Educational Destiny

Love research!

The importance of keeping a beat: Researchers link ability to keep a beat to reading, language skills The findings of a Northwestern University study of more than 100 high school students lend proof to the surprising link between music, rhythmic abilities and language skills.

Play is essential. Play based learning is used to support the learner during their journey. It is a helpful strategy, however, research does tell us unstructured, non-adult involved truly supports the best learning opportunities.

I challenge you today, to find ways to let children play without adult involvement. If you wish to make it even more advantageous, outdoor play that involves nature adds another successful option!

This is Children's Mental Health Week. It is so important to let children learn at their own rate. They always do!!

This is such a great reminder. With supports children are more likely to find success. We can break the tastes down into "chunks". This is especially important for children who need additional time processing. Giving them a series of smaller tasks is less overwhelming. Even when it's time to tidy up. Break it down, first pick up the crayons, then pick up the markers, then put away the glue etc.

Reading begins at birth!! Early reading experiences are strongly connected to lifelong reading enjoyment.

Interesting post by Perth Children's Occupational Therapist Association.

PENCIL GRASP - does it really matter?

We actually no longer consider the tripod grasp (i.e., the index finger positioned on the shaft of the pencil, in opposition to the thumb) to be the only effective grasp.

What we look for instead, is whether a grasp is FUNCTIONAL.
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That is:

• No pain

• Legible writing (though this is affected by other factors too)

• Ability to write for an age-appropriate amount of time without fatiguing

What assists in achieving each of these?

• Pencil movements that are driven by the thumb and fingers, rather than the wrist or elbow. This requires the wrist and elbow to be stabilised on the table. These “dynamic movements” are usually established by age 5-6.

• Having the ring and little fingers tucked into the palm of the hand
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• An open webspace between the thumb and index finger, forming a C-shape. ⠀

OTs are moving away from using pencil grips (moulded foam/plastic added to a pencil) if a grasp is functional. It may not look quite right to us - but it may well be functional.

When a grasp is problematic or inefficient, we look at remediation, such as hand strengthening activities, and accommodations, such as typing or allowing a child longer to complete written work.
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Parenting Thought

Dr. John Duffy - Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety Parenting is more difficult and complicated than it has ever been. Our kids today are psychologically and emotionally burdened by social media, unreasonable ...

The importance of free play. Children can use their imagination which improves their oral language as well as their problem solving skills. Two soft skills that are considered essential in the workforce.