Top 10 Occupational Therapy Skills TARGETED SKILLS REACH AND GRASP visual tracking for aim, extend arm to reach and grasp object, hold to manipulate, transfer between hands
PINCH AND POKE use index and thumb to grasp, index to poke/push/point
STACK BLOCKS stacking blocks with aim and stability, starting with large blocks and moving toward smaller blocks
COMPLETE PUZZLES Shape awareness, matching shapes and designs, simple shape inset puzzles to jigsaw
IMITATE/COPY SHAPES I – O + / \ and basic geometric shapes
TRANSLATE OBJECTS moving small objects to and from palm with fingers and thumb
STRING BEADS stringing beads on cord or string using both hands together cooperatively – usually works best with cord in dominant hand
SCISSOR SKILLS open and close scissors to snip while holding paper with other hand – middle finger and thumb go in holes, index goes outside to guide
HOLD CRAYON IN TRIPOD use two fingers and thumb with open web space to hold and move crayon or pencil
WRITE LETTERS developmental age is 5 years, 3 months for printing – pushing writing earlier can promote inefficient habits Cursive writing – faster and spatially less challenging format, nd rd appropriate for around 2 -3 grade - EVEN IF THEY WILL USE A KEYBOARD FOR ASSIGNMENTS, THEY WILL NEED TO LEARN TO WRITE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE NOTES IN CLASS!
SUGGESTED TOYS
First Play Caterpillar Grasping Toy LC3032 $7.99 Manhattan Toy Squish M200980 $14.99 Alex Jr. Baby Builders A1982 $24.99 Oball Various, $6.99 - $7.99 The Original Toy Co. Pop Up Toy OT59373 $9.99 Ecotronic EcoPhone ET50038 $19.99 Small finger foods are best for pincer work for infants and toddlers Educo Stack and Swivel Clown ED810595 $12.99 Ryan’s Room High Five SW5541008 $29.99
Battat Sound Puzzle Box TS68013 $16.99 Orchard Jungle 2 pc Puzzles $7.99 Melissa and Doug Magnetic Wooden Pattern Block Kit LC3590 $19.99 Guidecraft Geometric Puzzle Board G527 $22.00 Alex Finger Crayons A248 $5.99 Alex Magnetic Tabletop Easel A22CM $59.99 Usbourne Stencil Books – Various $12.99 Quercetti Filo Design with Laces QA0570 $14.99 I Play Peek a Boo Bag G02360, 61,62 $14.99 Ryan’s Room Sew n Sew SW2500270 $7.99 Schillings Mancala MANCALA $11.99
Alex String a Treat A1486S $14.99 Curiosity Kits PopBeads Bitty Bucket A63408 $5.99
Faber Casell My First Scissors CR181503 $6.99 Zoo Sticks HW10500 $1.99