Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Flexibility in Kids w/ ADHD

Autism-Related Challenges Persist Well Into Adulthood

Patients Living Longer with DMD Pose New Challenge for Caregivers

Childhood Aggression Linked to Deficits in Executive Function

Brain Mechanism Involved in Language Learning

Scientists Illuminate Mechanism at Play in Learning 

[Source: Science Daily]

The process we call learning is, in fact, a well-orchestrated symphony of thousands of molecular reactions, but the exact interplay between these reactions remains largely unknown. Now, researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) have modeled the molecular basis of learning in the cerebellum, a part of the brain that receives sensory input and coordinates voluntary movements.

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Spring Fine Motor and Executive Function Skills

[Source: Your Therapy Source]

Are you in search of no-prep, Springtime activities to encourage fine motor and executive function skills?  Well, search no more!  Here is a    three-page FREE sample download from the  Spring Skill Builders packet, created by Thia Triggs, school-based Occupational Therapist.  This Spring fine motor and executive function skills freebie challenges visual motor skills, literacy skills, number skills and executive function skills!

DIY Hand Drum Craft for Kids

[Source: Hands on As We Grow]

My husband's job often takes him to exciting places around the world. We're always excited to hear his amazing stories when he comes back home.

The kids are especially excited to see if he brings back something for them too!

His most recent trip was to a small city in Rwanda, Africa. He brought back a hand  drum that kids use a lot over there.

Bubble Wrap Letter Recognition Activity

[Source:  No Time For Flashcards]

Working on letter recognition should be fun and largely based on a child's interest in preschool, what I mean by that is if children are interested in letters, which many are at this age, teachers should actively fund fun ways to capitalize on that without forcing it at too young an age. This letter recognition activity does just that. This activity used the novelty of bubble wrap to attract and invite little ones to engage. The wonderful thing about this activity is that you can adjust it to any child or group. For younger children having their first initial ( often the first letter they recognize) instead of the whole alphabet is a great option, and for older children who are starting to spell words, you can use this as more of a word search.

Fingertip Sphere Breathing for Self Regulation & Calming

[Source:  Omazing Kids]

I learned this technique during one of the webinars in the Preschool Mindfulness Summit in January. It was amazing to see how well it worked with one of my patients who has Autism (and possibly OCD and Explosive Disorder). This child has a very short fuse and when he explodes it is painful for everyone including him. We had tried several different strategies to help him learn self-regulation and self-calming skills with little success. The issue was in that explosive moment he was too out of control to use any strategies.