Blog - PediaStaff

School Psych Corner: Popping Toys May Reduce Stress for Adults and Children Alike

January 4, 2022

7 January 2022, Article, Newsletter, School Psych

[Source: The Conversation] The newest fidget craze is popping toys. Adults and kids all over the world have been buying up this endlessly reusable version of a longtime favorite fidget activity: popping bubble wrap. Made of silicone and coming in a range of colors, shapes and…...

January 4, 2022

7 January 2022, Newsletter, OT, School Psychologist, SLP

[Source: NBC New York] While schools in the U.S. and elsewhere are increasingly teaching social and emotional learning skills, many use a more piecemeal approach On a windy December morning in rural southwest Michigan, an American flag flapped at half-staff outside Paw…...

January 4, 2022

7 January 2021, Newsletter, OT, Tip or Resource

[Source: Adam the OT on YouTube] These fun little sensory fidget toys have become super popular this year (2021). Here are a few of my favourite popper games and activities for developing fine motor skills. As most of my kids already have…...

January 3, 2022

Newsletter, SLP, Tip or Resource

[Source: Speech Snacks] As educators, we already know the science behind the use of fidgets. They stimulate neural responses to produce an increase in blood circulation in the brain and extremities. It can ease the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive…...

January 3, 2022

7 January 2022, Newsletter, OT

[Source: Therapy Tree] Are you wondering whether slime is as good for occupational therapy as it’s made out to be? If so, you need to forget about the messy and gross implications of playing with slime and focus on the positives. That’s…...

Slimy Speech

January 3, 2022

7 January 2022, Newsletter, SLP, Tip or Resource

[Source: Sidekick Therapy Partners] Slime making kits are everywhere in stores. My own kids beg to make slime all the time, and the children I see in therapy love my “speech slime days”. Not only is slime a great sensory activity, I…...

January 3, 2022

7 January 2022, OT, SLP, Tip or Resource

[Source: Tandem Speech Therapy] Five years ago, while working at a clinic here in Austin, I learned about ball poppers. A fantastic occupational therapist owns the clinic, and she purchased the cow ball popper to work on fine motor skills. I quickly learned that…...

January 3, 2022

7 January 2022, Fine Motor Skills, Newsletter, OT

[Source: Little Bins for Little Hands] This quick and easy popper ball game is simple indoor play! These popper ball guys are so cool, but they are even more awesome for hand strengthening and fine motor skills. Setting up this simple pooper…...

January 3, 2022

7 January 2022, Newsletter, SLP

[Source: AllisonFors.com] Ball poppers are a versatile toy and fun way to elicit language in speech therapy! You can use them to target many language goals, they are highly motivating and engaging, low cost, and can be used with a wide age…...

December 22, 2021

"Tip or Resource", Newsletter

Please enjoy our abbreviated holiday issue of Teaching & Therapy Resources for the Classroom, Clinic and Carryover. (Have you missed any of our previous issues? Read them HERE) Please feel free to forward this weekly resource to the parents/guardians, other therapy…...