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