Lancaster Children's Occupational Therapy

08/12/2025

🌟 Drawing Lines – Building Pre-Writing Skills! ✏️
Before children learn to write, they first need strong pre-writing skills. These skills help them learn how to hold a pencil and create the shapes used in letters, numbers, and early drawings.
Mastering these shapes makes writing soooo much easier! 😊

👇 Try these fun activity ideas at home:

🧱 1. Trace the Shapes
Use building blocks, beads, play dough, string, pipe cleaners, or stickers to trace simple shapes on large paper.

🌾 2. Sensory Tracing
Have your child draw shapes with their pointer finger in:
✨ wet or dry sand
✨ rice or lentils
✨ shaving foam or foam soap on tiles or a tray

🎨 3. Paint the Shapes
Let your little one paint with their finger or a paintbrush—messy play = better learning!

🖍️ 4. Use Different Drawing Tools
Try chalk on the pavement, crayons at an easel, felt-tip pens, or anything fun that encourages drawing!

🚗 5. Make Lines With Toys
Place two small toys on either side of a large paper and have your child draw a horizontal line between them.
Move the toys to the top and bottom to practice a vertical line.
Use a plate or cup to help them draw circles by tracing around it! ⭕️

🧩 6. Try Dot-to-Dot, Mazes & Trails
Great for hand-eye coordination and shape formation.

💛 Building these skills through play helps set your child up for writing success!

01/12/2025

🌟 Independence on Public Transport 🌟
Helping young adults gain independence on public transport can boost their confidence, social skills, and awareness of the world around them. It opens the door to new people, new situations, and new experiences! 🚍💙

For young people with disabilities, public transport can come with a few extra challenges, such as:
🔊 Loud noises
⏳ Waiting times
🗺️ Reading & understanding timetables
🔄 Route changes – “Where do I get off?”
🗣️ Communicating needs
🚌 Getting on and off safely

✨ Helpful Tools & Tips ✨
🎧 Use headphones/earbuds to reduce noise
🧭 Practise the journey together
📖 Learn how to read the timetable
🔁 Plan for potential route changes
👋 Encourage speaking to the driver or conductor (they can help with reminders!)
🪑 Ask the driver to wait while finding a seat
🤝 Encourage asking for help when needed

💡 Stagecoach Assistance
Stagecoach offers Journey Assistance Cards for individuals with additional needs. These discreet cards let the driver know if someone needs extra time, help with stops, or support with visual or hearing impairments.
👉 Check them out here: www.stagecoachbus.com

Empowering independence starts with small steps — and a little support goes a long way! 💛🚏✨

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26/11/2025

The team are getting ready for Kidz to Adultz North!

We’re excited for the experiences, the connections, and the memories that are made at these events. They offer the perfect space to learn, explore new possibilities, and meet incredible people. We can’t wait to be part of it! 💙

📅 Wednesday 3rd December, 9.30am - 4pm.
📍Exhibition Centre Liverpool
Register now: https://bit.ly/KtoANorth2025

24/11/2025

We couldn't do our jobs without our fantastic therapy assistants 💚

It’s ! 🎉

We want to recognise the incredible contribution of our occupational therapy support workforce. Your dedication, compassion and skill make a real difference every day. Thank you for everything you do to help people live well. 💚

18/11/2025

Just over a week to go until our first Unique Skating Session at Lancaster On Ice! ⛸️

Grab your mittens and get ready for a magical hour on the ice ❄️

Book now → https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FMUJ

18/11/2025

✨ Let’s Talk About Posture While Children Write ✍️🪑

Between homework, screens, and creative projects, our kids spend a lot of time sitting. Good posture might seem small, but it makes a BIG difference in their comfort, focus, and long-term health.

💡 Why posture matters for our kids:
✔️ Reduces neck, shoulder, and back pain 💆‍♂️💆‍♀️
✔️ Helps them concentrate better 🎯
✔️ Supports healthy spine development 🦴
✔️ Builds good habits early 🌱

🔍 Common reasons kids slouch while writing:
• Furniture that doesn’t fit 🪑
• Weak core or back muscles 💪
• Heavy backpacks 🎒
• Too much screen time 📱💻
• Fatigue 😴
• Boredom or lack of engagement 😕
• Not aware of posture 🙈

👨‍👩‍👧 Easy posture tips to help your child:
• Keep their feet flat on the floor 👣
• Use a chair and desk that match their size 📏
• Encourage a relaxed, upright sitting position 🧘‍♂️
• Give them short stretch breaks 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

Small changes today can support your child’s comfort and confidence tomorrow! 💛✨

10/11/2025

🌟 Bendrigg – Making Adventure Accessible! 🌟

Bendrigg knows just how powerful adventure can be 💚 — spending time outdoors and in nature can truly transform health and wellbeing.

They offer inclusive and accessible activity breaks, courses, and residentials for disabled children & adults, and for anyone with additional support needs, including:
💙 Autism
💛 Neurodiversity
💚 Physical disabilities
💜 Learning disabilities
🧡 Sensory disabilities
❤️ Behavioural difficulties

There’s something for everyone! Check out their amazing range of activities:
🧗‍♂️ Climbing
🛶 Canoeing
🎯 Archery
🚴 Cycling
❄️ Tube slide
🌄 Fell walking
💫 Sensory swing & sensory room
… and so many more!

👉 Learn more here: https://www.bendrigg.org.uk/

✨ Bendrigg — Making the Impossible Possible ✨

04/11/2025

🌟 Happy OT Week! 🌟

Ever wondered what Occupational Therapy (OT) is all about? 🤔

Occupational Therapy helps people of all ages build the skills they need for everyday life — their “occupations.”

For children and families, that can mean:
🧩 Developing fine motor skills (like writing, using scissors, or buttons)
🗣 Encouraging independence with self-care (dressing, eating, toileting)
💛 Supporting participation at home, school, and in the community

For children with complex needs, that might also mean:
💬 Developing independence with self-care, communication, and routines
🏠 Adapting environments so every child can participate — at home, at school, and in the community
🪑 Providing specialist seating to support participation and posture

Every achievement, no matter how big or small, is worth celebrating!

In short — OT helps children and young people do the things that matter most!
It’s about turning challenges into strengths, and helping every child reach their full potential. 🌈

27/10/2025

🎃Happy Halloween from the OT Team!

Pumpkin carving can be tricky for little hands, but with a few simple tweaks, it can be fun, safe, and a great way to build skills!

🎯 Top Tips:
• Use a non-slip mat or damp towel to keep pumpkins steady.
• Wrap utensils with foam or tape for easier gripping.
• Choose smaller pumpkins—they’re easier to carve and less tiring.

✋ Fine Motor Fun:
• Scoop with an ice cream scoop or melon baller.
• Draw designs with thick markers or stencils.
• Try cookie cutters, push pins, or golf tees instead of knives.
• Or skip carving altogether—decorate with paint, stickers, or yarn for a no-cut option.

🍂 Sensory Bonus:
• Explore the textures of pumpkin guts and seeds—great for tactile play.
• Sort seeds from pulp to build focus and finger strength.
• Make pumpkin seed slime for play that lasts all day.
• Don’t worry about the mess—it makes for great memories!

⚠️ Safety Tip:
Always carve away from the body and supervise children when using tools.

We’d love to see your pumpkins and costumes! 📸
Share your creative photos in the comments below. 🧡

21/10/2025

🍂🦔 Autumn Craft Fun: Leaf Hedgehogs! 🦔🍂

There’s something so magical about autumn — the crunch of fallen leaves, the cozy colors, and the perfect excuse to get creative with nature! 🌰✨

It’s an easy and fun craft to try at home:
1️⃣ Go on a little leaf hunt outside — look for different shapes and shades of brown, red, and gold. 🍁
2️⃣ Draw or print a simple hedgehog outline (just the face and body).
3️⃣ Glue the leaves on to make the spiky back.
4️⃣ Add a cute face with googly eyes or markers — and don’t forget a tiny nose! 🖍️

Not only is this a great way to celebrate the season, but it also helps children explore textures, colors, and creativity. Plus, it’s a lovely reason to spend some time outdoors collecting nature’s treasures. 🌿

If you give it a try, we’d love to see your creations — share your little hedgehogs in the comments below! 🦔❤️

14/10/2025

Transitioning from children’s health services to adult health services is a critical phase in a young person’s healthcare journey.

For International Adolescent Health Week (13 to 19 October 2025), find out more about some of the tools available for young people and their parents, guardians and carers on moving from child-focused to adult-focused healthcare: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/supporting-young-people-through-transition-child-adult-services-uhmbt

14/10/2025

In celebration of Allied Health Professionals Day 💙🙌
The paediatric AHPs came together to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the amazing work we do supporting children and families 🌈🧠👐
Proud to be part of such a dedicated, passionate team making a difference every day 💫