Articles & Activities
When our own kids each reached the age of 9, we started an annual tradition with them at Christmastime. We'd take them out for bagels, and then have them fill out their Goals Sheet.
Our top 100 best ideas for good parenting, from decades of experience.
My philosophy/charge is to use as many resources to make the greatest amount of change in the nervous system of every child. The swing/swings in the home is an ideal place to change the child’s nervous system.
Many children have difficulty knowing how to apologize. At Murray Therapy, we have created a simple apology card which helps teach how to say you're sorry, and mean it.
VIDEO: In this video Mr. John introduces the analogy of your child's nervous system as a car, and then provides three easy strategies for improving transitions getting the car into the garage and winding it down at night.
When we see a child crying, kicking, screaming, and hitting, it can sometimes be difficult to understand what is going on from the child's perspective.
Have a look below for free and inexpensive activities to spend quality time with your kids this summer in Northern Colorado. Includes Sensory-Friendly events too!
Recommended for Kids who need:
* A self-confidence boost
* Encouragement to try new things
* Help directing them towards “awesomeness”
* Need protection from the morass of life
As a parent of a child who had significant social skill issues, it never occurred to me that it might not be a social issue at all.
From a Murray Therapy family parent, "The sensory bag has been a wonderful way to help my kiddos understand these concepts, which has been so helpful. Thank you so much..."
Matt is one of our involved parents always looking to find better solutions for his child.
VIDEO: Here is a short video extolling the benefits of movement for children that have issues with attention and learning. This can aid any parents when advocating for your child in public or home school.
In the past and present, physical discipline has been used to teach a child to stop a bad behavior. However, many researchers have found just the opposite effect.
VIDEO: The importance of keeping a structured routine for your whole family - especially your child with sensory processing difficulties
For all of those kids who love to be squished, hugged tight and are problematic sleepers, they may benefit from a compression sheet.
“How’s school going at your house? We are in our 3rd week and I’ve had lots of friends mention struggles. I’m by noooo means a pro, but I did want to share what’s been SUPER helpful for us.
From a Murray Therapy family parent, another victory around wall time during recess from sensory needs not being met in the classroom.
The following video is a quick example of touch sensitivity and discrimination and how the sensory bag assists with desensitization, discrimination and body awar
Recommended for Kids who:
* Have limited/intermittent eye contact
* Do not sit still, “on the go”
* Clumsy, bumps into things
* Are not certain if they are left-handed or right-handed (over age of 4)
* Have poor posture, low muscle tone
* Have poor eye-hand coordination
* Struggle with reading/focus point
* Avoid/struggle with ball sports
* Are anxious in classroom, home, daycare, PE gym, Wal-Mart, etc…
Video: The Infinity Walk is recommended for dids who have difficulty sitting still, are “space invaders,” "busy” or “hyper”, ”slow movers”, or have decreased motor skills, balance, and/or poor attitude, struggle with reading, writing or spelling, or desire to enhance their sport skills
VIDEO: The Zoom Game is recommended for reluctant writers, figuring out how to best use a pencil, kids struggling to keep their hands to themselves, delaying or avoiding using their small motor skills i.e., for writing, art, puzzles, dressing, utensils, etc…
The advantages of having parents actively involved in their child's occupational therapy session is priceless.
Excerpt from the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation Winter 2011 Newsletter
by Christina Sparker, MOT, MOTR/L and Tiffany Sparks-Keeney, MOT, OTR/L
While I was at church today I had one of those little God insights and I would like to share this with you. My mother, Mary Murray, prayed for me every day. As I reflect on my life, I am living p
Gum is a wonderful proprioceptive tool - I like to refer to it as the trampoline for the mouth.
I would like to weigh in on a few feelings about a question I am often asked. “Should I send them onto kindergarten?” My first and foremost thought is… when in doubt keep them out.
I find it ironic that the tool that is used to measure school success (for tests, quizzes, reports/compositions, math computation, etc…) gets little attention in the early years of school and less
Following on our recommendation of further reducing screen time, Danielle's family has seen tremendous gains in family relationships, the daily routine, and their therapy homework.