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Help your Child Love School

January 7, 2017 by Amy Smith

Help your Child Love School

Kids Play Smarter is happy to introduce Tracey Clayton, a guest blogger and a mother of 3, so she knows quite a bit about kids and school. Here's her tips on helping your child love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help Tagged With: learning activities, preschool, school

How to Teach Handwriting To Kids

December 29, 2016 by Amy Smith

How to Teach Handwriting To Kids

Unfortunately, many schools have eliminated teaching one of the most critical elements of education: handwriting.  Although children are expected to write legibly, many have never been … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting, kids, school

12 Days of Christmas Game

December 14, 2016 by Amy Smith

12 Days of Christmas Game

Do you need a quick and easy kids' Christmas game that incorporates movement and learning in a festive way? Try out this "12 Days of Christmas Game" which is sure to be a hit at school, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: Christmas games, learning activities, movement activities

Building Kid Cottages

December 9, 2016 by Amy Smith

Building Kid Cottages

Think about some of your favorite childhood memories.  They probably involve times when you were  creating, building, playing, and imagining with your family and friends.   Pass those … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: building, kid cottages, learning activities

Teaching Kids Pencil Grasp

November 30, 2016 by Amy Smith

Teaching Kids Pencil Grasp

Pencil grasps can be a difficult concept for kids to master.  Pencil grasps require hand strength, motor planning and coordination, plus a little instruction along the way.  Give your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting skills, learning activities, pencil grasp

Feed Your Need to Chew: Choose Chewies

November 26, 2016 by Amy Smith

Feed Your Need to Chew: Choose Chewies

When you feel nervous, what's your go-to stress relief? Biting your nails? Chewing gum? Gnawing on pen caps? Eating? If this sounds like you or your child, your actions may be saying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: Chewy, oral fidgets, sensory activities

The Teaching Turkey

November 19, 2016 by Amy Smith

The Teaching Turkey

Looking for ways to "sneak" in some academics into craft time?  This Teaching Turkey game combines the fine motor skills needed for a craft project with the academic practice of a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: crafts, learning activities, Thanksgiving

Scissor Secrets that make Cutting Easy

November 15, 2016 by Amy Smith

Scissor Secrets that make Cutting Easy

Learning how to cut is a big milestone for your child and cutting skills are expected to be mastered by elementary school.  Yet learning how to properly hold and manipulate scissors can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: cutting, fine motor activities, scissor skills

10 Ways to Calm Down Without Anyone Knowing

November 9, 2016 by Amy Smith

10 Ways to Calm Down Without Anyone Knowing

It's not easy being a kid in schools these days.  Things like high pressure testing, a fast-paced work curriculum,  trying to "fit in", and bullying are stressful issues that kids have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: calming activities, school

Autism Behavioral Tracking Tool (Birdhouse)

November 1, 2016 by Amy Smith

Autism Behavioral Tracking Tool (Birdhouse)

If your child has autism, you probably know the all too well the roller coaster ride it can feel like.  The ups and downs, good and bad days, accomplishments and disappointments.  Many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: autism, parent support, special needs technology

7 Uses for Left Over Candy

October 25, 2016 by Amy Smith

7 Uses for Left Over Candy

Think about all candy your child accumulates at parties surrounding birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Yep, when you buy bulk candy the only … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: academic activities, fine motor activities, Holidays

Easiest Way to Tie Shoes

October 18, 2016 by Amy Smith

Easiest Way to Tie Shoes

Want to learn the easiest way to tie shoes? Being able to tie your own shoes can feel like a right of passage for kids and in their minds, it's what can transform them into official … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: dressing, self-care skills, Shoe tying

Musical Monster Mash Game

October 13, 2016 by Amy Smith

Musical Monster Mash Game

Looking for a great game to play this Halloween that gets kids moving, laughing, and having fun (and doesn't involve more candy?)  Try out this Musical Monster Mash Game, an activity … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: learning games, movement activities

Calming Clothing for Kids

October 7, 2016 by Amy Smith

Calming Clothing for Kids

Kids Play Smarter is happy to partner with Calming Clothing for Kids for this sponsored post about clothing products that aides in calming kids behaviors by calming their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: calming activities, sensory regulation

Applesauce Etch-O-Sketch

October 1, 2016 by Amy Smith

Applesauce Etch-O-Sketch

Motivating children to learn new academic concepts like letters, numbers, words, and shapes can be challenging.  You may have tried using worksheets and notecards, but those methods … [Read more...]

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

Shape-O-Lantern

September 24, 2016 by Amy Smith

Shape-O-Lantern

Skip out on the pumpkin carving mess and instead grab some felt pieces to make this adorable shape-o-lantern that your little 'pumpkins' will love!   The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: crafts, learning letters, preschool

Nature’s Treasure Hunt

September 19, 2016 by Amy Smith

Nature’s Treasure Hunt

With all the recent popularity of the Pokemon Go game, it is easy to see that people really enjoy walking around when they are looking for things to find. This nature's treasure hunt … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: academic activities, outdoor activity, science

Money Saving Therapy Swaps

September 13, 2016 by Amy Smith

Money Saving Therapy Swaps

There are several sensory tools or "tricks of the trade" that therapists often use to help kids succeed in the classroom and at home, including things like increasing attention span and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: academic activities, Saving money, sensory regulation activities

Calming Cozy Cocoon

September 8, 2016 by Amy Smith

Calming Cozy Cocoon

This calming cozy cocoon activity is as relaxing as it sounds, and is so incredibly easy to do that you may be kicking yourself for not having thought of it sooner. The concept of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: Calming activity, sensory activities

 Healthy Halloween Party Snacks

September 4, 2016 by Amy Smith

 Healthy Halloween Party Snacks

Most kids love everything about Halloween... costumes (they always choose superhero capes), decorations, parties, games, and sweets. Between school parties, family and friend get … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Therapist's Tips Tagged With: Halloween ideas, healthy food, preschool

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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…

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