Reading and writing are simple tasks that most of us take for granted on a daily basis. The process of learning to read and write is one we all started early and have since then forgotten about. The skills required before handwriting can begin include: bilateral hand skills, body stability, hand and finger strength, thumb opposition, in-hand manipulation and development of palmar arches. The components required before reading can begin include: letter recognition, phonics, de

As your child grows, the way in which they will hold their crayons or pencils will change. This change comes from an increased development of their shoulder and arm muscles which in turn increases their grasp development. You will typically see 4 different grasps that will mature with age. Here are the 4 different grasp patterns: Fisted Grasp: This is the first grasp pattern typically seen around the ages of 1-1 ½ years old. Your child will most likely use their entire arm to

Many children struggle with different areas that pertain to homework. If your child is one of these children, an Occupational Therapist may be able to help! How? We're glad you asked :). Occupational therapists are able to comprehend and identify the strengths and weaknesses that a student has when doing their homework. They are able to help students with coordination, focus and organizational skills. Children need a safe, consistent and organized place to do their homework.

So let's focus on handwriting for a bit. Most adults don't think twice about picking up a pen to write out a quick reminder or jot down a note, but handwriting is more than just picking up the pencil and writing. Handwriting is a skill that takes practice and must be developed. For kids, it is critically important to consider that these skills develop over time and typically follow a set of developmental milestones. Below are a few milestones to keep in mind when considering