Minecraft: Inspiring Kids to Work Outside the (x)Box

If you don't know what Minecraft is, be thankful.  I consider it Mine-Crack because my kids are addicted to it.   It reminds me of old-school Duke Nukem with its pixelated graphics.  Though I find it visually nauseating to watch, I know tons of children and adults who enjoy it.  So I choose to embrace it as a motivator to work on other skills, without them REALLY noticing. 

Pixel Paper Crafts
This is a great site in which you can search craftable mobs, creepers, withers and more.  Once chosen, print them out.  Once printed, the child works on cutting, folding, pinching, glueing, etc. There are a variety of easy and difficult block designs.  You can differentiate skills and needs by pre-snipping, adding directions and numbers, or coloring.  Also, check out the Minecraft Fortune Teller, to build in intrinsic hand strength and coordination!

Legos
There are tons of sets dedicated to Minecraft. Following directions, bilateral tasks and fine motor development are always addressed with the use of legos!  Or the children can create their own.

Block Art
Using snipped up sponges, paints and square pieces of paper, the children can design their own mobs.  Challenge them by using clothespins to pick up the sponges.

Looming
Here is an example to make a Creeper Loom Bracelet.  Looming is a great activity to build attention and spatial awareness.

Minecraft Bingo
Scanning and visual discrimination skills can be supported during Minecraft Bingo activities.  Language concepts such as Same and Different can easily be integrated into the activities as well. 

Slime
Make Minecraft more sensory challenging with fun do-it-yourself Glitter Slime using colors common to the game.  Bonus, if you happen to have Minecraft figurines, hide them in the goop!

Learn to Draw Tasks
Step by step copying or imitating tasks to build Creepers are based on many basic prewriting strokes. And if you really want, you can always sing a Mat Man inspired version like "Creeper has one head, one head, one head...."

Self Regulation Chart
Here is an amazing way for kids to learn how to identify feelings and actions using a 5 point scale, all relating to Minecraft characters.

Graphing Fun
Plotting squares, coloring in small spacing, or using it to inspire Perler bead activities or bead lacing keychains.

Word searches
Meet Penny has a whole printable pack of 50 activities, including word searches.  But you can always create your own using free websites like Discovery Education

Building Literacy Skills
There are tons of books about Minecraft.  If you have a struggling reader or one that shows little interest, try offering reading selections like Minecraft Hacks.  Many of the sections are short so they are not overwhelming to the readers.  And when they do finish the book, the reader can feel accomplished.

There are tons of activities available on the internet inspired by Minecraft.  Just search Minecraft crafts and you will be amazed with what is out there.  Hopefully this gives you a little taste of what is available to get your students and children off the virtual crafting table and onto a real one.

OTMommy spOTlight on: IZ Adaptive, Where Fashion Meets Function

In the world of fashion, the needs of those with disabilities are overlooked.   But IZ Adaptive is working to change that.  

I was recently drawn to an advertisement for IZ Adaptive on social media.  It is a fashion line that focuses on the unique needs of those using wheelchairs, taking into consideration comfort, function and current fashion trends.   

One of my favorite pieces is the Separating Biker Jacket for Men retailed at $449.   The way the cuts accentuate the shoulders while ensuring the ease of donning and doffing is gorgeous! 

Founder Izzy Camilleri is a well-established Canadian fashion designer, whose designs have been photographed on the likes of Meryl Streep, Kirsten Dunst, and Fergie.  But after meeting with Journalist Barbara Turnbull, who happened to be a high level quadripalegic, she began on a new venture that took her creativity rolling in a different direction. In 2009, she began to focus her talents on addressing and dressing men and women with disabilities.  In an email based interview, Ms. Camilleri took analysis of the unique needs of her new clients stating,"I had no idea that someone who used a wheelchair had different clothing needs.  It was a very eye opening experience on many levels."

Women's Tear Away Pant retail $59 offer a a higher back and bulk-free front.

She had to consider topics that traditional fashion designers and people in general take for granted.  For example, skin integrity is an important issue for people with decreased or absent sensory awareness, such as in spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and Lou Gehrig Disease.  When fabric bunches and moisture build up, friction, heat, and sores can occur.   She also had to consider how the act of getting dressed and undressed can be helped or hinder by the type and placement of fasteners.

Open Back Jeans retail $79 offer easy donning wrap around panel with velcro strip.

With ideas in hand, IZ Adaptive was born. Ms. Camilleri uses fabrics that are soft to the touch and that have stretch to them allow for ease of donning and breathability.  In some of her designs she made zippers longer or used magnets instead of traditional buttons since standard buttons and zippers can be a significant struggle for those with fine motor difficulties.

Men's Casual Magnet Shirt, currently on sale $29.99 uses magnets for easy fastening and an A line cut for a flattering fit.

There are pieces to fit every budget and need.  Her line includes informal apparel, work apparel and evening wear with prices ranging from $9.00 Knees Together Strap to a $650 Wedding gown.   Dress shopping in itself can be difficult, for any woman, physically and emotionally.  Women who use wheelchairs can visit the website and discover pieces in which they can feel beautiful and comfortable for the upcoming prom and wedding season.  Ms. Camilleri hopes to further expand the evening wear selection. Even browsing is made easier because each item is detailed with information tabs on fabric choices, care, and function.

Grace Strapless Gown retail $375

At this time, expanding the line to include other cut designs so that people with other physical impairments such as limited range of motion and limited strength is not in the works.  But that's ok since IZ Adaptive offers specific alterations through their website.  Custom designing is also available to those in the Toronto area and is priced according to the project and level of difficulty. 

Many of her other designs have been featured in international magazines like Vogue and Flare.  When asked about ever seeing IZ Adaptive designs in the spotlight, Ms. Camierelli said, "We have had our IZ pieces used in Fashion Magazines on high fashion models.  They were used in a different context of high fashion on able bodies models.  We are already seeing alternative models on runways during this past Fashion Week in NY, so I think we will see more and more exposure for fashion going to the next level."

So if you know someone who happens to use a wheelchair and is looking for clothing that fits their style and budget, as well as their seated posture, consider looking into IZ Adaptive, where fashion meets function.

'Appy Hour Review: Mod Math

Gotta love social media for the free, fun, and functional finds.  I came across ModMath via Twitter and immediately downloaded it for my iPad to try it out.  This app may be a game changer for children who have difficulty writing and organizing basic math problems.

Available only on iPad, ModMath was created by a family whose son has dysgraphia and dyslexia.  He was struggling to his represent his math work on paper.  Now they are sharing their app for free on iTunes.

ModMath is fairly customizable.  You have the option to change the contrast, color of number font, and provide alternative row/column contrast.

When you open a new page, you are presented with a graph paper style grid.  Once you tap on a space, a number and symbol keyboard will appear.  But don't be fooled.  This is NOT a calculator.  It only provides the user with a means to clearly type numerals and symbols.

It took only a few tries to get how to use it.  For example, if you have to do long division, you first have to touch the paper, select the long division symbol, then touch the grid again where you want your numbers to create your equation, continuing this process as you solve the problem.

 As for carrying and cross outs, they have that covered too; they also included fractions.

The lines that differentiate between steps appear automatically if you place them in the box just prior to the number that you want to add, subtract, multiply or divide.

What I really like about this app is that you can see the work, the process, as well as the result, without it automatically giving the student the answer.  The ability to visually organize the numbers in clear columns and rows is a skill with which so many children struggle.  Bonus feature, the student can email the teacher, parent, tutor his/her work, or himself in case he wanted to print out a copy.  Just select how you would like to send it and it will create a PDF of each work session.  When the recipient receives the PDF file, it comes without grid lines.

A few things options I hope they consider in the next update: 1. to a direct print option and 2. the ability to type name and date at the top of the paper. (You can name the session/file).

ModMath creators are currently working on a KickStarter Campaign for an algebra version of this product too.  If you want to discover more about ModMath or its campaign, check out www.Modmath.com.

Easy Pickings with Pick-Ease

This past October, I came across a local inventor mom, Melissa Desrochers, thanks to social media.  Her idea was simple and intriguing: a food pick inspired by necessity.  Her son was a picky eater.  Toothpicks worked, but she didn't like the idea of handing over a splinter of wood to her toddler.  With that, Pick Ease was born.  Once we connected, Melissa sent me a few Pick Ease to try.  I was very eager to use them with my own picky eater.

From an occupational therapist's view point, this product has a lot of great features including a fun and friendly sticker design and a 1" by 3/16" circular area to promote developing grasp patterns.  The unique design has a stopper for the tips of the fingers to help remind children not to use a fisted grasp around the utensil.  For children with typical cognitive development, Pick Ease could be a great transition tool from finger feeding to pierced food utensil feeding.  However, even though the tip is considered rounded, mine was still pretty sharp.  Because of it's small (and sharp) conical end, children, but especially those with developmental delays, need to be closely supervised with this product.  Impulsive or ataxic movements could cause accidental injury when self feeding.  With that being said, the tip can pierce a variety of soft and firm foods, especially those that have been cut into small pieces.   Crispy foods do not work, they crumble beneath the force.  Pick Ease could also be used to help with pacing.  One can only get so much food onto the Pick Ease. When only given a little bit of food at a time on the plate, a child may learn to take his or her time.

From a mom's perspective: it's really unique.  It's dishwasher safe, though the decals are starting to come off.  And it's BPA free.  My Mudge is a relatively picky eater.  He thought these were fun to use.  And though he wouldn't try the nugget with it, he enjoyed poking at his plated meal.  Combined with his Fun with Food Fred Plate, (another local RI distributor) and the old school mini Tupperware pitcher with 1 ounce cups (available on eBay and Amazon), the Pick Ease added another option to encourage new foods, along with his "Trying Something New Star" on his Star Chart.

Melissa is always posting creative ways to present tasty, healthy foods for the finicky kid on social media.   She has also shared a free, downloadable eBook "29 Healthy Kids Snacks" through her website since fun presentations can help increase the picky eater's edible repertoire.  So if you are looking to try something new because you have been struggling with a picky eater in the house, the $8.95 cost for a set of two may be an option for you, without breaking the plate.

Back to School Tried and True

By this time of year, I am prepping to return to work and have found something that I cannot wait to use.  But honestly, this year, I can't wait to go back to my tried and true, my go-tos, my faves.

1. Music
People think I am nuts, but I sing everything. EVERYTHING becomes a song. Working with 3-5 years olds all day long will do that to you.  Almost each session incorporates something from Handwriting Without Tears Get Set for School album.  Kids love it.  I love it.  The songs address so many things from socialization, left/right discrimination, body awareness, language, pre-math concepts, I could go on and on.  In fact, the students even when they leave preschool, still expect to sing the Hello Song and do Tap, Tap, Tap.

My other top music pick incorporates technology.  Inclusive Technology's apps have such catchy tunes that I'll incorporate an app for my kiddos that need to work on cause and effect, assistive technology access learning, turn taking or counting.  The activities are great one on one or in groups.  I often will connect my iDevice to the Smartboard in the classrooms after our music and movement activity and before we move to the fine motor fun.  They just released two multi-songs apps that I might just splurge on, because I know I'll use them.

2. Scissors
I love cutting.  Put a tool in a child's hands and you can see their eyes and bodies hone in on the activity.  Snipping the paper strips or theraputty is, well, therapeutic.  Snipping through the resistance of the putty builds strength of the intrinsic hand muscles, while forcing bilateral hand skill development.  Adaptive scissors help to make it accessible to most, if not, all students, with the just-right assistance level.  And I started downloading or making play mats from Teachers Pay Teachers to support early math skills like one to one correspondence, number recognition and counting.

Scissor Assessment Kit from Achievement has a great variety of left and right adaptive scissors for just about any need or ability.

3. The Peanut Ball
I think I need to order about 5 more this year.  The peanut ball is such a great tool for core strengthening, balance, attention, and upper body strengthening, that its versatility equals its weight in gold.  Sit on it. Straddle it. Lay on your belly. Lay on your back. Throw it. Kick it. Carry it. Roll it. Do any of those while participating in an activity and the session gets even more bang for the buck.

4.  Theraputty
I  have been having so much fun adapting and creating activities using Fun and Function's variety of putties.  I heart the Animal Rescue Discovery Putty.  But over the year, the kiddos have lost most of my animals.  So I purchased the Emotions Putty which are totally cool.  It comes in Calm which is labeled as Soft. When cool, it is blue. When warmed up, it turns purple, like the old school mood rings.  It also comes in Energize which is labeled Firm.  It's this metallic glob of fun that reminds me of Terminator 2 when Robert Patrick oozes and molds into forms.  It is so mesmerizing that kids and adults alike will choose it.  The Putty Elements packs are a great addition. Because they are named Earth (green/ medium), Desert (red/ extra soft). Sun (yellow/soft ) and Sky (blue/extra firm) that along with science, it can support persistence and strength.  Note, it felt like their resistance did not match their labels; but that was ok.  For the ages with whom I work, I am less concerned with the resistance level than I am with engagement with a substance that will either challenge their sensory or fine motor needs.

Calm Emotions Putty

5. Dice
I am not just talking about the standard dot dice from the board games; I am talking about turning a couple of those random blocks you have laying around and creating new activities.  Roll picture/word dice to create silly sentence that not only address writing skills such as spacing, formation, and capitalization, but also supports language development and awareness.  Roll a move, dance a groove.  Easy way to add a movement break into an activity or the order to which a student completes an obstacle course.  Changing the way a learning center or activity is built, such as adding the playful component of dice, can change the attitude and engagement of a student learning a novel skill.

Foam Dice with Who? Where? Verbs? When? Boardmaker Pictures to prompt sentence expansion

Now that I have shared some of mine, what's in your back to school tool box?

Playful Way to Teach Grid Reading or You Sunk My Battleship

So Mudge pulled out my travel Battleship to play this afternoon.  And he tried to explain to me that he "knows how to play it."  But in actuality, this nearly 6 y.o. did not.

Battleship is a classic game.  It started out as a pen and paper a long, long time ago. Then Milton Bradley created the one we know and love today that requires fine motor coordination, letter and number recognition, spatial awareness, and grid reading skills.  Grid reading can be broken down further into following a vertical and horizontal line to the place at which they intersect.  This is not necessarily easy to get.  This is a precursor skill to being able to manage charts and graphs, maps, multiplication tables, or super geeky: plotting points on a Cartesian plane.

Of course, we played. And, of course, he thought it was great to sink my battleship.  But it took time to get there. He needed the demonstration of how to read a grid.  Now that I think of it, Battleship appears to teach plotting a little backwards because you state A,1 for example which is actually the Y axis first. True plotting is x axis first.  If the first number in the ordered pair is positive, move to the right. If it's negative, move to the left. Hmmmmmm. Anyway...

I found a website called FunBrain.com which has little educational games from grade K through 8th, that has some plotting activities.  You can also sign up for Khan Academy.  If you haven't already, Khan Academy is a free website that parents, teachers and students, or anyone for that matter, can test their math IQ then challenge themselves by learning new concepts, or get support in something they are struggling.   This is a PHENOMENAL resource.  The founder of Khan Academy originally just made YouTube videos to help his struggling niece; now it is a educational platform supporting millions of users at home and at school.

So math can FUNdamental, not just mental.  Sometimes you have to look at things outside the quadrilateral parallelogram in order to find the joy….

Oh, and just for a modification, the plastic travel version that I have had no contrast between the raised letters and numbers and the background which made it difficult to read. So I just use a black  permanent marker to highlight the raised alphanumerics.  Result- higher contrast, happier eyes.

Before, no real contrast

After, with contrast

In a pinch, Silly Putty is a great substitute...

I have been an occupational therapist for over 10 years and I have used a lot of therapeutic putty in days.  Theraputty is a resistive dough that is used to increase hand strength and overall function.  There are many brands like Cando and FEI.   But when used in conjunction with play based activities, the students get a work out without really knowing it.

Therapeutic putty will range in price and quality.  And for the most part, it is a staple in most areas of practice.  But as a parent and therapist, it's nice to have quick and easy options to share with others or take on the go.  That is why I always keep around Silly Putty.

Silly Putty now comes in a variety of colors and has the resistance level similar to that of firm therapeutic putty.  It's well know little egg case makes it perfect to throw in the pocket book or diaper bag to keep little hands busy while you are waiting for appointments or food to be delivered.

But you can diversify its use and support your child's education by adding random things.  I have found alphabet beads at Five Below that you can use to sort, spell, match, pattern, identify letter sounds, whatever your child needs to work on.

Put a twist on a favorite game like Hi Ho Cherry O! by hiding the cherries in the Silly Putty, spin the wheel and take them in and out of the putty as you count your way to 10 cherries out of the tree.

There are a bunch of ways you can add to an activity with this 70 year old classic.  Taking a minute to step outside of the box can bring new life to activities and increase engagement with you, your child or your clients.  And for a whopping $1 at most stores, it doesn't break the bank.

Therapy Fun (and Function): Discovery Putty

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Fun and Function founder, Aviva Weiss.  Aviva is an OT by trade, mom of many, and now a successful entrepraneur.  Fun and Function is a great resource for therapists, teachers and consumers for sensory activities and materials.  She also made it clear, that as a company, she is always looking to the consumers of the Fun and Function products to provide insight to use and feedback.  So after she sent me a free package of Discovery Putty for taking the time to speak with her, I only thought it appropriate to provide a review.

I have now been using Discovery PuttyAnimal Rescue daily, within my school based therapy sessions.  The putty is brown, and looks like melted Tootsie Rolls.  I had to stop myself (and some of my students) from putting it in the mouth because it looks so good.  But after I found self control, I am finding it to be a very useful product.  The putty itself is a firm, therapeutic putty.  Contained with it, is a set of 15 small (choking hazard size) plastic animals.  So under close supervision do I use this product.

I have been able to engage students preschool through 5th grade, easily.  There is something about searching for things in a firm, smooth, but sticky substance.  I have incorporated basic math and language concepts into the activities to support the child's IEP goals.

For example, using a number board 1-15, the students must develop 1 to 1 correspondence, counting left to right how many they found, how many are left, etc.  With a visual aid, Boardmaker pictures, the children can "tell me" what they found, by either pointing only to the picture or creating a sentence "Look, I found a___."  I have also photocopied the animals so the students have to work on visual matching skills.  And I have made a letter sound board for students to identify first, middle or end sounds to the items they find. There is quite a variety that can be done with a container of therapy putty and a bunch of chotchkies.

For $12.99, it doesn't break the bank. However, I found it disappointing that there was only another Discovery Putty Grab the Goodies with food items, which would not fit my students' needs because of mouthing tendencies.  I did contact Ms. Weiss and hope that maybe we will see more varieties of theme based add-ons to the putty in the future.  I know I have been putty beads and paper clips into my therapeutic putty for years, but now there is a simple grab and go product that can easily be added to your tool box.