Occupational Therapy Crafts for Kids
It’s time to mark occupational therapy month, which is the month of April in the United States. The goal of occupational therapy month is to recognize the integrative approach to healthcare that OT has contributed. Aside from its critical relevance, the profession also celebrates its clients’ amazing accomplishments and the baby steps they take to fulfill their needs and fulfill their wants.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy works with children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, sensory processing problems, handwriting issues, eating disorders, and visual processing disorders. Many of these ailments can make it challenging for a person to do basic everyday functions like writing their name, changing clothes, tying their laces, and brushing their teeth. The therapist for your child can assist in breaking these challenging activities into simpler ones, so they’re able to eventually connect them again. For instance, when developing the ability to write a child’s name, we can begin by practicing the individual letters before moving on to the whole name!
Children learn so many different skills from occupational therapists that they will utilize for the rest of their life! Several things include writing their name, cleaning their teeth, tying their shoes, and many others. We at OT love to have fun, so we’ve put together some enjoyable springtime occupational therapy crafts for kids to enjoy!
Fun Occupational Therapy Craft Ideas for Kids
1. Flower Crafts
Flower Crafts The fine motor skills of your child can be improved by doing this. Grab some tissue paper and shred it into the shape of flowers. Choose vibrant colors such as pink, red, or purple, then roll the tissue paper into a stem shape. Simply apply glue toward the back and attach it to a piece of vibrant paper to hold it in place!
2. Make Play Dough
Making playdough is a fun pastime for kids that also helps them develop a variety of important abilities such as vision, recognition, following directions, and much more. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of fine salt to make the dough. When everything is thoroughly combined, add 1/2 cup water and knead the dough until it is smooth.
3. Flower Picking
Take the kids outside and let them enjoy choosing some flowers! Encourage them to dig them up carefully, select a few that are different in color and shape, and let them choose their favorite overall. Once they’ve gathered a considerable number, ask them to describe those flowers to you in terms of their color, scent, form, texture, etc. Then, instruct them to remove and dissect the flower’s leaves, letting them preserve their favorite. This will allow students to touch, feel, and describe fresh flower parts! Using flower petals to create pictures and fascinating new shapes and motifs is another enjoyable activity!
4. Plan a Straw Race.
Oral motor issues, such as controlling mouth motions or accepting various textures, are common in children with sensory processing issues. Organizing a straw race is one method for helping to desensitize this area.
Get a big plastic container and add water to it for this exercise. After that, submerge two light things in the water, such as a plastic cup. Then, you and your child try to blow the paper cups to the other side using straws. The winner is the first one to cross over.
5. Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are usually a hit with all of us. For this one, go outdoors and gather a plastic container. Let your child fill the bin with sand or soil before sending them on a treasure quest to collect other items to put in it. This outdoor sensory bin would be fantastic with rocks, flowers, and acorns as well!
6. OT Simon Says
Children adore the Simon Says game! Also, it’s a fantastic way to practice balance, coordination, and listening to instructions. Provide humorous instructions, such as “Hop like a bunny” or “Crawl like a worm.”
7. Make Taking a Bath Enjoyable
An excellent method to give kids a broad range of sensory input, even while getting them to take care of themselves, is during bath time. You may utilize your child’s favorite toy to teach them about which body parts they own need to be scrubbed during bath time as an occupational therapy activity. Outside of bath time, covering your child in soap bubbles can serve as a visual indication and make for a fun game to determine which body parts need to be washed.
8. Perform a Repetitive Activity to Warm Up
Start by getting your kid involved in an activity that promotes repetition, such as passing a ball back and forth or tossing bean bags. Repeated actions stimulate the area of the brain that controls our emotions. This kind of exercise will help your youngster feel composed, organized, and prepared to work during each session.
FAQs:
Q#1: How can crafts help with occupational therapy?
The therapeutic advantages of arts and crafts may include the development of manual skills, the expression of emotions and identities, and the joy of project completion.
Q#2: Are occupational therapy crafts only for children with disabilities?
No, occupational therapy crafts are not only for children with disabilities. Crafts can be used in occupational therapy for individuals of all ages and abilities to promote physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional development.
Q#3: Can occupational therapy crafts be fun for kids?
Yes, occupational therapy crafts can be really fun for kids, along with mental benefits.
Q#4: How do I know which occupational therapy crafts are appropriate for my child?
Here are some strategies to find out which occupational therapy crafts are appropriate for my child:
- Consult with an Occupational Therapist
- Consider Your Child’s Abilities
- Follow Your Child’s Interests
- Trial and Error
Conclusion
Creativity and skill development are two of the most important components of an occupational therapy session. Although there are many approaches to teaching basic skills, it is always crucial to take into account each child’s particular requirements and interests.
If you’re thinking of doing occupational therapy at home or in classrooms, hopefully, the above arts and crafts for kids will give you some ideas!
