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Category: Fine Motor Skills

Struggling With Pencil Grip? Try These 5 Holiday OT Activities Instead! 

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Written by Samaria Lawson, COTA/L

Does your child struggle to use an age-appropriate pencil grasp when writing, coloring, or completing school tasks? Maybe they hold their pencil in a fist, wrap extra fingers around it, switch hands frequently, or get frustrated and avoid writing altogether.

You’re not alone — and you don’t have to spend the holidays correcting pencil grip, repeating handwriting drills, or battling frustration.

Instead, occupational therapy research shows that a strong, functional pencil grasp develops through fine motor strengthening, finger isolation, dexterity, grasp development, and bilateral coordination — and the best way to build those skills is through play. 

So this season, ditch the writing worksheets and try these 5 fun, low-prep holiday OT activities you can do at home to help improve handwriting skills — without the frustration! Here are your holiday fine motor activities for kids:

1. Tear & Rip Gingerbread Art 

A great activity for strengthening the small hand muscles responsible for a mature tripod grasp.

How to Do It:

  • Tear thick construction paper into tiny pieces
  • Glue onto a gingerbread template to decorate

Skills Worked On:
 Intrinsic hand strength • graded pressure • visual-motor integration • pre-writing foundation

Supplies:

  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Gingerbread template (you can find this online, or just draw one yourself!)

2. Snowball Rescue 

This is a fan-favorite OT task for improving grasp strength and precision!

How to Do It:

  • Spread cotton balls or pom poms on a table
  • Use tongs or clothespins to sort by color, size, or number

Skills Worked On:
 Pincer grasp • bilateral coordination • hand strength • counting & classification

Supplies:

  • Cotton balls or pom poms
  • Tongs or clothespins

3. Candy Cane Bead Ornament 

Threading beads builds dexterity, handwriting endurance, and refined grasp patterns.

How to Do It:

  • Alternate white and red beads on a pipe cleaner
  • Bend like a candy cane and hang it as a keepsake

Skills Worked On:
 Finger isolation • tripod grasp strengthening • sequencing • bilateral coordination

Supplies:

  • Pipe cleaner
  • Red and white beads

4. Holiday Sticker Collage 

Peeling stickers strengthens the same muscles used to manipulate a pencil with control.

How to Do It:

  • Peel stickers
  • Place onto paper to create a festive collage

Skills Worked On:
 Fine motor precision • visual scanning • creativity

Supplies:

  • Holiday-themed stickers
  • Blank paper

5. Q-Tip Painting: Dot Art 

Similar to writing, Q-tip art builds strength and motor control — but in a much more engaging way!

How to Do It:

  • Print or draw a simple holiday picture
  • Dip Q-tips in paint and stamp along the lines

Skills Worked On:
 Finger control • attention to boundaries • visual-motor accuracy

Supplies:

  • Q-tips
  • Paper
  • Washable paint

Why These Holiday Activities Help With Pencil Grip

These simple OT-inspired activities support the building blocks of handwriting, including:

✨ Hand strength
 ✨ Bilateral coordination
 ✨ Finger dexterity
 ✨ Wrist stability
 ✨ Fine motor control

When these skills improve, children naturally shift toward a functional pencil grasp — without pressure, arguments, or discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my child struggle with pencil grasp?

Children may struggle due to weak fine motor muscles, delayed motor development, sensory challenges, low hand endurance, or skipped developmental milestones such as crawling or play-based strengthening.

 

2. What type of pencil grasp is considered age-appropriate?

A mature tripod grasp typically develops between ages 5–7, but progress varies. Before this stage, transitional grasps (like a modified tripod) are developmentally normal.

 

3. How can I help my child without constant reminders?

Use activities like the ones above to build strength and coordination before writing. Corrective reminders work better when the hand is strong and ready.

 

4. When should I seek occupational therapy?

If your child avoids writing, tires quickly, becomes frustrated, or has ongoing difficulty with grasp or handwriting, OT can help support development and confidence.

We’re Here to Help!

If handwriting, fine motor skills, or pencil grasp are challenging for your child, our licensed occupational therapists would love to support you.

Serving families in:
 Greenville • New Bern • Goldsboro • Morehead City

Click here to request an evaluation or learn more about OT services.

Why Decorating Christmas Cookies Is the BEST Fine Motor OT Activity (Backed by Occupational Therapists!)

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Written by: Qiana Jones, COTA/L | Carolina Therapy Connection

Looking for a fun, seasonal way to build your child’s fine motor skills at home?
 Grab the frosting and sprinkles — because decorating Christmas cookies is secretly one of the BEST OT-approved activities for little hands! 🙌✨

Not only is it festive and motivating, but it naturally targets so many foundational developmental skills. The best part? Kids don’t even realize they’re working… they’re simply having fun.

Here’s why this sweet holiday activity delivers BIG benefits for growing bodies and brains.  (Everything below comes straight from OT principles and developmental milestones!)

 

1. Builds Hand Strength

Squeezing icing tubes, pressing cookie cutters, rolling dough, and adding toppings all strengthen the small hand muscles needed for:

  • handwriting
  • buttoning
  • opening containers
  • gripping utensils

Your child is building functional strength while creating something delicious.

2. Improves Precision & Hand–Eye Coordination

Decorating requires focus and careful control.
 Each drizzle of icing, each sprinkle placed, and each shape traced helps support:

  • refined finger movements
  • controlled wrist motion
  • improved accuracy
  • visual–motor integration

It’s the perfect blend of art + therapy.

3. Boosts Bilateral Coordination

Kids must use both hands together — one to hold the cookie and the other to decorate.
 This strengthens the ability to coordinate both sides of the body, a huge skill for:

  • cutting with scissors
  • tying shoes
  • coloring
  • zipping and buttoning

Cookie decorating is bilateral coordination at its best!

4. Supports Emotional Regulation

The smells, textures, predictable steps, and creativity make this activity naturally calming.
 It helps children:

  • improve focus
  • follow multi-step directions
  • stay regulated
  • enjoy a sensory-rich, positive experience

Holiday baking becomes a beautiful opportunity for connection and emotional growth.

5. Strengthens Visual–Motor & Pre-Writing Skills

Decorating shapes like:

  • lines
  • circles
  • zigzags
  • dots
  • curves

…mirrors the very strokes children need for handwriting.  It’s literally pre-writing without the paper.

6. Builds Independence & Confidence

Kids love seeing their designs come to life — and that feeling of success matters.

Cookie decorating supports:

  • task initiation
  • sequencing
  • independence
  • pride in creative work

Nothing lights up a child’s face quite like showing off their decorated cookie.

7. Bonus: Sensory Play That Kids Actually Enjoy

Cookie decorating offers sensory input that is:

  • sticky
  • crunchy
  • warm
  • colorful
  • tactile
  • olfactory-rich

It’s one of the rare activities where sensory exploration feels safe and exciting for even the most hesitant kiddos.

8. Encourages Kids Into the Kitchen (Huge for Picky Eaters!)

Getting kids involved in cookie decorating brings them into the kitchen in a fun, low-pressure way — which is BIG for supporting picky eaters. When children explore food through touching, smelling, mixing, and decorating, they build positive sensory experiences around new textures and smells.

This kind of gentle exposure helps reduce anxiety around food, boosts confidence, and opens the door for trying new things over time. Cooking together is one of the BEST ways to build comfort, curiosity, and connection around eating — all while creating sweet holiday memories.

Here’s what we think…

So, next time you bake with your child, remember — you’re not just making cookies.
 You’re building fine motor skills, sensory awareness, visual–motor skills, emotional regulation, independence, and confidence… one sprinkle at a time. 💛✨

Our therapists also created this as a printable handout you can use at home or share with family and friends:

Download the Cookie OT Activity Here!

Bonus: Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe

Want to try this at home? Here’s a simple, parent-friendly recipe included in the PDF:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups sifted flour

Directions:
 Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg.
 Add remaining ingredients and mix until well-blended.
 Chill dough 3–4 hours. Preheat oven to 350°F.
 Roll out dough on a lightly floured counter to ¼” thick.
 Cut with cookie cutters.
 Bake on parchment-lined sheets for 8–10 minutes or until lightly colored.
 Let cool + decorate with icing.
 Makes 16–24 cookies.

How Occupational Therapy Supports School Readiness Skills for Children

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As your child prepares to enter school, it’s important to ensure they have developed key skills that will set them up for success in the classroom. While most people think of academic skills first, school readiness encompasses much more. It involves a combination of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills that enable children to interact with their environment, communicate with others, and perform tasks independently. Occupational Therapy plays a critical role in helping children develop these skills, ensuring they are ready to thrive in the school environment.

What Are School Readiness Skills?

School readiness skills are the foundation children need to succeed in school and beyond. These skills can range in areas, including:

  1. Motor Skills: Physical abilities needed for tasks like holding a pencil, cutting with scissors, and using a computer.
  2. Cognitive Skills: Problem-solving, memory, attention, and following multi step instructions.
  3. Self-regulation: The ability to control emotions, focus attention, and manage impulses.
  4. Social Skills: Communication, cooperation, and forming friendships with peers.
  5. Independence: Being able to complete tasks like dressing, feeding, and using the bathroom independently.

While children often develop many of these skills through everyday experiences and play, sometimes we may need more support in certain areas. This is where occupational therapy can HELP!

How Occupational Therapy Supports School Readiness Skills

Occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills needed to function independently and participate in daily activities. For school readiness, an OT can address a variety of skills, ranging from fine motor skills to emotional regulation.

1. Fine Motor Skills:

Fine motor skills are essential for performing tasks like writing, cutting with scissors, and manipulating small objects. These skills involve the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists.

How OT helps:

  • Handwriting: Occupational therapists can work on grip strength, pencil control, grasp, and letter formation.
  • Cutting: Through activities that strengthen hand muscles, incorporate bilateral hand use, and improve coordination, OTs can help children use scissors effectively.
  • Manipulating Objects: Simple activities, such as stacking blocks, buttoning shirts, or zipping jackets, can be incorporated into therapy to improve finger dexterity.

2. Sensory Processing:

Children who have difficulty processing sensory information (sounds, lights, textures, smells) may find it challenging to focus in a busy classroom environment.

How OT helps:

  • Sensory Integration: Through specialized activities, an OT can help children learn to cope with sensory overload or under-sensitivity. For example, children might engage in tactile play, use fidget toys, or participate in calming sensory breaks.
  • Self-regulation: OT teaches strategies like deep breathing, stretching, and muscle relaxation to help children manage their responses to stress or overstimulation.

4. Social and Communication Skills:

School readiness isn’t just about physical skills—it’s also about being able to communicate, share, and work with others. Children must learn to understand social cues, follow directions, and engage with their peers.

How OT helps:

  • Social Interaction: Occupational therapists use role-playing, peer play,  and social stories to help children practice sharing, taking turns, and understanding facial expressions.
  • Cooperative Play: Children can engage in group activities that promote teamwork, turn-taking, and appropriate communication.
  • Following Instructions: Through structured activities, OTs can help children develop the ability to listen, understand, and follow multi-step instructions.

5. Self-Care Skills:

One often-overlooked area of school readiness is the ability to perform daily tasks independently, such as dressing, eating, and toileting.

How OT helps:

  • Dressing: Occupational therapists can break down the steps needed to put on and take off clothes, teaching children how to button, zip, or tie shoes.
  • Feeding: They can work with children to develop the skills necessary for using utensils, managing snacks, and opening lunchboxes.
  • Toileting: OT helps children develop the independence to use the bathroom and practice hygiene routines like handwashing.

6. Attention and Focus:

A critical skill for school success is the ability to focus and pay attention during class activities.

How OT helps:

  • Improved Focus: OTs use games and activities that challenge attention, helping children learn to stay on task for longer periods.
  • Task Completion: Children learn how to break down tasks into manageable steps and practice following through until the task is completed.
  • Transitioning Between Activities: OTs help children practice switching from one activity to another smoothly, such as moving from recess to classroom work.

How to Get Started with Occupational Therapy for School Readiness

School readiness is more than just knowing the alphabet or counting to ten—it’s about developing the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills that will help children thrive in a classroom environment. Occupational therapy can support children in developing the motor skills, self-regulation, social abilities, and independence they need to succeed. If you’re concerned about your child’s readiness for school, working with an OT can provide valuable support and make the transition smoother.

If you’re concerned about your child’s school readiness skills, occupational therapy might be the solution. Call us today at 252-341-9944 to get started.

How Reflex Integration Therapy Supports Children’s Development

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What is Reflex Integration?

 

Reflex Integration therapy is a type of therapy designed to help children improve their motor control, balance, and cognitive functioning by integrating primitive reflexes. These reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with, and they are essential for survival in the early stages of life. However, as children grow and their nervous system develops, these reflexes are meant to fade naturally.

When these primitive reflexes remain active after the appropriate developmental period, they can disrupt a child’s ability to perform everyday tasks. This is where Reflex Integration therapy comes in—it helps children reorganize their nervous system by reducing the impact of these retained reflexes, which can improve their motor skills, balance, and overall functioning.

How Do Primitive Reflexes Affect Kids?


Primitive reflexes are involuntary movements that we all experience as babies. Examples include the Moro reflex (startle reflex) and the rooting reflex (turning the head when something touches the cheek). As children develop, these reflexes should naturally disappear and give way to voluntary movements and coordination. However, if they do not integrate properly, they can lead to challenges in:

 

  • Motor Control: Retained reflexes can cause difficulty with fine and gross motor skills, affecting activities like writing, tying shoes, or riding a bike.
  • Balance and Coordination: Children may struggle with activities requiring balance, such as running, jumping, or swimming.
  • Cognitive Functioning: These reflexes can affect focus, attention, and other cognitive functions necessary for learning and processing information.

 

How Reflex Integration Therapy Can Help


Reflex Integration therapy targets these retained reflexes through a series of gentle exercises and activities that encourage the brain to reorganize itself. The goal is to help the child gain better control over their movements, improve their balance, and enhance their ability to process information efficiently. This therapy is particularly helpful for children who have developmental delays, learning disabilities, or motor coordination issues.

By working with a trained therapist, children can learn to integrate these reflexes, leading to:

  • Improved motor skills and coordination
  • Enhanced focus and concentration
  • Better balance and posture
  • Increased confidence in physical and academic activities

 

When is Reflex Integration Therapy Needed?


This therapy can benefit any child who is having difficulty with motor control, balance, or coordination due to retained primitive reflexes. Some common signs that a child may need Reflex Integration therapy include:

  • Trouble sitting still or focusing in school
  • Struggling with tasks requiring fine motor skills, like handwriting or using utensils
  • Difficulty with gross motor activities such as running, jumping, or climbing
  • Poor posture or uncoordinated movements

 

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help


At Carolina Therapy Connection, we specialize in helping children with a range of developmental challenges, including motor coordination issues and learning difficulties. Our therapists use Reflex Integration techniques to help children reorganize their nervous system and improve their physical and cognitive skills. If you’re interested in learning more about reflex integration and how we incorporate this approach into therapy, including intensives, please feel free to reach out to us to schedule an evaluation. You can also use this link to explore more about our pediatric intensive therapy services.

 

Understanding Therapeutic Listening for Kids

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Helping Children Manage Sensory Processing Challenges with Therapeutic Listening

Does your child ever seem overwhelmed by everyday sounds, textures, or busy environments? Maybe loud noises cause distress, certain clothing feels unbearable, or transitions lead to emotional meltdowns. Watching your child struggle with sensory processing challenges can be tough, but there are supportive, evidence-informed tools that can help.

Therapeutic Listening is one such approach. This gentle, non-invasive intervention uses specially designed music to support sensory processing, emotional regulation, and overall well-being in children.

What Is Therapeutic Listening?

Therapeutic Listening uses specially designed music and sound frequencies to help children’s brains process sensory information more effectively. When children listen to this targeted music, they strengthen their brain’s ability to organize and respond to sensory experiences.

This approach supports children with a variety of challenges, including sensory processing difficulties, anxiety, ADHD, and autism. The music in Therapeutic Listening is not ordinary, it actively stimulates the brain and promotes stronger sensory integration. As a result, children often feel more comfortable, regulated, and balanced in their everyday lives.

How Does Therapeutic Listening Work?

When your child listens to carefully designed music, their brain responds to specific rhythms and frequencies that support focus, attention, and emotional regulation. These sound patterns help calm the nervous system and support children who struggle with stress, overstimulation, or difficulty concentrating.

Therapeutic Listening helps children develop stronger emotional control and reduces feelings of overwhelm. It also helps them stay calm and regulated in situations that might otherwise trigger anxiety or sensory overload. This non-invasive approach does not rely on medication or complex procedures.

How Can Therapeutic Listening Help My Child?

Improves Sensory Processing

Children with sensory processing challenges often struggle to filter distractions, which can make it hard to focus or stay calm. Therapeutic Listening trains the brain to process sensory input more efficiently and respond appropriately to different sensory stimuli. It also helps children tolerate a wider range of sounds in their environment.

Enhances Emotional Regulation

Children with anxiety or emotional regulation challenges often benefit from Therapeutic Listening because it supports calmness and grounding. Listening to structured music helps children manage their emotions and reactions, making stressful situations easier to handle.

Boosts Focus and Attention

Therapeutic Listening supports improved focus and attention, especially for children with ADHD or other attention-related challenges. The music actively engages the brain and helps children stay present and attentive.

Supports Overall Well-Being

Therapeutic Listening goes beyond improving focus or reducing stress; it supports a child’s emotional and mental well-being. When children feel regulated and balanced, they interact more positively with others and experience greater success at home and school.

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we offer Therapeutic Listening as part of our sensory integration therapy services. Our licensed therapists create individualized plans that help children build regulation skills, improve focus, and feel more confident in their daily environments.

If your child struggles with sensory processing, emotional regulation, or attention, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule an evaluation or explore our pediatric intensive therapy services on our website.

The Magic of Sensory Bins

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Unleashing Creativity and Play: The Magic of Sensory Bins in Occupational Therapy

In the world of occupational therapy, sensory bins are a beloved tool used to foster creativity, play, and learning. Sensory bins are simple setups; however, they provide children with hands-on experiences to stimulate their senses, all while encouraging play. 

 

 

 

 

What is a Sensory Bin?

A sensory bin is a container filled with materials to offer diverse sensory experiences. Sensory bins can be as simple as a box filled with rice or as elaborate as a themed setup with various textures and materials. The goal of creating a sensory bin is to include items for children to explore through touch, sight, sound, and sometimes even smell or taste. 

 

Benefits of Sensory Bins

  1. Stimulating the Senses—Sensory bins can engage children’s senses through various materials. They can offer unique tactile experiences through different textures like beans, rice, pasta, sand, or flour. 
  2. Supporting Cognitive Development—Sensory bins can be tailored to support different learning objectives. For example, submerging alphabet letters or numbers in the bin can help children practice letter and number recognition, enhancing their skills. Sensory bins can also early literacy be a fun way to integrate learning and sensory development. 
  3. Providing opportunities for Creativity – When tailored to a specific theme, sensory bins allow creativity and imaginative play. Sensory bins are naturally open-ended, allowing the use of materials within the bin in various ways for play. 
  4. Enhancing Fine Motor Skills—Sensory bins can include various tools to encourage fine motor skill development. Items such as spoons, tweezers, and tongs allow children to develop hand strength, bilateral coordination, and hand-eye coordination. 
  5. Increasing Emotional Regulation – Sensory play is naturally calming and therapeutic, especially with sensory bins. Children can improve sustained attention and better manage their emotions with repetitive scooping, pouring, and sorting motions. Sensory bins provide a place for self-regulation and relaxation. 
  6. Fostering Social Skills – When used in a group setting, sensory bins can promote social interaction and cooperation. Learning to share materials, engage in imaginative play, and play in shared spaces are all benefits of sensory bins. 

 

Creating Your Own Sensory Bin

  1. Select Materials – The possibilities are ENDLESS. Common materials used in sensory bins include rice, beans, sand, and pasta. Other items could include plastic animal figurines, building blocks, or pom poms. These items can be cost effective and are often found around your home already. It is important to ensure that materials are safe and age appropriate for the age group. 
  2. Incorporating Tools – Add spoons, tongs, containers, tweezers, and other tools to enhance the play experience. 
  3. Set Up the Bin – Arrange the materials within a container. If desired, include other elements such as themed toys, letters/numbers, or activity cards. Make sure the bin is large enough for the children to explore comfortably. 
  4. Optional – Starting with a Theme – Start with a theme that interests your child and can support the current learning objectives. Themes can range from seasons to holidays to your child’s favorite show. 

 

How Can Carolina Therapy Connection Help?

Here at Carolina Therapy Connection, our Occupational Therapist often incorporates sensory bins into your child’s treatment sessions when appropriate. We are constantly switching out our bins with new sensory experiences for our clients. Consult with your child’s Occupational Therapist for more ideas and information about ways to include sensory bins into your child’s play routine at home. 

Sensory bins are more than just a fun play activity. They are powerful tools to support your child’s sensory development, fine motor skills, emotional regulation, social skills, and creativity. Incorporating sensory bins into your child’s play routine can help create enriching experiences! So, gather your materials, embrace the mess, and embark on a sensory adventure with your child that is both joyful and educational. 

 

Top Toys for Christmas 2024: Gift Ideas that Spark Joy and Learning!

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Get ready for a holiday season filled with joy and excitement! 

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the perfect toys for the little ones in your life. Toys aren’t just about fun; they’re a gateway to imagination, creativity, and developing skills. Toys play a powerful role in child development by enhancing a wide range of skills in fun and engaging ways. 

Cognitive Development Toys: Best Picks for Christmas that Boost Brainpower

Puzzles, building blocks, and educational games help kids practice problem-solving, spatial awareness, and logical thinking. Toys that encourage sorting, matching, or memory exercises also boost cognitive abilities.

 

Toys for Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Top Christmas Gifts for Active Play

Gifts like blocks, action figures, and ride-ons—which help improve fine and gross motor skills are examples of gifts that involve grasping, stacking, and balancing. These activities strengthen muscle control, coordination, and agility.

 

Best Social and Emotional Development Toys for Christmas 2024

Gift ideas that encourage sharing, turn-taking, or role-play—such as dolls, board games, and pretend-play sets—allow kids to practice empathy, teamwork, and communication. These experiences are essential for social and emotional development.

 

Toys to Foster Language and Communication Skills This Christmas

Reading toys, storytelling sets, and interactive games with audio components help expand vocabulary and encourage communication. Toys that prompt children to describe, ask questions, or follow instructions further support language development.

 

Top Toys for Creativity and Imagination: Christmas Gifts for Young Innovators

Open-ended toys, like art supplies, dress-up costumes, and pretend-play sets, allow kids to explore their imaginations freely. This fosters creativity, self-expression, and cognitive flexibility, all of which are essential for innovative thinking.

 

Emotional Development Toys: Christmas Ideas for Nurturing Empathy and Self-Expression

Through imaginative play, children process emotions, practice self-regulation, and learn to empathize with others. Toys that mimic real-life scenarios, such as dolls or play kitchens, provide a safe space for emotional expression and exploration.

 

Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Toys for Every Age and Interest

Bring joy to your holiday season with toys kids will love! From educational building sets to group game boards and sensory fidgets, our toy recommendation has something special for every age and interest. 

 

How Can Carolina Therapy Help?

At Carolina Therapy, we’re here to make your holiday shopping easier with an amazing list of toys and games recommended by our experienced therapists. Our team has carefully curated options for all ages, designed to support development, encourage creativity, and bring endless joy to playtime. Check out our Amazon storefront to find the best toys for this Christmas season—each chosen to help children grow, learn, and thrive!

 

What’s in Your Sensory Bins!

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What is a Sensory Bin?

A sensory bin contains various mediums to provide sensory input via tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, I treat kiddos who are defensive to sensory input. This can affect feeding, tolerating clothing, tolerating self-care like hair brushing or tooth brushing, and the various textures or sensory inputs we encounter daily. A sensory bin can provide the necessary sensory input to improve attention to tasks, decrease tactile defensiveness, improve tolerance for self-care, improve emotional regulation skills, improve communication skills, and assist with the development of social skills. 

Choosing the Right Container: 

A plastic clear container is ideal because you can see what’s inside and is easy to clean when you are ready to switch out your mediums. You can also use baskets, trays, bowls, etc.

Filling Options: 

  • Base materials: Rice, sand, kinetic sand, dried beans, shredded paper. You can also use edible items such as crushed crackers/cookies, noodles, quinoa, etc, for kiddos who put things in their mouths regularly.
  • Textures: Soft fabric, smooth stones, fluffy cotton balls, feathers, ribbons, or squishy foam. 
  • Colors: Use colored rice or dyed pasta for visual stimulation. Themed Sensory Boxes: 
  • Themes like nature, ocean, outer space, Easter/Spring, or seasons can give great ideas when unsure what to put together. 
    • For example, an ocean theme could include crushed crackers for sand, blue jello for water, and sea animal toys. 
    • Another example is a nature theme, including various leaves, sticks, rocks/stones, animal or insect toys, dirt or crushed Oreos, and gummy worms!
    • Just one more example: Spring could include wildflowers (real or pretend), toy birds/chicks, chickpeas, cotton balls, feathers, etc. 

Incorporating Scents: 

  • Explore scented elements to enhance the sensory experience.
  • Consider items like scented playdough, essential oils, food items, or dried herbs. 

Incorporating Tastes: 

  • If you have a kiddo who is working on trialing new foods/food textures, you can make your sensory bin ALL FOOD items! This allows your child to work on expanding their food repertoire while decreasing the fear associated with trying new foods at mealtimes. 

Sensory Box Safety Tips: 

  • Consider age-appropriate items and avoid small parts that could be a choking hazard. 
  • Remember, when using food/wet items, to change them out regularly to prevent mold/mildew buildup. 
  • AVOID ORBEEZ, please! They are not safe and could cause damage to the internal organs if consumed! 

Have Your Child Assist: 

  • Having your child assist with making the sensory box can be a great way to build communication skills, improve the development of social skills, and decrease fear regarding textures. 
  • Oftentimes, children who are defensive to textures can become very upset or fearful when presented with a new medium. However, if the child can see where the medium comes from, it could decrease the fear significantly! This is also a good opportunity to have your child touch different textures! 

How can Carolina Therapy Connection help? 

  • Ask your child’s therapist about sensory bin ideas used here in the clinic.
  •  Pinterest has great ideas as well!

By: Shelby Godwin, COTA

Exciting News! Carolina Therapy Connection Brings Pediatric Therapy and Mental Health Services to Morehead City

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Exciting News: Carolina Therapy Connection Opens New Clinic in Morehead City!

Carolina Therapy Connection proudly announces the opening of our new clinic in the heart of Carteret County, expanding access to quality care for our community. Located at 4251 Arendell St., Suite E, in Morehead City, this new facility allows us to serve both children and adults with a wide range of therapy services.

Services We Provide in Morehead City:

At our Morehead City location, we offer comprehensive therapy services designed to support individuals across the lifespan.

We’re excited to serve the Carteret County community with high-quality therapy services and provide compassionate care for children, adolescents, and adults.

Now Offering Extended Hours for Mental Wellness in Morehead City

We understand that busy schedules can make therapy access challenging. To better support our community, we now offer extended hours and Saturday appointments for mental health counseling. Whether your child needs after-school therapy or you prefer evening sessions, we offer immediate openings to fit your schedule.

Morehead City Clinic Features:

Our Morehead City clinic features state-of-the-art therapy spaces, including:

 

  • Private treatment rooms for occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

 

  • A fully equipped kitchen area for feeding therapy sessions to help children with eating challenges.

  • Private counseling rooms for mental health sessions, ensuring a comfortable and confidential environment for all ages.

 

Get Started with Carolina Therapy Connection Today!

We’re proud to join the Carteret County community and create a welcoming space where families feel supported throughout their therapy journey. If you’re seeking therapy services in the Morehead City area, our team is here to help.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, contact us today. We look forward to supporting you and your family!

Best Toys for Kids with Autism as Recommended by Therapists

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Sensory Friendly Toys that Don’t Involve Electronics

Welcome to our exploration of the beautiful world of toys uniquely crafted for children with autism. Selecting toys for kids with autism involves a delicate dance between understanding sensory needs, promoting skill development, and, most importantly, ensuring hours of joy and engagement. In this blog, we’ll delve into a curated list of favorite toys that cater to the diverse interests and preferences of children with autism.

 

Sensory Toys: A Symphony of Textures and Colors:

 

 

Cause-and-Effect Wonders:

 

 

Educational Gems:

  • Puzzles: Offering a mix of challenge and satisfaction, puzzles contribute to cognitive development and problem-solving skills.
  • Building Blocks: The timeless joy of building and creating, these blocks encourage imaginative play and enhance fine motor skills.

 

Calming Oasis:

  • Weighted Blankets: Not exactly a toy, but a soothing addition to any space, providing comfort and a sense of security.

 

 

Communication and Social Play:

 

  • Board Games: Structured play with clear rules, board games provide a fun way to learn social interaction and turn-taking.

 

Outdoor Adventures:

 

 

Artistic Expression:

  • Playdough Fun: The joy of squishing, molding, and creating with playdough offers a satisfying tactile experience.
  • Markers and Crayons: Encouraging creativity, drawing, and coloring provide an expressive outlet for children with autism.

 

Choosing toys for kids with autism is a personalized journey that requires attention to individual preferences and needs. The toys mentioned above are just a glimpse into the vast array of options available, each offering a unique way to engage, inspire, and bring joy to children on the autism spectrum. As you embark on this exploration, remember to observe, communicate, and, most importantly, have fun discovering the perfect toys for your child’s unique world.  Check out our specially curated Amazon Storefront for more toy suggestions!