The Wall Model® of Occupational Performance
We know that motor planning, spatial perception, sensory modulation, figure-ground perception and bilateral integration, amongst many other modalities, underpin the learning process in the classroom. But how do all these modalities fit together if at all? Are they just a random collection of foundations, or do they actually fit together in some kind of meaningful… Read more »
Tactile Discrimination Activities for Pre-Writing Skills for Preschoolers
Tactile discrimination is the ability to use the touch information from the fingers and hand to identify an object without seeing it. The brain uses this touch information to know which fingers are holding onto the pencil. In addition to the the information from the touch preceptors of the fingers, it also gets information from… Read more »
Why Kids Should Work on a Vertical Surface
It is no secret that one of my favourite working positions is the vertical surface. I have always said that if you wanted to take one thing out of my occupational therapy practice, you could have my tables. I just needed the walls! So let’s look at why kids should work on a vertical surface… Read more »
Pre-Writing Skills. Walk Before you Can Run. Free Download!
They say you can’t run before you can walk and I am certain that we all agree that this is true. Just as true, is that children cannot learn to form letters and numbers before they have mastered the drawing of shapes. And they cannot draw shapes before they are able to draw the component… Read more »
Pre-writing Skills Activities. From Scribbles to Handwriting
Our children’s first works of art are random scribbles on a page. Within a few short years these scribbles have been transformed into the beautifully crafted letters that make up handwriting. Handwriting is a critical scholastic milestone because it is the foundation for story writing and composition. Some children make the transition from scribbles seamlessly,… Read more »
Ambidextrous and Hand Preference. Can Kids use Both Hands?
From time to time we hear of children who are ambidextrous. This seems such an amazing thing! Imagine being able to write with both hands! Does it matter if a child hasn’t established a hand preference or hand dominance? Is it really an important thing and when, if at all, should we intervene? Although only… Read more »