"Pinch the Pepper" OT App

I am always on the lookout for amazing new educational apps to use on the iPad.

Dexteria is known for its occupational therapy based apps and they just released Dexteria Jr., which is definitely worth the $2.99.

This app works on developing preschool fine motor skills.

"Squish the Squash" works on improving fine motor coordination. I also require children to say "pop" when they squish them.

"Trace & Erase" helps to develop pre-writing skills. The child traces a line from the arrow to the star. Once all of the lines are traced, you then have to erase your lines. As the lines are erased, a live picture from your front-facing camera appears and finally snaps a pictures when the task is completed.

My favorite activity is "Pinch the Pepper," which allows children to practice pincer grip to improve crayon and eventually pencil grasp. Pincer grip is the motion between your index finger and thumb when you pick up a small object with those fingers, such as picking up a Cheerio.

Check this app out, it is worth it for your preschooler!

Katie Zink, ITFS/P

Easter Activities

Spring has sprung and it is time for another wonderful holiday, Happy Easter!

Check out some of these Easter activity ideas!

- Matching colors of eggs.

- Shake the egg and guess what is inside before opening to find out! I used bells, balls, pom poms, feathers, beans, and buttons. You can also ask, is this egg loud or quiet?

- Count how many are inside. How many buttons? What are their colors?

- Strengthen oral motor muscles by blowing pinwheels.

- I also brought a baby chick from Dollar Tree, the one that chirps when you hold it. We talked about taking care of animals and using gentle touches.

Have a very Happy Easter!

Katie Zink, ITFS/P

THE ANNUAL HUNT

Iza finds an egg.

It’s that time again. The Easter Bunny will descend upon lawns and backyards across the country, scattering colored eggs along his path. This holiday tradition can be a great opportunity to reinforce cognitive skills such as:

• Counting eggs

• Sorting eggs by size

• Sorting eggs by color

• Guessing the contents of each egg

The" more than/less than" concept will probably be introduced without prompting by the child. He or she will be astutely aware of which sibling has collected more eggs and he/she has collected less!

Katherine Generaux
Community Inclusion

Baby's First Steps!!

Did you know that today, March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day? Partners In Learning joined thousands of people in wearing their jeans to spread awareness for the extra "genes" that our friends with Down Syndrome carry everyday.

Today allowed me to put myself in the shoes of parents whose children have special needs, whether Down Syndrome, Autism, or any number of special needs.

I can only imagine what it is like to work so hard encouraging your own child to meet a goal and for it to finally happen.

While I am not yet a parent myself, I live for the moments of "firsts" with the children I work with everyday. It is the most amazing feeling to see a child meet a milestone after weeks, months, or even years of work.

Check out this video that I recorded of a child I see weekly taking some of her first steps! I was beyond excited, and she was so proud of herself when she finally took off!!

Katie Zink
Infant-Toddler Family Specialist/P

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO NEVER BE INVITED?

What if your child was never invited to a classmate’s birthday party? And, what if your child wasn’t included in other events, such as soccer, art, theater or flag football? How would you, as a parent feel if your child was continually left out because of a developmental delay or disability? Children with special needs need these kinds of enriching activities as much as typically developing children.

Please join us next Tuesday at Partners In Learning at 6:00 for a panel discussion, presented by parents of children with special needs who will discuss opportunities they have discovered for their children to participate in extra-curriculum activities.

This event is free and includes dinner and childcare. Please RSVP at 704-638-9020 or email pilcdc@gmail.com.

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion