at home therapy

3 Tips to Help Your Kiddos Stay Safe While Outdoors This Summer
3 Tips to Help Your Kiddos Stay Safe While Outdoors This Summer 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

The start of summer is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited! With the sun shining and the weather starting to warm up, it’s the perfect time to go outside and make some memories with your family. And though we can all agree that there is truly nothing like the magic of summer, it’s important to take precautions to keep your little ones safe while playing outdoors.

That’s where we come in! We want to make sure that you and your little ones have a fun and safe summer, which is why we wanted to share some important tips that will help your kiddos stay protected while enjoying the outdoors. Let’s get started! 

1. Use Sunscreen That’s Safe For Your Kiddos: UV rays are typically very high during the summer, and it’s crucial to protect your child’s skin. Frequently applying sunscreen is a very effective way to keep your little one safe from the sun’s rays, but it’s equally as important to ensure that you’re using sunscreen without harmful chemicals. One sunscreen brand that we recommend for your kids is Thinkbaby. Not only is their sunscreen water resistant and dermatologist recommended, but it’s also safe for sensitive skin and is free of those dangerous chemicals.

2. Have Your Child Wear a Helmet (and Decorate It, Too!): Riding bikes, scooters, and going roller skating are great activities to try together as a family. But you’ll need to ensure that you and your little ones are staying safe by wearing a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. These items will protect you and your child from getting hurt if you fall, and help keep you as safe and healthy as possible. As a bonus, get your child even more excited about wearing their helmet by helping them put some fun and colorful decorations on it!

3. Find Ways to Keep Your Little Ones Hydrated: It can get really hot outside and your kiddos will use a lot of energy when playing, which means that they will also need to stay hydrated. But we understand that getting kids to drink water isn’t always the easiest task. Luckily, there are some unique ways to keep your little ones hydrated this summer. For example, you can make homemade popsicles to enjoy, have your child snack on juicy watermelon, or use water flavoring drops to encourage your child to drink more water.

We hope that you have a wonderful (and safe) summer! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long for more summer safety tips, resources, toys we love, and more! Further, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk about if your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your family in any way that we can.

4 Fun Speech-Based Games to Try as a Family
4 Fun Speech-Based Games to Try as a Family 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, and we’re ready to get the celebration started! This month is the perfect opportunity to work on your child’s speech and language skills, and we think that one of the best ways to do that is by playing games together. Fortunately, there are so many games out there that not only promote speech development but also allow you to create lasting family memories.

Ready to embark on a journey of playful learning? Let’s get started! From the “Favorites” Game to The Category Game and more, here are 4 delightful suggested activities for your family to enjoy during this special month and beyond.

1. Name the Opposite: This game is fantastic for helping your child learn about opposite words. To begin, write down words on small pieces of paper and place them into a bowl. Next, have your child choose one piece of paper at a time, read the word, and then ask them to try and come up with the opposite of that word. Once you have gone through all of the pieces of paper in the bowl, have your child try to come up with more opposite word pairs on their own!

2. “Favorites” Game: This game is a wonderful way to get to know a little bit more about your child’s favorite things. To begin, sit down and take turns asking each other questions such as, “What’s your favorite color?”, “What’s your favorite animal?” or “What’s your favorite type of ice cream?”. After each question, write down your child’s answers on a piece of paper, and have them draw pictures of their favorite things!

3. Guess Who? Animal Friends: The next game puts a fun twist on the classic board game, Guess Who? To begin, you and your child will each secretly choose an animal. Next, you will need to take turns asking questions to try and figure out what the other person’s mystery animal is. Keep going until you each guess the correct animal, and then play again! This is an excellent way to help your child work on their speech, and you can both get a little silly by making the noises of each animal. 

4. The Category Game: Our final game is fun for the whole family and will allow you and your little ones to be creative. Start by thinking of a category that you and your kiddos know a lot about. For example, you could choose animals, colors, fruits, etc. Now, go around and take turns naming different things in that category. Once you can’t think of anything else that fits into that specific category, move on to the next one!

Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long for tips, resources, toys we love, and more! Further, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk about if your child could benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your family in any way that we can.

Occupational Therapy Activities to Try Outside This Spring
Occupational Therapy Activities to Try Outside This Spring 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

As the weather gets warmer and the sun shines a little brighter, it’s the perfect time to embrace the outdoors with your little ones. Spring offers so many opportunities for your family to get outside and explore a variety of activities designed to promote your child’s development, physical skills, and well-being. So, put on your shoes and jackets, breathe in the fresh air, and get ready to embark on a journey of learning, discovery, and fun with occupational therapy activities that are perfect for springtime adventure.

Play Sidewalk Chalk Games

Sidewalk chalk is so much fun to play with and allows your child’s creativity to shine through. But did you know that there are many things that you can do with chalk besides drawing pictures? For example, you can create mazes, play hopscotch, and even try tic-tac-toe! Other things that you can work on include helping your child learn their colors, numbers, letters, and shapes.

Make an Outdoor Obstacle Course

Get ready to burn off some energy—it’s time to set up an outdoor obstacle course for you and your family to enjoy! Gather items that you have around the house, such as hula hoops, cones, and jump ropes, and place them outside to create an obstacle course. For example, you could have your child jump from one hula hoop to another, try to walk across the jump rope balance beam, or knock over cones with a ball. For some added excitement, keep track of your child’s time and see if they can beat it on their next turn!

Start a Garden

Gardening with your little one is a great way to spend time outdoors this spring. Work with your child to pick out seeds you want to plant, and get ready to begin your gardening journey! Together, you can pour dirt into pots, plant the seeds, and then water them as needed. The joy your kids will experience nurturing these plants and witnessing their transformation into fruits and vegetables is bound to be a rewarding adventure!

Paint Hand Picked Rocks

This is a perfect activity to complete outside. First, you and your child can go on a hunt for the perfect rocks to paint. Whether you go for a walk to gather rocks or simply search in your own backyard, it’s still a great adventure. Next, spread out an old blanket or towel, sit down, and use your favorite acrylic paint to add designs and color to the rocks. You can get as creative as you like; create an animal face or even a pretty scene. Talk as you paint about what you are creating, the texture of the rocks, and even what each rock’s shape resembles. 

Happy Occupational Therapy Month! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all April for tips, toys we love, resources, and more! Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child in any way we can.

Stress-Free Ways to Incorporate Your Child’s Therapy Into Your Daily Routine
Stress-Free Ways to Incorporate Your Child’s Therapy Into Your Daily Routine 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Parents work so hard to juggle numerous hats. Between going to work, taking care of your little ones, and managing everything else life throws your way, finding time to work on your child’s therapy goals can be challenging. That’s why we always recommend you try to incorporate your child’s therapy into your daily routine. In doing so, not only will you be able to reduce your stress, but you’ll also get the opportunity to help your child improve their developmental skills. Our hope is that fitting your child’s therapy into your everyday life will make it easier on you and take some of that added pressure off your shoulders. 

Have Your Child Help Clean Up the House

Asking your child to help you clean up the house teaches them the importance of helping others and gives them a sense of responsibility. Here are some easy ways to incorporate therapy into your cleaning routine:

  • Have your child bend down to pick up their toys and toss them into a basket.
  • Ask them to sort laundry into bins and then push the laundry bins across the room.
  • Have them climb up onto a chair or step stool to help you wipe down tables and counters or wash some dishes.

Work On Your Child’s Skills During Bathtime

Bath time is an excellent opportunity to work on your child’s fine motor and language skills. If you’re interested in incorporating your child’s therapy into their bath time routine, here are some activities you can introduce to your child that we know they’ll enjoy:

  • Incorporate nesting cups into your bath routine. Have your child practice pouring water from one cup into another cup or stack them on the side of the tub. 
  • Place different colored ducks on the edge of the bathtub and ask your child to count them and identify the color of each duck.
  • Make art together! Draw on the bathtub walls using bathtub markers. 

Read a Bedtime Story Together

When your little one is ready to go to sleep, perform their nighttime routine, let them choose a book, and tuck them into bed. Then, as you read the book, stop occasionally and ask your child to identify different objects on the page. Once you are done with the story, ask your child some questions, such as how the story made them feel and what their favorite part was.

Here are some wonderful book recommendations that you can enjoy reading with your little ones.

Happy New Year from Pediatric Therapy Network! Keep an eye on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all January long for more recommendations on stress-free ways to work on your child’s therapy during your daily routine. We will also be sharing tips, activities, resources, and more! Also, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. We’re here to support you and your kiddos in any way we can.

Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to Going Back to School
Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to Going Back to School 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Believe it or not, it’s almost time to send your kiddos back to school! This year has flown by so far, and although we aren’t ready to say goodbye to summer quite yet, now is the perfect time to start helping your little ones adjust from spending their days having fun in the sun to going back to school. However, we know that this is sometimes easier said than done. 

It can be challenging to prepare for the upcoming school year (especially if this will be your child’s first year of school), which is why our team wanted to share some tips to help make the transition go as smoothly as possible for your family. Our hope is that these tips will help get your child prepared and excited about going to school. 

Make a Designated Homework Area

Creating a space for your kiddos to sit down and do their homework will get them excited about doing their schoolwork. First, find a spot in your house your child can use to do their homework (and even consider asking your little one to help you pick out their special homework area). Now, have your child work on decorating that area by using their fine motor skills to draw some fun and colorful pictures. Your little one will love having their own “homework corner,” which will make the transition to going back to school that much easier.

Create a Bedtime Routine

One of the most important things you can do to help your child adjust is to create a bedtime routine. Getting your child into a solid bedtime routine now will help them when the school year starts and give them some time to relax and unwind at night. Some things that you can incorporate into your child’s bedtime routine include:

  • Have your child practice brushing their own teeth.
  • Sneak in some playduring bath time with bathtub crayons.
  • Let your child pick out which pajamas they want to wear and even try putting them on themselves.
  • Ask your child to point to or label animals or objects found in their bedtime story.

Ask Your Child How They’re Feeling

Going back to school can be difficult for some children, and it’s essential that you ask your child how they’re feeling. Take some time to sit down with your little one, and ask them to tell you how they feel about topics such as going back to school, making friends, being away from home, etc. This way, you can learn about your child’s concerns, address these concerns, and get them prepared to go back to school.

One book we love that talks about feelings – The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

Follow our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month as we continue to share back-to-school tips, resources, and much more. Further, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child in any way we can.

Games to Try During Better Hearing and Speech Month
Games to Try During Better Hearing and Speech Month 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), which brings awareness to those living with communication disorders and some of the challenges they face throughout their daily lives. Each year, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) chooses a theme. In 2023, the theme is “Building a Strong Foundation”. One way you can help your child build a strong foundation is by incorporating speech therapy skills into your day-to-day activities. It does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun.  

This year, in honor of BHSM, we wanted to share some games that you can try with your little one. Not only are these games interactive for your family, but they will allow you to incorporate speech therapy techniques while playing with your child. It’s a winning combination!

Guess the Chalk Drawing

Grab some chalk and get ready to use your imagination! Go outside and start by drawing an object using the chalk. Now, have your child use their speech to try and guess what you’re drawing. Once your little one has correctly guessed the object, switch roles and have them use their fine motor skills to draw an object. If your little one gets stuck while guessing, they can ask questions to help them figure out what you drew.  

Matching Opposites

This game is the perfect way for your child to work on their speech while also learning about opposites. Take a piece of paper and write down 10 pairs of words that are opposites (for example,  cat and dog, up and down, hot and cold, etc.). Now, cut out each word and have your child use their fine motor skills to draw a picture on the back of each paper to match the word on the front. Once they’re done drawing, have your little one match the opposites, and use their speech to say what the opposites are. 

20 Questions

This is another game you’ve probably heard of and maybe even played. First, start by thinking of a person, place, or thing. Now, your child will have to try to guess what you’re thinking about by using their speech to ask questions. If your child cannot correctly guess within 20 questions, the game is over! Once your child’s turn is complete, switch roles and have your little one think of something for you to guess.

What Animal Am I?

For this final game, write down 10 different animals on separate pieces of paper, crumple them up, and place them into a bowl. One at a time, ask your child to choose an animal from the bowl and have them use their speech skills to describe the animal to you. Once you have guessed all of the animals, place the paper back into the bowl, and prepare for the next round! In this round, your child will have to use their gross motor skills to act out which animal they are and use their speech to make the noise of that animal.

Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) throughout May for great tips, resources, and activities dedicated to BHSM.  Should you have questions about speech therapy or any of our other services, do not hesitate to contact us to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child in any way we can.

3 Ways to Work on Your Child’s Therapy Without the Added Stress
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Parents are some of the hardest-working people in the entire world. You wear so many different hats and are always trying to juggle your home life, work, and for some of you, school. But in reality, finding time to fit everything in can become overwhelming and could ultimately lead to you being stressed out.

To help take some of that pressure off your shoulders, we wanted to share some ways that you can work on your child’s therapy without the added stress. Believe it or not, there are many different ways to incorporate your child’s therapy into your everyday routine. Our hope is that you are able to use some of these ideas in your daily life so that you can work on your child’s therapy without worry.

Do a Family Workout

Partaking in a family workout with your kiddos is an excellent stress reliever. To begin, grab some blank pieces of paper, and work with your child to brainstorm some exercises (jumping jacks, pushups, etc.). Write down each exercise on a different piece of paper, lay them on the ground, and let the fun begin! Your child will have to use their balance to bend down and select an exercise, then you and your little one will have to use your gross motor skills to complete that exercise! Repeat until you’ve completed the whole workout!

Prepare Lunch Together

Another way to incorporate your child’s therapy into your daily routine is to prepare lunch together. 

First, have your child use their fine motor skills to stack and build a tasty sandwich. Once that’s complete, gather a few more items that you will enjoy for lunch (cut up fruit or veggies, fruit snacks, etc.) Now, allow your child to utilize their speech by asking them questions about each item. For example, you could have them identify the color, texture, size, and shape of each item. Finally, sit down and enjoy your nutritious and delicious meal together!

It’s Clean-Up Time!

Whenever it’s time to clean up around the house, get your child involved! Have your little one start in their bedroom or playroom and ask them to put their toys away. They will have to use their balance to bend down and pick up the toys, and then carefully place them back in their rightful place. If the toy is soft enough, encourage them to use their gross motor skills to throw the toy back into the bin. Other things your child can do to help you clean are drying dishes, wiping off the table, or even sweeping. If you want to make this something that you and your kiddos do regularly together, you could even consider making them a chore chart!

Happy New Year from all of us at PTN! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long for more suggestions on stress-free ways to work on your child’s therapy during your daily routine, as well as great tips, activities, resources, and more! As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child in any way we can.

Use Everyday Household Items During These Playful Occupational Therapy Activities
Use Everyday Household Items During These Playful Occupational Therapy Activities 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Occupational therapy (OT) can be highly beneficial for your child. This is especially true if your little one faces sensory, cognitive, or physical challenges. OT is essential in helping your child learn and grow, which is why we look forward to celebrating Occupational Therapy Month each April. This month-long holiday provides the chance for us to share some helpful occupational therapy related tips, toys, resources, and activities. In honor of OT Month this year, we wanted to share some occupational therapy  activities that are fun and easy to do at home. The best part? These activities utilize items that you can find around your house! From constructing a sensory bin to making food necklaces and more. Here are some engaging, playful activities that use everyday items in inventive ways:

Make a Sensory Bin

Making a sensory bin from items around your house is an activity that your child is sure to love. They can help you decide what will go into the bin, and when the construction of the bin is complete, it’s sure to keep your kiddos entertained for a long time. One easy bin you can create is a “beach day bin.” Fill it with some brown sugar (sand), a bowl of water (the ocean), gummy bears (beachgoers), and some spoons (shovels). Your child will love pretending like they’re spending the day at the beach, and they can even shape and mold the brown sugar to create a brown sugar sandcastle!

Build a Blanket Fort and “Go Camping”

This activity is perfect for pretending like you’re camping in the wild in the comfort of your own home. Start by running around the house with your little one and collecting as many blankets as possible. Bring them into the living room, grab a few chairs, and make your fort! Help your child reach up high and tie the blankets onto the chairs, or tuck them into the couch cushions. Now, partake in some fun camping activities such as telling campfire stories, singing campfire songs, or consider even making some smores in the microwave!

Create Food Jewelry

One last OT-based activity you can try using items around your house is to create some delicious food jewelry. Find some string or yarn, and then gather food items that you can use to make your jewelry. Some ideas include noodles, round cereal, pretzels, or candy with a hole. Have your child carefully place each item onto their string one at a time, and then help them tie it to make a necklace or bracelet. When you’re all done, you and your little one can wear your jewelry and even sneak in a few bites!

Happy Occupational Therapy Month! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) for more occupational therapy tips, resources, and activities. If you’d like to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to support children and families in any way that we can.

Tips to Help Your Child Transition Back to School
Tips to Help Your Child Transition Back to School 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Fall is right around the corner, which can only mean one thing… our little ones will be heading back to school! Though it’s been an incredible summer full of fun in the sun, it’s time to help our kiddos get ready to return to the classroom. Whether your child will be attending school in person or virtually this year, it’s crucial that we, as parents, help our kids get prepared for whatever comes their way. Transitioning from relaxation and free time during the summer to daily classroom sessions can be an emotional rollercoaster for both you and your child. Fortunately, we have some excellent tips that you can incorporate into your child’s daily routine that will help them transition back to school with ease.

Get Back Into a Set Bedtime Routine

There are so many activities going on during the summer that can make it hard to stick to a bedtime routine. Now that school will soon be starting, getting back into a set nighttime schedule is so important. A consistent routine before bed allows your child to unwind and relax, and helps make it easier for your child to fall asleep. Consider starting with bathtime, then, allow your child to pick out their pajamas, next have your child brush their teeth and use the bathroom, and end with tucking your child into bed and reading them a story.

Create a Designated Area For Virtual School and Homework

No matter if your child will be attending school virtually or in person this fall, it’s essential to create a space for your child where they can take part in virtual learning and do their homework. Having a set spot where your child can do their schoolwork can help your little one better separate their school activities from their home life. Consider setting up a station where your child can access all of the supplies they’ll need and place an extra chair nearby for yourself if they need any help with their assignments.

Help Your Child Get Comfortable Wearing a Mask

It can be very tricky to get your child to wear a mask, especially if they have to wear that mask throughout the duration of their school day. If you’re having trouble getting your child comfortable with the idea of wearing a mask, here are some things you can do to help your little one adjust:

  • Allow your child to personalize their mask with stickers
  • Try on your masks together as a whole family in front of the mirror
  • Have your child wear their mask for short periods of time around the house and gradually increase the time each day
  • Have your child practice putting their mask on by themself
  • Discuss the importance of wearing a mask with your child and explain to them that a mask can help keep them safe and healthy
  • Reward your child anytime they successfully wear their mask in public or around the house

If you need help introducing your child to wearing a mask or if your child is sensitive about wearing a mask, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our occupational therapists for help.

Transitioning from summer fun to back to school can be challenging, but we hope that these tips can help make the process a whole lot smoother for you and your child. Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long for more tips, resources, and activities. As always, if you find that your child is falling behind in their speech and language development, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss if your little one could benefit from pediatric therapy. We are happy to help support your child and family in any way that we can.

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