It’s summer time and time to play, but why not continue the learning as well with some OT fun. As kids play in the summer and focus on all the fun activities, there are ways to incorporate and maintain the skills they have learned throughout
the year while learning through play. Here are some ideas to do this summer to incorporate some fun OT skills!
Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting
Keep a summer journal- have them write out one entry per day of what they did during that day. If working on reading skills, have them read aloud at the end of the week to remember all the fun things they did throughout the week! If they are not writing sentences yet, have your child draw a picture of their favorite thing that happened that day. This works on pre-writing shapes and drawing that is necessary for letter formation and will help improve visual motor skills as well.- Make cereal necklaces on stretchy string so that they can wear throughout the day for a little snack. Lacing cereal such as cheerios or fruit loops works on grasping small objects as well using both hands to lace onto the string.
- Coloring and painting pictures with water colors is always a great way to improve grasp on different writing utensils. Also, using a vertical surface such as taping paper on a window or refrigerator, will promote improved grasp and proper hand positioning for handwriting. This is also great to pack for those summer vacations!
- Matching letter pieces then to written form with magnetic letters on the refrigerator. If you need to take a road trip then bring along a cookie sheet that can be used as a table. This helps practice letter identification, sequencing, name, and spelling.
- Complete various puzzles (interlocking or insert). You can make it more challenging by hiding it in a rice or bean bin and have them locate pieces. You can also hide them in various parts of the house and make it into a scavenger hunt by having them follow verbal or written directions. This works on listening and sequencing skills.
- Make a maze with sidewalk chalk on the driveway and have them follow with their bike or scooter, making sure they stay within the path and working on problem-solving to find the end.
Sensory Play
- Swimming and various pool activities are a great way to get multi-sensory input with kids. Games such as basketball, searching for dive sticks underwater, playing “red light, green light” working on motor coordination and modulation allowing them to control their bodies when stopping or going.
- Messy Twister- it’s the regular Twister game board with a twist!! Place matching paint on the colored spots and play as directions instruct, except a lot messier!! This is suggested to play outside…unless you want multi-colored carpet!! Great for motor planning, right/left discrimination, and tactile sensory input.
- Make your own slime by taking 1 cup clear liquid glue + 1 cup of liquid starch. Separate into small bowls and add food coloring. Then squish, stretch, and play with slime! Very good tactile sensory play.