OT Week 2022: What does Occupational Therapy mean to me?

Initially when I chose to study Occupational Therapy, I really saw it as my “ticket out of town”. I wanted to move away, seek independence and start a new chapter. I had no idea what Occupational Therapy was, I’d never even heard of it- I chose it because my friend said she was thinking about studying it and, to be honest, like the rest of my choices at that time, I was only going to uni because my close friends were.

I was accepted into Sydney University after completing year 12, packed a bag and moved to Sydney- 700 kilometres from my home, 900 kilometres from my friend who ended up choosing to study Psychology in Brisbane, and infinite kilometres from my heart. I found the change of pace and environment hard to adapt to, and felt incredible lonely, but managed to complete the four years, gain my degree and make a lot of memories in the process.

But I still didn’t know what I wanted to do and I had no idea who I was.

I worked in a range of hospital and community settings. I implemented assessments, treated via the protocols and enjoyed seeing clients reach their goals, but I never really felt connected to the work or the profession. I’d hear my peers sharing how amazing OT was and, whilst it was a great job, it wasn’t my passion, there was no spark, my soul wasn’t on fire.

Until I came across paediatrics.

At first, I think I enjoyed working with kids simply because the work was aligned with my spirit- playful, nurturing, creative, active, empathetic. But over time, I realised that my role in paediatrics allowed me to be vulnerable and left no option for me but to be authentic (there is no pretending to a kid who has just called you out on how spikey your legs are that day).

It was in paediatrics that I truly began to embody what I was taught- holisitic health care, importance of relationship, clinical reasoning, the value of occupation, therapeutic use of self, lifelong learning and the ability to reflect, evaluate and adapt.

I began to realise that my own journey as an individual was synonyms with that of my journey as a therapist and influenced by the journeys of those I support.

I began to see that the evolution of those around me invited my own evolution and, with that, my self-awareness shifted from virtually non-existent (I literally moved to Sydney and studied OT because my friend said she was thinking about it) to a work in progress to a daily priority and, with this evolution, came more clarity, more dreams, more ideas, more passion, more direction, more precision, more compassion, and a genuine connection to myself and others.

So, to me, Occupational Therapy means coming full circle every day. As I endeavour to simply just show up every day, with an open mind and heart, and be willing, I learn a little more about Occupational Therapy and Myself every day, peeling back another layer, embedding experience and experiences and leaning into the next day to, again, show up, be open and willing. Rather than viewing the Occupational Therapy journey as a road that has a start and finish, I view it as a wander along a familiar path through unfamiliar land, each time interacting with others on the same path, noticing new details, uncovering new Earth and leaving footprints for myself and others to return.

Happy OT Week to each of you wandering the path.

Lee x

PS. That town that I was so desperate to leave? I came full circle and moved back there.

Celebrating World Earth Day: 11 Things To Consider For An Environmentally Sustainable Therapy Practice

Coming from a long line of fishermen and ocean-dwellers, I grew up with the underlying values of respecting nature and having compassion for animals. We were raised to “leave nothing behind but your footprints” and to “never take more than you need”, and as I’ve grown up and had children of my own this connection to, and respect for, nature drives my hope to share the beauty and wonder with my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and generations to come. 

Despite this, my knowledge of environmental sustainability was minimal until my daughter was six months old and we started her in swimming lessons. It is there that I met a wonderful, environmentally- conscious family. I got to know this family over years of swimming lessons and, eventually, playdates and was endlessly curious and fascinated about their beliefs and values and, ultimately, their actions and choices. 

Until I met this family, I would never have imagined cleaning with vinegar, lemon juice and bicarb soda, or sending homemade treats in thoughtfully decorated brown paper bags as party favours or even using a reusable coffee cup. It never occurred to me not to put food scraps in the waste bin or to take a reusable bag to the shops but, as I became more educated around environmental sustainability, I started to adopt many of these actions and they became my own personal habits which I then extended into my therapy clinic and practice.

So to celebrate World Earth Day, 2021, I wanted to share some of the sustainable practices I have adopted over the years. However, before I do, I want to say, upfront, that this is not about judgement of others, it is about sharing and inspiring. I acknowledge that it is a journey of “doing better when knowing better” and it is a journey that I am still on myself. I also know that it’s not always feasible to make all the changes straight away.

But I do believe at the very heart of the journey is knowledge and consideration- committing to seeking knowledge about sustainable practice and reminding myself to consider the environment when I make practice decisions. So here they are, some of the things I have implemented in my own practice- I hope they inspire!

1.     Consider purchasing sustainable therapy tools and equipment. 

Plastic therapy tools are understandably enticing as a therapist and practice owner as they are inexpensive, often come in bulk packs and are readily available in a range of colours, shapes and forms. However plastic items tend to wear and break easily, needing to be frequently replaced and ultimately being discarded as land fill that will take a lifetime to break down. In addition, when items are mass produced, the manufacturing process often has a huge impact on the environment.

Instead, where possible, I look for materials that will last for long periods of time (that are also sustainably sourced and manufactured). Wooden items from sustainable sources, silicone items and stainless steel items all feature in my clinic.

2.     Eliminate single-use items

The reduction, or elimination of, single-use items is one of the more well-known and widely accepted eco-friendly practices. Some of the reusable items I use are reusable coffee cups, water bottles, bags, food containers, food wraps and covers, cutlery, cleaning cloths and straws (I buy packs of stainless steel straws for respiration games).

3.     Eco-friendly toy storage

Many years ago I worked alongside a very a wonderful speech pathologist who had (and still has) a love for a certain brand of clothing. Every time she purchased from this company her items would come in blue drawstring bags. She would then use these bags for storage of toys rather than zip lock bags and plastic tubs. They were a great space saver, made transporting on school and home visits more compact and avoided using plastic for storage. I have continued on this practice as well as using baskets that I have picked up from markets and op shops for storage.

4.     Planting and gardening projects

We made a little vege garden out of an old canoe for the kids to water and, hopefully, harvest some fresh produce. Again, this isn’t logistical for everyone however, keeping plants in the clinic for kids to water or planting seeds in pots are ways to embed environmental awareness into our practices. One of my favourite telehealth activities that I implemented during our initial Covid-19 lockdown was growing eggshell seedlings- Simply save an egg carton and your eggshells, fill eggshells with soil, add seeds of choice and watch the seedlings grow. Once the seedlings are ready to be transferred, simply plant the while eggshell and seedling. If you don’t have the space (or time) for a garden, choose plants thayt can grow in a large pot- herbs are a wonderful option for pots. 

4.     Check out op shops for therapy toys and tools

A friend of mine once said “everything we need is already out there, mass production and convenience just means we don’t have to look for it anymore”. Op shops can be a therapist’s dream- you can find all sorts of toys, costumes and therapy tools. Other than the obvious benefit of being low-cost, op shopping is an incredibly sustainable option as it reduces the demand on “new” products and the resulting environmental cost of production and manufacturing. It also means items are being used for their full shelf-life rather than becoming waste. 

5.     Upcycled equipment

When creating our sensory gym, where possible, I had items built by local builders and trades from upcycled and “scrap” materials. This was ten years ago and all items are still fully functional today. 

Whilst I realise sourcing local trades and materials for therapy gym equipment isn’t an accessible option for everyone, upcycling is a wonderful consideration for other therapy and play items as well. A couple of years ago, I bought a mud kitchen from a little business called little chefs kitchens- a small family business that make mud kitchens from timber pallets and upcycled sinks. I then went to the op-shop and bought a whole heap of kitchen items and many mudpies, mud cakes and magic potions have been made since then. If you can’t get to an opshop or just don’t have the time you can check out my pre-loved mud kitchen sets here. 

6.     Reverse Garbage 

One of the easiest ways to consider environmental sustainability is to recycle household materials for therapy activities. Boxes, cardboard tubes, lids, jars, pipes can be used for a limitless range of therapy ideas and the variety of textures, shapes, sizes and properties make these items wonderful for supporting a range of developmental skills- praxis skills, play skills, fine and gross motor skills- and these games always seem to spark the most joy in the kids I work with. Sometimes I gather these items for a purpose such as last year’s Christmas group when we created Santa’s sleigh out of recycled materials. Other times, the uses are spontaneous like creating a cardboard target or a cubby house. 

8.     Consider the types of cleaning products used

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, I opted for eco-friendly cleaning products- many home made with vinegar and essential oils. My reason for this was largely due to my beliefs around the use of chemicals and the impact of toxins on our skin and respiratory systems, keeping in mind the sensitivity and allergies in many of the kids I work with. However, Covid-19 has certainly impacted my willingness to use homemade cleaning products in order to ensure I am meeting safe practice and hygiene guidelines so I am currently opting for commercially available eco-friendly cleaning products. 

 9.     Energy conservation habits and practices

Creating everyday habits such as turning lights off when not needed, setting appliances such as printers and monitors to sleep mode when not in use, turning off power points and unplugging electrical cords are easy ways to conserve energy.

10.  Organise waste

Consider sorting the waste in your practice and disposing of according to type. Our local council provides us with three waste disposal options- one for general waste, one for recycling and one for organic matter. Our local Coles supermarket has a soft plastic collection bin and we have a local “Return and Earn” recycling station for bottles and cans. Separating our waste into these categories means we are avoiding putting all waste into landfill and being aware of the recycling options in our area is important.

11.  Forest-friendly toilet paper

There are a few companies now that produce forest-friendly toilet paper. We have been using “Who Gives A Crap”- the bulk box is great, packaging is plastic free, the paper quality is good, they have donated millions to building toilets and advocating for adequate sanitation in developing countries and they are B Corp certified which means they meet the highest standards for social and environmental impact. 

15 Ways To Support Children Through Emotional Chaos

With a year of bushfires, floods and a pandemic that has caused significant unpredictability and anxiety, many children (and adults) are just hanging on, waiting for school to finish for the term, for the busy-ness of Christmas to come and go and for 2021 to bring a fresh start and new hope. However “hanging on” takes up a lot of our cognitive and emotional capacity and, as the stress begins to ease and we no longer need to hang on so tight, there is a period dys-organisation before organisation, dys-regulation before regulation- chaos before the calm. 

There are many ways children let us know that they are feeling “out of sync”. In some children we see “hyperactivity” or hypervigilance, increased heart rate, increased respiration rate, shallow breathing, increased aggression, increased sensitivity to sensory input, increased tension, increased frustration or seemingly more “emotional”. In others we might see increased fatigue, decreased immune system function, fogginess, more support required with everyday tasks or more connection-seeking. 

 Identifying these behaviours as a response to the shift in states- an autonomic, involuntary response- rather than a voluntary decision, is vital for supporting kids through this time. It is also important to remember that, as these behavioural responses are involuntary, cognitive processes such as reflection, reasoning and problem solving are not “switched on” and they rely on us to help them navigate their way through the chaos.

 Following is a list of general strategies that can be used to support children through the chaos. However, the list is not exhaustive, is not a one-size-fits-all and doesn’t replace individualised professional support.

1.     Provide safety and reassurance through relationship and co-regulation. 

 In order to effectively support a child through emotion, we need to come from a place of calm- we need to keep our emotions steady and our tone and body language in tune with the child’s emotional state. It is from this place of calm that we can empathise with how a child is feeling, validate their emotions and hold space for them to feel safe amidst big, intense emotion, anchoring them and laying the foundations for connectedness and, later, self-regulation.

When a child is in a state of chaos or stress, we can support emotion regulation and restore calm through co-regulation, by coming from our own place of calm and attuning to the child’s emotional state.

Through connection, we are able to use our facial expressions, tone of voice, rhythm, movement, breathing, (appropriate) touch and position in the space to covey empathy, compassion, stability, support and, ultimately, a perception of safety.

Consistent experiences of co-regulation support security of self, and within relationships, and leads to the development of self-regulation.

2.  Hold space, with genuine empathy and compassion, for the child to feel, express and regulate their emotions without judgement or comment.

 When kids are angry, sad, frustrated or disappointed we innately want them to feel better, we want to fix their “problems” and take away their hurt. We might try to reassure them with our words, offer advice or solutions, distract them or downplay how big of a deal their issue is in attempt to help them feel better. Sometimes we might even get angry, sad, frustrated or disappointed in response.

 But children need to express their emotions in order to understand them and, in turn, work towards the complex skill of self-regulation as they grow and develop. We can provide, and hold, a safe and stable space for kids to reference whilst they express and, move through, their emotions.

3.     Encourage diaphragmatic breathing

When kids are anxious, stressed and overwhelmed, we often see that they are breathing rapidly and taking short breaths from the chest rather than deep breaths from the diaphragm. Respiration (especially exhaling) is one of the best things we can get them doing to help them find their calm.

But deep, long breaths are hard for many people, especially kids and especially stressed kids, so we often need to come up with creative ways to get them breathing and focusing on the exhale. Try blowing through a straw into water and dish liquid to make bubble monsters, exploring whistles, blowing leaves or feathers, singing, blowing balloons and letting them go or blowing bubbles through a bubble wand

4.     Rhythmical movement followed by breathing exercises 

 It’s well known that movement promotes the release of endorphins (happy chemicals in the brain) and, in turn, reduces stress and anxiety. But movement also stimulates the vestibular system which, particularly rhythmic, linear movement, can be extremely calming for the nervous system. Try swings, a hammock, bouncing on a gym ball or rolling backwards and forwards on your tummy on a gym ball.

5. Oral-Motor Strategies

From birth, the mouth is used for survival- to feed, to explore, to connect, and to calm and self-regulate. There is a strong relationship between the functions of the mouth (suck/swallow/breathe), and the synchrony between these functions, with arousal levels, postural activation and social-emotional development. Try icy drinks through a straw, thickened drinks, crunchy items such as carrots, chewing gum or dried fruits and whistles, blow toys and kazoos. 5. Reduce demands and expectations

6. Provide opportunities for mindfulness. 

 Mindfulness allows us to stay present in the moment we are in and be aware and accepting of our feelings which, in turn, can support a calm, focused state. It involves stilling the busy mind and that’s a big ask for many kids and requires a level of cognition. Ways to encourage mindfulness in kids include activities that bring the eyes, hands and attention to the body and the here and now. Try activities such as craft projects, gathering treasures from the bush or the beach, colouring and drawing, gardening or walking through nature and paying attention to the things you can hear, see, small, taste and touch.

7. Reduce demands and expectations

When we are stressed there is often less capacity for the external demands of daily life. As our children move through periods of chaos, slow things down, and reduce demands and expectations so as to reduce the feeling of overwhelm. This may mean helping your child with tasks that they are usually independent with, it may mean un-scheduling their day and minimising obligations, or it may be providing more time to accomplish a task. Meet the child where they are at, reduce demands and increased support.8. Facilitate time in nature to calm the nervous system

Nature provides us with an abundance of sensory input, and it is through sensory experiences, that we develop a perception of ourselves, the world around us and who we are in relation to the world.

Each of these sensory experiences are coded with emotion so, not only does our perception of the sensory world develop self-awareness and security in our bodies and mind, but also forges a connection, a felt sense of being, that comes from attaching emotion to the sensation. This connection to nature and to self can be incredibly grounding and calming for the nervous system.

In addition, nature is filled with many small details- a beetle on a leave, a flower blooming, a spider in a web. Bringing our awareness to the smaller details can be a mindful, calming experience.

If accessing nature outdoors is tricky right now check out these ways to bring the outside in.

9. Provide opportunities for the child to nurture

Caring for another being, whether it be a person, animal or plant, is a wonderful way to reduce stress in kids (and adults alike). The genuine act of nurturing floods our body with oxytocin- the feel good hormone that counteracts the stress hormone, cortisol, facilitates connection, and is a platform for empathy and compassion.

Taking care of a plant or animal is a great place to start as their is less emotion and affect to manage in comparison to another person. It provides children with an opportunity to nurture, to be kind and gentle and to consider the Earth and environment and, as the seeds sprout, plants grow, flowers bloom, and bees and bugs seek shelter and nutrients, compassion and empathy is reinforced.

10. Provide opportunities for appropriate touch sensation 

Touch, including light touch and deep pressure touch, can convey a sense of safety, comfort and support. In addition, deep pressure to the muscles and joints provides magical proprioception to the body that can be calming, alerting and regulating for the nervous system. Play wrestling with child and parent is one of my favourite ways to do this as it provides an opportunity to reconnect when tensions are high along with other sensory input too but it’s not for everyone in every situation so explore different ways to get deep pressure in that is right for your child. Alternatives to try include squishing under pillows, rolling a gym ball over the body, squeeze hugs, rolling up in a blanket, providing a tight space such as a box with cushions or using a Lycra body sock.

11. Balance games to activate inner core muscles to support diaphragmatic breathing.

Walking, climbing and crawling on narrow, uneven or unstable surfaces activates the inner core muscles that support posture and breath- both are fundamental for regulation. 

Climb rocks, trees or build pillow mountains, try surfing, skating or hit the hills with some cardboard or a body board, balance on a therapy ball or stand on a wobble board, or work on a vertical surface (paper on wall, chalk board or white board).

12. Provide opportunities for creative expression including dance, drama, singing, painting, drawing, poetry or journaling. 

Emotions do not just simply go away once we have experienced them, they are stored in the body until they have been processed, expressed and physically “moved on”. It is often difficult for children to articulate and discuss how they feel- they may not feel comfortable or they may not fully understand the emotions. The emotions may be too big and have been pushed away or pushed down or they may not have the capacity or the awareness to explore their emotions.

Creativity is a fantastic way to explore and express emotions without having to explain them and without judgement. It be a sub-conscious process that requires minimal cognition.There is no right and wrong. There are no mistakes, just the freedom to express. Creative expression can allow children to make sense of experiences and emotions, for example, through dramatic play.

13. Spark joy and laughter through playfulness- experiencing joy, particularly in the context of relationship, is a powerful antidote to stress. 

There are many moments to share joy, sync up and connect- playing together, moving together (piggy back rides, dancing and play wrestling), being silly, dramatic play, exploring together. Being playful, laughing and experiencing joy promotes right brain activity and takes us away from the systematic, organised, structured way of thinking that often creates stress and anxiety.

In addition, when we perceive happiness in another person, via facial expressions and tone of voice, it opens up opportunities to experience shared joy. It is through shared joy that our brains “sync up” and we are able to connect with each other, support each other and convey safety.

14. Use of rhythm

The basis of our very existence is rhythm- our heart beat, breathing, sleep/wake- as is the basis of the world around us- day/night, tides, seasons. We can use rhythm to regulate the nervous system and provide predictability.

Listen to music, make music, move to music, create to music, swing, bounce, rock, or simply throw a ball back and forth. Immerse ourselves in nature’s rhythms- swim in the ocean, walk through nature, explore rock pools. Support breathing patterns through yoga, meditation and respiration toys. 

15. Creating a safe space for kids to go to to “take a break”

When kids are overwhelmed, creating a safe space is one of the best things we can do to teach them self-regulation and the concept of taking a break can be transferred across environments and through the ages and stages. A safe, quiet space offers an opportunity to recover, to reflect and to slow the pace of the world around you.

Build a cubby from blankets, sheets, towels, cardboard, rope, pallets, existing furniture- whatever you have at home! Create comfort with cushions and pillows, blankets, fairy lights or a torch, some books or quiet games (screen-free) or calming sensory toys- the aim is to create a calm, quiet space so less is more.

11 Morning Rhythm Ideas For Anxious Kids

For some kids with anxiety, they feel a constant, subtle simmer of worry and fear. For some it comes in waves. For others it can hit them in a form of panic without warning.

Mornings can be particularly challenging for kids with anxiety as they may be experiencing fear or worry about the day ahead or events of the previous day. They may be experiencing physiological symptoms such as gut and digestive disruption or may have had difficulty falling or staying asleep during the night, impacting the morning and their outlook on the day.

Some kids may be able to tell you how they’re feeling, however, more often than not, we are relying on indirect clues that they’re not feeling calm and organised, such as increased tension, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, fatigue, talking a lot, not talking much, increased or decreased appetite or refusal to go to school.

Creating a morning rhythm can be a powerful way to provide predictability and structure to the morning, alleviating some of the uncertainty, and there are many strategies and activities that we can add to the sequence of the morning that can support emotion regulation and prepare your child for the day ahead.

I have outlined my favourite, tried and tested morning strategies and activities, those that are proven to reduce stress, promote self-awareness and support a calm, organised and alert state. However, what works for one child may not work for another and finding the blueprint (the type, duration, intensity and frequency of the activity) that is the right fit for your child may take some trial and error.

But as you explore, with your child, what works for them and what doesn’t, you are supporting them to build up a tool kit of resources to draw upon to help support self-regulation now and as they grow.

1. Respiration activities that facilitate diaphragmatic breathing.

   When we are stressed or anxious we are often told to “take ten deep breaths” because breathing or, more specifically, breathing out, activates the parasympathetic nervous system- the part of the brain that calms us down. But when a child is stressed or anxious it can be difficult for them to mindfully and actively breathe deeply. We can help our kids to breathe with a variety of fun tools and strategies- try blowing through a straw into water and dish liquid to make bubble monsters, exploring whistles, blowing leaves or feathers, singing, blowing balloons and letting them go or blowing bubbles through a bubble wand.

2. Mindfulness

   When we are anxious, our thoughts, worries and fears are quite often focused on a previous or future event and rarely is our mind and attention grounded in the here and now. Mindfulness activities involve quietening the mind and allow us to stay present in the moment, aware and accepting of our feelings which, in turn, can support a calm, focused state.

   Easy mindfulness activities to add to the morning rhythm are those that involve bringing the eyes, hands and attention inwards towards the body- messy play, art and craft projects, knitting (finger knitting is a good alternative for preschoolers), creating and colouring.

3. Joy and laughter

Experiencing joy and laughter is the quickest way to combat stress and anxiety as it floods the body with feel-good hormones. Spark joy and laughter through playfulness, being silly and telling jokes. In my experience, kids love nothing more than their parents being silly and playful.

4. Time in nature

Nature is rich in sensations- sounds, textures, scents, tastes and things to see- that calm and centre us by providing us with a perception of who we are and connects us to the world around us. Nature also provides us with opportunities for mindfulness, exploration, wonder and joy, facilitating an awareness of ourselves and a sense of being and belonging. There are many ways to add nature into our morning flow but my favourite is to go on a sensory walk- simply walk and take in the details or try the 5,4,3,2,1 method. If time is of the essence, check out these at-home nature play ideas.

5. Rhythmical movement

There’s a reason why we have rocked our babies to sleep fo centuries. Rhythmical movement stimulates the vestibular system (fluid filled canals in the inner ear that perceive movement) which can be extremely calming and organising for the nervous system. Try swings, hammocks, bouncing on a gym ball, rolling backwards and forwards on tummy on gym ball or egg rolling.

6. Deep pressure touch

Deep pressure to the muscles and joints provides magical proprioception (sensory information from the joints and muscles) to the body that can be calming, alerting and regulating for the nervous system. Deep pressure activities include nestling in bean bags, play wrestling, massage, squishing under pillows, rolling a gym ball over the body, squeeze hugs and rolling up in a blanket (head out of course). The right type of deep pressure, amount and intensity will depend on each individual child so it’s important to listen to, and watch, their response.

7. Heavy work

Heavy work is another way to provide proprioception that can support a calm-alert state and involves providing resistance to the muscles and joints through activities such as pushing, pulling or lifting heavy objects. Depending on age and ability of the child, heavy work can be added to the morning rhythm through a wide range of activities from stacking or carrying heavy objects to doing animal walks (bear, crab, snake) to play wrestling to tug-o-war to a prescriptive exercise and gym program for older children.

The key principals to remember is that the activity needs to be age-appropriate, meaningful, fun and involve pushing, pulling or lifting to get the muscles and joints working against resistance.

8. Use of rhythm

The basis of our very existence is rhythm- our heart beat, breathing, sleep/wake, even our interactions with others, and the predictability and reciprocity of rhythm can be calming and organising for the nervous system. Explore rhythm through music, singing, moving, swinging, bouncing or simply throwing a ball back and forth.

9. Creative Expression

Adding creativity to the morning rhythm provides opportunities for the child to express, explore and process emotion. Painting, drawing, sculpting with clay, dough or sand, journaling, dancing, singing, performing, cooking, macrame, knitting, sewing...... the list goes on.

So often creativity sparks passion and becomes a means for self-regulation through the ages and stages.

10. Affirmations

What we believe about ourselves creates attitudes and feelings which, in turn, shapes how we respond to day to day events. Whatever a child believes about themselves directly impacts how resilient they are to things such as school yard disagreements, feedback, criticism from others, changes to their routine, making a mistake or not coming first. Add some time to the morning flow to prepare your child’s mindset with positive affirmations.

11. Nurturing activities

The genuine act of nurturing floods our body with oxytocin- the feel good hormone that counteracts the stress hormone, cortisol-, facilitates connection, and is a platform for empathy and compassion. Looking after a plant and taking care of a pet are wonderful ways to facilitate nurturing that are easily able to be added to your morning rhythm.

15 Nature Play Ideas To Bring The Outside In

Nature is rich in sensations- sounds, textures, scents and things to see- that calm and centre us by providing us with a perception of who we are and connect us to the world around us. It is a platform for play, social interaction and problem solving, and supports the development of skills such as fine and gross motor skills, praxis, visual-motor skills, and visual perception.

Nature provides opportunities for mindfulness, exploration, wonder and joy, facilitating an awareness of ourselves, a sense of being and belonging. Time spent in nature also promotes awareness of our environment and the creatures within it and, in turn, facilitates compassion and empathy, kindness and gentleness.

Nature provides us with endless benefits, and connection with nature is needed now more than ever as we adjust to a new way of interacting in our community, as we navigate self-isolation and social distancing, and as we support each other through the chaos.

For some, they are blessed to live amongst our earth’s natural landscapes, surrounded by rolling hills, national parks, oceans and rivers but for many, access to nature is not as immediate- geographical location, time, schedules, transport and health are all potential barriers to exploring nature. But despite these barriers, there are many ways to bring the natural world into our homes, to consider play, development, emotion regulation, connection and exploration and, as the benefits are endless, the ideas are limitless. Here are a few of my favourite, tried and tested activities to bring the outdoors in.

1. Nature faces/families- collect natural items such as sticks, rocks, leaves, seed pods, flowers, herbs, bark- whatever you can find in your natural environment- and design a nature face or family. A lovely way for kids to consider the sensory properties of items to represent face and body parts

2. Nature loose parts play- Loose parts play allows for open-ended, unscripted play that encourages ideation, planning, problem solving, collaboration and creativity. It allows children to explore and brings their awareness to the here and now. Gather loose parts from nature or around the home- they can be carried, sorted, put together, pulled apart and stacked or combined to create a sculpture or work of art- the ideas are endless.

3. Nature Sensory Bin- Find a variety of natural objects and place them in a low-sided tray or basket and invite your child to explore what is in the container, Tactile exploration supports the development of play, motor skills and self-awareness, and simultaneously promotes mindfulness and curiosity. As your child explores each item, consider the sensory properties of each object- how do the feel, smell, look and sound?

4. Make nature confetti- Collect dried leaves, bark and flowers and simply use a hole punch to create nature confetti- consider the different textures and scents that come from these natural pieces- tea tree, lemon myrtle and eucalyptus leaves are great choices but go with what you’ve got.

5. Fossils and stamps- There are many ways to explore the idea of fossils- collect natural items and freeze them in a container, muffin tray or ice cube tray; hide toys figurines such as dinosaurs in a tray or pot of soil; Press natural items into clay to see what patterns they leave behind- leaves are an accessible item that have a variety of textures and leave behind beautiful patterns.

6. Create nature musical instruments- So so easy but a lovely way to explore the different sounds of nature. Simply fill (and decorate if you like) a jar, tin, box or empty toilet roll (great for little hands) with natural pieces from the outdoors. Shake, rattle, bang, clap and tap, singing and moving to the rhythms together.

7. Nature mobile- gather natural items (or combine natural items with household items) and hang them from a branch, rod or piece of driftwood to make a hanging mobile.

This beautiful nature mobile is by the talented Dimity.

8. Boat race- Make a raft or boat from natural items- sticks, bark and leaves are great choices- and sail them in the sink or bath.

9. Nature mandala- Simple but beautiful- Arrange natural items in a pattern to make a mandala- I love using rocks and flowers but the options are endless. Mandalas are a beautiful reminder that art can be anywhere, enjoyed by everyone, there are no mistakes and it can be created and recreated.

10. Create a pet rock- Another easy way to add some outdoors to the indoors is to create a pet rock. Simply choose a rock and decorate it. You can use your own craft supplies or gather small items from your natural environment to add features to your pet rocks.

11. Make an animal home- My little guy’s favourite animal home to make is a frog home but we’ve also dug burrows, made bird nests built an ant farm and created mini caves from rocks for our toy lions and bears. The wonderful thing about creating a home for an animal is that, along with the opportunity to build many developmental skills, it is also an opportunity for the child to be nurturing providing a platform to experience compassion and empathy.

12. Make a plantable seed card- These are a wonderful way to explore texture, and support sustainability. All you need is scrap paper, water, a blender, towel, a sieve and seeds of your choice. Check out how I did it here.

13. Eggshell seedlings- Another easy little project and lovely opportunity to explore texture, practice fine motor skills, promote sustainability and facilitate nurturing. Save an egg carton and your eggshells, fill eggshells with soil, add seeds of choice and watch the seedlings grow. Once the seedlings are ready to be transferred, simply plant the whole eggshell and seedling. If you do not have the space (or time) for a garden, choose plants that can grown in a large pot.

14. Pressed flowers- Gather flowers and press them either with a flower press or between pages in a heavy book- place the flowers between sheets of baking paper to prevent the flowers from marking the book. Check on the flowers after approximately two weeks.

15. Magic potions- Gather jars, bottles and containers. Collect natural items from the garden-sticks, leaves, bark, flowers, stones, nuts, feathers, seeds and herbs- and mix up a magic potion. Sprinkle, pour, tip, shake, stir- so. many ways to develop the tactile system, motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and a great opportunity to facilitate mindfulness.

5 Food Exploration Activities For Kids

Our journey to eating a variety of wholesome foods consists of many experiences of exploring foods through seeing, touching, tasting and smelling. For many kids, these experiences are enjoyable and quickly lead to messy hands and full tummies. But for others, their journey to enjoying mealtime may be longer and more complex.

Sometimes kids may be apprehensive to explore new foods based on how it looks, feels or smells. Sometimes a child may have a complex medical history. There may be structural reasons making sucking, biting, chewing or swallowing difficult. There may be neurological or musculoskeletal impairments. Or there may be no obvious reason at all.

No matter where your child is at in their mealtime journey, may the focus be to provide opportunities to experience the joy of food, the connection of mealtime and the curiosity of exploration, in a safe and positive environment. I have put together some of my favourite, tried and tested, food exploration activities. They’re fun and playful and provide wonderful opportunities for sensory exploration, fine motor skill development and visual-motor development.

1.     Fruit and vegetable animals

 I originally saw the idea to make little caterpillars and snails from a Woman’s Day article but the ideas are endless! Simply cut up slices, cubes and sticks of fruit, vegetables and herbs, grate foods such as carrot and beetroot and add in dried fruits and nuts (where appropriate) to create animals. Nut butter is my go-to to join the pieces together but other “glues” have included hummus, guacamole, cream cheese, yoghurt and jam.

 

2.     Fruit and vegetable shapes

Nutritional foods always taste better when they’re the shape of a star, love heart or dinosaur! Simply cut fruit into large slices and press with cookie cutters- simple but effective and often even the most picky eaters will, at the very least, be curious to explore. Look for firm fruits to prevent the shapes from falling apart- watermelon, rockmelon, pineapple, apples are a great start.

3.     Fruit kebabs

These were so fun (and easy) to make- even my 13 year old got involved! Simply cut up fruit and vegetables into bite sized pieces and thread onto skewers. We used a variety of berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) kiwi fruit, banana, grapes and mandarin. For a finishing touch, add a shape to the top- we used watermelon to make stars and hearts but have also used fresh pineapple. 

4.     Food faces

Creating faces out of food is one of my favourite food exploration activities because it allows children to explore a vast variety of foods including fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and edible blooms and match the properties of the food to their experiences and perceptions. For example, they may choose parsley to make coarse, curly hair or dill as a long, soft moustache. Ideation, imagination and self-expression is valued and encouraged however face templates, or even just the outline of a face, can be helpful for younger kids or children who have difficulty understanding verbal language as they can be a lovely visual prompt.

5. Food hide and seek

Hide and seek has been a much loved game since the dawn of time. It is fun, engaging and interactive and brings a lot of joy for kids and adults alike. As the name suggests, simply take turns hiding a piece of food while the other looks for it. The sillier the hiding spot the better (eg. on top of your head, in your mouth, in your pocket). Sounds messy (and it is) but the child-caregiver connection factor in this game makes it a favourite amongst families and allows for laughter and joy as they explore.

A few things to remember about food exploration…..

• The goal is exploration- eating is a bonus

• Shared joy with a caregiver is vital for a positive mealtime experience

• Follow the child’s lead- these activities are an invitation to explore and can be evolved

• Talk with the child about their experience of the activities- what do they see, feel, smell and taste

• Expect and prepare for mess- food play is messy play

• Consider the environment- are there any distractions?

• Allow for the use of utensils if using the hands to explore is too much too soon

10 OT-Approved Gift Ideas For Babies

Last weekend I attended a virtual baby shower for one of my nearest and dearest, who has since delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl. One week later one of my colleagues delivered her own little ray of sunshine and, a couple of weeks later, one of the mums I work with delivered their newest addition as well. It seems that of all the changes that have been brought about by Covid-19, welcoming beautiful babies into the world is not one of them.

So to celebrate the joy of new life that is buzzing around me I have put together a baby gift guide with ten of my favourite gift ideas that support positive child development- items that facilitate exploration through the senses, encourage movement and promote connection and a sense of self.

1. Baby Swings

Babies and toddlers need lots of opportunities to move in a variety of ways in order to support the development of a healthy vestibular system- a little fluid-filled canal in the inner ear that is responsible for our perception of movement and head position, providing us with information about who we are and who we are in relation to the world around us.

The vestibular system also lays the foundation for muscle tone and postural/core development along with an invisible midline that supports communication between the left and right sides of the brain- both required for ALL movement skills from crawling to riding a bike.

Baby hammocks that support gentle rocking and swaying are wonderful ways to get calming movement in for babies whilst stimulating the vestibular system. Seated swings are a wonderful addition for babies and toddlers that are able to sit unsupported. Check out these macrame baby swings from Play Fair Kids- they’re made from sustainable materials and are ethnically and fairly sourced.

2. Musical Instruments, Rattles and Shakers

Our auditory system (hearing) is vital for survival as well as as a foundation for exploration and movement. Our brain interprets sounds from our environment in order to provide us with information on how we need to respond- is the environment dangerous? Do we need to move away? Is it safe? Can I move towards a sound with curiosity?

A healthy auditory system is also important for the development of speech and language, communication and social skills, and provides a foundation for perception of our body in space and the development of motor skills – organising, timing and sequencing of movement.

Musical instruments such as rattles, shakers, drums, tambourines and bells along with music tracks are wonderful gift ideas that grow with your baby and toddler and inspire a passion for music for years to come. I love the variety and sustainability of these instruments from Baby Noise, the diversity of tracks by Rockabye Baby as well as nursery rhymes and nature sounds.

3. Play Gyms

Image by Arabella and Autumn

Our visual system is responsible for much of our learning and understanding of our environment. Our eyes send messages to the brain about visual information in our environment and the brain gives this information meaning based on properties such as colour, size, shape, depth and placement of object.

As with messages from our auditory system, these messages to our brain to decide what action we should take- do we need to move away or should we move towards then object to explore.

Play gyms are the perfect way to support the development of the visual system and promote movements such as reaching and, later, rolling as baby attempts to explore what they have seen. Check out these play gyms from Arabella & Autum- they are hand crafted in Australia from sustainable materials and allow for interchangeable attachments.

4. Massage Vouchers

As with our visual and auditory systems, our tactile (touch) system provides our brain with messages about the tactile aspect of our environment. Again, the brain interprets these messages in order to understand whether the environment is safe or poses a threat.

It is also through touch that we convey compassion and empathy, to support our babies to feel safe, nurture a secure attachment, and to help them make sense of themselves and the world around. Infant massage is an incredible way to support gentle touch, promote bonding and connection and create opportunities to develop an understanding of baby’s non-verbal communication such as facial expressions.

In addition, studies have shown infant massage to promote calm, facilitate sleep and support immune functioning. There are many in-person and online infant massage courses, along with infant massage books and gift packs that would make wonderful gifts.

5. Stacking and Nesting Toys

Image by Arabella and Autumn

Once babies are able to sit and manipulate objects they will start to explore what they can do with them. This exploration promotes the development of many other skills including fine motor skills and hand grasp, visual-motor skills (hand-eye coordination), visual perception, problem solving skills, sequencing, bilateral integration (coordinating the left and right sides of the body), attention and concentration, language skills and concepts such as size, shape and colours.

6. Oral Sensory Toys

The oral sensory system includes tactile (touch input) from the tongue, lips, gums and cheek, taste from all the little taste receptors on the tongue, and proprioception (joint/muscle sensory information) from the joints and muscles in the mouth and jaw. Each have important functions. For example, the tactile receptors allow for further exploration of objects, taste supports survival by allowing for discrimination between different tastes and detecting harmful toxins, and proprioception in the jaw supports the development of sucking, swallowing, breathing, chewing and, later, talking. Check out the beautiful range of oral-motor toys from Arabella & Autumn- great for developing the oral sensory system as well as to support babies through teething.

7. Play Mats

Image by Finch and Folk

Babies need lots of room to play and explore and lots of opportunity to be on their tummies to develop and strengthen the postural muscles in the neck and trunk as well as the shoulders.

Strong, activated postural muscles support sitting with stability, emotion regulation, attention and concentration, coordinated gross motor skills, visual skills such as reading and copying from the black/white board, speech development, bilateral tasks such as cutting, tying shoelaces and eating with a knife and fork and precise fine motor skills

When choosing a mat look for machine washable, generous size and non-irritant sustainable fabric that can be easily taken to the park, beach, bush and play dates.

8. Books

Reading to children supports the development of speech, language and early literacy skills and can support the development of focus, attention and concentration. Reading also provides time for connecting and bonding, strengthening relationships and co-regulation, and can provide a quiet and calm activity choice amongst the chaos.

Kids benefit from exploring a variety of books and any time is book time! Look for picture books, books that rhyme, lift the flap books to spark curiosity and develop fine motor skills, fabric books, books that explore textures and books with repetition and patterns.

9. Treasure Baskets

Image by Helen Lee

Treasure baskets come from the concept of Heuristic Play- a term attributed to child psychologist Elinor Goldschmeid in the early 1980's. The idea is to provide babies with a variety of everyday objects that are safe for baby to explore with the hands and mouth, preferably nothing plastic and definitely nothing small enough to be a choking hazard.

Seems like a strange gift idea however, providing babies with the opportunity to explore objects that have a range of textures and properties allows for the eventual understanding of what objects can do based on these properties, later facilitating ideation, problem solving and collaboration, laying the foundation for the later stages of play.

Create a treasure basket by filling a low-edged basket with everyday items such as kitchen utensils, brushes, wooden or natural objects, a variety of textiles and scented items.

10. Blocks

Blocks are a timeless toy and for good reason- they provide children with the opportunity to develop cognitive skills such as ideation (coming up with ideas), planning, evaluation and problem solving and, due to their open-ended nature, provide a wonderful platform for the development of creative and imaginative play!

In addition, playing with smaller blocks can support the development of fine motor skills and visual motor integration (hand-eye coordination). Look for small blocks like these from Playfair Kids and I also love these beautiful wooden quote and family rainbows from Honeycomb Living.