Having an effective OT toolbox can make that first job or Fieldwork in pediatrics much less daunting. But how do you decide what to bring?
Many occupational therapists work in dynamic settings such as schools or home health early intervention that require occupational therapists to move from one site to another all day long.
To help ease the pain, here are some ideas to help you create an effective OT toolbox. It might even spark some inspiration for interventions, too!
Fine Motor Box
It is super easy to make a grab-and-go fine motor box to engage the child while you set up an activity, or even for break time fun! Consider purchasing a miniature whiteboard marker and small eraser, spinning tops, and theraputty with beads inside.
You can store all these items in a wonton soup container for easy access for those busy days.
Writing Supplies
Save a small plastic container from your leftovers to fill with handwriting essentials. You are going to need a variety of pencil grips, pencil weights, adapted pencils, and twist-and-write pencils.
Theraputty or small hair elastics can provide resistance exercises for a child to warm up their fingers before jumping into handwriting!
You're also going to want some sensory crayons (shaped as hexagons or triangles), a variety of scissors for different abilities, small strips of paper or sticky notes, and a 3-inch kids ruler.
Sensory Kit To-Go
A portable sensory kit can easily be created to foster a calm or alerting environment. You can fill old spice jars with Essential Oils and rice or beans to create personalized sensory items. For a calming scent try using lavender or vanilla, and for alerting scents, try orange, lemon zest, or cinnamon.
Blowing bubbles can also be used to foster a calming environment during a break, and having them catch bubbles allows for some alerting fun while challenging fine, gross, visual motor, and bilateral coordination skills!
Visual Motor
Spot It is a great, portable game that kids of all ages seem to enjoy. This activity fits well into any pediatric toolbox.
Take a clear water bottle and fill it with rice and small items such as figurines or marbles for the kids to find. Think of it as a handheld I-Spy game.
The kids love this one, and it is inexpensive. Remember to keep the parents involved in the therapy process with this great at home treatment activity!
Gross Motor
Therabands for kiddos are fun and easy to transport for classrooms and home visits. The Handee Band kit is great for this population and provides easy access to fine and gross motor work. It also gives kids extra sequencing and reading practice.
You can also use a regular or mini deck of yoga poses. Yoga is a must have for motor planning exercises, proprioceptive, or vestibular input in a space with otherwise limited resources!
Other toys and tools for gross motor interventions include obstacle courses, bowling, and almost any outdoor activity!
Mental Health
Similar to sensory kits, there are many activities to help children and students regulate their own behavior. Try carrying around calming materials for breaks to promote a calm atmosphere such as bubbles, fidgets, auditory or visual timers, and a breathing chart from the Zones or Regulation.
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