Summer comes to an end but the outdoor sensory fun continues

The temperatures are dropping, leaves are changing, aromas of pumpkin latte and apple cider fills the air.

Yep, that's right, autumn in New England is officially around the corner.  But just because there is frost on your windshield when you scramble to the car in the morning does not mean it is time for the kiddos to bring their fun indoors.  In fact, this is one of the best times for your kids to be outside exploring nature and all that living in Connecticut has to offer.  Autumn is filled with fantastic sensory experiences to keep the lil ones occupied and out of your kitchen for hours on end.

Here are some ideas for keeping your small fries outdoors and maximizing the sensory experiences they get each and everyday:

1. Empty out your sand and water tables and fill with leaves and acorns.  Create a scavenger hunt by hiding their favorite toys and having them hunt through the leaves with their hands to find them.  Use a blindfold for older children to make this even more exciting.

2. Forget the table and just rake those leaves into enormous piles and let the little ones go to town!!! I have such great memories of doing this when I was young. The giggles and cheers of joy will make all the extra work worth while for Dad.  Add a little more fun by playing tug of war with the leaf pile in the middle.

3. Pumpkin bowling!  Yes you read that correctly, pumpkin bowling!  Save those empty soda bottles or milk cartons and create a bowling ally in your own back yard.  Use a smaller pumpkin as they tend to have thicker shells and go to town.  Create even more fun by playing upside down bowling, dizzy bowling or blindfolded bowling.

4. Leaf rubbings- If you think back real hard I am sure you can remember leaving the kindergarten classroom, following your teacher outside into what one could only describe as an endless abyss of foliage and sent loose to gather leaves of varying colors, shapes and sizes.  This seemed like the most exciting activity ever, simply because it meant getting out of the classroom for a minute or ten.  Take the crayons, have the little ones peel the labels off (a little fine motor fun) and get to rubbing!!!

5.  Bobbing for apples!!!  Oh, they are going to love this one!!! Fill that cooler with water and tie those little hands behind their backs.  Ready, set, GOOOOOOO!!!!! Who doesn't love sticking their heads into water and pulling out a yummy, crunchy snack.

6.  Don't forget the swing set! So the pools are covered, the beach is pretty empty (except for those last minute sun worshippers that just refuse to give up) but the parks and playgrounds are still bursting at the seams.

August App of the Month- Drawing and Guessing for Kids

In a Nutshell- OK how many of you are glued to your iPhone, iPad and iPod while laying in bed at night, anxiously awaiting that drawing, recently sent by your friend on Draw Something.  You lay there and watch the pastel colors move across your screen and after a few minutes you are presented with a somewhat difficult to discern picture of Madonna, Big Bird or, my favorite to date, Tim Tebow.  Well all of this fun and excitement is now available to our children, and can be a fantastic and exciting way to get the little ones drawing, creating and putting their imaginations to work!

Cost: $1.99

Praise: I love the theory of this app.  Children are able to view drawings from other children and take their guesses as to what they are, however unlike many other apps, there is no registration and no user names required, and therefore a users identity is completely private.  Drawings are viewed by moderators before being sent which insures the safety of what our children will be viewing.  There are some minor flaws that I have encountered such as drawings not coming through in a timely manner, however this has only happened on a few occasions to date and seems to be taken care of in most recent weeks.

The Bottom Line: A great App. with some minor kinks that are still being worked out.  It is a great opportunity for children to use their creativity in a private and safe manner to send their masterpieces to other players without sharing their identity, and furthermore allows them to challenge their perceptual systems as they guess the drawings of their peers!!!  I LIKE IT!!!!

September 19, 2012 is National School Backpack Awareness Day!

The American Occupational Therapy Association has given the third, Wednesday of September the title of "National School Backpack Awareness Day".  It is a day that we as OT practitioners raise awareness about the injuries, pain and other problems that are associated with the wearing of heavy backpacks.  Now a days children often lug heavy text books to and from school each day, on top of that, the added weight of lunch boxes, pencil boxes and technology such as cellphones, iPads and handheld video game systems can add extra weight and added stress on the back and shoulders.
Below is some of the information that AOTA and clinicians across the country will be sharing with teachers, administrators, parents, medical professionals and child caregivers during the month of September.

Backpack Strategies for 

Parents and Students 

aching backs and shoulders? Tingling arms? Weakened muscles? Stooped posture? Does your child 

have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or 

wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take steps to help children load and 

wear backpacks the correct way to avoid health problems. 

Loading a Pack 

• A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her 

body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t 

wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 10 pounds. 

• Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back (the back of the pack). 

• Arrange books and materials so they won’t slide around in the 

backpack. 

• Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure 

the items are necessary for the day’s activities. 

• If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand 

carry a book or other item outside the pack. 

• If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s 

school allows it. 

Wearing a Pack 

• Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over 

one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and 

causing pain or discomfort. 

• Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have 

many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the 

neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. 

• Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. 

A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and 

strain muscles. 

• Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s 

weight more evenly. 

• The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should  

never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline. 

• School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Choose the right size pack for your child 

as well as one with enough room for necessary school items. 

Need More Information? 

For more facts on backpack safety, see “Backpack Facts: What’s All the Flap About?” 

If you would like to consult an occupational therapy practitioner about an ergonomic evaluation 

regarding backpacks, computer use, or other learning-related issues, talk to your child’s teacher about 

whether a referral to occupational therapy is appropriate. Your physician, other health professionals, 

and your school district’s director of special education may also be able to recommend an occupational 

therapy practitioner.