Synapse OT

11/07/2021

Get outside!
Via Pathway 2 Success

14/04/2020

I found this somewhere this week. It was posted by a friend of mine who couldn't remember where she found it either. The post resonated with lot's of the questions and concerns that have come up from different families.

If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss approx 6 months of education. Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education...
BUT WHAT IF ....
What if instead of falling “behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this? Hear me out.
What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.
What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet.
What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?
What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?
What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?
What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home.
What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?
What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?
What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?
What if they are AHEAD?

30/03/2020

Some creativity I found this morning in the digital ether 😂

28/03/2020

23/03/2020

Occupational Therapy Australia has just received the following advice from Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. In light of some states shutting down ‘non-essential services’, the Minister has confirmed that ALL allied health businesses nationally can continue working and are encouraged to do so. The Minister has also indicated that the Department of Health is now developing full allied health telehealth options, along with other health and medical services, within the week. This will be part of a staged plan and he encourages providers to continue vital face-to-face services where possible. OTA will continue to update members with details as the come to hand. Please refer to our COVID-19 resource page for the latest information:

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve and members may be concerned about their own health and the health of consumers.

22/06/2019

Coles Wollongong has double sided giant sidewalk chalk (washable) packs on sale in aisle 1 for $5. Great tools for developing fine motor skills!

03/05/2019

pre-writing shapes. What's typical development? This infographic from HappyHandwriter explains when these pencil skills typically emerge.

02/05/2019

For when haircuts are tricky!

27/04/2019

Reward charts are a mainstay of modern parenting, popularised by experts, such as Supernanny Jo Frost. Stickers are commonly used in order to tame toddlers, stop tantrums and encourage kids to eat up their food and tidy their rooms. After all, children love stickers and surely if experts advocate the usage of reward charts they must work?

Think again.

Scientific research indicates that this seemingly innocuous method of behavioural control may not provoke the desired response in our children. More concerning is that reward charts can actually undermine their future behaviour.

Read more here:
https://sarahockwell-smith.com/2014/09/19/the-problem-with-stickers-and-reward-charts/

01/04/2019

Finding LEGO rather difficult?

14/02/2019

Interesting read on the impact of tech on little brains and their ability to regulate

6 Ways electronic screen time makes kids angry, depressed and unmotivated.