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Amanda

@practicalotmom

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Pediatric OT & mom | Tips, activities & resources for infants, toddlers & kids | OT-approved tools & links to free training/guides👇

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Bilateral coordination made SIMPLE 👇

All you need:
• Muffin tin
• Ball pit balls (or any small balls)
• Ladle or spoon

Have your child scoop and transfer the balls into each spot.

This works on:
✔️ Using both hands together
✔️ Coordination + control
✔️ Early feeding & dressing skills

👉 One hand stabilizes, the other does the work = real-life skills

Save this for an easy activity to try this week 💗
#pediatricot #sel #bilateralcoordination #athomeactivitiesforkids #toddlerplayideas by @practicalotmom

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6 months ago

Crashing? Spinning? Chewing on everything? 🤯
Normal toddler behavior… or a sensory need?

Sometimes it’s BOTH! 👈 Your child may just be exploring, but their body might also be asking for extra sensory input!

✨Try these simple strategies today & follow along for more in the SEL series with sensory mixed!
#sensoryplayideas #toddlerbehavior #sel #occupationaltherapy #sensoryprocessing by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

Toddlers can use mindfulness too!

Try these simple mindfulness activities:
🐻 Stuffed animal/belly breathing
🌸 Smell the flower/blow the candle
🎵 Lay down & listen to music

💡 MORE IDEAS: silly breaths, dragon breaths, bubble blowing—make it playful!

#sel #pediatricot #socialemotionallearning #parenting #toddlermomlife by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

If your child is constantly moving, crashing, or “not listening”… read this 👇

Their body might be asking for something. Mindfulness looks different for everyone!

These activities help kids feel more organized, calm, and ready to learn—without forcing it.

This is exactly what I use as an OT to support regulation + smoother days.

✨ I’m putting together a FREE PDF with these strategies (and how to actually use them)
Comment PDF if you want me to send it when it’s ready! ✨ Other SEL resources and toys at link in bio.

#socialemotionallearning #mindfulness #pediatricot #toddlerlife #parentsupport by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

Your child learns emotions by watching YOU.

Try this instead:
→ “I feel frustrated, I’m taking a breath”
→ “What’s wrong? I’m here to help”

Praise behaviors you want to see.

Simple. Powerful. Effective.

💛 Free tip sheet and PowerPoint in bio

#socialemotionallearning #toddlermomlife #saveforlater #parentingtip #occupationaltherapy by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

You googled it… because it feels like they’re ignoring you.

But your toddler isn’t giving you a hard time—
they’re still learning how to:
• process language
• manage big feelings
• follow directions

👉 Try this instead:
• Go to them
• Eye level 👀
• 1 clear direction

Small shifts make a big difference.

Save this for the next time it feels personal 🤍
More toddler SEL support in bio. Next up: preschoolers!

#sel #toddlermomlife #pediatricot #socialemotionallearning #parenting by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

Making bathtime fun and meaningful 💛

This simple activity helps toddlers start to recognize and label their feelings through play—something they’re not able to do on their own yet.

Teaching emotions doesn’t have to be complicated.
Small moments like this build the foundation for emotional regulation over time.

This is exactly what we’re working on in the toddler SEL series ✨

AND the best part is, it can also incorporate those fine motor skills OTs love!!

💛 Save this to try at bathtime
💬 Which feeling does your toddler show the most?
🔗 Free resources in bio

#toddlerplayideas #sel #bathtimefun #toddlerbehavior #momtips by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

Parents don’t need more advice to “fix” tantrums—
they need simple, realistic ways to respond in the moment.

Toddlers aren’t trying to be difficult.
They’re overwhelmed and don’t yet have the skills to regulate.

These small language shifts can make a big difference in helping your child feel understood (which is the first step to calming down).

This is exactly what we’re building in the toddler SEL series—helping kids learn to recognize, express, and manage big feelings over time. 💛

✨ They’re not giving you a hard time
✨ They’re having a hard time

💛 Save this so you have it when you need it
💬 Working on a toddler tantrum guide—would you want it?
🆓 Other free SEL resources already in link in Bio!

#toddlermomlife #sel #parenting #occupacionaltherapy #parenttips by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

Our SEL Series continues—now for TODDLERS! ✨.

These early years are full of learning emotions, practicing self-control, and discovering how to play and share with others.

All resources, including free milestone guides & a parent SEL training PowerPoint, and links to highlighted toys and materials, are in the bio. 🧸💡

Feelings mirror: helps with emotion recognition, imitstion, self-awareness, & pretend play!
Puppets: help with social skills, turn taking, labeling emotions, & imagination!
Monster emotions book ➕ more in Amazon affiliate link in bio!

After toddlers, we’ll explore preschooler milestones — so you can support your little one every step of the way!

#socialemotionallearning #occupationaltherapy #earlyintervention #pediatricot #parenttips by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

St. Patrick’s Day in school-based OT ☘️

And nope… this wasn’t about coloring, cutting, or gluing.

Yes, fine motor skills are always important —but for this student, the real focus was:
✨ attention
✨ sequencing
✨ following steps from start to finish

What helped make it successful?

✔️ Simple visual checklist to track progress + boost motivation
✔️ A model of the finished activity to support processing & staying on task
✔️ Easy access to fidgets/tools for regulation as needed

Same craft… totally different goal 👏

Shoutout to @toolstogrow for an activity that targets so many skills at once! Follow for more school based ideas and more in our SEL series!!

#schoolbasedOT #occupationaltherapy #pediatricOT #SEL #executivefunctioning by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

Social-emotional learning doesn’t start in school… it starts at birth 👶💛

Even in infancy, babies are building important social-emotional skills through connection and interaction with caregivers.

Early SEL milestones include:
• bonding with caregivers
• responding to facial expressions and voices
• engaging in back-and-forth interaction

Simple ways to support infant SEL is through play and shared interaction. Reading and talking to your baby are KEY at this stage.

You can find the mirror toy and rattle socks I mentioned in my Amazon list linked in my bio (affiliate).
🪞Baby mirror for face exploration & copying expressions, with high contrast for developing eyes. (Great for tummy time, too!) �🧦 Kick rattle socks for movement & engagement, use with music for more fun and social learning.
➕more on Amazon link in bio!

Follow along for more Practical OT tips as I share social-emotional milestones from infancy through early school age! Full milestone sheets & education materials FREE in bio!

#pediatricot #babydevelopment #earlyintervention #socialemotionallearning #parenttips by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)? 🌈

SEL helps children learn how to:
💛 Recognize emotions
🧠 Manage feelings
🤝 Interact with others

These skills begin through connection, co-regulation, and everyday interactions with caregivers — long before children can talk about their feelings.

As children grow, strong SEL skills are shown to support:
* confidence
* friendships
* problem solving
* success in school and daily life

✨ Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing SEL milestones from infancy through early school age, along with practical ideas you can try at home or in the classroom to support development.

If you’re new to SEL, I also have a free Social Emotional Learning parent training PowerPoint in my bio!

#socialemotionallearning #parentsupport #childdevelopment #pediatricot #earlyintervention by @practicalotmom

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7 months ago