Summer fun in the sun OT style

0-6 months 

The world outside the womb is quite stimulating to your new baby. Baby is seeing, hearing, and  experiencing many new sensations. Activities and toys that stimulate the senses will help to make sense of the world. Starting during the first few months increased acceptance of tummy time, promoting visual  tracking and grasping and reaching for objects will be the foundation for future skills.  

• tummy looking at themselves in mirror 

• baby outside on mat 

• baby on back reaching for toys on play gym 

• baby on belly interactng with water mat 

• baby rattles 

• parent reading books to baby outside 

6-12 months 

Your baby is starting to become more mobile and active during play. Easy to grasp toys and objects with  varied textures can help motivate your little one to continue to explore the world. Promotion of natural  sensory experiences will also help build your baby’s brain. 

• stacking cups 

• water/sand activity table 

• suction cup toys 

• parent next to infant while infant is sitting in baby pool 

• parent reading books to infant outside 

• parent pushing infant in infant swing 

• infant playing on the grass 

1-2 years 

Climbing activities and ball skills, such as rolling and catching, work on using two hands together (bilateral coordination) and using hands and vision together (eye-hand coordination.) Your little one’s  fingers are developing greater precision which is further strengthened through various activities and  play. 

• water/sand activity table 

• pickler triangle 

• outdoor ball pit

• child on swings 

• shape sorter 

• child holding board books 

• beach ball 

• child playing in the sand 

• outdoor mud kitchen  

2-3 years 

Continued sensory exploration using sand, water, and bubbles helps your child to interact with the environment. Building overall strength will continue to enhance fine motor skills in preparation for self  help skills such as dressing and feeding. 

• beach toys (pail and shovel) 

• beach ball) 

• wooden beads 

• bubbles 

• child with parent in the pool 

• child playing at the park 

• child with play lawn mower 

3-5 years 

As development continues, your child shows growing interest and often imitates what grownups are doing. Outdoor imitation toys and activities such as mowing the lawn and playing in a playhouse can  help promote problem solving skills. Fine motor skills are continuing to develop and mature which can  be strengthened through various outdoor activities including dipping bubbles, picking flowers, and holding onto the swings. 

• water gun 

• balance bike 

• scooter board 

• sidewalk chalk 

• mini trampoline 

• batting tee 

• bubbles 

• kinetic sand 

• painting outside

5-7 years 

Your child is starting to become more involved in organized activities and games. These can be a great way to enhance sensory development and build creative thinking skills while developing interests.  

• Twister 

• Child making craft outside 

• Outdoor bean bag toss 

• Outdoor scavenger hunt 

• Child cooking with parent 

• Child gardening with parent 

• Child using tee ball set