Resources
October 2019
November 2019:
- Typing club is a great resource that teaches kids skills to increase their keyboarding speed. It is easy to practice at home and school. It really doesn't take much to learn, a few minute a day makes a huge difference. Also, it is free! https://www.typingclub.com/
- To Type or Write - That is the Question! Linked is a website that provides great information on the rationale behind learning to type AND write.
- Does keyboarding mean we are giving up on writing?
- "Absolutely not! Rather than thinking about one method or the other, we need to think about the two skills as developing in parallel. If a child learns to ride a scooter, they can still learn to ride a bicycle. The rules about cars, helmets and stop signs are the same and both are means of transportation that children enjoy. The effort and balance required, and the choice of timing for each method might differ.
Typing and writing are two socially acceptable ways to produce written work. Children need to know how to do both. Although computers are widely accepted in our society, it is not always possible, desirable or convenient to use a computer. Children will always need to be able to write their names, their homework lists or reminder notes with some proficiency...
- "Absolutely not! Rather than thinking about one method or the other, we need to think about the two skills as developing in parallel. If a child learns to ride a scooter, they can still learn to ride a bicycle. The rules about cars, helmets and stop signs are the same and both are means of transportation that children enjoy. The effort and balance required, and the choice of timing for each method might differ.
- To type or not to type . . . what is the answer?
- In today’s society, keyboarding is an important skill for all children to learn, but it is particularly important for children with motor coordination difficulties. With support and appropriate instruction, even young children with coordination difficulties can learn to be very proficient typists. The computer can open up a world of possibilities for learning and for success at school."
( Freeman, A., MacKinnon, J., & Miller, L. (2005). Keyboarding for students with handwriting problems: A literature review, Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 25, 119-160.)
- In today’s society, keyboarding is an important skill for all children to learn, but it is particularly important for children with motor coordination difficulties. With support and appropriate instruction, even young children with coordination difficulties can learn to be very proficient typists. The computer can open up a world of possibilities for learning and for success at school."
- Does keyboarding mean we are giving up on writing?
December 2019:
- Tactile Holiday Ornaments!
- Tactile Holiday Ornaments are designed to help a child develop sensory discrimination; the ability to interpret and distinguish messages within the sensory systems. The Tactile Holiday Ornament resource can be used to help a child discriminate what he/she feels…hard, soft, smooth, bumpy, cold, warm, wet, dry, rough, etc. The ability to accurately distinguish objects/textures by touch is important because this is what enables a child to perform hand use tasks without the use of vision. In other words, without looking at his/her hands, a child with intact tactile discrimination skills is more likely to successfully tie a knot, zip a jacket, button, snap, or find an object within their back pack. - Tools to Grow
February 2020
- Below you will find several excellent fine motor crafts for various skills and ages based on the holiday theme. Kids are motivated to make these crafts so they can give them as gifts. Enjoy!
Heart Lacing Fine Motor Craft |
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March Covid-19 school closure resources and updates
Week 1:
Hello my dear friends at Issaquah School District. I wanted to provide you some resources to support the "Pizza Theme" that was provided to the LRC 2 classrooms this week.
Sensory: Quiet time with deep pressure:
Deep pressure can help calm your child's body. Deep pressure also helps with body awareness and provides input to the somatosensory (tactile/proprioceptive) system. Use an exercise ball and "roll out the dough" i.e. slowly roll an exercise ball over your child's back and legs. Most kids love the deep pressure on their bodies but always monitor your child for any discomfort! For more resources and ideas, check out this link -https://synchronyot.com.au/2018/02/08/8-simple-activities-that-provide-body-awareness-input/
Proprioception is the body's ability to receive input through receptors in the skin, muscles and joints, and transfer the information to the brain through the nervous system so that the body can sense itself. To put it simply, proprioception is the sense that tells the body where it is in space. Check out this 5 minute video with great visual examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2iOliN3fAE
Week 2:
Hello friend! This week we are learning abouthygiene and hand-washing.
Hello my dear friends at Issaquah School District. I wanted to provide you some resources to support the "Pizza Theme" that was provided to the LRC 2 classrooms this week.
Sensory: Quiet time with deep pressure:
Deep pressure can help calm your child's body. Deep pressure also helps with body awareness and provides input to the somatosensory (tactile/proprioceptive) system. Use an exercise ball and "roll out the dough" i.e. slowly roll an exercise ball over your child's back and legs. Most kids love the deep pressure on their bodies but always monitor your child for any discomfort! For more resources and ideas, check out this link -https://synchronyot.com.au/2018/02/08/8-simple-activities-that-provide-body-awareness-input/
- Ask you child to lie down on their stomach.
- Use a large ball to roll over your child’s body as you pretend to turn them into a pizza, rolling out the dough and apply the toppings.
Proprioception is the body's ability to receive input through receptors in the skin, muscles and joints, and transfer the information to the brain through the nervous system so that the body can sense itself. To put it simply, proprioception is the sense that tells the body where it is in space. Check out this 5 minute video with great visual examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2iOliN3fAE
Week 2:
Hello friend! This week we are learning abouthygiene and hand-washing.
- Having a visual sequence and model can be helpful to help your child remember all the steps. At first, you can help them by pointing to each step. This is good to laminate and hang near the sink!
- For a FUN and engaging activity to learn about germs and hand-washing, check out the PDF below.
Germs and Glitter |
Week 3 and 4- Technology
Hello, this week I want to share some resources that are available to utilize technology for learning.
Hello, this week I want to share some resources that are available to utilize technology for learning.
- Learning Without Tears Online
- https://www.lwtears.com/programs/distance-learning: Home of the famous "Handwriting without Tears" and "Keyboarding without Tears" programs. This company is providing resources for free to help with distance learning during the school closure.
- "We’re offering Keyboarding Without Tears (Grades K—5), our research-proven keyboarding program, to you and your students at no cost through July 31, 2020.** Families can gain free access by contacting our customer service using the contact us on the lwtears.com website. Due to the demand, all requests will be processed within 48–72 hours."
- https://www.lwtears.com/programs/distance-learning: Home of the famous "Handwriting without Tears" and "Keyboarding without Tears" programs. This company is providing resources for free to help with distance learning during the school closure.
- Typingclub.com
- As mentioned above (but deserves another shootout) Typing club is a great resource that teaches kids skills to increase their keyboarding speed. It is easy to practice at home and at school. It really doesn't take much to learn, a few minutes a day makes a huge difference. Also, it is free! https://www.typingclub.com/
- Highlights Kids
- Free online games, puzzles, and hidden pictures to work on fine motor and visual perceptual skills.
- https://www.highlightskids.com/games
- Clicker
- FREE ACCESS to Clicker@Home: This is a great writing tool that offers predictive text, text to speech, audio recording, picture/visual supports and more. Start with the "sign up" form to get your access code, then download it to your computer. https://www.cricksoft.com/us/clicker/clicker-at-home/sign-up
April:
How do we get more movement in our bodies!? Check out these fun and free resources!
1. Cosmic Yoga is a great kid-friendly yoga youtube channel with lots of options
2. "Roll Some Brain Breaks" - https://www.yourtherapysource.com/rollsomefunfree.html
May:
Visual perceptual skills and fine motor games!
1. DINOSAURS and More! - https://www.digipuzzle.net/main/dinos/index.htm
2. Snakes and Ladders - https://toytheater.com/snakes-and-ladders/
June:
Now that the days are getting longer and sunnier, we can enjoy going outside more. Outside play is a great time to incorporate fine motor, gross motor, and sensory modulation skills! Check out these links below for some ideas.
1. Huge List of Outside Sensory Fun
2. Painting with Water
3. Simon Says is an awesome way to get some movement while working on listening skills! See an example below.
How do we get more movement in our bodies!? Check out these fun and free resources!
1. Cosmic Yoga is a great kid-friendly yoga youtube channel with lots of options
2. "Roll Some Brain Breaks" - https://www.yourtherapysource.com/rollsomefunfree.html
May:
Visual perceptual skills and fine motor games!
1. DINOSAURS and More! - https://www.digipuzzle.net/main/dinos/index.htm
2. Snakes and Ladders - https://toytheater.com/snakes-and-ladders/
June:
Now that the days are getting longer and sunnier, we can enjoy going outside more. Outside play is a great time to incorporate fine motor, gross motor, and sensory modulation skills! Check out these links below for some ideas.
1. Huge List of Outside Sensory Fun
2. Painting with Water
3. Simon Says is an awesome way to get some movement while working on listening skills! See an example below.