Leaps and Bounds

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It’s NOT just play dough…
It’s one of the easiest ways to support your child’s development through play. ⭐

Play dough is one of the most effective sensory materials in early childhood because it is open-ended, adaptable for all ages, and deeply engaging. Even better, it can be made easily at home.

👉 Simple No-Cook Play Dough Recipe
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• ½ cup warm water (add gradually)
• Optional: food colouring or scent

Mix until a soft dough forms. Adjust with flour or water as needed.

Play dough may look simple, but the learning behind it is anything but.

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A child’s balance system develops…

in its own timeline. However, there are some milestones or guidelines to help you determine if your child is progressing.

You may not realize it, but balance is an extremely important system to develop that supports a child’s future learning. Children who have fine-tuned their balance skills when they were younger have better:

⚖ Attention and focus
⚖ Core stability to copy notes from the chalkboard
⚖ Can sit for longer periods of time in their chair
⚖ Provides stability for handwriting and reading development

To find out if your child or students are reaching some of their balance milestones or are on their way, do the following:

1. 🔗Click the link in the profile or grab it here: https://ilslearningcorner.com/balance-milestones-development/

2. 📖Read the article on the importance of balance milestones and download the packet.

3. 💬Send us a DM or email us at [email protected] with one activity you’d like to try with your child using balance and we’ll send you a free packet.

Time to sing, and fill in the words,kids!

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Try these calm down tools with older kids:

>>> https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2016/12/calm-down-kit-for-older-kids.html?ref=7041593

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POV...you help your child learn to self-regulate through simple games that you played as a kid!!

🤯

Want our printable list of 25 of these? Drop us a "like" and leave a 😀 in the comments and we will send them your way!

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💪🏼The Proprioception System!

October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month! To help spread awareness, I am sharing a series of graphics about the 8 sensory systems.

To get a printable version of this graphic,
🗣️Comment SENSORY and I'll send you the link directly.

The proprioception system is the internal sense of movement and position (body awareness). It helps us know where our limbs are, how much force to use, and how to coordinate our movements. The receptors are in the joints, muscles, and tendons and perceive contraction, stretching, and compression.

You'll notice I included a list of possible seeking behaviors and challenges. This is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool, but rather for educational purposes. If you have any concerns or questions, please consult with your child's doctor and request an Occupational Therapy evaluation.

Some ways you can address proprioception sensitivities include:

* Weighted lap pads or vests
* Bean bag chair to sit in
* Heavy work activities
* Swimming
* Karate
* Climbing
* Playing in a sandbox
* Carry groceries
* Wearing Lycra
* Chair push-ups
* Dancing
* Washing the car
* Rolling a ball
* Yoga Stretches
* Pillow fights
* Chewing bubble gum
* Using the monkey bars at the playground

To get a printable version of this graphic,
🗣️Comment SENSORY and I'll send you the link directly.

Sharing is caring.

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Multisensory writing is the way to go to help with common letter reversals (b/d, p/q, etc.)! It supports fine motor skills, too. Here are more ideas: https://www.theottoolbox.com/backward-letters-what-to-do/

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Awesome ideas to do with your child at home to build strong fine motor skills!

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There are many fun and simple ways to teach teamwork to kids.

Build a tower together:
Use blocks and take turns adding pieces.

Share toys:
Practice taking turns with a favorite toy.

Clean up as a team:
Sing a cleanup song while tidying together.

Play group games:
Try simple games like Duck, Duck, Goose.

Do puzzles together:
Work on fitting pieces as a group.

Paint a big picture:
Use a large sheet of paper and let everyone add their own part.

Pass the ball:
Play a game of rolling or tossing a ball to each other.

Sing songs with actions:
Do group songs like The Wheels on the Bus.

Water plants together:
Take turns watering flowers or a garden.

Sort colors or shapes:
Work together to organize toys or objects.

Read a story together:
Let each child point to pictures or turn pages.

Go on a treasure hunt:
Work together to find hidden items.

Stack cups:
Build and knock down towers as a team.

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Calming Strategies for Meltdowns and Emotional Outbursts