Sensory Breaks In School, Product Features, and Specials

Web Version  |  Update preferences  |  Unsubscribe Like Tweet Forward Pocket Full of Therapy Wiggle Whomper Kit: Improving Sensory Regulation in the General Education Classroom Kit includes: An instructional manual with activity suggestions and all materials needed to be implemented by a teacher within any classroom, to help any student regulate environmental stimuli through the use of tactile, visual, auditory, gustatory, vestibular, and proprioceptive based tools and activities. Each activity is based upon true research, which is cited on each activity page for quick reference. Successfully classroom tested - Can also be used by parents at home. Simple materials can be kept in purse or glove compartment for use on the go. What is Heavy Work? - Any type of activity that pushes or pulls against the body - Can help kids with sensory processing issues feel centered. - Heavy work engages a sense called proprioception, or body awareness. What Does Needing Heavy Work Look Like? - A child may be crashing into furniture or walls - Bumping into or hitting others - Jumping off steps or furniture -Difficuty focusing and attending within class Why Use A Fidget? Fidget toys can be used to provide sensory input in a less distracting way. They can help improve concentration and attention to tasks by allowing the brain to filter out the extra sensory information weekly Special Order a Sensory Item today and receive 10% off your item (Any item # that begins with T) on orders over $50.00 Enter coupon code "sensory10"  ​Place your order before Friday 2/23/18 for discount  Sensory Breaks In School How many of you have recommended sensory breaks in the classroom but there just "isn't any time to do them"? Or have been asked for more information on sensory breaks? Do you have children that need a break but don't know how to get the right input?  Here are some activities that you can recommend or use in the classroom/school setting. Heavy Work Activities For your children that need some heavy work to help calm or focus here are some easy activities you can incorporate into their daily routine.   Help move chairs or desks throughout the classroom when necessary  Carry books or a crate of books to and from the library  Bring notes or books to the office  Bring packages of paper to and from the copy room, maybe they can help deliver to classrooms if teachers have their own printer  ​Carry a crate with class lunchboxes to and from the cafeteria  Some More Activities  These may need some space in the back of the classroom or hallway and may be more appropriate for younger students  Marching, jumping, jumping jacks  Wheelbarrow walking or animal walks such as bear walk, crab walk, or frog jumps  Play hopscotch  Log rolling  Roll over child with a therapy ball or bolster  Yoga positions   Wall or chair push ups  Lycra Body Blanket: You just need to stretch, push and move around as you explore the space around you. The stretchy pushback quality of the fabric provides a whole-bodies-worth of proprioceptive feedback. Focus Lappy: While using the Focus Lappy students remain in their seat longer and bother their neighbors less. Additionally, users tend to be calmer and more focused with better attending and greater patientce. Sensory Fidgets for the Classroom There are so many fidgets out there from fidget spinners to sensory squeeze balls!  Some schools have banned fidget sippners.  Let's educate teachers and staff about fidgets and how helpful they are for some students!  Not all fidgets are spinners!!!  Here are some items you can use that don't cost a lot and can be hidden easily in the classroom.  Velcro- Place sticky back velcro on the underside of your child's desk  Pipe Cleaners- can use as either a fidget wrapped around finger or around the top of pencil  Twist Ties- fold and twist around the top of pencil Why a finger fidget kit? Use of finger fidgets can influence a clients level of energy and arousal. Many children have not found what works for them or what they have found is making their teachers crazy! Find some great fidgets that work for your children and leave them in a "sensory box" to share in the classroom.  One fidget may not work all the time for one student so having a box to pick from may help your students explore what works for them!  You're receiving this because you subscribed or placed an order with Pocket Full of Therapy. We will NEVER share or sell your info. Edit your subscription | Unsubscribe Contact Us: (800) PFOT-124 (732) 462-4474 *An OT is always available to answer questions or assist in selecting the right item!

Dysgraphia: What Is it? What Do We Do About It?

Web Version  |  Update preferences  |  Unsubscribe Like Tweet Forward Pocket Full of Therapy Try a Grip Sampler We know that finding the right pencil grip, scissors, or special paper can be overwhelming.  Try each and decide which one really works for the child or use an evaluation kit to then make recommendations. Hooray! Same great stress reducing, muscle relaxing shape as the ergo pen, but now it's a pencil! 4 to a pack. Yes, you put your index finger through the "Y" creating a perfect dynamic tripod grasp. Weekly Special What is Zebra Paper?  A simple method to teach children to evenly space letters and words when writing. It can assist in decreasing writing size as they mature and become more fluent in forming letters and words. For the struggling student, it can be used as a guide to help develop even spacing and decrease or increase letter formation to a more appropriate size. Order today and receive 10% off all licenses Enter code "Zebra10" at chekcout. Offer expires Wednesday March 7, 2018  Dsygraphia: What Is It? Dysgraphia effects a person's handwriting and fine motor skills.  According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, the following are signs and symptoms of dysgraphia.   Illegible print or cursive writing (even with more time given and attention to task)  Inconsistent writing, such as upper and lower case usage, irregular size, print and cursive mixed, irregular slant to letters  Omitted words or letters  Awkward grasp or hand position when writing  Inconsistent spacing between words  Difficulty visualizing letter formation  Increased amount of time to complete work  Poor spatial planning  Complaints of sore hand, unusual grasp  What Can We Do To Help? Here are some strategies to use to help your child with dysgraphia.  Use wide ruled paper or graph paper  Use a computer for longer assignments  Teach strategies to deal with stress  Use oral exams  Reduce copying  Provide notes from a note buddy  Redi-Space Paper:  This patented writing paper designed to improve legibility, was developed by occupational therapists specializing in handwriting remediation. All sheets, front and back, are printed with innovative cues for impacting proper spacing. Hi-Contrat Black Raised Line Paper: Why are most writing papers lined in green? Don't know. Well, this specialty paper actually has raised black lines! The rich black is a high contrast against the bright white paper. Helpful for low vision children, and others who need more awareness of the lines. You're receiving this because you subscribed or placed an order with Pocket Full of Therapy. We will NEVER share or sell your info. Edit your subscription | Unsubscribe Contact Us: (800) PFOT-124 (732) 462-4474 *An OT is always available to answer questions or assist in selecting the right item!