Customer Questions
Question:
I am new to school OT and I have seen that a lot of my caseload has pencil grips, slantboards, and cushions in their IEP. Can you help me distinguish the difference between this equipment.
Answer: Pencil grips come in a variety of different types. We have descriptions of each on our website at www.pfot.com. Some of the most popular with school aged kids are The Pencil Grip
, Grotto, Crossover, Puffeeze and Tri-go.
Slantboards come in two sizes. The mini slantboard will hold an 8 x 11 sheet of paper vertically and <more>
This Month's Specials!
Out of the ordinary Items to help decrease stress and anxiety.
Tactile Play
Make a tactile bucket!!! It’s easy and fun. This can be used help the child distinguish size and shape differences and provide sensory input.
In a medium sized plastic container, pour 3 bags of uncooked rice. You can also use uncooked beans- any kind. Helpful hints- Place a sheet or large towel underneath the bucket, it makes for a much easier cleanup. This activity can get messy! Use a container with a tight fitting lid, so it can travel from place to place, or be saved for another day. That’s it- you’re ready to play!
Instead of just sitting and completing a puzzle- hide the pieces in the tactile bucket and have your child find them first
- You can also hide plastic letters and numbers. Write the alphabet or numbers on a piece of paper or in the bottom of an egg carton and when your child pulls out a letter or number, they have to match it.
- Hide coins in the bucket and have your child practice putting them in a bank.
- You can hide spiny balls, beads, buttons, or any small toy your child likes.
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Writing Corner - Back to School Scramble!
Have your child unscramble one, two, or all of these words. When they are finished write a sentence, a story or draw a picture about the word.
aethrce slcas sfdrnei sreces oboabgk epcnil
Check the TownSquare for the answers!
Back to School
 So your children are ready for back to school- but what about you? Are YOU
ready to go back to school? Time to re-stock your therapy bags with all the basics, and maybe a few surprises. Here’s a few of our favorites that you shouldn’t forget. Most items can be used with all ages, some with a few modifications.
Bare necessities (especially if you go place-to-place)
Pen (for your notes); tissues; hand sanitizer; watch or timer; little notebook (for notes to self); Memo papers (the ones that make a copy as you write on them- for the quick notes that go home with the child - that you know you should keep a copy of, but the school’s copier is on the other side of the building!); wet- wipes (for quick clean ups).
Materials
Pegs and a pegboard (Such as PFOT Products 6200 and 5612)
- Size may vary, we prefer basic ΒΌ” pegs for versatility. Can work on color matching, pattern or design copying, fine motor strength and control. Younger kids can match colors within a row, older kids can copy a pattern from paper, or design their own house or letters. You can also hide the pegs in putty and ask the child to find them before making pictures. Small pegs are great for working on in-hand manipulation skills. Pick up 5, store them in the palm of your hand, then place them one at a time- without dropping any!
Putty - A must have! You can roll it out and make a hot dog, flatten the putty into pizza and push the pegs into it to make toppings. Practice cutting skills with scissors or a plastic knife. Roll it out and form letters and numbers. Different resistance can vary the workout.
1” Blocks (a minimum of 12, 2 in each of the 6 colors)
- Whether your caseload is at the level to practice stacking, copying three and four block designs, or building a large skyscraper- you can always find something to do with blocks. Practice counting as you stack, colors as you match. You can also write letters on the sides and spell out the child’s name. Also great as a distraction or purposeful tool in other tasks, like an obstacle course. Get a block, roll to the can to put it in, wheelbarrow walk back to get another one!
Pens, pencils, crayons, chalk, markers, and paper (as found in our Writing/Classroom section)
- Whether the child is learning pencil control, or to color, write upper or lower case letters, numbers, or to write in cursive- You always need some type of paper and a writing implement. Draw a maze and have you child find their way through it. Write upper case letters on the left side and lower case on the right, ask the child to draw a line matching upper and lower case. Use your paper to practice folding or rip it and glue into a design. Black construction paper and chalk is always a “cool” way to sneak pencil work in!
An assortment of pencil grips, and scissors- Great to have on hand to “try out” different ones to see what works for that child before making recommendations.
What else is in your therapy bag? Tell us at PFOT TownSquare !!!!
Shoponline - Selected QuickLinks!
PFOT's products and specials change often to ensure that you have an opportunity to purchase just the right product at an affordable price. Visit our online shopping cart and our Specials pages to stay on top of the deals and products.
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| These materials encourage the use of touch to learn about objects and the environment as well as to help build an understanding of the body and its relation to the world around it. |
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Our Critical Thinking products are selected to help provide focus on building one's ability to analyze, organize, classify, and then generalize information so that meaningful conclusions can be drawn. |
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