Educational Destiny

03/28/2023

Love research!

The findings of a Northwestern University study of more than 100 high school students lend proof to the surprising link between music, rhythmic abilities and language skills.

06/06/2022

Play is essential. Play based learning is used to support the learner during their journey. It is a helpful strategy, however, research does tell us unstructured, non-adult involved truly supports the best learning opportunities.

I challenge you today, to find ways to let children play without adult involvement. If you wish to make it even more advantageous, outdoor play that involves nature adds another successful option!

06/03/2022

This is a perfect example of a child being raised to use her assets!! Asset based lenses, allow children to success. It is our job as educators to support the growth using a child's assets.

05/03/2022

This is Children's Mental Health Week. It is so important to let children learn at their own rate. They always do!!

05/02/2022

This is such a great reminder. With supports children are more likely to find success. We can break the tastes down into "chunks". This is especially important for children who need additional time processing. Giving them a series of smaller tasks is less overwhelming. Even when it's time to tidy up. Break it down, first pick up the crayons, then pick up the markers, then put away the glue etc.

04/29/2022

Reading begins at birth!! Early reading experiences are strongly connected to lifelong reading enjoyment.

04/24/2022

This is so true. Teaching our children to love and accept others is so important.

04/24/2022

Interesting post by Perth Children's Occupational Therapist Association.

PENCIL GRASP - does it really matter?

We actually no longer consider the tripod grasp (i.e., the index finger positioned on the shaft of the pencil, in opposition to the thumb) to be the only effective grasp.

What we look for instead, is whether a grasp is FUNCTIONAL.
⠀⠀
That is:

• No pain

• Legible writing (though this is affected by other factors too)

• Ability to write for an age-appropriate amount of time without fatiguing

What assists in achieving each of these?

• Pencil movements that are driven by the thumb and fingers, rather than the wrist or elbow. This requires the wrist and elbow to be stabilised on the table. These “dynamic movements” are usually established by age 5-6.

• Having the ring and little fingers tucked into the palm of the hand
⠀⠀
• An open webspace between the thumb and index finger, forming a C-shape. ⠀

OTs are moving away from using pencil grips (moulded foam/plastic added to a pencil) if a grasp is functional. It may not look quite right to us - but it may well be functional.

When a grasp is problematic or inefficient, we look at remediation, such as hand strengthening activities, and accommodations, such as typing or allowing a child longer to complete written work.
⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀

04/23/2022

04/12/2022

Parenting Thought

Parenting is more difficult and complicated than it has ever been. Our kids today are psychologically and emotionally burdened by social media, unreasonable ...

03/30/2022

The importance of free play. Children can use their imagination which improves their oral language as well as their problem solving skills. Two soft skills that are considered essential in the workforce.