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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

The OT Magazine named The Playful Otter one of the Top 5 Pediatric OT Blogs.


Mar 6, 2016

Smarty Farm

Smarty Farm


In the box: 4 playing boards, 64 corresponding animal cards (16 each of 4 different colors), 3 wooden dice
 

Smarty Farm is an old bingo-style game. It comes with four cards and each playing card is divided into 16 squares, each square consisting of the silhouette of 3 animals (color on white). There is a corresponding animal calling card for each square, but the animal cards are white animals on a matching color background. 

Throw the 3 dice and find the card with those 3 animals. Put that animal card on the matching space on your playing card. Fill the whole card or cover a horizontal/vertical/diagonal line like bingo. 

Try this:

  • Give the individual one animal card. Have him pick up the dice, one at a time, and rolling it in the fingertips, find the three animals that match.
  • Make three copies of one card and use a highlighter to shade in a horizontal bingo on one card, a vertical bingo on another, and a diagonal bingo on the third. When playing bingo, place the copy on the table to help the individual remember what he is looking for.
  • Take all of one color of cards and the matching color board. Place all the cards on the board in the matching spaces. 
  • Work on visual discrimination, visual form constancy, figure ground, spatial relations, manual dexterity, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the link below to go to Amazon.com.

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