grayscale photo of moon in the sky

SENSORY EXPLORATION

There's more to nature than just beauty...

PRACTICE IN YOUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SETTING

IN-CLINIC SESSIONS

There are different ways to practice in a numerous amount of settings! When available, take your session outdoors. If you are unable to access outdoors there are still some skills you can work on in the clinic.

OUTDOOR SESSIONS

  • Work on organization and planning skills

    • Scheduling

    • Checklists

    • Maps

  • Work on fine motor skills

    • Clips

    • Working with string and ropes

    • Putting together poles/objects

    • Picking up small objects

  • Work on gross motor skills

    • Flexibility

    • Strength

    • Balance

    • Ambulation

  • Ergonomics

    • Following proper body mechanics when bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, etc

  • Practice with available equipment

    • If family can bring in small equipment to incorporate into sessions

  • ADLs/IADLs

    • Practicing ADLs/IADLs so that they can gain confidence to do it in a different environment

  • Day campsites

    • If your able to take patients out of the facility go to a day camp site to practice camping and functional skills

  • Setting up "campsite"

    • Following checklists and schedules they made in clinic

    • Unloading gear with proper body mechanics

    • Navigating and organizing site appropriately

    • Visual scanning

  • Cooking

    • Set up station

    • Practicing an IADL outdoors in a more complex environment

  • Cleaning/Maintaining site

    • Cleaning up after cooking, changing, unloading gear, etc.

  • Leisure activities

    • Fine motor and gross motor games that involve more natural elements from earth

  • Taking down "campsite"

    • Remembering sequence of steps backwards

    • Organization/planning/visual & spatial awareness

    • Recalling safety and ergonomics

RECOMMENDED OT ACTIVITES

FINE MOTOR

GROSS MOTOR

VISUAL PROCESSING & VESTIBULAR

1. Making mud pies or nature soup

2. Nature bracelets or necklaces

3. Twig/Stick sculptures

4. Rock painting and stacking

5. Bird house making

1. Nature bowling

2. Nature obstacle course

3. Nature yoga

4. Nature scavenger hunt

5. Nature baseball

1. Nature-I-Spy

2. Nature Photography

3. Balancing/standing on logs

4. Swing in a hammock

5. Balance and walk on stones when crossing a moving creek