Kids learn about the alphabet from a young age! Whether they are singing the ABC’s or identifying letters of their name, it is one of the first things kids learn about! Including fine motor and gross motor activities with the alphabet is both great for learning and working on motor skills. Below are just a […]
Alphabet Gross Motor and Fine Motor Activities Read More »
Want a fun and engaging theme for gross motor and fine motor skills work that your kids will love? Try the pirate, princess and mermaid theme (maybe mermaid princess?)! This theme can be used any time of the year, but I prefer it as a summer or end of the school year theme. It can
Pirate, Princess and Mermaid Gross Motor and Fine Motor Activities Read More »
Pools are a great place to not only play, but also work on exercise and conditioning. There are several great pool exercises for kids that you can do that seem like all fun and play! The summer months are prime pool season, but indoor pools provide opportunity for these water exercises for kids when the
Pool Exercises For Kids Read More »
Earth Day is celebrated April 22nd every year. I remember receiving a little pine tree in school on Earth Day that I could take home and plant. I drove by the house I grew up in about a year ago, and my little pine tree wasn’t so little anymore! As a physical therapist, I love
Earth Day Gross Motor Ideas Read More »
Bilateral coordination means using both sides of the body together in a controlled manner. An example of bilateral coordination in everyday life would be stabilizing the paper with one hand while writing with the opposite hand. If a child struggles with bilateral coordination, it may cause everyday tasks such as writing, tying shoes, riding a
Bilateral Coordination Activities Read More »
The Coronavirus pandemic has presented us with many challenges. One of these challenges is finding new and different ways to work with kids outside of the traditional in person routines we were used too. The good news is there are lots of resources out there to help. Sometimes it seems that many of these resources
YouTube Channels For Movement – Older Kids Read More »
As the new school year approaches, so do new challenges for teachers, therapists and parents. With all the different models for keeping kids and staff safe, new ideas have to be put in place to make learning and motor skills successful! This includes social distancing measures when in person school is in session. This also
Social Distancing Gross Motor Activities Read More »
What kid doesn’t love an amusement park? The games, the rides, and the food! Nothing beats the day at an amusement park. Turning this into a theme for gross motor and fine motor is easy too. Adding this theme to your classroom, therapy session or home based learning can be done using the ideas below.
Amusement Park Gross Motor and Fine Motor Activities Read More »
In my past work as a school based physical therapist, the programming I did was for the school day. My daily plans often times followed different themes and seasons based on the time of the school year. We are now at at time where many teachers (of all types), school based physical therapists and occupational
Home Programs For Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Read More »
Have you heard the term crossing the midline? What exactly does this mean? Imagine a line down the center of your body. Crossing midline means that you can reach across the middle of your body (the imaginary line) to perform a task with your arms or legs. This is a skills that starts to become
Crossing the Midline Exercises for Kids Read More »
Building lower body strength in kids doesn’t have to be boring! Even traditional lower body exercises for kids can be made fun by adding a little twist. Today I’m sharing with you some of my favorite lower body strengthening exercises for kids.
Lower Body Strengthening Exercises For Kids Read More »
With Groundhog’s Day quickly approaching I can’t wait to share with you a fun Groundhog’s Day gross motor activity. What I really like about this game is that it works perfect for Groundhog’s Day, but is also a game that can be used all year long. Since the Punxsutawney Phil is out looking for his
Groundhog’s Day Gross Motor Activity Read More »
If you walk into a school, preschool, or daycare, it isn’t surprising to come across a sensory path! These paths have gained quite the buzz, and for good reason. They allow kids an opportunity to move and work on skills such as eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness, both of which are crucial for learning and
DIY Sensory Path and Motor Path Read More »
Winter is here! That means winter themes are fun to incorporate into fine motor skills work. I love the idea of working on fine motor through manipulatives and play as much as possible. Check out some of the fun winter fine motor activities below!
Winter Fine Motor Activities Read More »
Building upper body strength in kids can be made fun with several different exercises! Today I’m sharing with you some of my favorite exercises that work on upper body strength and weight bearing for kids!
Creative Upper Body Exercises For Kids Read More »
As a mom with a background in pediatric physical therapy I’ve found a simple ball is one of the most flexible pieces I can have on hand in both therapy and play. There are so many different ball activities for kids that you can come up with for a variety of skill levels and goals.
Ball Activities For Kids Read More »
It’s been a while since I posted! I’ve been moving. The last time I moved, I could fit everything I owned in a car. It’s a lot different moving a family of 5 this time. That being said, I really wanted to get out this ideas on using color dots for fun exercises for kids!
Fun Exercises For Kids Using Color Dots Read More »
With November nearly here, it’s time to start thinking about November gross motor and fine motor activities planning! In true Pink Oatmeal fashion, the November motor planning ideas are all about themes. The themes for the month include Thanksgiving, Football, Dinosaur and Transportation. If you want even more theme ideas be sure to check out
November Gross Motor and Fine Motor Activity Planning Read More »
Making gross motor, fine motor, and physical activity fun is what Pink Oatmeal is all about. This week it is all about monster activities for kids! There are several great ways that a monster theme can be incorporated into gross motor, fine motor and physical activity. This is a fun theme to do anytime of
Monster Activities For Kids Read More »
Community helpers are a very popular theme in the preschool setting or kindergarten classroom. This theme involves discussing all of the different helpers out in the community. Adding gross motor or movement to this theme can easily be done through yoga/movement cards or setting up movement stations. Check out these different ideas for adding movement
Community Helpers Theme – Movement Activities Read More »