As many kids continue with virtual learning, parents may find that they are having an increasingly difficult time focusing on school work. Occupational therapists often use a strategy referred to as “heavy work” to help promote regulation, calming, and focus.
While a OT can help with heavy work, there are a wide range of activities y9ou can do at home.
Some of those include:
- Climbing up and down the stairs
- Exercises (jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, etc.)
- Monkey bars
- Bike riding
- Animal walks: crab walk, bear crawl, snake crawl, frog jumps, bunny hop
- Wheelbarrow walks
- Carrying heavy objects (laundry basket, a filled milk jug, carrying groceries, etc.)
- Household chores (taking out the garbage, transferring laundry from the washer to dryer, mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, etc.)
- Raking leaves
- Shoveling the snow
- Playing with play dough
Completing heavy work tasks before sitting down to engage in school work is a great way to help set your student up for a successful school day. If you feel that your loved one may benefit from Occupational Therapy, call us today at 586-323-2957 to schedule your FREE 30 minute screening.
