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Classroom Displays:  How Much Is Too Much?

The ability to focus and sustain attention to relevant information is important for learning in the classroom and for academic achievement. The more time spent focused on a task, the better the learning outcome. Studies have shown that during learning tasks, children look at the teacher when listening, but look away when thinking. Children on… Read more »

Multi-Sensory Reading Instruction and Your Child

Studies show that children with dyslexia or related speech sound disorders need a multi-sensory approach to reading. Multi-sensory education incorporates three learning pathways, which are: auditory (hearing), kinesthetic (touching or moving), and visual (seeing). Photo from pexels.com A multi-sensory approach to reading is beneficial not only for students with dyslexia, but for all learners. It… Read more »

Messy Play

Tactile play offers endless opportunities for learning and messy play is a crucial component of early education. There are many benefits of messy play. Photo from pexels.com What are the benefits of messy play? Messy play offers benefits to children of all ages and abilities. It allows children to become engaged and get to know… Read more »

Having Fun with Sensory Integration Activities

From the womb into adulthood, our neurological systems are developing and processing an overwhelming amount of sensory information every day. Our system must then interpret this information and make it ready to be tolerated and used for specific purposes. To help with this process, sensory integration activities are a fun and necessary part of development for any child, whether… Read more »

What is a Sensory Diet and Why Does My Child Need One?

Every person explores, feels, and senses her environment differently.  For some people, playing soothing background music helps increase focus, while for others, all background noise is distracting.  A sensory diet is a personalized set of activities and environmental modifications embedded in daily routines which supports individuals to be successful in tasks and transitions.  Photo from… Read more »

Using Music to Improve Sensory Processing

Music is frequently used as a therapeutic tool to calm or organize children. However, does music really have the potential for sensory organization? In 2007, researchers Hall and Case-Smith conducted a study exploring the effects of sound based intervention for those with sensory processing disorder. They found that children who used a sensory diet in… Read more »

An OT’s Guide to a Sensational Summer

Summer is a great time to relax and change up our routines. Less structure sometimes leads to boredom. Here are some fun activities to engage in with your child to help liven up summer break while keeping your child regulated. Indoor crafts and messy play Make homemade slime with school glue and Borax detergent. Got… Read more »

You Don’t Have to Brush Your Teeth – Only the Ones You Want to Keep!

Brushing teeth and visiting the dentist are two challenging activities for children with sensory issues. The sheer thought of someone going into their mouths can be enough to send children with sensory issues into meltdown mode. With a few practical tips, both you and your child can be better supported in both of these dreaded… Read more »

The Vestibular System: A tutorial

We are all familiar with our five basic senses through which we explore our environment. Did you know that we have an additional special sense known as the vestibular system? This complex system is located in the inner ear and consists of gravity receptors that detect linear (such as running straight or swinging back and… Read more »

How Can You Help Your Child with Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration is the way we take in and make use of information about the environment around us through our senses. Our brains are constantly receiving and processing little bits of information about what we are touching, how we are positioned in space, how we are moving in relation to gravity, as well as what… Read more »