All posts by Therapro

Therapro’s Free Activity of the Month: Sock Snowman

Looking for a cozy, winter-themed craft that doubles as fine motor practice? Therapro’s Sock Snowman Activity Idea guides you step-by-step through creating adorable snowmen from recycled socks.

The Snock Snowman Activity is from the Pre-Writing Curriculum Enrichment Series, written and illustrated by Peggy Hundley Spitz, OTR. The books are split into 5 sections, and each section is packed with seasonal activities to enhance your classroom or therapy session. The sections are as follows: Trace & Draw, Crafts and Costumes, Cooking, Stories to Color and Read, and Games.

This month’s activity comes from the Crafts and Costumes section of Winter Activities: Snowflakes Snowflakes Everywhere.

Materials:

  • 1 White tube sock
  • Rubber band
  • Polyester stuffing
  • Fabric paints
  • Felt Strips, 1” x 12” or Ribbon
  • Colorful yarn scraps
  • Scissors

Directions:

  1. Fill sock with polyester stuffing. Leave 2” at the top unstuffed.
  2. Wrap rubber band around the top of the sock to close the end.
  3. Tie a felt strip or ribbon firmly around the sock where the neck and the scarf of the snowman should be. This will divide the sock into “head” and “body”.
  4. Tie some colorful scraps of yarn around the rubber band,
  5. Use fabric paints to add features and buttons to your snowman.
  6. Allow paint to dry completely.
  7. Enjoy!

Activities:

  1. Explore and encourage tactile awareness by discussing the variety of textures- stuffing, sock, felt, paint, yarn and rubber band.
  2. Add uncooked beans or uncooked rice instead of polyester stuffing to make a weighted snowman.
  3. Add lavender scented sachet to the inside of the snowman for a relaxing friend.
  4. Encourage each child to make their snowman unique and name them.
  5. Use light colored socks such as light blue or pink and shorter socks, see how different they look.

Make it a sensory activity:

After you complete your snowmen enjoy our recipe for Winter Fruit Salad. The recipe is in the cooking section of Winter Activities: Snowflakes Snowflakes Everywhere.

Winter Fruit Salad

Food Needed:

  • 1 red delicious apple, cored and sliced
  • 1 granny smith apple, cored and sliced
  • 1 winter pear, cored and sliced
  • 1 8oz can mandarin orange slices
  • ½ cup seedless grapes
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • Miniature marshmallows
  • 8-10 maraschino cherries

Equipment Needed:

  • Large Bowl
  • Plastic knives
  • Mixing spoon
  • Can opener
  • Serving bowls

Directions:

  1. Wash & dry hands.
  2. Cut apple and pear slices into cubes. Place in a large bowl.
  3. Wash grapes. Add to bowl.
  4. Open can of orange slices and drain. Add to bowl.
  5. Add some marshmallows and ½ cup of shredded coconut. Stir in until all the fruit is covered with coconut.
  6. Spoon into serving bowls. Sprinkle with more coconut and top with a cherry.

Three examples of the Sock Snowman from the Snowman Activity Idea

18th Annual Great Beginnings Conference -Recap

Therapro proudly participated as an exhibitor at the 18th Annual Great Beginnings Conference, hosted by Criterion Child Enrichment on October 24, 2015, in Worcester, MA. This highly regarded event attracted professionals from early intervention, early childhood education, pediatric healthcare, and family support services. The conference theme—“Culture: Yours, Mine, and Ours”—highlighted the importance of understanding and integrating cultural perspectives into care for children and families.

At the Great Beginnings Conference, workshops featured expert presentations from professionals across disciplines, including a physician, speech-language pathologist, attorneys, and an educator. Topics ranged from the role of personal belief systems in clinical and educational settings, to best practices for using interpreters and cultural mediators, immigration-related challenges, and the impact of culture on early language development and second language acquisition. These sessions reinforced the need for culturally responsive practices in early childhood settings.

Lollacup a featured product at the Great Beginnings Conference

As part of the event, Therapro showcased a wide variety of therapy tools and educational products that support children’s development. Attendees had the opportunity to explore popular favorites such as the Push Pull Puzzle, Talk It Rock It CDs, and the Baby Buzz’r, along with new and innovative products like the Lollacup, Fills and Spills Fishbowl, and the Chewy Skool Kid Stretchy Pendant. Visitors appreciated the opportunity to test out materials that could immediately benefit their clients, students, or children.

The Great Beginnings Conference serves as a powerful reminder that culture plays a crucial role in how services are delivered and received. Criterion Child Enrichment is to be commended for fostering a professional learning environment that encourages dialogue, reflection, and growth.

Therapro remains committed to supporting professionals who help families thrive through culturally informed, evidence-based practice.

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L

Product Reviews- Handwriting lined paper designed for fine motor development by Therapro

Product Reviews

We’re thrilled to share recent Therapro product reviews that highlight how our tools are making a difference in classrooms, therapy sessions, and homes. From educators to occupational therapists, customers consistently report how Therapro products support individuals with a variety of learning and developmental needs.

Product Review- Therapro Stage Rite Raised-Line Paper

If you’re looking for a handwriting tool that offers both tactile and visual support, Therapro’s Stage Write Raised-Line Paper delivers. Designed to promote proper letter placement and spacing, this paper features raised lines that provide physical guidance for young writers or individuals with fine motor or visual challenges. Check out this review to see how this effective tool helps students build foundational handwriting skills with greater confidence and control.

“I have (very) low vision and bought this paper to help me take notes when I go to a meeting or such and need to record details. The wide raised dark lines help me write more legibly so that when I get my notes home I have a better chance of being able to decipher what I wrote when put under my CCTV. I am going to try the next smaller stage next time I order as I think I am getting better at writing this way! I am so pleased with my progress. I thought without the money to buy a tablet and with a crummy memory, I was stuck, but I am pleased to have struck upon my creative solution to my problem! I cannot wait to report back at the next meeting at the Support Group I attend for those of us who are adjusting to our new lives.” – Anne M
Raised line paper

More Product Reviews- Wide-Lined Raised Paper

If you’re seeking a handwriting tool that offers both tactile and visual support, Therapro’s Wide-Lined Raised-Line Paper delivers. Designed to promote proper letter placement and spacing, this paper features raised lines that provide physical guidance for young writers or individuals with fine motor or visual challenges. Check out this product review to see how this effective tool helps students build foundational handwriting skills with greater confidence and control.

“Great tool for students who need to feel the lines to stay in them. I am a teacher and use this paper for my special needs students in my classroom. I would definitely recommend it.” – Litter of Pups

Wide Lined paper

Looking for more handwriting solutions? Explore Therapro’s full collection of adapted writing paper designed to support writers of all ages and abilities: Writing and Math Paper. Whether you need raised lines, visual cues, or specialty formats, you’ll find the right tools to meet your students’ needs.