PFOT Townsquare
We are pleased to announce that the Townsquare is now open! We apologize if you were previously unable to view messages and join. But we believe the kinks are now all taken care of and invite you to visit, join or browse. Hope to see you there!
This Month's Specials! 
Visit PFOT's Monthly Special Page online to get your favorite products for a discounted price. Just add the item to your shopping cart from our Specials Page and the sale price will be automatically calculated at check out time!
This month's specials include:
Messy Play Idea
Apple Painting!
Get Ready!
- 2-3 apples (more or less so each child gets at least ½ an apple)
- Washable paint
- Large pieces of paper (Maybe tape them down to avoid sliding)
Get Started!
Cut the apples in various directions- cut one in half vertically, another horizontally, and you can also cut one into pieces. Then one piece at a time, dip the apple in paint and press it to the paper. You can make many kinds of designs- maybe a pattern border with different colors or apple shapes; use the smaller apple pieces to make people, flowers, or large shapes. If you don’t’ have apples, cut up a few different fruits and compare shapes and sizes. This activity allows you to introduce new foods to a picky eater or get hands dirty, all while learning about shapes, colors, sizes and having FUN!!!!
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Writing Practice - Story Starter!
We all know that handwriting practice is essential, but it can also be boring and frustrating for both children and adults. So in each issue of “PFOT Tips and Tricks” you’ll find a story starter. It may be a cartoon or sketch with no caption, or an incomplete sentence that needs to be finished. We will also give you some points to be used to spark the students own creativity, hopefully motivating them to extend the practice session. So here’s a story starter… Copy and finish this sentence.
“We loaded our bags into the car and headed toward...”
Hints to be used only if the writer needs them:
- Who was there? What did they say or do?
- What did you… hear… see…. smell … taste… touch
- How did you feel? How did others feel?
- Then what happened?
- How did it end?
- Would you want to do it again/happen again? Why or why not.
Back to Basics:
New Uses for Old Favorites
 Blocks and beads; Balls and bean bags; Scissors and crayons; Pegs and play dough. These low tech toys have always been used to help form the foundation for development. They are probably hiding in your closet or at the back of the play shelf right now. So let’s dust one off and take a new look at activities to do! (Please visit “Tips and Tricks Townsquare” to post and read other ideas.)
Let’s re-visit: Play Dough!
Copy a pattern:
- Simply roll it into a ball or snake, flatten it into a pancake, or make a picnic lunch. You can use a plastic knife to cut the food and fork or spoon to practice picking up food pieces. Flatten the dough into a pizza, pinch and roll to make toppings (flatten small circles for pepperoni), then cut into triangle slices.
- Roll out dough and form letters or numbers with a finger, pencil tip or popsicle stick; If needed, follow a model of the letters/numbers made on paper or try to form them without a visual cue. Roll dough into “snakes” of different lengths, then use these to form letters/numbers.
- Make a snake, then gently make impressions for “snake skin” using the tip of a peg, pencil, or fork.
- Use cookie cutters to form different shapes; if you have animal cookie cutters make a farm or zoo.
- Need to practice scissors? Roll your <more>
Customer Questions
 Question:
How do i choose a pencil grip? Which ones work?
Answer:
Which ones work depend on the problem you are trying to solve, the child’s age, and, ultimately, which one the child will use! Overall for all children, we want to facilitate a three-finger grasp, with an open webspace. This should look like a nicely rounded circle or O made by the index finger and the thumb. For younger children, we usually prefer <More>
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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| Varied but selected grouping of items for developing and improving the classroom skills of writing and cutting. There are positional aides, special and unique pens, pencils, grips, crayons, markers, and more!! |
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The skilled and coordinated use of two hands/arms/sides of the body at the same time is encouraged and developed as your child plays with and practices these activities. |
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