Sensory processing

In part one of this blog we looked at sensory processing and how it helps each of us respond in our day to day environments.   The following strategies are just a few considerations in the development of a sensory friendly classroom. Provide a period of sensory input and movement directly before a period of focus and concentration. If you have planned a 20 minute lesson, aim to provide 2-3 minutes of targeted sensory input before it starts. Finish regulating […]

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Sensory processing

You look up from your lesson to see… someone pulling their shirt tightly over their knees and then rocking slowly from side to side… someone chewing on the collar of their new shirt, the third for this year and it’s only term 2… someone slumped forward with their head propped up in their hands… someone pulling their socks apart thread by thread… someone looking out the window at the children from the next door class walking by…someone wriggling around while […]

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Why our children should play the old school way

If you’ve read my previous blogs or visited our Jump Up Outdoors program then you know I am a big fan of children playing with sticks. Today I’d like to focus on a different type of sticks to the ones I usually mention… pick up sticks. As a paediatric Occupational Therapist, I am ashamed to say that two of my three children only played pick up sticks for the first time this last weekend…what have I been doing the last […]

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Why we should encourage children to play with sticks

I remember as a child in primary school, one of my favourite forms of writing was to write “The day in the life of a…..” stories. I authored many a classic tale, such as “A Day in the Life of a Coin” or “A Day in the Life of a Shoe.” So today, it brings a smile to my face to be reigniting the “Day in the Life of…” series! I bring you, ladies and gentleman… “A day in the […]

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