One Toy, Many Ways to Play

I always go into my sessions with some activity ideas, but I will let those go if the child has ideas of their own. The real magic happens when I follow their lead—this provides opportunities for creativity, problem solving, and collaboration. Of course, we have OT goals we're working towards, so operating in this way requires me to get creative as well! Here's how I snuck fine motor and gross motor exercises into play with a child-chosen toy.

During one of my sessions, the child was excited to show me her plastic fox figurine. We played with it a little by moving it around on the floor and pretending it was talking. As we continued to play the way she was directing, I offered the following additions to the game to help her build skills while still having fun:

• Therapy putty stamps: We pressed the fox's feet into the putty to make foot prints and then wrapped the putty around the toy to explore the texture it created in the putty.

  
  

• Putty clothing: We flattened out the putty and used scissors to cut across the middle of it to make a "jacket" for the fox, who had suddenly become cold. The jacket needed straps, of course, so we cut straps out of the putty to go across the fox's belly and chest. We even made a hat! I've also used paper to make clothing for small dolls / animals, which has been a hit with other kids.

  
  

• Tracing the toy: We tried out two tracing methods. First, we laid the fox on the paper and she traced around its body. Then, I held my phone flashlight behind the fox so she could trace its shadow. This was easier for her, since the toy wasn't in the way. Although she's usually resistant to coloring, she was so excited about her fox that she happily colored in the outline to make it look just like her prized toy.

  
  

• Feeding the fox: The fox began to feel hungry and thirsty, so the child crossed a bridge and rowed her boat down the river to collect berries and water (bridge = balance beam, boat = scooter board, and berries / water = pompoms). She even used special berry pickers (tongs) to pick up the pompoms!

Any of these activities by themselves might have felt boring if she wasn't excited about the fox toy. Since she was excited to play with the fox, all of these activities flowed together nicely to keep the game going and to keep building her fine and gross motor skills.

Would you like individualized support to think of different ways to use the toys you already have at home? Schedule a consultation here! Also, if you'd like to learn more about sensory processing, I now have a recording up of a presentation I gave to a preschool. Check it out at this link.

This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace personalized advice or therapy from a licensed occupational therapist. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding concerns about your child’s development or specific needs.