Tiny Hands, Big Skills
Tiny Transformations Blog
Celebrate Every Milestone; Your Guide to Child Development
Is your little one rolling, crawling, or taking their first steps? Maybe your older child is mastering new skills like riding a bike, learning to swim, or scoring their first soccer goal. Each child's developmental journey is a unique adventure filled with exciting milestones. We're here to celebrate these moments with you and ensure every stage of your child's growth leads to success.
Guidance from Pediatric Physical & Occupational Therapists
Developmental Milestones
Gross Motor Skills
Toy Recommendations
Assisted Devices
Social Emotional Support
Sensory Processing
Postpartum Newborn Care
Fine Motor Skills
Vision
Concerned about your child’s development?
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Gardening and Occupational Therapy: Cultivating Growth This Spring!
Spring is finally here, and with it comes the opportunity to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and immerse ourselves and our children in nature. One of the most enriching activities to do with children during the spring is gardening. Not only does it provide sensory-rich experiences and the joy of watching plants grow, but gardening also offers significant benefits for children’s development—especially in the realm of Occupational Therapy!
Whether you have a large backyard garden or a small potted plant on the windowsill, gardening can become a wonderful tool to help children build critical skills in a fun and engaging way. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits gardening provides in the context of occupational therapy.
1. Strength Building & Physical Skills
Gardening is an excellent form of physical exercise that can help children develop strength, coordination, and stamina. Activities like digging, planting, raking, and watering require gross motor skills, which help children develop their upper and lower body strength.
Gross Motor Skills: Carrying watering cans, using a trowel, and bending down to plant are all great for improving muscle strength and coordination.
Balance and Stability: Many gardening tasks require children to squat, kneel, or reach, helping to strengthen their core muscles and improve balance.
These physical movements also help children improve their endurance and postural control, which are important for many daily activities.
2. Fine Motor Development
Gardening is a wonderful way to enhance fine motor skills, particularly with tasks like planting seeds, using small tools, and caring for plants. These activities require a high degree of dexterity and control, which can help children develop hand strength and grip strength.
Grasping & Manipulation: Planting seeds and using tools like shovels, rakes, or watering cans help children practice pincer grips and palmar grasps, which are critical for everyday tasks such as writing, buttoning shirts, or tying shoelaces.
Precision & Coordination: Transferring soil, arranging pots, and using small tools help children refine their hand-eye coordination and improve precision in their movements.
3. Planning and Sequencing
Gardening provides a natural opportunity for children to practice planning and sequencing skills. When you plant a garden, it’s essential to follow a step-by-step process—this helps children develop the ability to plan ahead, think critically, and organize tasks.
Planning: Before planting, children need to think about what plants they want to grow, where they will plant them, and how they will take care of them. This can help with decision-making and goal setting.
Sequencing: Gardening involves understanding the order of tasks—such as preparing the soil, planting seeds, and watering them regularly. This practice reinforces the concept of sequencing, which is valuable for many areas of life, including following a routine or completing multi-step tasks at school.
4. Social Skills and Cooperation
Gardening can be a wonderful way to teach children how to work together. Whether in a school or home setting, gardening encourages collaboration and social interaction. Children can work alongside siblings, peers, or adults, sharing tools and tasks.
Teamwork: When planting a garden, children can take turns or work together on tasks like digging holes or adding soil. This promotes cooperation and communication.
Sharing: They also learn to share resources like gardening tools and space, which can improve social interactions and empathy.
Gardening also offers a chance for positive reinforcement—children can feel proud of the plants they’ve nurtured and the accomplishments they've achieved, which boosts self-esteem and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
5. Sensory Development
Gardening is inherently a sensory activity. The textures of soil, plants, and water, the smells of fresh herbs or flowers, and the sounds of wind rustling through the leaves or birds singing can engage all of the senses. For children with sensory processing challenges, gardening can be an excellent way to help them become more comfortable with various sensory experiences.
Tactile Sensory Experience: Digging in the dirt, feeling the texture of leaves or flowers, and handling gardening tools help engage the sense of touch.
Visual Sensory Stimulation: Watching plants grow and bloom offers stimulating visual experiences, especially when it comes to colors and patterns.
Auditory & Olfactory Sensory Stimulation: The sounds of nature, like the rustling of leaves, or the smell of flowers and herbs, help children engage their auditory and olfactory senses.
6. Emotional Regulation and Relaxation
Spending time outdoors in a peaceful garden setting can provide emotional benefits for children. Gardening can be a calming and therapeutic activity that helps children practice relaxation and mindfulness. It can encourage them to slow down, be patient, and develop self-regulation skills.
Mindfulness: The repetitive nature of gardening tasks—like watering, weeding, and planting—can help children focus on the present moment and provide a sense of calm.
Patience and Responsibility: Watching plants grow over time can teach children the value of patience and delayed gratification, as they wait for their hard work to come to fruition.
New Year, New Goals: Setting Achievable Therapy Goals for Kids in Pediatric OT and PT
As we step into the new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on the progress we've made and set new goals for the months ahead. For children receiving occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT), goal-setting plays a critical role in guiding development, building skills, and promoting independence. January offers a fresh start—a chance to reassess and plan for the future. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or therapist, setting achievable and meaningful goals can help children grow in their therapy journey, one step at a time.
Why Goal-Setting is So Important in Pediatric OT and PT
Therapy goals help both children and their therapists focus on specific areas of development, from improving motor skills to enhancing cognitive or sensory abilities. In pediatric OT and PT, goals should be individualized, measurable, and attainable. They serve as a roadmap, providing clear objectives and helping to track progress over time. Most importantly, well-set goals can boost a child's confidence, motivation, and engagement in therapy.
How to Set Meaningful Goals for Children in OT and PT
Setting goals for children in therapy requires thoughtfulness, collaboration, and flexibility. Here’s a guide to help parents and therapists set effective goals for the new year:
1. Focus on Functional Goals
Instead of vague or generic goals, aim for functional, real-life skills that a child can use daily. For example, instead of setting a goal like “improve motor skills,” a more specific goal might be:
“Increase fine motor strength to independently button a shirt by the end of the quarter.”
In PT, instead of "improve walking," a more functional goal could be:
“Walk up and down a flight of stairs with minimal support in 6 weeks.”
The goal should reflect what’s important to the child and their family. Consider tasks like dressing, feeding, walking, or playing with peers—these are all concrete, measurable objectives that can be tracked over time.
2. Make Goals S.M.A.R.T.
One of the best strategies for goal-setting is the SMART framework, which ensures that goals are:
Specific – Clear and focused on what you want to achieve.
Measurable – You can track progress.
Achievable – Realistic and within reach given the child's current abilities.
Relevant – Meaningful and tailored to the child's needs.
Time-bound – Set a timeframe for when the goal should be achieved.
3. Collaborate with Your Child’s Therapy Team
Setting goals should always be a team effort. Therapists, parents, and the child should work together to identify areas of need and strength. Involving the child in the process helps them feel invested in their progress. Ask questions like:
What do you want to be able to do by the end of the year?
What skills would make everyday tasks easier?
Are there any activities or hobbies the child is excited to engage in once they achieve a goal (e.g., running, playing sports, drawing)?
Including the child’s input fosters a sense of ownership over the process and increases their motivation to achieve their goals.
4. Break Goals into Smaller Steps
While the long-term goal might seem big, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps helps the child stay motivated and see progress along the way. For example, if the goal is to improve handwriting in OT, break it down like this:
Week 1: Practice holding a pencil correctly.
Week 2: Trace letters with proper grip.
Week 3: Write the child’s name legibly on a page.
Week 4: Complete a short sentence with clear letters.
Smaller goals allow the child to celebrate mini-victories, which can provide a confidence boost and keep them on track.
5. Revisit and Adjust Goals Regularly
Setting goals isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. It’s essential to revisit goals regularly to assess progress and adjust them as needed. Children grow and change quickly, and sometimes goals will need to evolve based on their current abilities or new challenges that arise.
For instance, if a child reaches a goal ahead of schedule (e.g., improving balance), you might add new goals to push them further, such as practicing balance on uneven surfaces or during dynamic movements. On the other hand, if a goal seems too challenging or needs more time, make the necessary adjustments to keep it attainable.
6. Celebrate Progress and Stay Positive
Therapy goals aren’t just about reaching a destination—they’re about the journey. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Whether it’s a child mastering a new skill or simply showing more confidence during a therapy session, recognizing progress is essential in maintaining motivation and a positive attitude toward therapy.
The Importance of Communication and Tracking Progress
Clear and open communication between therapists, parents, educators, and medical providers is essential in the goal-setting process. It’s not just about setting goals—it's about ensuring everyone involved is on the same page and actively tracking progress. Here’s why staying connected and keeping everyone updated is key:
1. Therapists Should Keep You Informed
As a parent or caregiver, it’s vital that your child’s therapists keep you regularly updated on their progress toward goals. When therapists communicate progress, challenges, and any adjustments made to goals, it enables you to stay involved in your child’s therapy journey. Therapists may provide written progress reports, share notes from sessions, or even suggest activities to reinforce the goals at home. This ongoing communication empowers you to support your child’s development in between therapy sessions, ensuring that the work done in therapy is carried over into everyday life.
Regular check-ins also help to ensure that therapy goals remain relevant as the child progresses. If a child is meeting goals faster than anticipated, therapists might set new, more challenging targets. Conversely, if a child is struggling, it may be time to reassess the goals to make sure they’re realistic and supportive.
2. Goals Help Parents, Educators, and Doctors Monitor Progress
Having clear, measurable goals enables everyone involved in a child's care to monitor their progress. For parents, seeing tangible milestones and regular updates on goals can reduce stress and help them feel more connected to the therapy process. Knowing exactly what goals are being worked on allows parents to better understand their child’s needs and the types of support they should provide at home.
For educators and teachers, being informed about therapy goals allows them to integrate these objectives into the classroom environment. Teachers can create individualized learning plans or adjust classroom activities to support a child’s specific developmental needs. By staying aligned with therapy goals, educators can help reinforce skills and provide additional support where necessary.
Finally, doctors and pediatricians can track a child’s overall development by reviewing progress reports from OT and PT. This collaborative approach ensures that the child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs are being met holistically, and any medical or therapeutic interventions can be adjusted based on the child’s ongoing progress.
2024 Holiday Gift Guide: Thoughtful Gifts for Every Ability
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are already thinking about what to buy for our loved ones. For children with special needs, the perfect gift can make a world of difference. Whether it’s supporting fine and gross motor skills, providing sensory input, or fostering emotional growth, thoughtful toys can be both fun and developmentally enriching. As both an occupational therapist and a mother, I understand how important it is to choose gifts that help children thrive while also allowing them to feel comforted, relaxed, and engaged.
With Black Friday just around the corner, now is the perfect time to snag great deals on these thoughtfully chosen toys. At Tiny Transformations, we’ve curated a list of toys that support a range of needs—from sensory processing to social-emotional development. Plus, by shopping through our affiliate links, you’re helping us continue to provide valuable resources for families.
Let’s dive into some of the best holiday toy picks for children with fine motor, gross motor, sensory, cognitive, and social needs & wants!
1. Toys for Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are essential for tasks like writing, eating, dressing, and playing with small objects. If your child struggles with these tasks, there are plenty of toys that can help develop strength and dexterity in the hands and fingers.
Recommended Toys:
Playdough & Dough Tools
Playdough is a timeless favorite that strengthens hand muscles and encourages creativity. With the addition of rolling pins, cookie cutters, and molds, children can refine their finger strength and develop hand-eye coordination as well as receive sensory input through the hands—all while having fun creating shapes, figures, or simple letters.
Building Blocks (e.g., LEGO, Mega Bloks)
Block-building toys like LEGO or Mega Bloks help children practice fine motor skills while promoting creativity. From stacking towers to building intricate designs, these toys require children to carefully place pieces together, enhancing both their dexterity, bilateral integration and problem-solving skills.
Lacing Beads
Lacing beads onto strings helps children improve their grip and finger strength, as well as their ability to work at midline. This toy also supports sequencing, pattern recognition, and patience. Lacing beads is a wonderful activity for children of all ages as the size of beads & strings can vary and complexity can increase.
Tactile Puzzles & Sensory Shapes
Puzzles with textures or that require children to match shapes can be a wonderful way to engage both tactile senses and fine motor skills. These toys help children practice problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to manipulate objects with precision.
2. Toys for Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills involve larger movements and are vital for activities such as running, jumping, and climbing. Toys that encourage movement are great for helping children build strength, balance, and coordination.
Recommended Toys:
Mini Trampolines (with handles)
Trampolines are one of my favorite toys for supporting balance and motor coordination. A mini trampoline with a handle provides stability for children while they practice jumping and bouncing. The rhythmic movement also offers calming sensory input, making it a great option for children who need help with self-regulation.
Balance Boards or Rockers
These boards help children build stability and body awareness by challenging them to balance while strengthening their core muscles. Balance boards encourage spatial orientation and help improve coordination, and they're also great for proprioceptive input.
Bouncing Balls
Sitting, bouncing, or playing with large balls helps engage the entire body. These toys are wonderful for improving core strength, balance, and coordination. They also provide proprioceptive input, which is helpful for children who need to improve body awareness.
Play Tunnels & Obstacle Courses
Play tunnels and obstacle courses are excellent for crawling, climbing, and navigating space. These toys help children strengthen their muscles and practice coordination while offering sensory feedback that can be organizing and grounding.
3. Toys for Sensory Processing Needs
Children with sensory processing needs often seek specific types of input, such as deep pressure, tactile stimulation, or calming visuals. Sensory-friendly toys provide the right kind of input to help children self-regulate and feel comfortable in their environment.
Recommended Toys:
Huggable, Squishy, and Inflatable Hugging Cushions
One of the most soothing sensory toys for children with sensory processing needs is a huggable, squishy, hugging stuffed animal. These cushions provide comforting deep touch pressure, which has a calming effect on the nervous system. Whether it's a soft tactile object or a squishy stuffed animal, these toys offer children a way to "hug" or squeeze for self-regulation. They’re ideal for children who need extra comfort, especially during moments of anxiety or overstimulation. The gentle pressure they provide is like a soft hug that can help children feel grounded and secure. Think Squishmellow!
Bean Bag Chairs
A bean bag chair can be a cozy and calming spot for children who need deep pressure input. Sinking into the soft, cushioned material offers proprioceptive input, which is soothing and organizing. These chairs are perfect for relaxing and can serve as a sensory retreat for children who need a quiet space.
Pop Tubes
Pop tubes are one of my personal favorites for providing both auditory and tactile input. The satisfying "pop" sound and the action of stretching and squeezing the tube can be both stimulating and calming. These tubes offer a fun way for children to engage in sensory play while building fine motor skills and promoting emotional regulation.
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets provide deep touch pressure, which helps many children with sensory processing needs feel calm and secure. These blankets are perfect for children who experience anxiety or difficulty winding down at night. The gentle, even pressure mimics a soothing embrace, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
Smelly Bath Bombs & Aromatherapy
Bath time can be a sensory experience in itself, and adding calming scents like lavender or chamomile through bath bombs can help children unwind. The soothing aromas and warm water can engage a child's sense of smell and touch, providing calming sensory input after a busy day.
4. Toys for Cognitive Development
Cognitive development toys help children build problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking skills. These toys foster intellectual growth while also providing opportunities for learning through play.
Recommended Toys:
Interactive Learning Toys (e.g., LeapFrog, VTech)
Interactive toys like LeapFrog systems and VTech gadgets offer engaging educational content that helps children develop early literacy, math skills, and problem-solving abilities. These toys often feature lights, sounds, and buttons that offer a multisensory experience to keep kids engaged.
Problem Solving Games
There are many excellent cognitive board games that can help kids strengthen their mental skills while having fun. For example, Rush Hour is a fantastic puzzle game that enhances problem-solving and spatial reasoning as players work to clear a path for their car. Memory (Concentration) is a classic card-matching game that sharpens memory and attention. Qwirkle is a great choice for developing pattern recognition and strategic thinking, while Blokus encourages spatial reasoning and planning as players place pieces on a grid. Guess Who? promotes deductive reasoning and logical thinking
Cause-and-Effect Toys
Toys that demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships, such as those that light up or make noise when a button is pressed, are fantastic for teaching children about how their actions produce results. These toys also provide a wonderful sensory experience for children who need more input to stay engaged.
5. Toys for Social and Emotional Development
Toys that support social skills and emotional development help children practice communication, empathy, and cooperation. Whether it's through role-playing or games that require collaboration, these toys foster positive interactions and emotional intelligence.
Recommended Toys:
Dolls & Stuffed Animals
Dolls and plush toys encourage imaginative play and empathy. Whether your child is pretending to be a parent, doctor, or friend, these toys help children navigate social interactions and express their feelings. Imaginative play fosters communication, emotional understanding, and social skills.
Board Games for Social Skills (e.g., The Feelings Game)
Games that teach children how to identify and express emotions are a great tool for social-emotional development. Games like The Feelings Game help children learn how to manage their emotions and recognize feelings in others, promoting empathy and positive social interaction.
Pretend Play Sets (e.g., Kitchen Sets, Doctor Kits)
Pretend play sets allow children to practice real-life scenarios. These toys promote language development, socialization, and cooperation as children engage in shared imaginative play. Whether they’re pretending to cook, care for a patient, or run a store, these sets teach important social and communication skills.
As both a mother and an occupational therapist, I know how meaningful it is to choose toys that help children develop essential skills while also providing comfort, joy, and a sense of security. Whether you're looking for a toy that strengthens fine motor skills, offers sensory regulation, or promotes social-emotional growth, there’s something for every child.
Happy holidays, and may your season be filled with warmth, joy, and developmentally enriching play!
Developmental Milestones:
Your Childs Unique Journey
Is your little one rolling, crawling or taking their first steps? Each child’s developmental journey is a unique adventure filled with exciting milestones. We’re here to celebrate these moments with you and ensure your child is on track for success.
Why Developmental Milestones Matter
Milestones are important check points in a child’s growth. They provide insight into:
Physical Development: Strength, coordination, balance, and motor skills
Cognitive Development: Thinking, problem-solving, and learning
Communication Skills: Language, speech, and social interaction
How We Can Help
Our team of experienced pediatric physical and occupational therapists are experts in child development. We offer:
Comprehensive Evaluations: We use standardized assessment and observation to accurately assess your child’s development
Personalized Treatment Plans: We create individual therapy programs to address specific needs and help your child reach their full potential.
Parent Education and Support: We empower you with knowledge and strategies to support your child’s development at home.
We’re here for all the milestones, big and small!
Early Milestones: Rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking
Fine Motor Skills: Grasping, reaching, manipulating objects, handwriting
Speech & Language: Babbling, first words, communication
Social-Emotional Development: Playing, sharing, emotional regulation
Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, we’re here to help. Our team of pediatric therapists in NY, NJ, CT, and FL can provide the guidance and support you need. We offer in-home, at-school, and virtual appointments.
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