Introduction
Occupational therapy doesn’t stop when your session ends at our clinic. Some of the most significant progress happens through consistent practice at home with simple, fun activities.
At Quality Therapy Providers, we believe in empowering families with easy exercises that fit into your daily routine. Just 10-15 minutes of targeted practice can make a meaningful difference in your child’s development. Here are our therapists’ favorite home activities that support the goals we work on together.
Fine Motor Skills Activities
Strong hand muscles and finger coordination are essential for writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils. These activities make strengthening fun:
Playdough Power Activities:
- Pinch and roll: Make small balls using only thumb and fingertips
- Snake making: Roll long “snakes” to strengthen hand muscles
- Hidden treasures: Hide small objects for your child to find and remove
- Cookie cutting: Use cookie cutters to practice using both hands together
Clothespin Games:
- Transfer activities: Pick up cotton balls or small toys with clothespins
- Sorting games: Use clothespins to move items between containers
- Hanging practice: Help hang up artwork or photos
- Color matching: Sort colored clothespins into matching containers
These activities build the pincer grasp strength needed for pencil grip and scissor skills.
Sensory Processing Support
Many children benefit from controlled sensory input to help them process touch sensations and reduce sensitivities.
DIY Sensory Bins: Create bins using a large plastic container filled with:
- Rice or beans with hidden toys to find
- Shaving cream mixed with food coloring for messy play
- Kinetic sand for calming sensory input
- Water beads for tactile exploration (always supervise)
Heavy Work Activities: These provide calming input and improve body awareness:
- Wall pushes: Have your child push against a wall for 10-15 seconds
- Carrying games: Let them carry laundry baskets or grocery bags
- Animal walks: Try bear crawls, crab walks, or frog jumps
- Resistance activities: Pull apart construction toys or squeeze stress balls
Visual-Motor Skills Development
Hand-eye coordination is crucial for academic success and daily activities.
Cutting Practice Progression: Start simple and gradually increase difficulty:
- Snipping: Cut play dough or straws into small pieces
- Straight lines: Cut along thick, straight lines on paper
- Curved lines: Progress to cutting wavy and curved lines
- Simple shapes: Cut out circles and squares
- Complex patterns: Advanced cutting of zigzags and spirals
Pre-Writing Activities:
- Finger tracing: Trace letters in sand, salt, or textured surfaces
- Rainbow writing: Trace over letters multiple times with different colors
- Dot-to-dot: Connect dots to form letters, numbers, or pictures
- Simple mazes: Choose mazes appropriate for your child’s skill level
Self-Care Independence
Building independence in daily activities boosts confidence and practical skills.
Dressing Skills Practice:
- Button practice: Create a board with different sized buttons to practice
- Zipper races: Time how quickly your child can zip and unzip jackets
- Sock sorting: Match and sort socks by color, size, or pattern
- Shoe tying: Use lacing cards before progressing to actual shoes
Making Activities Fun:
- Start with 5-10 minute sessions
- Follow your child’s interest level
- Celebrate effort, not just results
- Make it part of your daily routine
- Keep activities positive and pressure-free
Tips for Success
Modify activities as needed:
- Too easy? Add time limits, use smaller objects, or create more complex patterns
- Too difficult? Simplify the task, provide more support, or break into smaller steps
- Losing interest? Change materials, add music, or involve siblings
Remember: These activities complement professional therapy but don’t replace it. Always consult with your child’s occupational therapist before starting new activities.
Conclusion
Consistent home practice makes a significant difference in your child’s occupational therapy progress. These simple activities can be easily incorporated into your daily routine while supporting the important skills we work on during therapy sessions.
Have questions about your child’s fine motor skills, sensory processing, or self-care development? Don’t wait to seek professional evaluation – early intervention leads to the best outcomes.
Contact Quality Therapy Providers today:
- Mercedes: 208 Starr Ste #2, Mercedes, TX 78570 | (956) 514-1551
- Weslaco: 910 E 8th Ste #7, Weslaco, TX 78596 | (956) 447-3565
We accept most major insurance plans and provide services in both English and Spanish to serve our Rio Grande Valley community.
“Everyone has the right to choose Quality Therapy” – “Todos tienen derecho a elegir Quality Therapy”
