Belle’s OT Corner

• Self Care Season: Later Dressing Skills

  Send us a textDressing skills are about so much more than just putting on clothes—they're a daily opportunity to build problem-solving abilities that last a lifetime. In this  second episode of our self-care season, we dive deep into strategies for later dressing skills (zips, buttons, shoes) and also really discuss the thinking that goes on behind the scenes for dressing. What exactly makes buttons and zips so tricky for little fingers? We break down these complex motor skills into manageable steps, sharing practical strategies to build confidence and independence. Beyond the physical skills, we explore the hidden cognitive load of dressing—the thinking processes that make these seemingly simple tasks surprisingly complex. Learn why honouring children's choices in dressing sequence, even when you know they won't work, creates powerful "naturally occurring problems" that build problem-solving confidence. We share playful approaches to make dressing fun rather than frustrating, including dress-up games and modelling how to work through mistakes.The episode concludes with an enlightening look at adaptive clothing options that work within a child's abilities to maximise independence. From magnetic closures that look like buttons to side-opening designs to many more. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, these practical, playful strategies will transform dressing time from a daily struggle into a valuable learning opportunity. Share your own dressing tips or questions with us on Instagram @bellsotcorner or email [email protected]!DISCLAIMER:Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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• Self Care Season: Early Dressing Skills

  Send us a textDressing seems straightforward to us as adults, but for children, it's a complex developmental challenge requiring numerous hidden skills. This episode dives into the foundations of early dressing independence, revealing why undressing naturally comes before dressing and how seemingly simple tasks like putting on a t-shirt involve intricate motor planning, body awareness, and cognitive sequencing.We dive into the underlying skills needed to engage in dressing tasks and some of the many reason it can be frustrating for both children and parents! Throughout this conversation, I share practical strategies you can implement immediately, including how to choose the right time to practice, why loose-fitting clothes make learning easier, the power of backwards and forwards chaining techniques,  the role of problem solving within dressing! The most powerful takeaway? Independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. It means supporting children to do as much as they can with the least amount of help, recognising their unique capabilities, and celebrating each step toward self-care mastery. Whether you're a parent frustrated with morning routines or a teacher supporting classroom independence, these foundational principles will transform how you approach dressing skills with the children in your life.

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• Play Season: Ep 7 Persistence in Play

  Send us a textThis final episode of our play season explores how playful moments build the persistence skills children need throughout life. When children engage in play, they're not just having fun; they're developing the ability to notice problems, try different solutions, and maintain emotional regulation through challenges.Join me as we dive into the intricacies of how we can support the children in our lives to develop their persistence within play. From noticing the problem, trialling some solutions, seeking help from adults to maintaining their regulation and using adults for co-regulation throughout! Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, this episode offers practical strategies for fostering persistence through everyday play. By embracing these approaches, you'll help the children in your life develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong belief that they can overcome challenges.What persistence skills have you noticed developing through play? Share your experiences and join the conversation!Don't forget to share the podcast around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. DISCLAIMER:Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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• Play Season: Ep 6 Cooperative and Pretend Play

  Send us a textCooperative play marks a change within play where children begin working together to achieve shared goals. Whether building a tower, creating a fort, or solving an imaginary problem, this collaborative play helps children build so many skills within a fun, playful environment!When you watch children negotiate who gets which role in their pretend restaurant or see them problem-solve together to build the perfect blanket fort, you're witnessing the emergence of teamwork, communication, and  regulation in real-time. When children step into different roles within dramatic pretend play, they're building so many skills from perspective taking to problem solving, and sequencing skills. Being playful allows children to build these critical thinking skills in a low pressure environment where their creativity can be set free! As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. DISCLAIMER:Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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• Play Season: Ep 5 Symbolic and Associative Play

  Send us a textSymbolic play marks a fun milestone where children begin using objects to represent something entirely different. That wooden block becomes a phone, a spoon transforms into a microphone, and suddenly teddy bears need proper bedtime routines. This isn't just adorable behaviour – it's your child building new play skills, problem-solving, and creativity!We also dive into associative play - as children begin engaging with peers around common activities without formal organisation. Children at the playground following each other, sharing equipment, or dancing together with shared joy. While they're not yet cooperatively working toward shared goals, they're developing the social awareness and skills that will support more complex interactions as they continue to grow and develop. We discuss strategies to support these play stages you can begin to practice at home. Most importantly focusing on how we can follow your child's lead and gently extend their play interactions and scenarios. These seemingly simple play interactions lay the groundwork for abstract thinking, problem-solving, and social skills that will benefit your child throughout their lifetime. Next week, we'll explore the next developmental stage: cooperative play and socio-dramatic play, where pretend play becomes even more complex and socially interconnected. Join us as we continue unraveling the fascinating world of children's play development!As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. DISCLAIMER:Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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