Spring Fun in Full Bloom!
Spring has officially sprung here at Carolina Therapy Connection! We are taking full advantage of all of the creative opportunities to foster a supportive learning environment. The onset of a new season also brings opportunities for fun, hands-on ways to incorporate goals into daily play routines!
The Role of Play
Play is the predominant way that our children learn; it helps them develop and grow into functional roles necessary for daily living. Play helps them access the world around them and is one of the PRIMARY occupations in which they engage.
Through play, we help our children to explore and thrive in a way that is interactive and full of purpose! Here are some of our absolute favorite ways to employ play in a meaningful way. Check them out and share your joy!
Fine Motor Coordination Spring Themed Activities
- Lacing rainbow
- Button Flowers
- Nature Scavenger Hunt (Handwriting and Grip Development)
- Seed Sorting
- Chalk! Make this activity as structured or as creative as you would like. Upgrade the challenge by having them help to “wash it off” using a water gun or spray bottle for greater strengthening of the hand muscles, development of age appropriate grasping patterns, and overall coordination.
Gross Motor Spring Themed Activities
- Outdoor Yoga
- Outside Obstacle Course
- Planting Flowers or Building Your Own Garden
- Spring animal walks! Do the bunny hop, waddle like a chick, or wheelbarrow walk for our older kids.
- Heavy work!
Spring Themed Sensory Play
We can’t get enough sensory play around the clinic! Sensory play and exploration is vital for developing brains, and has such an important role in overall health and development. Any activity that engages your child’s senses is considered sensory play, but did you know that each new experience builds upon the last? Through sensory play, our children learn to plan movements, develop organizing concepts such as color, shape, texture, foster problem solving, and many more!
So, go ahead. Squish, scoop, jump, smash, smear, and dig into these ideas for your next play activity!
- Create a Spring themed Sensory bin using a variety of materials. Just think! The possibilities are endless. Our favorites right now are: sand, faux grass, dirt, colorful rice, jello (yes, we said jello!)
- Make slime, putty, or dough!
- Cook yummy spring themed treats together!
- FREE Printable Nature Walk: Find and Explore Natural Elements. Your child can become a nature investigator and explore items found in your own backyard such as rocks, pinecones, different leaves, and tree bark! Ask questions to guide their thinking and their exploration such as: “What do you notice about that? Does that feel smooth or rough? What does that look like to you?”
Feel free to share your creative and fun spring festivities with other families on our social media!
Additional resources to help keep the Spring fun going!
OT Toolbox: Spring Gross Motor Activities
Pink Oatmeal: Spring Themed Gross Motor Ideas
Kindergarten Connection: Spring Themed Fine Motor Activities
Written by: Katie Joyner, MS, OTR/L
