If you're a special needs parent chances are you've got several therapies a week to get to with your kiddo. And at the end of every one of them, the therapist gives you "homework" or things to do at home to practice skills learning in therapy. Wonderful idea! The only problem is when in the world are you going to get it done!
When the therapist would ask if I did any of the at home exercises I felt like a failure because I hadn't.
Finally, I just said I can't do All. The. Things. I can only do one thing. And that's enough.
Here are a few ideas I have done and continue to do with my daughter that help her complete her "homework" from the therapist, but are, more importantly, fun!
Fine Motor Skills
- Playdoh, putty and kinetic sand with molds and tools have provided hours of play and build hand muscles in the process.
- These cutting books are great and your kiddo will have a finished product at the end.
- Stickers, stickers, stickers!
- Use liquid glue instead of stick glue. Yes, it's messier, but the work to squeeze glue out of the bottle is great from little hands. Try this book for some fun activities.
- Speaking of glue, put a nickel size amount in your kiddos hands and let her rub it around and dry. Then she can peel it off. Don't you remember how fun that was?!
- Get a bunch of old newspapers and magazines and have her tear them apart. If you have older kiddos or want to practice with liquid glue, tear apart construction paper and make a collage.
- Play games with tweezers. I've gotten these jumbo tweezers from my favorite dollar spot, but you can also use eyebrow tweezers or these with anything from cotton balls to grains of rice.
Gross Motor
- Go on a nature hike. This is our favorite way to get moving. There are many obstacles to get through and the terrain always changes. It's a challenge, but it's fun. The fresh air is definitely a plus.
- Youtube yoga is also a favorite around here. Cosmic Kids Yoga is our go-to.
- Put on some music and dance!
- Indoor trampoline, if you dare.
- An obstacle course using tape, a few things from your favorite dollar spot, and some creativity.
- A Bosu ball or rocker board for balance practice.
Trying to find the time to fit in one more thing is a challenge and the dose of guilt after not doing being able to can be deflating. Keep these ideas in your back pocket. When an opportunity arises to have some fun with your kiddo, like putting on some dancing music or playing with playdoh, take full advantage. Create a memory while playing with your child, but you're secretly getting him to work out those muscles.
You're not really trying to fit in one more thing, you're just having some fun!
What are some other activities you have done with your kiddo that are really "homework" from the therapist?
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