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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 17, 2015

Superman Exercise Flash Cards

Superman Exercise Flash Cards


Let Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luther inspire you to get up and move. Each exercise flash card has a different exercise printed on it and number of repetitions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The exercises are classified as lower body, middle body, upper body, and full body.


The cards are plastic coated and nice quality. The booklet contains 90 games and activities to use with the cards that require limited preparation, equipment, or resources. The deck also contains one of each of these cards: Faster than a speeding bullet card, Lex Luther drop card, Kryptonite card, Lois Lane lucky card, Freedom card, X-ray vision card. 

Consult with your physician before beginning this or any exercise program. There is a card entitled BEFORE YOU BEGIN that spells out precautions and recommendations. Be sure to read that first.

In the box: 50 exercise flash cards, 4 instructional flash cards, 2 stretching flash cards, games and activities booklet, plastic carrying case

Work on balance, coordination, core strength, motor planning

For more information, click on the image below.


Mar 8, 2015

DUPLO Fairy Tale

DUPLO Fairy Tale - 15 pieces and a board book.


A perfect set for beginners that includes a board book and 15 DUPLO pieces. You will create the four different models shown above and they stay the same throughout the book. This set comes in many different themes, such as Busy Farm, Let's Go Vroom, And Peekaboo Jungle. Below is a look inside the book.
 



Try this:
  • Start with a few minutes of free play so that the child gets the feel of the pieces and how they snap together.
  • Put only the pieces needed for the character you are making next to the individual for an easy start.
  • Put all the pieces in a pile and ask the individual to find the pieces he needs to build each character. Turn some of the pieces upside down or on their side so the child will have to recognize them from different perspectives.
  • Demonstrate how to assemble the object while the individual watches, then take the pieces apart and ask the individual to do it.
  • Take time for creative play at the end with the finished pieces.
  • Work on visual discrimination, visual closure, spatial relations/position in space, manual dexterity, hand and finger strength, coordinated use of both hands, eye-hand coordination, executive functioning skills, process skills, creative play, play and leisure exploration and participation
In the box: 15 Duplo plastic pieces, 1 story book.
Ages 1 1/2 - 4
 
If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the link below to go to Amazon.com.