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Building Blocks Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services

Fairfield Connecticut Occupational Therapist

203-341-0178
943 Post Rd E Suite A
Westport, CT 06880
bbpedot@yahoo.com
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Game Recommendation: Blank Slate

August 12, 2022 By admin

Blank Slate: The Game Where ___ Minds Think Alike

Ages: 8 years and older

Players: 3-8

Game Made By: USAOPOLY

Game Includes:

  • Card box and 250 cards
  • Score board
  • 8 dry-erase slates
  • 8 dry-erase markers with erasers
  • Rules

Object of the Game:

  • Try to match the answer of exactly one other player to complete the Word Cues and gain points
    • If 2 players write the same word, each of them earns 3 points
    • If more than 2 players write the same word, each of them earns 1 point
    • All other players get 0 points
  • Once a player reaches 25 points, they win

How to Play:

  1. Set-up
    • Lay out the score board
    • Each player picks one slate
    • Each player writes their name on the score board in the color bar matching their slate color
    • Choose one player to be the ‘Selector’
  2. Selecting Word Cue Card
    • The Selector selects a Word Cue card from the draw side of the box, reads it aloud, and places it face-up on the table
  3. Answer Phase
    • Each player tries to guess what only one other player would choose to write and writes down that word as well
    • Once everyone has written an answer, every player shows their word, one by one starting with the person to the Selector’s left
  4. Scoring Round
    • Tally up the scores – 3 points for pairs of matching words, 1 point for words with more than 2 matches, and 0 points for unmatched words
    • Mark each player’s score on their score track on the Score Board
  5. Continue
    • Put the Word Cue card in the back of the card box (discard side) and pass the box to the person to the left of the Selector (they are the new Selector) and they pick the next card
    • Continue picking Word Cue card and rotating Selectors until someone reaches 25 points
  6. Win
    • One a player reaches 25 points, they win!

How to Fill in the Blanks:

Here are the guidelines for what counts as an acceptable answer for Word Cue cards-

  • No single-letter additions allowed
    • E.g. The Word Cue card reads “Sea___”
    • “Seaweed” is an acceptable answer
    • “Seat” is not an acceptable answer, as single-letter additions are not allowed
  • Adding only a syllable is okay if you can still hear the root word.
    • E.g. The Word Cue card reads “___pass”
    • “Trespass” is an acceptable answer
  • You are allowed to write either a compound word or a two-word phrase; both are acceptable
    • E.g. The Word Cue card reads “Day___”
    • “Daylight” is an acceptable answer
    • “Day Trip” is an acceptable answer too
  • Proper nouns are acceptable, as long as you still write just one word
    • E.g. The Word Cue card reads “Super___”
    • “Superman” is an acceptable answer
    • E.g. The Word Cue card reads “___Mouse”
    • “Mickey Mouse” is an acceptable answer

Functionally this game works on:

  • Language skills
  • Word association
  • Logic and strategy skills
  • Creativity/mental flexibility
  • Theory of mind (predicting other players answers)
  • Decision making
  • Social skills
  • Fine motor skills
    • Handwriting
    • Pinch grasp
  • And more!

For more information:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/BLANK-SLATETM-Family-Friendly-Association/dp/B07G2VHPRW

Target: https://www.target.com/p/blank-slate-board-game/-/A-53285639

 


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🌈 SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL TOOLBOX FOR PARENTS, TEACHER 🌈 SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL TOOLBOX FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS & THERAPISTS 🌈

Occupational therapy is personal to me. I truly love what I do, I love the children and families I work with, and I want to help as many people as I can. ❤️

After 25 years as an occupational therapist, I’ve learned there isn’t one strategy that works for every child or every moment. That’s why I created this Social-Emotional Handout & Toolbox for parents, teachers, therapists, caregivers, and anyone supporting children.

It’s filled with quick, practical tools you can reach for in the moment—recognizing body signals, emotional regulation, anxiety and worry, frustration and anger, transitions, flexible thinking, friendships, sensory strategies, movement, calming tools, and repairing after a hard moment.

My hope is that you save it, share it, and use it when a child needs a little extra support. Sometimes having the right tool at the right time can make all the difference. 💛

Please reach out anytime with questions, for additional resources, or if you’d like me to become part of your child’s team. Helping children, families, teachers, and fellow therapists is truly why I love what I do. 🌈

#PediatricOT #SocialEmotionalSkills #TeacherTools #TherapyTools #Explore
PRIMITIVE REFLEXES: NOW WITH VISUALS! ✨ My orig PRIMITIVE REFLEXES: NOW WITH VISUALS! ✨

My original Primitive Reflexes Parent Guide received so much attention and such wonderful feedback! 💛 One of the biggest requests was: “Can you show us pictures of the exercises?”

So here you go! 🌈

I created visual examples to go along with the home strategies so parents can more easily see what each movement should look like and feel more confident practicing them at home.

Primitive reflexes can play an important role in the foundations for movement, posture, coordination, balance, body awareness, attention, regulation, handwriting, motor planning, and everyday functional skills.

This guide covers:
🌟 Moro
🌟 ATNR
🌟 STNR
🌟 TLR
🌟 Spinal Galant
🌟 Palmar Grasp

You’ll also find simple home activities like cross-crawl, cat-cow, bird-dog, log rolls, starfish movements, animal walks, hand-strengthening activities, deep pressure, and breathing—now with pictures to provide a clear visual! 📸

The goal isn’t perfection. Keep the movements slow, playful, comfortable, and consistent. Even a short daily movement routine can be a great way to support foundational skills through play. 💪🌈

📚 For more information: Primitive Reflexes: Retained Reflexes and Integration Techniques by Justine Bedocs, OTR/L, available on Amazon.

💾 SAVE this guide to use at home and 📤 SHARE it with a parent, teacher, or therapist who may find the visuals helpful!

Primitive reflexes are only one piece of a child’s development. Individual concerns should always be evaluated by a qualified professional.

#PrimitiveReflexes #PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #HomeProgram #explore
🧡 WHY BALANCE ACTIVITIES MATTER! Balance is SO 🧡 WHY BALANCE ACTIVITIES MATTER!

Balance is SO much more than just standing without falling! Balance activities help build the underlying skills kids need to move, learn, play, and feel confident in their bodies. 🌈

Working on balance helps develop:

✨ Core strength & stability
✨ Postural control
✨ Coordination
✨ Motor planning
✨ Body awareness & proprioception
✨ Vestibular processing
✨ Bilateral coordination
✨ Protective reactions
✨ Focus & attention
✨ Confidence with movement

And when balance improves, we often see improvements in everyday skills too—running, jumping, climbing, navigating playgrounds, sitting upright for learning, participating in sports, dressing, and moving safely through the environment.

Balance boards are one of my favorite OT tools because there are SO many ways to use them—rocking, wobbling, squatting, reaching, playing games, or even using them during tummy time!

💙 Better balance → stronger bodies → more confident kids!

#Balance #Explore #OccupationalTherapy #PediatricOT #MovePlayGrow
🧡 THE PEANUT BALL — SUCH A GREAT BANG FOR YOU 🧡 THE PEANUT BALL — SUCH A GREAT BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!

I truly love a peanut ball for home therapy. For around $20, there are so many ways to use it while working on important underlying skills through play.

Sit, bounce, stretch, do pizza squishes, work on puzzles, strengthen the core, build balance, improve body awareness, motor planning and so much more.

It’s simple, affordable, fun, and one of those therapy tools that can grow with your child. 🌈

One inexpensive tool. So many possibilities.

Always supervise and choose activities that are appropriate for your child.

#PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #PeanutBall #ParentTips #Explore
12 weeks of growth, learning, laughter, and memori 12 weeks of growth, learning, laughter, and memories I’ll carry with me forever 🤍

I’m so grateful for my Level II fieldwork at Building Blocks Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services and for everything this experience has taught me about pediatric OT and the therapist I hope to become.

A huge thank you to Justine for an amazing 12 weeks. Thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and for showing me what it means to truly love and care for every child you work with. I’m so lucky I got to learn from you! 🤍

And to all of the families who trusted me with your children, thank you for allowing me to be a small part of their growth and progress. I’ll always be grateful for the memories and connections I made. 🫶🏼

I shared a little more about my journey and fieldwork experience on the blog! Link in bio ✨

#PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #OTStudent #ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇᴘᴀɢᴇ 
@lexiberroa @justinecarol77 @building_blocks_stories
✨ PRIMITIVE REFLEXES: A SIMPLE GUIDE FOR PARENTS ✨ PRIMITIVE REFLEXES: A SIMPLE GUIDE FOR PARENTS ✨

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with that support early development. As children grow, these reflexes should naturally fade as more controlled movement takes over. 🧠🌈

If they remain active, you may notice challenges with:

⭐ Balance & coordination
⭐ Posture & core strength
⭐ Crossing midline
⭐ Handwriting & fine motor skills
⭐ Body awareness
⭐ Attention & self-regulation

Common reflexes include Moro, ATNR, STNR, TLR, Spinal Galant, and Palmar Grasp.

🏠 AT-HOME SUPPORT IDEAS

Try simple daily movement play:

🌟 Cross-crawl
🌟 Cat-cow
🌟 Bear & crab walks
🌟 Starfish or snow angels
🌟 Bird-dog
🌟 Log rolls
🌟 Theraputty or clothespins
🌟 Deep pressure hugs & breathing

Just 10–12 minutes a day can support foundational development through movement and play.

The goal is to build strong foundations for play, learning, and independence 💪🌈

📚 Learn more in Primitive Reflexes: Retained Reflexes and Integration Techniques by Justine Bedocs, OTR/L (Amazon)

💾 Save & 📤 share with someone who may find this helpful

Primitive reflexes are only one part of development. Concerns should be evaluated by a qualified professional.

#PrimitiveReflexes #PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #ParentTips
📚💙 “What Is OT? And What Will I Do There?”

Today I had the sweetest little reading buddy, Stella, help me share my children’s book about occupational therapy! 🥰 And she gave it TWO thumbs up! 👍👍

The main character is my son, Drew, who takes kids along with him to OT and shows them that therapy can be a place to play, learn, practice, grow, and build confidence.

Through Drew’s story, children learn about some of the many things we work on in OT:

✨ Fine & gross motor skills
✨ Visual-motor skills
✨ Dressing & daily living skills
✨ Feeding skills
✨ Sensory processing
✨ Body awareness & motor planning
✨ Executive functioning
✨ Interoception — understanding what our bodies are telling us
✨ Social-emotional skills
✨ Self-regulation & independence

My favorite message of all:

💙 OT is all about helping children become their best, most independent selves.

At OT, children learn:
I am strong. I am capable. And I am ready to do amazing things. 🌟

And according to Stella… it’s definitely a two-thumbs-up read! 👍👍📖

#OccupationalTherapy #PediatricOT #BuildingBlocksPediatricOT #explore
What exactly is a sensory diet? 🤔 If you’ve What exactly is a sensory diet? 🤔

If you’ve ever heard the term but weren’t quite sure what it meant, this post is for you! A sensory diet is so much more than a list of activities, it’s a personalized approach to helping children feel regulated, confident, and ready to participate in everyday life.

This carousel covers the basics, but there’s so much more to learn!

✨ Head to our blog to read the full guide, where we cover:
• What a sensory diet is
• Who can benefit
• Signs your child may benefit from one
• What a sensory diet looks like in everyday life
• And examples of activities for all 8 sensory systems

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to read the full blog!

💙 Save this post for later and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

#OccupationalTherapy #PediatricOT #SensoryProcessing #ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇᴘᴀɢᴇ #ParentEducation
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