Ms. Shelby introduced -ap word families this week in spelling. In OT we reinforced the sequencing and spelling of -ap words using theraputty to construct the beginning sounds of the words. This activity addressed motor planning to form the letters and fine motor coordination (strength and bilateral coordination) to roll out each needed letter.
W and AC have been learning components of the clock and how to tell time. Counting by 5’s is a foundational skill needed to read a clock. In OT we cut and pasted a ‘Counting by 5’s’ chart to promote this skill while also working on fine motor development and sequencing numbers.
Fine motor movements are important for successful participation and completion of daily skills such as handwriting, eating, and self-care tasks (putting on/taking off shoes, getting dressed). This area of development is challenged in therapy tasks to further promote development of fine motor abilities. Small muscle movements of the fingers and hands help strengthen these skills. Here W is completing a sticker task to match the sticker with the corresponding number. The varying sizes of stickers challenge dexterity and fine motor control.
The last few weeks we have focused on learning how to tell time. Understanding where the numbers are on the clock and how to read the hour and minute hand are important basic skills for this. AC and W have worked on different activities to help grasp the concept. We have a large magnetic interactive clock, that we put on the SmartBoard for AC and W to manipulate. During all transitions we look at the classroom clock, read the time and write it on the board (in digital form). Our classroom schedule has times next to each activity such as 9:00 morning meeting, to reinforce the concept of time.
