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.

A Guide for Choosing the Right Try Rex® Pencil

Handwriting, , , ,

Selecting the right writing tool can make all the difference in a child’s handwriting development. Try Rex® Pencils are uniquely designed to promote an efficient tripod grasp and support fine motor development across multiple stages of learning. But with three different types—Jumbo, Intermediate, and Regular—how do you choose the best one for your student or child?

In this post, we’ll break down the differences between each pencil size, offer guidance on when and how to use them, and provide a typical progression path to support handwriting success in school and at home.

Understanding the Try Rex® Pencil Types

1. Jumbo Try Rex® Pencil

Best for: Beginners and students with low fine motor strength
Specs:

  • 3/8″ diameter for easier grasp
  • Large, soft primary lead
  • Includes eraser

The Jumbo Try Rex® Pencil is the largest of the three and ideal for early writers or those working on building foundational hand strength. Its thicker barrel helps small hands wrap around the pencil more easily, promoting a natural tripod grasp and reducing hand fatigue. The soft primary lead lays down a darker line with less pressure, which is helpful for children still learning to regulate force while writing.

Try it when:

  • A preschool or kindergarten student is just beginning to write
  • A child has weak grip strength or poor fine motor endurance

2. Intermediate Try Rex® Pencil

Best for: Students who have developed some grasp control but still need a larger writing tool
Specs:

  • Standard pencil barrel size
  • Large primary lead
  • No eraser

The Intermediate pencil serves as a transitional option between the Jumbo and Regular styles. It’s great for students who are making progress in grasp development but aren’t quite ready for a standard-size pencil with typical #2 lead. The larger lead still offers smooth, bold writing with less effort, which supports confidence in early writers.

Try it when:

  • A first or second grader is transitioning from a beginner pencil
  • A student benefits from the same soft lead but has improved grasp and hand control
  • Erasing is not a frequent need or is handled with a separate eraser

3. Regular Try Rex® Pencil

Best for: Confident writers ready for standard pencils
Specs:

  • Standard size (similar to a traditional #2 pencil)
  • Regular graphite lead
  • Includes eraser

The Regular Try Rex® Pencil provides all the benefits of the Try Rex® triangular design in a standard size. It’s ideal for students who have mastered an efficient tripod grasp and are building fluency and speed in handwriting. The standard lead mimics what is typically used in classrooms, making this pencil a perfect final step in the progression.

Try it when:

  • A student has strong pencil control and no longer needs a thicker barrel
  • You’re preparing a student for use of standard school supplies
  • The child prefers a pencil that “feels like what their peers are using”

Typical Pencil Progression Scenario

Here’s how a student might progress through the Try Rex® Pencil line:

  1. Start with the Jumbo in preschool or kindergarten to build hand strength and grasp foundations.
  2. Transition to the Intermediate in early elementary grades (grades 1–2) as the child gains more refined motor control.
  3. Move to the Regular by grades 2–3, once the child demonstrates consistent pencil grasp and writing stamina.

This progression is flexible. Some students may benefit from staying at a certain level longer, especially if they have motor planning challenges, developmental delays, or sensory integration needs. Occupational therapists and teachers should individualize based on each student’s motor skills and handwriting performance.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right pencil isn’t just about size—it’s about fit. Try Rex® Pencils are more than just writing tools; they are developmentally informed supports that help bridge the gap between motor skill acquisition and classroom success. Whether you’re a school-based OT, a teacher managing a diverse classroom, or a parent supporting writing at home, these pencils can help your students write with confidence and comfort.

Explore all three types of Try Rex® Pencils at Therapro and support every stage of handwriting development.

How to Use a Fidget Kit Anywhere

Sensory, Therapist Resources, , , , ,

Support focus, reduce stress, and build fine motor skills anywhere with the Therapro Fidget Kit

Therapro's Fidget Kit

Fidget tools have become a must-have for therapists, educators, and parents working to support children’s focus, self-regulation, and sensory needs. Therapro’s Fidget Kit offers an assortment of engaging, therapist-approved fidgets—each selected to provide unique tactile input and promote fine motor development.

Whether you’re working with a student in the classroom or helping your child self-regulate at home, here are five practical and effective ways to use this fidget kit in different environments.

🏠 At Home: Make Fidgets Part of the Routine

Create a “fidget zone” near your child’s homework area or bedroom.
Use Ideas:

  • Let children choose one or two fidgets to use while reading or completing homework to boost focus.
  • Include fidgets in morning and bedtime routines to help manage transitions.
  • Use squeezable items like the Squeezie Ball or Silly Putty for calming during overstimulating moments.

💡 Tip: Rotate fidgets weekly to keep novelty high and support continued engagement.

🚗 On the Go: Fidgets for Travel and Outings

Fidgets are the perfect quiet companion for car rides, doctor visits, and waiting rooms.
Use Ideas:

  • Keep compact fidgets like the Tangle Jr. or Fidget Pencil in the car or backpack.
  • Offer a fidget during long rides to reduce restlessness and improve sensory regulation.
  • Use the Boink or Bendeez as a calming tool during overstimulating outings.

💡 Pro Tip: Pack a mini sensory travel kit with 2–3 fidgets in a zip pouch.

🧠 In Therapy Sessions: Enhance Fine Motor & Sensory Goals

The kit offers tools that align with OT goals for hand strength, bilateral coordination, and sensory modulation.
Use Ideas:

  • Use the Giant Nuts & Bolts to target fine motor precision and grip strength.
  • Incorporate the Rapper Snapper in activities that promote bilateral hand use.
  • Create a “choose your fidget” station at the start of sessions to increase autonomy and regulation.

💡 Tip: Use fidgets as part of a sensory warm-up or cool-down during therapy.

🧘 In Calming Corners: Promote Self-Regulation and Emotional Control

Every classroom or home benefits from a designated calm-down space.
Use Ideas:

  • Set up a calming corner with a few of the softer, quieter fidgets (Koosh Ball or Squeezie Earth).
  • Create visuals to help students select the fidget that best matches their sensory needs.
  • Allow students to access the kit proactively when they feel overwhelmed.

💡 Suggestion: Pair fidget use with deep breathing visuals or timers for structured breaks.

🎒 In the Classroom: Support Attention and Reduce Disruption

Fidgets can quietly increase student engagement and help meet sensory needs without distracting others.
Use Ideas:

  • Offer silent fidgets like the Fidget Pencil or Tangle Jr. during circle time or independent work.
  • Use a “fidget pass” system so students can access the kit as needed.
  • Incorporate fidget use into small group or station activities to enhance participation.

💡 Teacher Tip: Teach fidget rules early (quiet hands, eyes on task) to support responsible use.

Why the Therapro Fidget Kit Works

This all-in-one fidget set is more than just a box of toys—it’s a toolkit for supporting development, engagement, and emotional wellness. With varied textures, actions, and sizes, the Therapro Fidget Kit can meet a wide range of needs in children and young adults.

✅ Supports fine motor development
✅ Promotes calm and focus
✅ Portable and versatile for use across settings

🔗 Shop the Therapro Fidget Kit Now »

Whether you’re an occupational therapist building a treatment plan, a teacher creating a sensory-friendly classroom, or a parent supporting self-regulation at home, the Therapro Fidget Kit is a versatile tool you can count on.

Integrating Fine Motor Practice into Centers and Push-In OT

Fine Motor & Hand Skill Development, School-Based Practice, Therapist Resources, , ,
Therapro's Hand Skills and Refinement Kit

An important goal for school-based occupational therapists is to make therapy functional, inclusive, and accessible, especially within the general education setting. Supporting fine motor skills in push-in OT is a practical way to meet students where they are, and the Therapro Hand Skills Development and Refinement Kit is a go-to resource for doing just that. With ready-to-use materials designed for classroom use, this kit helps therapists promote fine motor development right where students learn best: in the classroom

This ready-to-use kit makes it easy to embed meaningful, goal-directed activities into daily routines—whether setting up a fine motor center, co-teaching during morning rotations, or working side by side with a student during a push-in session.

Why Use a Kit in the Classroom?

Fine motor challenges often show up in everyday school tasks, like cutting, writing, opening containers, or manipulating classroom tools. Rather than pulling students out of class, bringing therapy to them increases participation, generalization, and confidence. Using a structured kit like this means therapists can quickly set up engaging, developmentally appropriate activities with minimal prep and maximum impact.

Classroom Centers: Fine Motor Skill Building for All Students

In many classrooms, the teacher rotates small groups through learning stations. Occupational therapists can collaborate with teachers to include a Fine Motor Center using components from the kit. Here are some examples of center activities using included items:

  • Link ‘N Learn Links: Students connect links by color or pattern, working on bilateral coordination and hand strength. Try timed races or spelling challenges using linked letter cards.
  • Plastic Coins + Mini Dice: Use for grasp and release, sorting by size, or simple coin/dice math games to combine cognitive and motor skills.
  • Charm and Round Pop Beads: Encourage students to snap together and pull apart to build finger strength and precision.
  • Jumbo Tweezer: Pick up beads, coins, or classroom manipulatives for a fun twist on sorting or math tasks.

Each activity strengthens key hand skills while aligning with academic or classroom goals, making OT strategies visible and relevant.

Push-In Sessions: Targeted Goals, Real-Time Coaching

During push-in OT sessions, therapists can work directly with students at their desks or in small groups using the kit for skill-specific interventions. Some favorite applications:

  • Nut & Bolt Pairs: Great for developing bilateral coordination and fine motor precision.Try pairing this with a visual scanning or matching game.
  • Eye Droppers: Use with water or colored liquid on a laminated target sheet for pincer grasp refinement and hand stability.
  • Spinning Tops: A motivating tool for wrist stabilization and isolated finger movement—plus they’re fun!
  • Smiley Face Wind-Up Toy: Wind and release to work on grasp strength and bilateral sequencing, then challenge students to estimate distance or race them.
  • Standard Pencil: Practice proper grasp, pencil control, and name writing during writing tasks.

The variety of tools makes it easy to individualize for different goals, from improving endurance for writing tasks to strengthening prehension patterns.

Tips for Success

  • Build routines around the kit—students love knowing what to expect each week.
  • Create task cards with visual cues to promote independence at centers.
  • Use classroom themes (e.g., math, science) to tie fine motor activities to curriculum goals.
  • Share progress with teachers and families using simple checklists or observation notes.

Final Thoughts

The Therapro Hand Skills Development and Refinement Kit offers a practical, engaging, and inclusive way to support fine motor development where it matters most—in the classroom. Whether you’re creating a fine motor center or joining in a push-in session, this kit makes it easier to integrate therapy into the flow of learning.

Want to learn more or grab a kit for your school? Check it out here.