inflatable disc seat cushion can be used with kids who have that need to keep moving while they are sitting in one place! The disc can be used at home or in school for kids to sit longer while eating meals or doing school work at their desk. Also, great for circle time with the younger kids who need their own space to sit during this group activity.
The discs are lightweight, durable, and very easy to use!
Bottles and Cups in Infant and Child Development Episode 14
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On this episode we take a look at a research study that determines what causes the most injuries to children under 3 years of age with regards to bottles, sippy cups, and pacifiers.
Then, you get an Occupational Therapists perspective on teaching kids to drink from an open cup or straw cup when transitioning from bottle drinking.
Research Study Information:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org
Keim, Sarah A., et al. “Injuries Associated With Bottles, Pacifiers, and Sippy Cups in the United States, 1991–2010.” Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 June 2012, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/6/1104. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
See Amazon links for:
Reflo Cups: Reflo Smart Cup, Green
Take N Toss Cups: The First Years Straw Cup, Take and Toss, 10 Ounce,, 8-Count
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website: https://mymidwesttherapy.com/
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Child Development
Infant Development
Sensory Processing
Oral Motor
Special Needs
Take N Toss Straw Cups
Take N Toss straw cups are great for teaching kids how to drink from a straw. You can give the cup a little squeeze and some of the liquid will come up through the straw. It is not completely spill proof, but usually only a little will spill out if it gets tipped over. They are light weight and easy for little hands to hold as well.
Reflo Smart Cup
This cup is a great way to start teaching children to drink from an open cup with potentially less spilling than with an open cup. You can allow them to have some independence without worrying about the entire drink spilling right away if the cup tips over.
The cup has a round piece that fits down inside the cup above the liquid. It has small spaces all around the edge of the round piece that will allow liquid to easily flow out when the cup is tipped up. However, the entire amount of liquid will not pour out at once. It will flow through the spaces into a smaller stream for drinking with a more controlled flow than with just an open cup.
“W” Sitting Effect in Child Development Episode 13
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On this show, I talk about the effects of “W” sitting in child development. Whether or not to correct kids who are “W” sitting is apparently a controversial topic! However, as an Occupational Therapist in early intervention, I work with kids who have special needs or developmental and motor delays so my perspective is pretty clear. When kids have developmental or motor delays for whatever reason, they often have weakness in their core muscles (tummy, sides, and back). “W” sitting can allow this weakness to continue which could make their school aged years more difficult than they have to be.
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Research Article on W Sitting and Flatfoot
http://link.springer.com
Chen, Kun-Chung, et al. “Relevant factors influencing flatfoot in preschool-Aged children.” SpringerLink, Springer-Verlag, 22 Dec. 2010, link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00431-010-1380-7. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
https://consciousmovements.com
Owens, Buffy. The Brilliance of W Sitting. Conscious Movements. Web. 5/22/2017
http://ilslearningcorner.com
Primitive Reflexes: The Answer Behind W Sitting and How to Fix it. Integrated Learning Strategies Learning Corner. Web. 5/22/2017.
Flat Foot (Pes Planus)
http://www.webmd.com
Web MD. Flatfoot Pes Planus Topic Overview. Web. 5/22/2017.
Femoral Anteversion
http://www.childrenshospital.org
Boston Children’s Hospital. Femoral Anteversion Overview. Web. 5/22/2017.
Today News Story on W Sitting
http://www.today.com/
Pawlowski, A. Today. Why W Sitting is Really Not So Bad for Kids After All. Web. 5/22/2017.
Child Development
Sensory Processing
Special Needs