We have six more days in our song!
On the Seventh Day.....We have Seven Swans Swimming
It may be too cold to swim but your children can still pretend play with their small figures and toys. On a cookie sheet or tray, spray some shaving cream and ask them to spread it out on the tray, making a pool. Now have them pick some small figures and go swimming in the shaving cream! Create a whirlpool, drawing circles and other shapes in the shaving cream.
On the Eighth Day......We have Eight Maids Milking
Have your child help make a snack. Making pudding is an easy snack. Pour milk into the measuring cup and have your child pour it into the mixing bowl with the pudding powder. When the pudding is finished- have snack time or writ your name.
On the Ninth Day..... We have Nine Ladies Dancing
Dance, Dance Dance, Play freeze dance. Put on some music and dance around, when the music stops you have to freeze! Anyone that is still moving has to sit. Keep going until there is only one person standing. Then get up and dance again!
On the Tenth Day....We have Ten Lords Leaping
Hop, Jump, and Leap through an obstacle course. Hop on one foot for five feet, then jump in and out of hoops or over a jump rope. Now leap over pillows or blocks. Have a relay race through your obstacle course.
On the Eleventh Day... We have Eleven Pipers Piping
Make some music!! Gather as many household items as you can and see what makes music and what doesn't. You can shake a box of rice or macaroni, clap together two empty bottles, or tap a spoon against a plastic cup. March around and have a musical parade!
On the Twelfth Day...... We have Twelve Drummers Drumming
Keep those household musical instruments out! Now drum on whatever you find. Which is louder, drumming with a spoon and pot or wooden spoon and box? Try to copy rhythms, you bang one..two..three. Can your child copy the exact sound?
Twelve Days of Christmas
On the First day...... You have a partridge in a pear tree....
Leaf prints are a fun way to end the fall season. Collect some of those last leaves on the ground before the snow comes or in the warmer weather just grab some off the tree. Place them under a sheet of white computer paper, now with the side of a crayon rub over the leaves until you can see the leaves appear on the white paper. The more pressure applied on the crayon the darker the leaf will be.
On the Second day.... You have two turtle doves.....
Bird Seed project- Make reindeer food! Have your children scoop some bird seed and glitter into a zip loc bag. On Christmas Eve sprinkle your "reindeer food" outside so the reindeer can find your house!
On the Third day... You have three French Hens...
Animal Walks- How far across the room, can you walk like a hen? a bear? a crab? Have animal walk relay races as part of your group session or around your house.
On the Fourth day... You have four Calling Birds...
Play a game of telephone. Someone starts with a message and whispers it in the ear of the person next to them, and so on down the line. When the last person hears the message, they then have to say it out loud. How different is the message from the original?
On the Fifth day... You have five Golden Rings...
Hula Hoop activities- tie two hula hoops together with string and loop one around a basketball net, Now you have three "baskets" instead of one. Keep score as you shoot. Scoring in the hula hoops will be easier then the basket so make sure they aren't worth as many points!
On the Sixth day.. You have six Geese a laying...
Duck Duck Goose! An old time favorite. Have your children sit in a circle. One person is "It" and gets to walk around, tapping each child, saying "duck" "duck" or "Goose". When you say "Goose" that child gets up and runs around to try and catch the child up already before they get to their space in the circle.
Leaf prints are a fun way to end the fall season. Collect some of those last leaves on the ground before the snow comes or in the warmer weather just grab some off the tree. Place them under a sheet of white computer paper, now with the side of a crayon rub over the leaves until you can see the leaves appear on the white paper. The more pressure applied on the crayon the darker the leaf will be.
On the Second day.... You have two turtle doves.....
Bird Seed project- Make reindeer food! Have your children scoop some bird seed and glitter into a zip loc bag. On Christmas Eve sprinkle your "reindeer food" outside so the reindeer can find your house!
On the Third day... You have three French Hens...
Animal Walks- How far across the room, can you walk like a hen? a bear? a crab? Have animal walk relay races as part of your group session or around your house.
On the Fourth day... You have four Calling Birds...
Play a game of telephone. Someone starts with a message and whispers it in the ear of the person next to them, and so on down the line. When the last person hears the message, they then have to say it out loud. How different is the message from the original?
On the Fifth day... You have five Golden Rings...
Hula Hoop activities- tie two hula hoops together with string and loop one around a basketball net, Now you have three "baskets" instead of one. Keep score as you shoot. Scoring in the hula hoops will be easier then the basket so make sure they aren't worth as many points!
On the Sixth day.. You have six Geese a laying...
Duck Duck Goose! An old time favorite. Have your children sit in a circle. One person is "It" and gets to walk around, tapping each child, saying "duck" "duck" or "Goose". When you say "Goose" that child gets up and runs around to try and catch the child up already before they get to their space in the circle.
Simple and fun messy play!
Cornstarch and Water:
On a tray or in a shallow bowl, pour approximately one cup of cornstarch, add water and mix. The consistency will be smooth and slippery. Move around the mixture, draw or roll a car through it. Can you move your fingers fast enough to make a full circle before it moves back together again. Place a few boxes of cornstarch and some water into a large under the bed box and have your children walk on it. Watch this great video, as Ellen Degeneres learned about cornstarch magic!! (Link to Ellen on youtube)
Gelatin Painting
This one is a little more involved and will need more time to set up but still messy and fun. In a large container unroll and rip 6 rolls of toilet paper ( let your children rip the toilet paper, great fine motor activity) Pour water until it is wet. Grate the soap on top and mix Now stir in 1 1/2 cups of Borax into mixture. The mixture will become fluffy.
Product Highlight: My Sandbox
This portable, high quality, hardwood box comes with sand, tools and lid to keep it all contained. The clear plexiglass bottom allows the colorful lid or other art to be placed on the bottom. A fun, tactile way to reinforce letters, shapes, numbers. Item # T1151
Summer is Near the End, School is Just Around the Bend
As the summer ends, some of us are excited and some not so much, but another school year is already here!
There are so many things to do to get ready for school and so many things your child can help with. Getting them involved with the packing and planning, gives them some control and hopefully alittle excited about starting a new school year.
As you are receive school supply lists from teachers, have you child make his own list. Break out those pencils and paper and ask them to copy the list (making their own shopping list) and add to it other items they think they'll need. School probably won't list items like: a new "cool" lunch bag and matching backpack, Sneakers with extra long laces for easier and faster tying. (Or this may be the "perfect" time to teach shoe-tying! ( Jude's Shoe box makes it quick and easier to learn! M7029 $12.95). Also discuss if duplicates are needed of any item. One for school, and one for home use.
While shopping continue to give them as many choices as possible. No, they can't pick the most expensive items. If appropriate, give them a budget either for all the items on the list, what they added to the list, or item by item as you shop. If it's within budget, do you really care which super hero is pictured? When shopping or once you purchase all their supplies, ask your child to go through and carefully check items off their list. Do they have everything? What is missing? Now ask them to organize all the supplies. What goes to school, what stays for use during homework? (Use caution when discussing the dreaded "H" word!)
Can they write their name and the subjects on the folders and notebooks? If needed they can copy words from a piece of paper you write on. (Great practice for copying from the board!) They can also draw a picture for each subject. Maybe flowers for science; a book for reading; part of the alphabet for spellling... Can they put pencils in the cases and organize their book-bag?
Are you buying new school clothes? Have your children help take off the tags and put them in the wash. Will it fill a laundry basket? Have them carry or push the basket through the house to the washing machine and dump it in. Time to dry, then fold, they can help with that too!.
All of these tasks are so much easier to do yourself but letting your child do it will promote confidence, independence and hopefully get them excited to start the new school year!
What Can We Do With Water?
Here are some fun and "cool" activities to try!
Fill a bucket of water and get some old paintbrushes. Give each child a paintbrush and ask them to paint the outdoor furniture, playgorund equipment or the side of your house. They will be working those little muscles from their fingers all the way up to their shoulders and cleaning at the same time!
Water relay races: You will need 2 buckets and some sponges. Set up one bucket filled with water and an empty one a few feet away. Dip your sponge and run to the empty bucket, squeeze the water out into the empty bucket. How many times do you have to run back and forth? Set up relays, Who can fill the bucket faster?
Water Cup Relay: You will need 2 plastic cups, with holes in the bottom and 2 buckets; 1 empty and 1 filled with water. Fill the cup and run for it. How much water is in the cup to dump into your empty bucket? How fast can you run?
Avoiding "Are We There Yet?"
Are you going on any long car trips, train rides, or an airplane ride? Here are some fun and easy to bring along games to keep your children busy.
Freestyler Sketcher: The next generation from the Etch a Sketch people! Use the joystick like control knob to draw curves, squiggles, circles and even letters. As always, just shake to erase and start your next masterpiece. U7623
Water Magic- Take Along: Paint anywhere, anytime! Simply wet one of the brushes and start your masterpiece. Wait a few minutes and it disappears...just like magic. Self-contained for easy, take-along-travel fun. 12" by 12" book converts easily to an easel shape for vertical presentation of drawing surface. Fun, non-threatening way to practice formation of shapes, letters and numbers. Item # W5165
Wikki Stix Activity: Set: Comes with 84 short colored wikki stixs and a firm, durable, reusable playboard to work your wikki's on. Board can also be used as a write - wipe surface. You can draw a design, then outline it in wikki's (sorry-pens not included). Playboard is also great for working in a vertical plane, and also when no surface is available (i.e. travel, bed). R3004
Sensory Activity
I like asking kids to make letters with hair curlers.. the straight rod ones thatare bendable and covered in soft foam.. they provide great sensory feedback From Caterina in Hong Kong
What is sensory processing?
The term refers to the process in which the nervous system receives a message from the senses and responds with an appropriate motor and behavioral response.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
A simple definition for a complex condition: where the nervous system does not organize and respond appropriately to the messages received from the bodies senses.
The term refers to the process in which the nervous system receives a message from the senses and responds with an appropriate motor and behavioral response.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
A simple definition for a complex condition: where the nervous system does not organize and respond appropriately to the messages received from the bodies senses.
Back To School
'It's that time again! You prepared - got the kids new clothes, notebooks, backpacks, sneakers, but what about you? It's time to dust off your bag, make a schedule and start the new school year with excitement and enthusiasm! We know this can be tough. So how about some great new "stuff" to get your spark back?
We put together some of our most popular items, then slashed prices to offer you a special discounted price.There are 2 bundles available:
"The BASICs" contains the materials that we always need and want to have close by at all times. Just add paper, pencil, crayons and you're ready for anything!
"The Wish List" bundle. You have all the basics, but need a few new "cool" items.These items are just the thing and there's a very good chance that most children haven't played with them yet!
Each at a discounted price!.
"The Basics"
Here Is a list of items included: Right handed AND a left handed 3" training scissors (Our favorite scissors for teaching cutting with control and accuracy); Mini loop scissors; Small Glitter pompoms; Putty Kit; Wood Peg Set; Tweezers; Popbead sets large and small-sized; 12 Accordion Pipes; Zoo Stick; Mini cards; Kim's Kup; Wikki stix #BK-B1
"The Wish List"
Items included: Speedy Match; Orbo; Mini Morphs; Spot It; ZeeBeez; Mini sport disc set; K-Basketball; Numeric & Picture Pieces # BK-B2
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $50!
Back to School Savings - Shop from home and enjoy free shipping for Internet orders over $50.00! Shipped within the contiguous US. Cannot be combined with any other specials or coupons. Not valid on purchase orders or drop shipped items. Expires midnight on SEPTEMBER 15th. Special automatically applied to eligible orders at checkout.
We put together some of our most popular items, then slashed prices to offer you a special discounted price.There are 2 bundles available:
"The BASICs" contains the materials that we always need and want to have close by at all times. Just add paper, pencil, crayons and you're ready for anything!
"The Wish List" bundle. You have all the basics, but need a few new "cool" items.These items are just the thing and there's a very good chance that most children haven't played with them yet!
Each at a discounted price!.
"The Basics"
Here Is a list of items included: Right handed AND a left handed 3" training scissors (Our favorite scissors for teaching cutting with control and accuracy); Mini loop scissors; Small Glitter pompoms; Putty Kit; Wood Peg Set; Tweezers; Popbead sets large and small-sized; 12 Accordion Pipes; Zoo Stick; Mini cards; Kim's Kup; Wikki stix #BK-B1
"The Wish List"
Items included: Speedy Match; Orbo; Mini Morphs; Spot It; ZeeBeez; Mini sport disc set; K-Basketball; Numeric & Picture Pieces # BK-B2
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $50!
Back to School Savings - Shop from home and enjoy free shipping for Internet orders over $50.00! Shipped within the contiguous US. Cannot be combined with any other specials or coupons. Not valid on purchase orders or drop shipped items. Expires midnight on SEPTEMBER 15th. Special automatically applied to eligible orders at checkout.
PFOT Water Products
Water Magic: Simply fill the chunky pen with water and watch them go! The colorful animal pictures come to life as pencil grasp and coloring skills are practiced and overall hand and finger endurance for writing is increased! Item # 6807
Water Wizard: Watch your design come to life then evaporate leaving a magically clean slate to draw another picture. This 12 x 9 board comes with a water pen and is housed in a laptop like carry case. Item # 0407
Water Gun Fight Without the Guns!!
Water Squirts: These 2 1/2 inch squeeze squirts will squirt water or air. Fill a bucket of w
ater, squeeze, place them in the water and let go. The squirts will fill up then find someone to squirt. Great way to work on hand and finger strength. Item # 6305
Water Wizard: Watch your design come to life then evaporate leaving a magically clean slate to draw another picture. This 12 x 9 board comes with a water pen and is housed in a laptop like carry case. Item # 0407
Water Gun Fight Without the Guns!!
Water Squirts: These 2 1/2 inch squeeze squirts will squirt water or air. Fill a bucket of w
ater, squeeze, place them in the water and let go. The squirts will fill up then find someone to squirt. Great way to work on hand and finger strength. Item # 6305
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.....
Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet?"
Are you going on any long car trips, train rides, or an airplane ride? Here are some fun and easy to bring along games to keep your children busy.
Freestyler Sketcher: The next generation from the Etch a Sketch people! Use the joystick like control knob to draw curves, squiggles, circles and even letters. As always, just shake to erase and start your next masterpiece. U7623
Water Magic- Take Along: Paint anywhere, anytime! Simply wet one of the brushes and start your masterpiece. Wait a few minutes and it disappears...just like magic. Self-contained for easy, take-along-travel fun. 12" by 12" book converts easily to an easel shape for vertical presentation of drawing surface. Fun, non-threatening way to practice formation of shapes, letters and numbers. Item # W5165
Wikki Stix Activity: Set: Comes with 84 short colored wikki stixs and a firm, durable, reusable playboard to work your wikki's on. Board can also be used as a write - wipe surface. You can draw a design, then outline it in wikki's (sorry-pens not included). Playboard is also great for working in a vertical plane, and also when no surface is available (i.e. travel, bed). R3004
Play Dough, Putty, Clay, Every Kind of Way!
Who knew you could have so many different options when it came to putty, play dough, and clay? Here are some of the best products to strengthen those small muscles of the hand.
EI EI Dough: Brightly colored packs of reuseable dough. Squeeze, roll, pound or mold the dough into the shape desired. Then simply add the printed punch-out parts to successfully create 10 different fun animal friends. This is a great product for your younger children, learning animals, animal sounds, or just having fun. Also a great birthday gift! Item # T3507
Clay Pictures: Just push and smush! Use the 8 bright colors of never dry clay to color the 3 pictures. Reuse the picture molds or decorate with included preprinted background cards and colorful frames. Great for children a little older, it will provide more input and need a little more strength. Item # S1184
Magnatabs
This unique sensory-motor product will have children asking you if they can practice their letters! Players use the magnetic stylis as their pencil and the bead board. (11x9) as their paper. Trace each letter using the stylus and directional arrow provided.It is fascinating to watch as the magnetic stylus pulls beads up to create solid lines and curves. Erase, or release beads back down by pushing with the top of a finger. The sensory input receive reinforces the lesson being worked. With the Free Play board, (6x7) you get to let your imagination run wild! Have fun, this is way cool!
My First Scissors
Innovative pair of ergonomically desigend, spring operated scissors, perfectly proportioned for children's hands. Works equally well for right or left hand cutting with a soft, no slip grip and rounded safety tips. Works great for children or adults with reduced hand strength and finger mobility.
Find It Board Game
Fun game for improving visual discrimination and figure ground skills. Players try to be the first to find all 12 of the items from their game board depicted on the 48 photo quality game cards. Play by taking turns or try everyone plays all at once, for a faster, zanier game. The picture quality of the game cards makes them perfect for language deveopment and vocabular building. Great take along travel size. V4031 $9.99
Let's PLay Ball!
E-Z Bat and Ball
With the E-Z Bat, all ball players can "hit one outta the park". Set comes with one E-Z bat, one E-Z Stopper and 2 specially desgined, E-Z Balls. Simply place the stopper over the bat followed by the ball...swing..and just watch it go! For younger children, place ball closer to the tip of the bat. In this position, a successful hit requires less force from the batter. If you want player to work harder, and use more force, start with the stopper and ball further down bat. All foam construction, so bat is very light and everyone gets to play! Easier and more successful than "T" ball for learning to swing. Dads really like the E-Z bat!
With the E-Z Bat, all ball players can "hit one outta the park". Set comes with one E-Z bat, one E-Z Stopper and 2 specially desgined, E-Z Balls. Simply place the stopper over the bat followed by the ball...swing..and just watch it go! For younger children, place ball closer to the tip of the bat. In this position, a successful hit requires less force from the batter. If you want player to work harder, and use more force, start with the stopper and ball further down bat. All foam construction, so bat is very light and everyone gets to play! Easier and more successful than "T" ball for learning to swing. Dads really like the E-Z bat!
Spooner Boards
A truly amazing, "one of a kind" piece of equipment! Improve balance, weight shifting, coordination, motor planning, and gross motor skills while strengthening ankles, legs and core musculature. the "spoon shape" lets you replicate most board sports in any location and on any surface, inside or out. virtually indestructible, the balance boards safely hold 250+ pounds. Learn to stand, rock, pivot and spin, both regular and "goofy footed." Lots of online instructions and videos for learning basic moves and advanced tricks. A terrific product that's fun for all!
The spooner board is a great addition to any therapy bag or play room. It is light and easy to carry. Add the spooner to your gross motor play;
- Make balancing on the board a step in your obstacle course; can you balance for five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen seconds? Then step off and move on to the next obstacle course step.
- For your older, more advanced children, stand on the board as you play with our zoomball, throw a bean bag at a target or balance while they are having a catch.
- For your younger children, place the spooner board near a therapy mat or your couch pillows, just in case they fall or if they want to crash!
- Make balancing on the board a step in your obstacle course; can you balance for five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen seconds? Then step off and move on to the next obstacle course step.
- For your older, more advanced children, stand on the board as you play with our zoomball, throw a bean bag at a target or balance while they are having a catch.
- For your younger children, place the spooner board near a therapy mat or your couch pillows, just in case they fall or if they want to crash!
FACES
FACES:“Fun Activities to Connect Engage and Socially Succeed!" -->"Why do some children have difficulty navigating the social arena?""Why does he think I'm joking, when I'm really angry?""Can't she see that the other kids are bored with the game?"
What began as a social skills group, has become FACES; An extensively researched and fully kid-tested tool to help children recognize and gain an understanding of different facial expressions and the emotions they non-verbally communicate. It was developed by 3 creative and experienced professionals (An Occupational Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Computer whiz who specializes in creating curriculum-based games).
There are 4 components
What began as a social skills group, has become FACES; An extensively researched and fully kid-tested tool to help children recognize and gain an understanding of different facial expressions and the emotions they non-verbally communicate. It was developed by 3 creative and experienced professionals (An Occupational Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Computer whiz who specializes in creating curriculum-based games).
There are 4 components
Easter Egg Ideas
Easter is coming let’s go egg hunting…
Use plastic eggs, and hide them around the room or your yard. For your younger children, here are a few ideas to help them with their hunting. Assign each child a color, let them wear a colored bracelet or have a specific colored basket. You can give them hints for where to start or work on learning directional concepts such as up, down, in and on. You can assign each child an area. Or do you need to make the hunting a little more difficult? Give each child a scavenger hunt list in order to find the eggs. You can use scooterboards or tri/bicycles to hunt for eggs, to work on some gross motor skills. When the child finds an egg, have them bring it back to their basket balancing it on a spoon. These are just a few ideas, check out our townsquare for some more fun egg hunting ideas!
Messy Play
You will need plastic eggs, glue and colored tissue paper. Have your child rip the tissue paper into small squares. While holding the egg place some glue on one side. Then cover it with tissue paper. This sounds simple but can get very messy. When you are finished the egg will look tie dyed.
Use plastic eggs, and hide them around the room or your yard. For your younger children, here are a few ideas to help them with their hunting. Assign each child a color, let them wear a colored bracelet or have a specific colored basket. You can give them hints for where to start or work on learning directional concepts such as up, down, in and on. You can assign each child an area. Or do you need to make the hunting a little more difficult? Give each child a scavenger hunt list in order to find the eggs. You can use scooterboards or tri/bicycles to hunt for eggs, to work on some gross motor skills. When the child finds an egg, have them bring it back to their basket balancing it on a spoon. These are just a few ideas, check out our townsquare for some more fun egg hunting ideas!
Messy Play
You will need plastic eggs, glue and colored tissue paper. Have your child rip the tissue paper into small squares. While holding the egg place some glue on one side. Then cover it with tissue paper. This sounds simple but can get very messy. When you are finished the egg will look tie dyed.
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