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Peapod Fidget For most kids, it is hard to stare at the screen all day for e-learning. This is a good tool for kids who are active, kids who are anxious, kids who are shy....It also is good if your child is trying to reduce nail-biting, picking behaviors, thumb-sucking, etc. I found this product on amazon. Don't forget to go over the fidget rules though! See link... https://drive.google.com/file/d/14FhdB0QqWZK_e_ZHdJ2Ke_Gi-0bPIwxY/view?usp=sharing | Weighted Lap PadWeighted lap pads are sensory tools that promote regulation, calming, and refocusing. When used in combination with a sensory diet plan, these sensory tools are wonderful classroom additions to help children with seated posture and seated attention. This one is by Pillowfort (target) but I've seen them everywhere. I find they are not just calming for kids, but adults too! The best part is, no one sees it since it stays on your lap. | Crayola Travel White Erase This white erase board is great for kids to jot down the directions or the homework quickly. It is also portable for travel. Great to practice fine motor skills on the go...the reason this one is nice is because it comes with everything you need. |
Peapod Fidget
For most kids, it is hard to stare at the screen all day for e-learning. This is a good tool for kids who are active, kids who are anxious, kids who are shy....It also is good if your child is trying to reduce nail-biting, picking behaviors, thumb-sucking, etc. I found this product on amazon. Don't forget to go over the fidget rules though! See link...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14FhdB0QqWZK_e_ZHdJ2Ke_Gi-0bPIwxY/view?usp=sharing
Weighted Lap Pad
Weighted lap pads are sensory tools that promote regulation, calming, and refocusing. When used in combination with a sensory diet plan, these sensory tools are wonderful classroom additions to help children with seated posture and seated attention. This one is by Pillowfort (target) but I've seen them everywhere. I find they are not just calming for kids, but adults too! The best part is, no one sees it since it stays on your lap.
Crayola Travel White Erase
This white erase board is great for kids to jot down the directions or the homework quickly. It is also portable for travel. Great to practice fine motor skills on the go...the reason this one is nice is because it comes with everything you need.
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School Version | Time Timer White board 2 in 1 combo Sometimes, the mere presence of an outline/checklist and concrete time segments can increase focus and cooperation by helping kids see the school day in more manageable tasks. | New Home Edition |
School Version
Time Timer White board 2 in 1 combo
Sometimes, the mere presence of an outline/checklist and concrete time segments can increase focus and cooperation by helping kids see the school day in more manageable tasks.
New Home Edition
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RUMMI-KUB This is the best game (2-4 players) My family has played every day since school closures. The only issue is that it is really best for 2nd grade to adult, but younger kids can pair up with grown ups. And it can take up to 45 minutes. This really encourages and promotes flexible thinking and problem solving. | MasterMind It's retro. But it's still amazing. This game is for 2 players and is is quick (about 10 minutes). It has been the perfect game to play for a quick e-learning break...but careful--it can be hard to stop! It also comes in Mastermind Junior for prek and k. | Kanoodle It's a great 1 player game. I love the size of this game-- It fits in your bag or purse. It is a great alternative to the iPAD if restaurants ever open again and some day we return to going places:). This also comes in a junior version! |
RUMMI-KUB
This is the best game (2-4 players) My family has played every day since school closures. The only issue is that it is really best for 2nd grade to adult, but younger kids can pair up with grown ups. And it can take up to 45 minutes. This really encourages and promotes flexible thinking and problem solving.
MasterMind
It's retro. But it's still amazing. This game is for 2 players and is is quick (about 10 minutes). It has been the perfect game to play for a quick e-learning break...but careful--it can be hard to stop! It also comes in Mastermind Junior for prek and k.
Kanoodle
It's a great 1 player game. I love the size of this game-- It fits in your bag or purse. It is a great alternative to the iPAD if restaurants ever open again and some day we return to going places:). This also comes in a junior version!
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Perplexors These logic games are a lot of fun for kids to do with their parents. There are different levels. This book contains many puzzles which encourage children to use deductive skills to find the correct answer. I like that these books teach children about the “cross-out-and-circle” method for solving problems. These are great for kids who desire a challenge and do well with a growth mindset (They can be frustrating for adults sometimes!) | Jenga This is an SEL version of the classic Jenga. What I like about this game is that I have seen it as low as 5 dollars. If you add your own questions, it makes the game more meaningful. Think, "What is something about yourself that you are proud of?" or, "If you had three wishes, what would they be?" All you need is a sharpie. You can also put the blocks in a bowl and pick one out during dinner to spark an interesting conversation. | Writing prompts by Maisy Day Now-- I realize not all children enjoy writing. IF your child likes to write, there are fun prompts that give a little bit of structure and encourage them to use their imagination! This one is called 101 Story Starters for Little Kids: Illustrated Writing Prompts to Kick Your Imagination into High Gear. It is recommended for grades 1-3. Each page has a different story starter. For example, "One day I woke up covered in slime!...Here is how it happened...." |
Perplexors
These logic games are a lot of fun for kids to do with their parents. There are different levels. This book contains many puzzles which encourage children to use deductive skills to find the correct answer. I like that these books teach children about the “cross-out-and-circle” method for solving problems. These are great for kids who desire a challenge and do well with a growth mindset (They can be frustrating for adults sometimes!)
Jenga
This is an SEL version of the classic Jenga. What I like about this game is that I have seen it as low as 5 dollars. If you add your own questions, it makes the game more meaningful. Think, "What is something about yourself that you are proud of?" or, "If you had three wishes, what would they be?" All you need is a sharpie. You can also put the blocks in a bowl and pick one out during dinner to spark an interesting conversation.
Writing prompts by Maisy Day
Now-- I realize not all children enjoy writing. IF your child likes to write, there are fun prompts that give a little bit of structure and encourage them to use their imagination! This one is called 101 Story Starters for Little Kids: Illustrated Writing Prompts to Kick Your Imagination into High Gear. It is recommended for grades 1-3. Each page has a different story starter. For example, "One day I woke up covered in slime!...Here is how it happened...."
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For Mom and child | For Grandparents and grandkids | For dad and child |
For Mom and child
For Grandparents and grandkids
For dad and child
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Digital jump rope Too cold to get outside? Try this for a movement break. A new take on an old activity. Plus, it comes with a counter so kids can try to beat their record. | Mini Ping Pong Another game you can set up for some screen-free movement time. It can be played alone as well as with a sibling or parent. | Beat the ClockSchylling/Tiger Tribe makes a beat the clock stopwatch set. From keeping balloons in the air, to running around the block, to setting the table, these fun time-based activities encourage kids to improve efficiency and test their reflexes. |
Digital jump rope
Too cold to get outside? Try this for a movement break. A new take on an old activity. Plus, it comes with a counter so kids can try to beat their record.
Mini Ping Pong
Another game you can set up for some screen-free movement time. It can be played alone as well as with a sibling or parent.
Beat the Clock
Schylling/Tiger Tribe makes a beat the clock stopwatch set. From keeping balloons in the air, to running around the block, to setting the table, these fun time-based activities encourage kids to improve efficiency and test their reflexes.
Perler Beads
These beads are very time-consuming and kids like them. As long as you are willing to iron them (and pick them up off the floor).
If you already have some, you can also make really cool bowls as holiday gifts. Check out the video below.
Jixelz
This activity is part craft, part stem, part puzzle. Kids need to connect tiny jigsaw pieces to create a larger project. Time-consuming and fun if your child enjoys building. But the pieces are very small. So be ware if you have smaller children. They come in all different patterns and sizes. Jixelz by Fat Brain Toys.
Creativity for Kids, "Big Gem" kits
Diamond painting has been quite popular. However, many of the kits have gems that are way too small for young kids. I've also found that kids don't have the stamina to complete a large diamond painting. That is why I love the "Big Gem" sets. They are inexpensive, the gems are bigger, and since they are "doable", children can have a sense of accomplishment. It also promotes development of fine motor skills/coordination and sustained attention.
Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics
If you aren't familiar with these, they are awesome and take a lot of time. They have all different patterns and even have a pre-k version. This activity supports fine motor skills and sustained attention. Since kids have to match by number, it also helps with number identification. They come in unicorns, animals, mermaids, etc.
Neon Coloring Sets'Coloring made easy
I like Schylling/Tiger Tribe's Neon coloring sets for prek and k or for kids who get frustrated with coloring. The way it is made with a black background makes it pretty easy to stay in the lines. Also, the markers are thicker and easy for little hands to grip. And finally, it comes in a kit so you can keep it all together. It comes in unicorns and animals as well.
Interior Design
Is your child interested in redecorating their room? Interested in design? This takes away the heavy lifting. Kids get to decide where to place furniture and then they trace and decorate the room as they see fit. This is fun, but also requires kids to make a plan, use their perceptual reasoning and predicting to see if the items will fit, and then adjust the plan if the items do not fit.
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Popsicle Sticks | Washi Tape This is decorative tape. Can be used on everything. | Random crafting paper |
Popsicle Sticks
Washi Tape
This is decorative tape. Can be used on everything.
Random crafting paper
Power to Choose Series
For more practice with impulse control, try reading any of the "What would Danny Do." series. It is a great book to help kids practice the power of controlling their impulses and seeing what the consequences are in a safe way. Our students love to read it the "expected" way and then again making the "unexpected" choices.
Julia Cook books
Julia Cook tackles every topic in a kid friendly way. She addresses disabilities by pointing out that they are abilities and increasing self awareness about learning differences. Favorites include, "My Way or the Highway," a book about being more flexible and "I Have Ants in My Pants," for kids who struggle with focus and impulse control. http://www.juliacookonline.com/category/books/
A Kid's Book About....SERIES
This series covers really important topics in a kid friendly way. Plus, it was featured as one of Oprah's Favorite Things! They have so many topics to choose from.
Sprague School Calm Down Kit
You can print and cut out this mini book for your child. It has easy to use strategies and a quick parent page before each strategy.
Contact Me-Susan Elbaum, NCSP; Sprague School Psychologist
Interested in more on this topic? Let me know and I can send more information your way help answer any questions.
