Play Hunker Hauser this weekend!

Work on stability & strategy, mixed ages & skill levels. Try a round robin tournament this weekend instead of football!

View this email in your browser Got a rope & 2 blocks? Let's play "hunker hauser"! Never heard of it? It will quickly become a favorite. This simple, yet challenging balance game was recently included on a "Dinner impossible" episode as an old Viking game for adults.  It can be a great motor task and beginning strategy game for children with few to no modifications and is easily adapted for adults and mixed skill levels.  Here's how to play: Each player stands, facing each other, on a long block or piece of wood. An 8" long piece of 2x4" is perfect. The blocks should be placed on the floor about 6' apart. Each player holds the end of a rope. On "Go", the players try to get their opponent to lose balance and fall off their block by pulling or loosening the rope. So strategy can be just as important as strength and core stability is required by all.  Here are some modifications to the game that can make it more successful for some, while still keeping it challenging. Vary the height of the blocks: a younger player or those with limited core stability may need just a small paper or rug square to stand on. Older students or those better skilled players may use a taller or narrower block. Players blocks can be different from each other to allow for mixed abilities in a group. Try stacking 2 2x4" on top of each other. Remove the "tug-of-war" and competition of the game. Each player has their own block to stand on and their own rope to pull. On "go", players must quickly pull their rope in until they reach the end while maintaining their balance. Players each have their own block and rope to pull in, but an object is attached to the end adding bulk and weight. (ie a large teddy bear or a crate filled with bean bags) Try maintaining a kneeling position on a square to work on more proximal core stability.  Modify as playing to be sure everyone is having fun and not frustrated. Ready, set, shop! Here are some popular items that are in stock! (at this time...) Rocking Volcano This trendy new alternative seat with an arc-shaped bottom,  allows movements in all directions while also being very stable. Sit, lay across, spin, rock, squirm & let all the wiggles out! More info Design & Drill Sets: Each set includes play board, bolts, patterns, power drill (batteries required), hand held screwdriver and different drill bits. Easy to transport for on-the-go fun! 3 sets to choose from. More info NeeDoh Squeeze Balls: These cool, new balls are filled with a thick doh like material that creates a unique feel when squeezed. 2 styles available. Got to feel, to believe, then won't put down! More info Many more fun holiday gift ideas in stock! Check them out... Copyright © 2021 Pocket Full of Therapy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Pocket Full of Therapy 337 State Route 36 Port Monmouth, NJ 07758-1367 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

What Is Midline Crossing? Specials and Featured Products

Web Version  |  Update preferences  |  Unsubscribe Like Tweet Forward Pocket Full of Therapy What Is Midline Crossing? Crossing midline is the ability to move your hands, feet, and eyes  together and across the other side of the body. Crossing midline requires the involvement of many skills including: body awareness, hand-eye coordination, muscular strength, and  brain communication. The ability to cross midline is important at both, physical and brain level.  If your child is crossing midline then their right and left sides of their brain are communicating with each other.  Physically, a dominance will be determined with stronger fine motor skills present on that side.   A strong hand dominance is very important!  While some children are ambidexterous, this is very rare.  A strong dominance is important for good fine motor and handwriting skills.   What You will See If Your Child Is Not Crossing Midline: -When an object is placed on the right side, they will use their right hand to pick it up.  If placed on the left, they will use their left hand to pick it up. - May not reach out of center to catch a ball - Will use different feet to kick a ball depending on which side the ball is rolled to -  Switching hands to complete handwriting tasks  - Not crossing or integrating lines with figures such as X, or + Usually by four years old a definite dominance is set and bilateral skills are mastered by your child.  If they are not here are some actvities and ideas you can use to help promote midline crossing.  Midline Crossing Activities ​1. Draw a Large Racetrack on the Write and Wipe Board or large piece of cardboard.  Have your child take a small car and with one hand drive around the track.  They may have to reach up, down, left and right to move the car.   2. Infinity Loop (Figure 8): Whether you draw it and have your child trace it or have them draw it, this is a great way to promote crossing midline.  Have them repeatedly trace over the loop with one hand.   3.  Flashlight Tag: Have your child holld the flashlight with both hands and follow your light with their flashlight across the ceiling, walls or floor. 4.  Wipe the table with one hand and make sure you get the whole table from right to left! 5.  Painting on a large canvas or wall- reach up and over trying to get every spot!  6. Simon Says with midline crossing positions.  Give your self a hug, touch right hand to left knee, touch left hand to right foot, etc.   7. Windmill Exercises:  Standing with their feet apart, have your child put their arms straight out to the sides (like a scarecrow).  Now bend and touch right hand to left foot, stand and touch left hand to right foot.  How many can you do?  ​8. Midline March: You can play musical chairs, have a relay race, or just march around to music but when you march your right hand has to touch your left knee, then your left hand has to touch your right knee!!  ​9. Hand Clapping Patterns: Simon says with clapping.  How many claps or different hand movements can your child copy?  ​10. Fast Pace Follow the Leader: How quickly can your child follow different movements involving right and left sides.   Midline March  Infinity Loop  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!

Rockin B-Ball

Now everyone can "shoot for a hoop" with this addictive little 4 inch transparent orb. Play against the clock, head to head, best of 10, even "horse". Every time you score a basket, you're rewarded with flashing lights and cheers from the Cyber-audience. Now don't get too confident, it's not as easy as it looks. But with just the right flick of the wrist you too can be a high scorer.Now in 2 sizes.

Grab a timer and your Rockin B-ball and have a competition. Who can get the most baskets in your time frame. Can you score with two hands? One hand? How about with your eyes closed?
Do you have a small group? Play hot potato, one child scores a basket then passes it to the next. Keep passing til your timer runs out or you score 10 points. Good teamwork!!

This is a great warm up, then work on writing or other fine motor tasks. You can write about how many points you scored, who won the game, was it a tie? or maybe finish this story starter. The game was tied 45 to 45, I was on the foul line and.....