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Kids Play Smarter

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Teaching Handwriting to Kids Video

August 27, 2017 by Amy Smith

How to Teach Handwriting to Kids video screenshot

Do you have a child or student who is learning how to write? Do you want to help them with handwriting but not sure how? Here's my hint, don't start with a pencil and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting, Teaching handwriting

Make Time for a Child’s Rhyme

July 20, 2017 by Amy Smith

Find out the importance of rhyming for speech, reading, and writing. Plus, download the free printable for worksheet practice!

Generations ago, nursery rhymes were created to help young children develop their rhyming skills. Nursery rhymes have withstood the test of time because the ability to rhyme is an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Therapist's Tips Tagged With: child development, learning activities, literacy games

Healthy Habits for Happy Kids

July 10, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn the healthy habits for happy kids! Find out the daily activities you should be doing with your child to help them feel happy, healthy, and fulfilled!

The easy part about being a parent is knowing what we want for our kids..... things like happiness, health, and fulfillment (however we define that). The tough part is figuring out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: behavior regulation, health, sensory regulation

Water Balloon Learning Games

July 3, 2017 by Amy Smith

Play water balloon games with an educational twist. Perfect for children who are learning spelling words, numbering, order, and size comparisons.

If you want to really add a splash of excitement to academics, then transform water balloons into learning games!  In addition to being a great activity to do together, I always find … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: education, learning activities

Educational Seek-And-Find Slime Games

June 26, 2017 by Amy Smith

Ooey gooey textures have fascinated kids for generations.  With the advent of new gooey products on the market and many DIY recipes, it's easier than ever to get your hands on some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: education, learning activities, sensory activities

Shaving Cream Balloon Face

June 15, 2017 by Amy Smith

Make a shaving cream balloon face educational by adding learning concepts like numbers, shapes, or letters underneath shaving cream on a face and wipe it away to see what's underneath! Perfect for young kids learning basic academics.

Your child will have a blast playing this game while utilizing their fine motor, visual perceptual, and sensory tactile skills! Add in some academic concepts and you have a learning … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: fine motor activities, sensory activities, tactile activities

Favorite Things Sensory Edition

May 29, 2017 by Amy Smith

Best sensory based therapy activities, products, and ideas for children from a pediatric occupational therapist

Favorite Things Sensory Edition As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am often asked to recommend equipment or activities that are the most beneficial for children. Because every … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: calming activities, sensory regulation

Fidget Spinners’ Therapeutic Benefits

May 17, 2017 by Amy Smith

Fidget spinners can benefit kids and adults in therapeutic ways while also being a mainstreamed, "mom approved" tool.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am delighted that these new fidget spinners are so popular!  For years, I've been recommending different kinds of fidgets to kids who are antsy, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: fidgets, spinners

Child’s Speech, Motor Skills Behind?

May 6, 2017 by Amy Smith

Worried about whether your child's speech or motor skills are behind? Find out about Enable My Child, an online pediatric therapy company that can help develop your child's skills.

Have you had that nagging feeling that something just "isn't right" with your child's motor or speech development? Is your child having difficult with things that others can do … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: developmental delays, online therapy

8 Best Kids Calming Ideas

April 28, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn the 8 best Kids calming ideas! These 8 ways are sensory based and help calm kids down when they feel anxious or over active.

Wondering how to help kids calm down when they feel anxious or overly active?  Fortunately there are lots of  calming strategies that really do work, but the trick is knowing which ones … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: calming activities, coping skills

Sensory Sentence Boxes

April 24, 2017 by Amy Smith

Sensory sentences boxes are perfect for kids who are learning how to read because they include more senses to enhance learning. FInd out how to make one for your child.

Beginner readers who are learning how to decode and read words can feel a disconnect between the letters on the page with the actual meanings of the words themselves. Greater and more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: learning activities, reading

Why Teachers Should Never Take Away Recess

April 14, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn the reasons why recess shouldn't be taken away and alternative ideas to use instead

One of the most "popular" forms of punishment for  bad behavior in the schools is sitting out of recess.  Glance at any elementary school during recess time and chance are, you'll see a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: school success, student discipline

The Solution for Worried Parents

March 23, 2017 by Amy Smith

View the safety, location, and happenings of your child at all times when they are away with this GPS system from Angel Sense. It's perfect for children with special needs.

As parents, we are always worrying about our kids when they are away from us...... Are they safe? What are they doing? Where are they? Multiply those worries for parents of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: autism, parenting, special needs

Everyday Activities Building Fine Motor Strength

March 19, 2017 by Amy Smith

Discover 30 fine motor strengthening activities for kids that are found in everyday actions. Perfect for improving hand strength for kids of all ages. Check it out here!

There are endless ways to improve our fine motor strength all around us.   Great fine motor strengthening exercises are often pleasantly "disguised" as fun everyday activities. Many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: fine motor activities, hand strengthening

Counting & Sorting Coins in Pots of Gold

February 28, 2017 by Amy Smith

This math game teaches kids how to identify, count, and sort coins. It's perfect for the classroom or homeschool learning.

Need a quick and easy math game to teach money skills?  Try this Counting and Sorting Coins in Pots of Gold Game! This game only takes a matter of minutes to set up and can be adapted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: learning activities, math games

Sensory Steam Roller

February 16, 2017 by Amy Smith

This DIY sensory steam roller is a convenient way to obtain sensory input to calm down. Can be done at home, school, or on the go. Find out how to make it here.

Sensory input is so vital to the emotional and behavioral regulation of kids and adults.  Think about big hugs, back massages, and shoulder rubs... all of these actions are relaxing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: autism, calming activities, sensory

Calming Effects of Weighted Blankets

February 9, 2017 by Amy Smith

Discover the calming effects of weighted blankets and how weighted blankets can help kids with ADHD, autism, sensory problems, and anxiety.

Imagine how good it feels when you get a big hug or relaxing shoulder rub. Science shows that the input from deep touch releases dopamine and neurotransmitters throughout the body which … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: autism, calming activities, weighted blankets

DIY Card Holder

January 29, 2017 by Amy Smith

DIY card holder makes holding playing cards simple! This is perfect for kids and also those with arthritis, tremors, and limited hand strength. Don't miss out on another game of cards!

Do you know someone who has difficulty holding playing cards?  Maybe a young child or someone with arthritis or hand weakness?  Fortunately, they don't have to sit out of card games any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: hand modifications, playing cards, special needs

Picking Spelling Flowers

January 20, 2017 by Amy Smith

Make learning more fun with this kids' game! Teach spelling words, letters, numbers, or shapes to your kids with these flowers. Perfect for school or home!

Add some fun to your child's spelling list or sight words with this adorable Picking Spelling Flowers game!   Learning with plain old notecards gets boring for kids, so transform the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: learning activities, preschool, school activities

Movement Break Ideas for the Classroom

January 14, 2017 by Amy Smith

Most teachers and parents have probably experienced first hand how "antsy" kids can get after sitting at school all day long.  It may not be the children's fault they can't sit still … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: kids exercise, movement activities, school activities

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Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

Top Posts

Joint Compressions for Calming
How to Keep Writing on the Lines
Calming "Cookie Dough"
Why Teachers Should Never Take Away Recess

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