Looking for a fun way to work on balance, following instructions, executive functioning, and more? Try this stomping pattern game using colored paper!
🟢 Lay out colors in a pattern
🔵 Stomp in order—follow the leader or create your own!
🟡 Play side by side or as mirror images
🔴 Make it trickier: hold objects in each hand or balance something on top!
It’s a fun, active way to build coordination and focus while getting energy out. Give it a try and let me know how your kids do! 👏🏼
#sensorygame #sensorysaturday #balanceexercise #balancegame #patternmatching #ottips #otgame #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #seattlepediatricot #seattleot #seattleoccupationaltherapist #creativebeginningsot
❄️ Winter Break Survival Tips for Parents! ❄️
Presidents' Day & winter break can be a challenge—especially if you still have to work! Here are some simple ways to keep things running smoothly while meeting your child’s needs:
☑️ Stick to a routine – Keep meal and bedtime schedules consistent to maintain a calm nervous system and make the transition back to school easier.
⌛ Work in chunks – If you don’t have childcare, set timers to get work done in focused blocks, checking in with your kids at regular intervals. This helps prevent constant interruptions!
🎁 Provide "fresh" toys & activities – Quietly set aside some toys or projects now and reintroduce them during break to keep kids engaged with “new” activities.
Planning ahead can help keep the week calm, structured, and (hopefully) more enjoyable for everyone!
#winterbreak #ottips #occupationaltherapist #occupationaltherapy #seattlot #seattleoccupationaltherapy #seattleoccupationaltherapist #creativebeginningsot
🚀 Introducing Back on Track! 🚀
Struggling with school routines, focus, or organization? Back on Track is a 6-week program designed for parents and students (ages 10+) that is perfect via telehealth. It can help tackle challenges like sensory needs, working memory, time management, and more!
Let’s identify what’s holding your child back and build strategies for success. Schedule a free consultation with an Occupational Therapist at Creative Beginnings to see if this program is the right fit!
CreativeBeginnings.net
#seattleot #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #seattleoccupationaltherapist #creativebeginningsot
Feeling overwhelmed by too much stuff? Try my "Keep 2" technique! Here's how it works:
1️⃣ Lay out 4 items in a quadrant.
2️⃣ Choose 2 to keep and 2 to donate/toss/pass on.
3️⃣ Repeat until you’ve gone through everything! If your “keep” pile is still too big, do another round.
I’ve used this method with kids, teens, and adults. It makes downsizing and decluttering so much easier! Give it a try and let me know how it goes. 💪🏽♻️
#declutter #declutteryourlife #decluttering #parentingtip #ottip #creativebeginningsot
The Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST) is a psychological assessment that evaluates cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to changing rules or environments. It's commonly used to assess executive functioning in individuals, especially those with conditions like ADHD, brain injuries, or neurodegenerative disorders.
The WCST helps clinicians understand how an individual processes information, adapts to new situations, and handles problem-solving tasks—all critical components of executive functioning. It’s particularly helpful in diagnosing and developing strategies for individuals with ADHD or other neurodiverse conditions.
This test is now available via telehealth through Creative Beginnings, making it more accessible than ever. Whether you're looking for insights to support your child or to better understand their unique needs, we’re here to help!
📲 Curious about telehealth assessments? Reach out to learn more or book an appointment!
#adhd #neurodivergent #executivefunctioning #wisconsincardsortingtest #wcst #seattleot #seattleoccupationaltherapist #seattleoccupationaltherapy #ottips #occupationaltherapist
Want your kid to grow into loving something you’re passionate about? 💕⛷️ It takes patience, practice, and a lot of small steps along the way—but hang in there! Watching them find their rhythm and joy makes it so worth it. ✨❄️
#skiingwithkids #parentingtips #ottips #creativebeginningsot
🌞✨ Tis the season to sign up for summer camp! While you're filling out those registration forms, here's an important reminder: if your child receives supports at school (IEPs, 504 Plans, or anything informal), make sure to share that information with the camp staff. 📝
Many camp forms focus on allergies or medical conditions, but they often miss things like sensory sensitivities, how your child does in unstructured time, or other needs that could impact their camp experience. It’s up to families to disclose this info to ensure your child gets the support they need to thrive at camp!
By sharing these details upfront, you're setting your child—and their counselors—up for success. Let’s make summer camp a fun, safe, and supportive environment for everyone. 💛
#seattlesummercamp #summercamp #ottips #iep #504plan #occupationaltherapist #seattleot #seattleoccupationaltherapist #seattleoccupationaltherapy #seattlekids #seattlefamilies #creativebeginningsot
Need a quick sensory game for kids that’s fun and versatile? Try this Hand Shake Countdown! It activates the parasympathetic nervous system and is perfect for:
💧 Shaking off water, sand, or mud
❄️ Warming up when feeling cold
⚡ Releasing extra energy or nervous jitters
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Pick a starting number (like 3)
2️⃣ Shake one hand that many times, then the other hand, then one foot, and the other foot
3️⃣ Count down by one and repeat the whole sequence
4️⃣ Keep going until you reach 1!
Bonus: It’s great for building balance and coordination, too!
#SensorySaturday #SensoryGame #FunAndFunctional #OTActivities #GrossMotorPlay #ParentingTips #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #seattleot #cretivebeginningsot
Something I encourage for my OT clients that can be useful for both kids and adults alike is task tracking. Here's a simple worksheet to help you track tasks or habits that you are working on. It can be used for all kinds of things, from therapy skills like crawling and closed mouth breathing during 5 minutes of reading to cleaning habits like socks in the hamper, leaving your bedding on your bed, etc.
Visit my website to download the free, full-size printable: https://www.creativebeginnings.net/services/p/tasktracker
You may be doing #OTintheWild, whether you realize it or not! Here are some examples of simple activities that can help you co-regulate with your kids and meet their sensory needs during activities that can be overstimulating or where calm behavior is expected, like sporting events, museum visits, or artistic performances:
- Bringing, or asking for, ear protection
- Providing proprioceptive input (for example, having a restless child sit in your lap and bouncing your knees)
- Taking a walk during a break (intermission, halftime, etc.)
- Offering a small fidget toy or handheld sensory item to keep busy hands occupied
- Practicing deep breathing exercises together to help calm racing minds and bodies
These little strategies can make a big difference in helping kids feel safe, regulated, and ready to enjoy new experiences.
#sensorydiet #sensoryneeds #sensorysensitivity #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #seattleot #seattleoccupationaltherapist #parentingtips #ottips #creativebeginningsot
