Speech Therapy: Idioms! May 10 to 16th

Look at the 5 different statements. They each are an 'idiom'.  An 'idiom' is a phrase or expression with a different meaning from the literal meaning of the words. It makes learning English really tricky! An idiom is often really funny to think about!

Pick the correct true meaning of each of the 5 sentences from the color coded phrases above. Ask an adult to check your work! Have fun!

Physical Therapy: Week of May 11th-16th

Balloon Activities!

(Keeping in mind latex free for any latex allergies or sensitivities.)

Balloon Tennis:

Use paper plates for the racquets, attaching a ruler or painter's stick to the back.  How many times can you hit it back and forth?

Other ideas with balloons:

• How many times can you hit it in the air with your hands before it touches the floor?
• Kick it back and forth with a partner or to a wall as in soccer.
• See if you can catch it with a funnel, or a wide mouth plastic cup.
• Attach it to the ceiling with a string and see if you can hit it with a cardboard tube.  

Have Fun!

Occupational Therapy for Week of May 10 to May16

It's Time to Practice Our Ball Skills!

You will need a bouncy ball: a playground ball, a basketball, a tennis ball, a small plastic ball, any kind will do!

1. Do as many dribbles as you can with your writing hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKL2YLHUlBY 

2. Now try alternating hands while you dribble!

https://youtu.be/PK-dBK6Jryo

3. Now dribble as fast as you can!

BONUS CHALLENGE: Can you dribble while you walk? Try to keep your head up!

Tell me how many dribbles you can get in a row below in the comments!

Occupational Therapy Goals targeted: motor coordination, bilateral coordination, crossing midline, hand-eye coordination, ball skills

SOCIAL WORK May 3rd - May 9th: Zones of Regulation and Using Music to Move Your Energy

What the Different Zones are Good For and How to Use Music to Move Your Energy

I've heard people say that the "Green Zone" is the "Good Zone" and that all other zones are "Bad Zones."  This is not true!  All the zones, and our feelings in each zone are important and help us with different things in our lives.  For example:

• Blue Zone can help tell your body that you need rest when you are sick.  Blue zone is also a great zone to try to get to before you go to bed.  If you are in the Yellow Zone before bed, it can be very hard to sleep.
• Green Zone can be great for focusing and doing tasks that require concentration.  When you are doing school work, this can be a great zone for that. Being in the Blue Zone or in the Yellow Zone when you need to sit and concentrate can be challenging.
• Yellow Zone can be great for playing and having fun, particularly running around outside.  It can also be great for Physical Education class.  If you are in the Red Zone, it might be hard to play with other people or follow the rules, and if you are in the Blue Zone it might be difficult to move around and stay focused.
• Red Zone can be great to keep your body safe when you are in danger.  For example, if you are in the road and a car is coming at you, you may feel terrified and run and dive out of the way.  If you are attacked by a wild animal, Red Zone may try and help you fight to survive.  Being in Blue Zone, for example, when your immediate safety is at risk, may not work as well.

Regulation tricks using music:

• To move to a higher energy using music, you can listen to music that has a strong drum beat and fast rhythm.  I recommend getting up and dancing.  This can get your body moving and raise up your energy!
• To move to a lower energy using music, you can listen to music that has a softer drum beat, or no drumming at all.  For example you could sing a soft song or a lullaby, like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." This can help lower your body's energy.

Speech: Compare and Contrast (May 4 to May 10)

How Are These Pictures Similar and Different?

There are 6 different pairs of pictures above.  Look at the 2 pictures and see if you can find different ways that they are similar.  Can you name 3 different ways they are similar?  Now try to name different ways they are the same.  

For example: the first 2 pictures are of the moon and a field of flowers.  They are similar because they are both outside.  They both show something round.  They are different because one is night and one is day.  Now you try, and have FUN!

Physical Therapy: Week of May 3. - May 9

Tightrope Balance Activity:
This can be done inside or outside.  Use a long piece of string/thin rope (sidewalk chalk outside) and make a pattern to walk across, trying to stay on the rope.  You can walk in different ways: forwards, touching heel/toe, backwards, sideways each direction.  You can make the rope in different shapes: straight, zig zag, curly cues.  You can make crossing the line more purposeful by having your child carry objects across one by one, such as puzzle pieces, blocks, etc.  Have fun!

Occupational Therapy: Week of May 3 - May 10

Make Your Own Drawings

Use these step by step drawings to draw your own pictures. Try them all or pick your favorites!
**Don't forget to get your fingers ready for writing with some finger exercises before trying these activities. You can also try taping your paper to the wall to give your arms a challenge as you work!**

PIG: 

CATEPILLAR: 

DONKEY: 

 UNICORN:

Bee:

Tell me what you drew in the comments or email a picture of it at bissone@westbrookschools.org. I hope you have fun with this!

Occupational Therapy Goals targeted: visual motor skills, fine motor skills, following directions