Tag Archives: classroom strategies

Classroom strategies encompass OT-informed approaches that support attention, posture, sensory needs, and motor skills to help students succeed academically and socially.

Creating a Successful, Sensory-Friendly, Learning Environment

August 9, 2024Sensoryclassroom strategies, therapist resourcesGuest Blogger

As the new school year approaches, setting up an effective, sensory-friendly, home learning environment is essential for your child’s success. A well-organized and sensory-friendly space can enhance focus, reduce stress, and make learning more fun. Adapting a learning environment to your child’s specific needs and learning style are crucial elements for a happy, productive learning experience. Therapro offers a wide range of products designed to meet the unique needs of every child, ensuring a smooth and successful back-to-school transition. Here are 5 strategies that will help your child sail smoothly into Fall:

1.) Designate the Ideal Learning Space: Choosing the right location for your child’s learning space is the first step. It should be quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions, such as visual clutter and noise. Ergonomic furniture is essential to ensure comfort and proper posture during study sessions. Therapro’s seating solutions, including Kore Kid’s Wobble Chair and Wiggle Seat Sensory Cushions, are perfect for creating a customized learning environment that grows with your child. Choose from several different sizes of the Wobble Chair to accommodate your child’s height while allowing movement back and forth, front to back, and all around without tipping. The Wiggle Seat comes in 4 colorful shapes to help your child stay focused and stable when seated.

Kore Kids Wobble Chair for a Sensory-friendly learning environment — Wiggle Seat Sensory Cushion

2.) Provide Organizational Tools for Success: Organization plays a key role in effective learning. A consistent routine helps children feel secure and understand what to expect each day. Establishing a daily schedule that includes time for learning, breaks, and play is essential. Visual schedules, planners, and other organizational tools help children understand their daily tasks and manage their time efficiently. Therapro offers a variety of these tools from SchKiDules that are engaging and easy to use. The magnetic 2-Sided Star Board is a versatile tool that unfolds into three 6 inch panels to build a daily visual schedule. Time Timer Original 3-inch timer provides a 60 minute countdown to keep your child on track.

Schkidules visual schedule display — Time Timer

3.) Set Up a Sensory-Friendly Environment to Enhance Focus and Attention: Many children benefit from a sensory-friendly learning environment. Addressing sensory needs can help improve focus and reduce anxiety. Therapro provides a range of sensory products, such as fidgets, weighted items, and sensory materials to create a calming and supportive space for learning. Be sure to check with your child’s occupational therapist to collaborate on what sensory tools would be best for your child. The weighted Sit -Tight Lap Pad’s gentle pressure helps children achieve calm and focus. It easily fastens around the waist with a clip. The adorable Puppy Shoulder Wrap helps active, younger children stay calm and focused as well.

Sit Tight Weighted Lap Pad in a Sensory-friendly learning environment — Sit Tight Weighted Lap Pad

weighted Puppy Shoulder Wrap in a sensory-friendly learning environment — Sit Tight Weighted Lap Pad

Maintaining focus can be challenging for many children. Simple strategies, like using Noise-Canceling Headphones to block out distractions, or visual timers to manage breaks, can make a significant difference. Therapro’s focus tools, including concentration aids and stress-relief items, are designed to help children stay on task. Universal Bouncy Band for Home and School Chairs is a heavy-duty rubber bungee cord that attaches to chair legs allowing the student to support their feet and move, resulting in greater productivity because they are attending to the task.

Bouncy Band for Elementary School Chair — Hush-Buddy Earmuffs

4.) Incorporate Assistive Technology: Assistive technology can greatly enhance a child’s learning experience. Therapro offers a variety of technological aids that cater to different learning needs and styles. These tools not only support academic success but also boost confidence and independence. The compact GoTalk Button records a 10 second message and has a built-in magnet for display on the refrigerator or on any metal surface. Teaching Rings is a tool that provides a fun new technique in teaching and keyboarding or touch typing skills for all ages and skill levels. The child wears 8 teaching rings to teach them the “Home Row” of keys where fingers should always rest when not typing. As the child learns all the keys that each finger types, they can remove the rings.

GoTalk Button — Animal-Shaped Computer Mouse

5.) Offer Parental Involvement and Support: Parents play a crucial role on the school team in their child’s education. By being involved and providing support, you can help your child navigate challenges and celebrate successes. Therapro offers resources and products designed to support parents in creating a positive learning environment at home. Ongoing consultation with your child’s teachers and occupational therapists can help guide you in selecting the best tools for your child’s learning environment at home.

A well-organized, sensory-friendly, and technology-equipped home learning environment can significantly impact your child’s academic success. By exploring and incorporating Therapro’s extensive range of products, you can tailor a positive learning space that meets your child’s unique needs and fosters a love for learning.

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT – Retired

Empowering Classroom Engagement with Assistive Technology

January 23, 2024Assistive Technologyassistive technology professionals (ATPs), assistive technology tools, classroom strategies, social participationGuest Blogger

Unlocking the keys to classroom participation and success begins with selecting the perfect low-tech assistive technology tools. Low-tech assistive technology refers to simple, basic tools or devices that assist individuals with disabilities in performing everyday tasks. Ensuring students have the ideal support not only fosters full engagement in classroom activities but also transforms learning into an enjoyable experience. Dive into the world of low-tech assistive technology with Therapro’s expert recommendations, paving the way for enhanced participation and a more fulfilling educational journey. Read on to discover the perfect low-tech assistive technology tools that can be empowering for classroom engagement.

Low Tech Tools for Positioning

Appropriate positioning has a powerful impact on classroom engagement. There are many low-tech assistive technology tools available to support proper positioning. These positioning materials will help students adjust their posture and their visual orientation.

Slant Boards: Slant boards are available in various sizes and can accommodate different height levels when a student is seated. Most offer stabilization of paper on the board with a metal or plastic clip. Slant boards provide a number of advantages:

Encourage upright positioning
Align the wrist in slight extension
Bring writing paper and visual information closer to the eyes
Provide one hand access using the slant board clips

A Therapro favorite is the Aluminum Stackable Slant Board, which is lightweight, durable, and easily stackable. The writing angle is ideal at 20 degrees. The non-slip edge strip prevents the board from sliding when in use.

Another great option is the Better Board Slant Board, which is a lightweight, collapsible slant board made of corrugated plastic that can be transported flat and stacked easily. Plastic clamps hold paper and it has “nonslip feet.”

Dycem: A positioning tool many occupational therapists love for its versatility is non-slip plastic called Dycem. It has innumerable creative uses in the classroom. It can be cut from a roll to the size needed to stabilize items on a desk surface, adapt handles, and be placed on a chair seat to prevent the student from slipping and sliding.

Blue Dycem a Non-slip plastic that solves a variety of stabilizing and grasping problems

Low Tech Tools for Reading

When it comes to reading, low-tech assistive technology tools can help students with key performance areas specific to reading including:

Tracking printed words
Focusing on a part of the page
Highlighting any written words
Magnifying words
Reading hands-free

Check out some of Therapro’s favorite low tech assistive technology tools for students with low vision or who have difficulty with the visual components of reading:

Highlighter Strips: A favorite tool is the brightly colored reading guide strips, called Highlighter Strips that are reusable bright yellow plastic strips that brighten any written word on a page. They measure 1.5” in height but come in a variety of lengths. They aid the student with visual processing difficulty or the student with who is needs help with focus and attention.

Ultradome: The Ultradome make reading small print a breeze. The Ultradome provides powerful 4x power direct magnification and is made of solid acrylic that glides across any surface. It is available in 3 sizes from 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Low Tech Tools for Writing

Tools that facilitate writing are abundant! They serve many purposes such as:

Hand and finger positioning for a writing utensil in the hand
Spacing, sizing, and alignment of letters
Weighting writing utensils
Creating handwriting lines

Check out these handy handwriting helpers that support legible handwriting:

LegiLiner Double Solid Line 3/8' tall, Pen Style Rolling Ink Stamp

LegiLiners: LegiLiners are an innovative collection of tools that are both unique and practical. Using a variety of rolling ink stamps, they create handwriting lines to improve consistent letter size and placement on any writing surface. Create dashed lines with spaces, dotted stacked lines, number line, and much more! They are available in a Starter Kit that contains 5 of the stamps to get you started. Fourteen individual LegiLiners are available as well.

Star Spacer is a clever handwriting tool made of see-through plastic which acts as a guide to help the child understand spacing, sizing, and alignment of letters and words to promote more legible handwriting

Star Spacer: The Star Spacer is a plastic, see-through guide used to help students understand spacing, sizing, and alignment of letters. The results are immediate for more legible handwriting

Low Tech Tools for Math

Tools to make learning mathematics fun and practical utilize:

Hands-on learning
Sensory learning using tactile, kinesthetic, and visual cues
Interactive strategies

Therapro is your go to resource for products that support hands on mathematics teaching and learning, check out some of these clever tools:

Multi Textured Tactile Ruler: The Desk Buddy Multi Textured Tactile Ruler resembles an actual ruler, but has the added benefits of a textured surface, being flexible, and being chewable. A great option for students who benefit from extra sensory input during learning activities.

Flexitables: The Flexitable is a simple tool for teaching math concepts. It makes learning addition and subtraction an enjoyable and tactile experience. The soft, flexible, 7.75 inch plastic square grid with horizontal and vertical channels fold to reveal answers to addition/subtraction problem. Flexitables are also available for division, multiplication, and fractions.

For More Information on Assistive Technology:

Low-Tech Assistive Devices- A Handbook for the School Setting: Low tech assistive technology tools facilitate learning and participation in the classroom. A classic resource book that therapists are passionate about is Low-Tech Assistive Devices: A Handbook for the School Setting, by Lynn Stoller, OTR/L. It is chock full of step-by-step directions and illustrations for fabrication of low tech tools. Chapters include tools used throughout the school setting (i.e. positioning, mobility, time management and organizational tools) and tools specific to curriculum area (i.e. reading, writing, math, music).

Assistive Technology Handy Guide: Therapro occupational therapist, Allyson Locke, MS, OTR/L, has created a functional guide to selecting the perfect assistive technology device for your students called Assistive Technology Handy Guide. It examines low tech AT tools in academic areas covered in this discussion, as well as other areas of classroom function including:

Tools for Crafts and Games
Tools for Activities of Daily Living
Tools for Self Care
Tools for Independent Living

Low tech assistive technology can be a game changer for engaging students in the learning process and are vital in helping all learners access classroom learning experiences. Up your A-Tech game now with assistive technology tools from Therapro!

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT, Retired

Is Handwriting an Endangered Skill?

January 10, 2024Handwritingclassroom strategies, handwriting, occupational therapy (OT) tools, pencil gripGuest Blogger

There are numerous arguments surrounding the viewpoint that handwriting may become an endangered skill. Some common reasons include:

Digital Advancements: Some argue that typing skills are more relevant in today’s world than traditional handwriting.
Efficiency: The speed and efficiency of typing may outpace the time-consuming nature of handwriting.
Access to Information: Information readily available online may diminish the perceived importance of memorizing and manually transcribing information.
Emergence of Voice Recognition: As voice recognition technology advances, speaking into devices may replace the need for written communication.

It’s crucial to counterbalance these points by discussing the benefits of handwriting, including its role in fine motor skill development, cognitive processes, and potential impact on memory retention. Occupational therapists practitioners (OTPs) at Therapro advocate for a holistic approach that incorporates both traditional and digital skills.

The Significance of National Handwriting Day

On January 23rd, Therapro celebrates National Handwriting Day, coinciding with the birthday of John Hancock, one of America’s founding fathers known for his large, dramatic signature on the Declaration of Independence. Before the advent of computers, handwriting was essential for the communication of ideas. Teaching handwriting is a cornerstone of literacy, fostering letter recognition, and supporting the development of motor and visual memory skills. The act of handwriting has been thought to be important for memory retention and activating neural pathways associated with strong reading skills.

Evidence-Based Practices for Handwriting Development

The reasons OTPs, teachers, and parents value handwriting skills are grounded in evidence-based practices. Research suggests that interventions focusing on specific prerequisites, including core strength, postural stability, attention, fine motor coordination, visual perception, and visual-motor integration contribute to improved handwriting skills in children.

Activity-Based Practice:

Incorporating activities that target fine motor skills, such as drawing, coloring, and using manipulatives, has been shown to enhance hand-eye coordination and letter formation.
Engaging children in sensory-rich activities, like tracing textured surfaces or using tactile materials, can stimulate the sensory pathways involved in handwriting.

Let's Do It write workbook for writing readiness

Use Handwriting Curricula that Include Sensorimotor Activities:

Handwriting curricula can be designed to include exercises that address sensory processing, fine motor skills, and perceptual-motor integration to support comprehensive handwriting development.

Self-Assessment Practice:

Engaging students in the assessment process can improve learning and motivation. Using a tool like Therapro’s Here’s How I Write (HHIW) assessment, students can be active participants in the process. With HHIW student’s self-assess aspects of handwriting like letter formation, spacing, and overall legibility.
This process promotes self-reflection and empowers students to take an active role in improving their handwriting skills.

Co-Teaching and Collaboration with Teachers:

OPTs and teachers can collaborate to implement strategies that address handwriting challenges in the classroom.
This may involve modifying assignments, providing accommodations/adaptations, or offering specialized support to individual students.

Understanding the interactive relationship among motor, sensory processing, perceptual-motor, and language skills is crucial for effective handwriting development.

Recognizing the Enduring Value of Handwriting

In a world dominated by digital devices, handwriting is perceived by some as an endangered skill. The decline in traditional activities like handwriting due to smartphones and computers should not overshadow its enduring value. Handwriting is not just a functional skill; it is an integral part of a child’s holistic development, influencing cognitive, motor, and emotional aspects. Recognizing the importance of handwriting allows for more targeted and effective interventions based on evidence. Balancing technology with the preservation of traditional skills is key. National Handwriting Day on January 23rd serves as a reminder of its historical and cultural significance. As we embrace technology, let’s not overlook the unique benefits that handwriting brings to cognitive development and personal expression.

Tools For A Successful Handwriting Journey

The list below is just a few of the many tools and resources available from Therapro that provide handwriting support.