holidays – Grow

Holiday Gift Ideas: Games

Need holiday gift ideas for your kids? Want to find games that are fun AND build skills? Read our recommendations below!

As a parent, I know how busy the holiday season can be. Between family, work, and school activities, it’s hard to find time to shop. I also understand how challenging it can be to balance both fun AND function when it comes to buying toys for the kids. As an occupational therapy practitioner, I work with children everyday and engage their skill development through play. After all, play is the main “occupation” of children. So, to help make your shopping a little easier, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite fun, skill-building games for a variety of ages. Happy Holidays!

(Please note: This blog post contains affiliate links. Grow receives a percentage of the proceeds when you purchase items using these links.)

Games for Younger Children

Hi Ho Cherry-O

Baa Baa Bubbles

Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel

Games for Older Children

Sensory Tips for Holiday Meals

The holidays are here! While many of us are looking forward to the endless buffets of casseroles and pies, if you’re a parent of toddlers, picky eaters, or kids with significant sensory needs, these holiday meals can be highly stressful.

As pediatric occupational therapy practitioners, we’ve spent years helping children with feeding and sensory processing differences. Here are 5 simple tips that can help alleviate some of that holiday mealtime stress:

If possible, arrive early to gatherings so kids have a chance to acclimate to the space before it gets busy.
Provide noise-cancelling headphones or designate a quiet room for kids to go when they feel overwhelmed by sights and smells.
Keep serving sizes small, especially with unfamiliar foods. A good place is start is one tablespoon, and no more than one tablespoon per year of age.
Limit to 3-4 foods on the plate at one time to avoid visual overstimulation.
Always have at least 1 “safe” food on the plate that you know your child will eat.

We know table manners are important to a lot of people, but we often encourage kids to play with their food, especially towards the end of a meal. Learning happens through play, and food is no exception. Kids are more likely to eat something if they’re familiar with it.

Eating is arguably the most complex thing that children do, so these recommendations just scratch the surface. If mealtimes are consistently stressful, your child eats fewer than 10 foods, or your child avoids foods in a specific food group, he or she might benefit from occupational therapy. Our office is available for free 15-minute consultations either by phone or in person. You can request an appointment online or call us at 706-310-8383.

Halloween Tips & Tricks for Kids with Sensory Needs

Halloween can be fun, or it can be a night of fright for parents and kids with sensory challenges.

Here are some tricks for making your Halloween a treat!🎃

1.) Talk to your child about your Halloween plans. Details might include places you’ll go, who you’re going with, things they might see (costumes, spooky decorations), ways to stay safe, and how to say “trick or treat.” You can also read social stories with your child; here’s a list of some free stories about Halloween!

2.) Sensory-proof your child’s costume. Allow your child to try on his or her costume and wear it for an extended period of time (ex: 1 hour) to ensure they will feel comfortable for the duration of whatever Halloween event you attend. Common irritations can include tags, elastic, Velcro closures, or certain fabric textures.

3.) Opt for smaller events. You might also choose to stay home & pass out candy, or pick 1 familiar street for trick-or-treating. This decreases the likelihood of sensory overload or meltdowns.

4.) Know your child’s limits. Be mindful of his or her signals indicating overstimulation and fatigue. Have a backup plan if your child becomes upset, especially if you’re with a group of other children.

Do you have other tips? Let us know how you survive Halloween!