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OT Approved items
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items Check out all of my fav pediatric occupational therapy recommendations! Even if you already have some of these staples- check out some tips and tricks that I use in my sessions!
Sections
7
Feeding
Sleeping
Tools for school readiness
Potty training
Gross motor play
Fine motor play
Feeding
As a pediatric occupational therapy practitioner (and mom!), I’ve rounded up my favorite feeding tools that support safe, confident, and functional mealtimes. These items encourage independence, proper oral motor development, and healthy sensory expe...
Ergonomics matter! This one-stop-shop high chair supports alignment, stability, and safe feeding helping your little one thrive at mealtime. We started with this high chair and are still using it at almost 2 years old!
Maxi Cosi 6-In-1 High Chair
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The Honey Bear Training Cup is a game-changer for teaching kids to drink from a straw! It gives you control over the flow in so little ones can safely learn to suck and swallow without frustration. Plus, it strengthens oral motor skills, supports spe...
Honey Bear Straw Cups Juice Bottle 8oz 2pk
Early open cup practice promotes speech development, lip closure, jaw strength and functional independence!
With your little one sitting in supportive high chair, start with full assistance, holding the cup for them, and then slowly decrease how m...
First Cup 2oz
When to introduce? When you start solids or around 6 months, you can let them begin to explore the spoon at mealtime. This will help them familiarize themselves with it.
At 12-18 months their grasp has developed and might be ready to self feed! (Che...
GOOtensils - NumNum
Trust me- ya can’t have enough 🤣
Cloud Island : Bibs & Burp Cloths
Suction plates and bowls are great for the littles who like to throw their plates off of the high chair 😅 it also promotes successful self feed because stabilizing the plate with one hand while using a utensil in the other can be a lot to coordinate...
Suction Plates For Babies
Snacking is my favorite ADL!
My toddler loves this snack container! We can put fruit + dry snacks in one container without the worry of the dry snacks getting soggy!
Snack Spinner Flip (Small)
Great for breastfed littles!
Baby Bottles for Every Stage | Anti-Colic, BPA-Free & More
Sleeping
Restful sleep is key for growth, regulation, and learning! I’ve gathered my favorite sleep tools that help little ones wind down, feel secure, and build healthy sleep routines.
Because routines are key for quality sleep hygiene, this will help make your little a nap time/bedtime PROFESSIONAL!
Hatch night light and sound machine
Supports safe and cozy sleep!
SleepSack Wearable Blankets - Halo Sleep
This crib will grow with your baby! And it’s great for small spaces!
The Wave Crib
Great for your older kids!
Bedtime Routines Visual Timer
Tools for school readiness
Getting ready for school is about more than ABCs and 123s! From pre-writing and scissor skills to sensory play and visual-motor activities, these picks make learning fun while strengthening the essential skills that set your child up for success in t...
✨ Kids can trace letters, shapes, or drawings in the illuminated sand tray while building fine motor strength, coordination, and focus. From an OT perspective, the combo of light and tactile input helps little hands learn through play while calming t...
Light-Up Tracing Center
A great way to build hand strength, letter formation and sequencing!
Double Sided Magnetic Letter Board - 2 in 1 Alphabet Magnets Tracing Board for Toddlers ABC Letters Uppercase & Lowercase Practicing Learning Education Toys
Love this lunch container for little ones who need to use it independently! Super easy to use without any pesky locks or hard to handle latches. Durable and can be used at any age! Worth the price.
Tip: practice practice practice! at home, on a picn...
OmieBox
Potty training
Potty training is all about readiness and routine! It’s a big milestone that involves body awareness, sensory regulation, and motor coordination. Supporting your child with consistent routines, adaptive tools, and positive reinforcement helps them bu...
By giving gentle, timed reminders, this helps children build body awareness and establish consistent toileting routines which are key skills for independence in daily living. The visual and auditory cues also support executive functioning and self-re...
Potty Training Watch with eBook - Blue
🧍♀️ Ergonomic Support: The contoured seat helps promote a stable and upright posture, which supports core engagement and reduces fatigue which is key for maintaining balance while sitting.
🧠 Sensory-Friendly Design: The smooth, comfortable materia...
Jool Baby Potty Training Seat with 2 Step Ladder for Toddlers – Splash Guard, Adjustable Height (Gray)
Gross motor play
Gross motor play is so much more than just “burning energy” it’s essential for building strong bodies and brains! Activities like climbing, jumping, and running help kids develop coordination, balance, and core strength, while also supporting attenti...
Pebble stones are a fun and functional way to build balance, coordination, and confidence through play! From an OT perspective, they help kids develop core strength, body awareness, and motor planning skills all while encouraging imaginative movement...
Pebblestones®
Fine motor play
This Hedgehog is a fantastic fine motor activity that helps children strengthen hand muscles, improve pincer grasp, and develop coordination. Pushing the colorful pegs into the hedgehog’s back encourages precision and bilateral hand use, laying the f...
Build Up Hand Muscles with Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog
The Lovevery subscription box is an amazing offering! You can play with your kiddo with these items for hours! AND all of these are developmentally appropriate and thoughtful selections. It even comes with a booklet that describes the activity and th...
The Babbler Play Kit
Squigz!!!! I use these during nearly all of my sessions! They are the ultimate sensory and fine motor tool! They provide:
Heavy work activity- heavy work refers to activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying. Basically using the m...
Squigz - Starter Set
Love this!
Fine motor ✔️
Visual motor ✔️
Bilateral coordination ✔️
Sequencing ✔️
And BONUS: pre shoe lacing?! ✔️✔️✔️
Silicone Lace the Apple - Gigglescape™: Age 3+
Sensory play and regulation
Sensory play so important! It might sound messy and sometimes it is. But it’s how kids learn, regulate, and make sense of the world around them!
a sensory swing is a must-have for supporting regulation and focus! The gentle movement helps calm the nervous system, improve body awareness, and build core strength all while providing a safe, cozy space for your child to recharge or play. Perfect ...
Sensory Swing
A great item to keep in a calm down space!
While we’re here- let’s talk about what I mean by a calm down space 🌙 🌟 🌍
A calm down corner is a cozy, safe space where kids can take a break when their emotions start to feel a little too big. Think ...
hand2mind Express Your Feelings Rainbow Sensory Fidget Tubes, Calm Down Corner Essentials, Visual Sensory Toys For Sensory Play
The Glojar is great for sensory regulation in kids because it provides multi-sensory input that can help children calm, focus, or self-regulate
Sensory Play Jar®
This is a great way to keep your sensory bins in a contained and dedicated space!
VEVOR Kids Sensory Table Sand Water Play Table with 1 Paper Roll 3 Storage Bins | Wayfair
A taste safe sensory bin option!
If your kiddo hates using the spoon and gets frustrated during mealtime- this is a motivating, low stakes way to practice scooping to help take some pressure off of mealtime!
Rainbow Rice Starter Sensory Bin, Rainbow Rice Starter Sensory Set, Taste Safe, Montessori
“I Remember My Breath” is a gentle, mindful story that helps children learn how to use their breath to find calm, focus, and confidence. Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, or calm-down corners. This book guides little ones to reconnect with their breat...
I Remember My Breath: Mindful Breathing for All My Feelings|Hardcover
My favorite way to incorporate regulation into your routine- pinwheels are like a tiny, fun biofeedback tool: they help kids (and adults!) practice controlled breathing, attention, and self-modulation which are all foundational to emotional and physi...
Pinwheel Toy - 11 inches, Assorted Colors, Children Ages 3+
I absolutely keep these on deck in my sessions!
For who?
-Our kiddos who seek sensory input through their jaw, tongue or lips.
How do I know they’re seeking this input?
-If the child is biting on clothes, themselves, others, or is putting non fo...
ARK Bite Saber® Sensory Chewelry
This is such a cozy, sensory-friendly haven designed to help kids calm, focus, and regulate. Perfect for little ones needing a quiet moment, it combines comfort and functionality to make self-regulation simple and enjoyable. And how cute is it!!
Peace In A Pod®
The Tactile Peanut Ball is a versatile tool designed to support sensory exploration, balance, and core strength. Its unique shape provides stability while encouraging movement, making it perfect for rolling, bouncing, or sitting. The textured surface...
Tactile Peanut Ball
I LOVE flexible seating and these cushions with emotions are a great way to incorporate emotional awareness and understanding in the classroom or home
Emotion Cushions - Set of 8