At Home
Asking for Playfulness
A post originally from two years ago, of a time when I “got it right” with playfulness, and with seeing “misbehavior” as a plea for playfulness. *** My 2yo and I were sitting at the […]
Other
Transcript – Teaching Kids to Write who “Hate Writing”
This post is a transcript for this one, which has the video. Let me start by explaining what direction I’m coming at this question from. Because as an occupational therapist, I am not a literacy […]
Elementary
Teaching Kids to Write who “Hate Writing”
I originally recorded this lecture for a group who work tutoring children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. It’s based on a lot of experiences I’ve had with children getting referred to me in my […]
At School
Is it sensory, or is it behavior?
I had the opportunity to speak to a group at one of the schools where I work on the topic of discerning whether kids’ “behavior” could be motivated by sensory processing, or whether it’s just […]
Other
Transcript – “Is it sensory, or is it behavior?”
This post is a transcript. The video can be found here. Kelsie When I come in and do a sensory evaluation with a kid, then I will do a standardized assessment where I end up […]
At Home
You’re Not Listening (part 2)
I posted last week about the overuse of the word “listen” to mean “obey” in adult/child relationships — i.e., “you’re not listening to me” when what the adult really means is “you’re not complying with […]
At Home
The Shoe Rules
Earlier this year, I bought my 5yo “Apollo” new shoes. Apollo’s approach to clothing has always been pretty much functional. He’s gotta wear clothing to go out in public so whatever goes on his body […]
Activities
Splat Painting
One student used a giant Sharpie and a still-giant-but-slightly-less-giant Sharpie to draw the outline on this big piece of butcher paper. An artistic, abstract, scribble. Same student plus more students helped me make watercolors in […]
Activities
Color Your Car
Use ultra-washable paint (1 part washable kids’ paint, 1 part dish soap) — or, even easier, chalk — to decorate outdoor toys. A car like this one, a scooter/bike, a backyard slide…you name it, you […]
Personal
Sand & Sensory Sensitivities
Recently, my family and I visited a sandy playground, and it reminded me of this story about myself and sensory processing. My son was maybe 18 months old, and he was playing on a playground […]