We're two pediatric occupational therapists with a love of play-based learning, caregiver education + support, and anything that incorporates art and creativity!
Visuals have shown to be a proven support when it comes to learning - and that includes when little ones are mastering regulation skills! This download features two designs (7 total versions) to help children visualize and identify with what zone(s) they might be in. This resource includes the following:- Zones Feelings Strip, Blank (Blue Background)- Zones Feelings Strip, Blank (Green Background)- Zones Feelings Strip, With Coping Skills (Blue Background)- Zones Feelings Strip, With Coping Sk
Sensory paths are all the rage in therapeutic and educational spaces - and with good reason! Children’s brains are wired to explore and learn through movement and play. While custom made sensory paths can be astronomical in price, we created this printable resource that allows you choose from dozens of images to create an obstacle course your little one(s) will benefit from. Whether it’s teaching left from right, working on balance and coordination, focusing on sequencing and timing, bilateral
Let's assume that a child has 3 meals and 2 snacks per day. A therapist treating that child may see them twice a week, leaving that caregiver with 33 opportunities each week to continuing addressing feeding! Looking at these numbers, it's easy to see that equipping the caregiver with the tools and strategies to encourage their child's progress is paramount. This resource packet focuses on the approach of food chaining, a proven, positive approach to increasing the variety of a child's diet and
A sensory diet focuses on what a child's sensory system needs in order to achieve a regulated and "ready to learn" state. So what exactly is a sensory diet, what does it need to include, and how can you tell if it's actually working to provide what the child needs? This resource we created answers all of the above and more! This resource packet covers the following topics:What is a sensory diet and what does it include? Important considerations Creating a sensory diet that works A printable lis
Interoception (our awareness of internal body sensations), can be a tricky topic to cover. This sensory system plays an important role in emotional regulation, as it allows little ones to detect and respond to the internal sensations experienced during different feelings. This includes our heart pounding when we're scared, our body feeling hot when we're angry, and more! This packet was created to provide information on this sensory system, a variety of exercises to practice interoceptive awaren
These first/then boards provide students with clear expectations and a visual support for transitioning between activities. Use these first/then boards by printing, laminating, and affixing your velcro pictures where appropriate. This packet offers TEN template options when structuring a visual schedule board: Two-step first/then schedule (2)Three-step first, next, then (2)Four-step to-do, all done schedule (1)Four-step first, next, then, last schedule (2)Four-step numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 schedule
When little ones are navigating big feelings, it can be challenging for them to identify their emotional state, along with their needs or wants. Use these no-prep sorting activities to help your child identify and visualize their feeling(s) in certain situations. Just print this resource and have your little one cut + paste or color as they decipher how they might feel in these situations! This download includes:(1) full-color zones sorting mat(24) scenarios with hand-drawn illustrations(2) no-p
When little ones are navigating big feelings, it can be challenging for them to identify their emotional state, along with their needs or wants. Use these no-prep print and go worksheets to help your child identify the internal body sensations they might experience in each zone. Just print this resource and have your little one identify and color the internal changes they may experience in green, blue, red and yellow zones! This download includes:(1) "Where I Feel My Feelings" body scan labeling
Children with learning disabilities have a significantly higher level of primitive retained reflexes compared to other children (Hickey & Feldhacker, 2021). When we think of reflexes, we may envision being tapped on the knee at the doctor's office, or yanking our hand away from a hot stove. These reflexes allow our bodies and brains to complete motor movements without having to consciously think about it. Primitive reflexes are named for the part of the brain in which they originate - the prim
Looking for sensory diet visuals that can be used in the classroom, clinic, and at home? This packet includes 84 bright, realistic sensory diet visuals that can address a variety of sensory needs, including: Tactile + messy playHeavy work + proprioceptionCalming and regulating inputAlerting and arousing inputAnimal walks Classroom tasks + activities...and more!Your download and use of this product implies understanding of the Terms of Use, which can be found within this document. Want to see mo
Having an easy to follow, visual exercise to calm your body can be a helpful tool. We've compiled this resource of simple but effective cards that little ones can trace their finger along as they focus on regulating their breathing. Put them on a ring for easy choosing, or select one from the deck to implement! Included in this packet:16 Color Finger-Tracing Paths (2 per page, making them the perfect size for little hands)Calming Card Deck Cover + Instruction PageRecommended Assembly Instruction
When little ones are navigating big feelings, it can be challenging for them to identify their emotional state, along with their needs or wants. Use this interactive worksheet to help your child identify the internal body sensations they might experience in each zone, as well as identify coping skill(s) that can support them through each zone. Two versions are available: a no-prep one, where they can color in the body parts they associate with each zone and write in coping skills they might util
When little ones are navigating big feelings, it can be challenging for them to identify their emotional state, along with their needs or wants. Use this Regulation Toolbox activity to help your child identify their feeling(s), along with having them problem solve ways to regulate. This interactive activity includes:Black & white color-your-own flip book template and low-prep color optionFeelings visuals for emotional states (non-zones based): restless, silly or excited, upset or mad, tired or
Zones of Regulation (inspired) Guessing Game – Emotional Regulation Activity for Kids Description:Make learning about emotions and self-regulation fun with this Zones of Regulation-inspired guessing game! Perfect for classrooms, therapy sessions, or at home, this engaging activity helps children identify and understand the different Zones (Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red) through interactive play. This resource includes:Character Cards: Illustrations and descriptions of relatable behaviors, emotion
Introducing our Zones of Regulation inspired bingo game – a fun, interactive way to help students learn about their emotions in a playful way! Whether you're a teacher looking to introduce regulation concepts into your classroom, a therapist seeking engaging activities to teach the Zones, or a parent wanting to support your child's emotional development at home, this bingo game checks the box. Included, you'll find 18 calling cards (emotions include happy, sad, sick, angry, bored, silly, scare
This worksheet collection is an easy way to introduce the zones through a variety of playful activities. Little learners can identify what emotions correspond to each zone, what tools might be helpful in each zone, as well as discover how they might feel in certain social situations. Best of all? No prep required! Just print this resource and have your student color as they work through these pages. This download includes:(1) count and color by zones (1) count and color emotions (+ KEY) (1) zone
Inspired by versions 1, 2 and 3 of our Zones-inspired sorting activities, this resource now incorporates tools and coping skills into the same fun format! Featuring 26 strategies and tools (+1 customizable!), this worksheet encourages little learners to identify what tools might be helpful in each zone. Best of all? No prep required! Just print this resource and have your little one cut + paste (or color) as they decipher what tools they might use in each zone. This download includes:(1) full
While many forms of sensory input can be overstimulating (like movement or touch), proprioception encourages neural organization. Proprioceptive input is calming and has an organizing effect on the nervous system. Think of how we as adults feel more focused, relaxed and centered after a massage. It can be provided through a variety of channels, including from another person or item, through gross motor activities, fine motor resistive activities and oral motor input! As pediatric OT's, it's of
Be gone, stick figures - here's a resource we needed so badly that we created it ourselves! Looking for a variety of visuals that can be used in the classroom, clinic, and at home? One that can apply to educators, therapists and parents? You've found it! This packet now includes OVER 350+ hand-drawn, realistic illustrations that can provide support during transitions, assist in managing expectations and anxiety, specify expected behaviors, help with task initiation and sequencing, and more! No
We're always looking for a way to make fine motor fun! This packet features 10 pencil obstacle courses of various themes to address fine motor control, visual motor integration and more! Simply print the pages that you wish to use, and consider laminating or using sheet protectors to practice with dry-erase markers. Within this download, you'll receive the following themes:Balloons + Birthday Mountains + Forest Bumblebees + Springtime 1 Bumblebees + Springtime 2 Rainy Day Lucky Charms Outer Spac
We're two pediatric occupational therapists with a love of play-based learning, caregiver education + support, and anything that incorporates art and creativity!
My own education history
Alison + Maddie both earned their Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Belmont University in 2017.
Additional biographical information
Both Alison and Maddie currently practice in TN + KY providing occupational therapy services.
For more information on us, check out on Instagram at @developmentools or on our website at www.developmentools.net.
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