I love coming up with creative ways to work on balance exercises for kids. Balance exercises don't always require standing on one foot. There are several different creative ways that you can work on balance exercise for kids. Today, I'm going to share with you some of my ...
Child Development
Fine Motor Activities To Work on Gross Motor Skills
With a background in physical therapy I work a lot on gross motor skills. What I've found over the years, is that I use a lot of fine motor activities to work on gross motor skills! Since fine motor skills and gross motor skills go hand in hand, it's really no surprise that ...
Fun Ideas For Combining Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills
This year we have been doing more fine motor activities in my house as I have two preschoolers (almost 3 and just turned 5) living with me. It took a while for my 5 year old to even care to do anything that involved sitting at the table, but since he is interested now we are ...
Crossing The Midline Activities – Summer Themed
What exactly is crossing the midline? I've learned a lot about this from my Occupational Therapy colleagues. Think of the midline as an imaginary line that runs down the middle part of the body that divides the body into the right and left sides. Crossing the midline means that ...
Fun Jumping Practice Idea
Do you have that kiddo that just can't quite jump? Maybe they get the concept but need a little something extra to get over the hump? Have you ever thought of using a scooter board to help with jumping? Just looking for something new to try out? Check out this fun jumping ...
Working On Balance With A Ball
Living in a house with two little boys there is usually some sort of ball to trip over at any given time. Most kids love to play with balls and they can easily be incorporated into a gross motor or therapy session. Often times we think of ball games or sports and not always ...
5 Fun Ways To Use an Exercise Ball For Strengthening
Are you looking for a little change in your exercise ball strengthening activities? Looking for some more ideas to add a little flare to your session or your strengthening play with your kids. Check out these 5 fun ways to use an exercise ball for strengthening and add them to ...
Indoor Toys For Gross Motor Play
Well, it's that time of the year again. The time when many of our toys start moving indoors, because it is just too cold outside (for the parents). At our home we are lucky to have an unfinished basement that we can bring some of the outside toys in. It's a good things since ...
Crawling Tip -Outdoors
With the weather being so nice I've found that we are outside a lot! The great thing about being outside with an "almost crawler" is that there are lots of natural inclines when you are outdoors. If you start looking for inclines outside you will be surprised at how many you ...
When Can Baby Sit Independently?
As a parent it's exciting to see your baby move through motor milestones. Being able to sit independently is one of those milestones that is really exciting. I know it was for me! We have a new independent sitter at this house (although he's still wobbly)! When can you expect ...
Skills Needed For Kicking
As a mom of two boys I spend a lot of time playing ball. Big C likes anything ball related, he doesn't discriminate. He also likes to kick any type of ball. It doesn't matter if that isn't the purpose of the ball, he will kick the ball. In watching him kick the ball the other ...
Diaper Box For Baby
I wanted to share with you one of my favorite mom hacks of all time. You know all those expensive diapers you buy by the box? Well the good news is that there is I'm going to share another use for that box! I use my diaper box to let my baby sit in it when he is ready. I used ...
When Do I Stop Worrying About Tummy Time?
When do I stop worrying about tummy time? I hear this question every once and a while. The truth is you always want tummy time, but the good news is that your baby will eventually not mind being on their tummy and use this position as one of their regular positions throughout ...
Tummy Time Products
You have a new baby and you've been working hard on tummy time. Your baby is really starting to get good at tummy time now that you've been so diligent in working on it. You feel like you want to try something different. You're hoping to give your baby a little more ...
Benefits of the Baby Gym
You have this cute new little baby. You love to hold your baby and play with your baby, but every once and a while you need to put that baby down! What you need is something fun for your baby to use that doesn't take much set up and allows your baby to move and work on their ...
When Does A Baby Roll Over?
You have this new squishy, cute, and wiggly baby. Your baby is starting to get better at holding up their head and is enjoying floor time. You've been waiting to see your baby make his/her first big move. Rolling often is one of the first "big" gross motor milestones that ...
Swaddle, Sleeping, Sensory System, Sleep Suits
Sometimes you get a "good sleeper" and sometimes you don't. I've been on both sides of the coin. One thing that may not always be considered when it comes to sleeping is the sensory system. I'm sure that for many parents the sensory system isn't a word that comes to ...
Contrast Cards Board For Baby
We've been using our contrast cards quite a bit for tummy time and side lying play. I recently put together a contrast cards board that has made utilizing the contrast cards so simple. The best part about the contrast cards board is it is really simple to put together and it ...
Side Lying Play Tips For Baby
We all hear a lot about tummy time. Tummy time is a must! We are all about tummy time at our house too. I have a ton of tips for tummy time! As great as tummy time is, I realize that it isn't a position that baby is going to be in all day when playing. Many people are great ...
5 Tummy Time Hacks
Tummy time isn't always the easiest thing for a baby or a parent. Some babies just don't seem to like tummy time! As a mom and physical therapist I've had plenty of time to try a lot of different tummy time positions. Tummy time isn't supposed to be miserable! Over time, ...