Menu
Menu

Children

Nurturing Imagination and Social Skills in Today’s Digital World

· ·

NURTURING IMAGINATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD

In our fast-paced digital era, fostering social skills in children is more crucial than ever. These skills are the cornerstone of effective communication, relationship-building, and navigating social situations.

As children grow, their social development equips them with tools to handle conflicts, understand emotions, understand social roles, solve problems, and adapt to changes. However, in a world dominated by technology, the landscape of social interaction is evolving.

Embracing Technology for Social Growth

While children increasingly engage in online activities like online gaming, it’s essential to recognise the potential for social skill development in digital spaces. Online platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for connection, creativity, and sensory input, enriching social experiences in new ways.

Challenges in the Digital World

Despite the benefits, parents’ concerns about online safety and screen time persist. By fostering open communication, setting boundaries, educating on privacy, and serving as positive role models, parents can guide their children through the digital landscape with confidence and resilience. The skills they learn while playing virtual games can also translate into real-world social connections.

Exploring Social Thinking Concepts

Our children may encounter difficulties in participating in imaginative play and sustaining conversations. Sharing what someone else is imagining involves complex processing! It requires focusing your attention on what the other person is doing, interpreting the person’s words and actions, and then placing those ideas in the context of what you already know about the person and the environment.

Incorporating Social Thinking Concepts 

Incorporating social thinking concepts helps promote self-regulation in social contexts. 

Social executive functioning is important for classroom learning, playing, joining in activities, and online social interactions. It can be divided into four categories: Hidden Rules, Smart Guesses, Flexible and Stuck Thinking, and Size of the Problem.

Hidden Rules, Expected and Unexpected Behaviours –

Understanding the unspoken rules of social interactions, known as ‘Hidden Rules,’ is crucial for navigating various situations. It involves aligning our behaviours (what we say and do) with social expectations through skills like interpreting non-verbal cues, social cues, negotiation, collaboration, problem-solving, compromise and empathy. 

Various events, such as turn-taking or winning, may occur during activities like gaming. While adhering to expectations may not always be enjoyable, it ensures smooth progression. Unexpected actions can lead to discomfort among peers, highlighting the importance of social cohesion.

This concept can be challenging for many children, especially when games hold significant meaning. Collaborative efforts with families, including sensory diet activities, help foster self-regulation and engagement during challenging situations.

Smart Guesses –

Making informed guesses, known as ‘Smart Guesses,’ is foundational for social and academic problem-solving. It involves observing cues from peers and anticipating the outcomes of social interactions. In contrast, ‘Wacky Guesses’ are often inaccurate and stem from a lack of information.

To make a Smart Guess in social interaction, we need to figure out what people mean by what they say, and we try to figure out what someone’s facial expression or gesture means and what will happen next. 

This is something that can be a challenge for our children. Here are some strategies to support Smart Guess development:

  • Observation: Encourage children to notice everyday clues in their surroundings, aiding in making informed guesses about others’ thoughts and plans.
  • Guided Narration: Provide guidance during games or activities, helping children interpret and plan for potential outcomes.
  • Interactive Games: Engage in games like “Guess Who,” prompting children to observe, listen, and think critically about their environment.

By implementing these strategies, children can enhance their social insight and navigate interactions confidently and accurately.

Flexible and Stuck Thinking –

A high level of flexibility is needed to consider and adapt within social interaction.  In any given situation, we are expected to consider where we are, who is there, what is happening, what people are saying and doing around us, how they are feeling, and what they might be thinking, and adjust our plans and behaviour accordingly. 

A challenge in any of these areas can lead to getting “stuck” in Stuck Thinking.

Flexible Thinking means we can change our plan, try a different solution to a problem, change our thinking, or give up what we want based on the larger plan of the group.

Stuck thinking is the inability to change what we are doing or thinking based on what is happening around us. If we are Stuck Thinkers, we might see a problem or situation in only one way or follow one rule all the time, no matter where we are or what is happening around us.

Teaching flexibility begins with understanding that there are multiple ways to approach a situation, fostering problem-solving skills and a sense of control. Empowering children to recognise choices and alternatives makes them more comfortable with change, reducing frustrations and promoting active participation.

Incorporating “Flexible Thinking” and “Stuck Thinking” vocabulary in daily activities reinforces these concepts, facilitating smoother adaptation and enhancing social interactions.

Size of the Problem –

In daily life, a ‘problem’ is something that happens that is not part of the plan and makes people feel uncomfortable. Problems cause emotions and reactions of different sizes, and the size of the emotions and reactions are expected to match the size of the problem. 

Problems come in different sizes – 

Small problems can be resolved quickly, and children can handle them independently or with minimal help from others. Children can also aid each other in resolving minor problems, promoting collaboration and empathy.

Medium problems require more time and usually will need assistance from adults. 

Big problems take significant time to resolve and require extra help from others. When big problems happen, even adults may need help from other adults.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that everyone has the right to their own emotional reactions, shaped by their hardwiring (temperament) and life experiences. Encouraging children to understand the varying sizes of problems fosters emotional intelligence and resilience.

Parents can also model problem-solving behaviours and narrate their experiences to reinforce this understanding. This includes identifying the problem’s size, emotional reactions, and potential solutions. For example, what happened? What was the problem’s size? How did you feel about it? What did you do to solve it? How did you feel afterwards?

How Can Explore and Soar Help?

As Occupational Therapists, we target underlying regulation strategies to help children maintain and shift their attention and concentration to activities and navigate their thoughts, feelings, and actions. 

We implement ‘Social Thinking Concepts’ ideas within one-on-one sessions, peer sessions, group programs, and parent education to facilitate the transition into the home environment. You can learn more about our group programs on our website. 

Empowerment and Positive Behaviors

By encouraging children to share ideas and imaginations, we help them learn the skills that are crucial for more sophisticated social interactions and conversations with their peers. Implementing social thinking concepts can support and scaffold their social interactions, empowering them with confidence, resilience, and a foundation of positive social skills that endure throughout their lives.

During gameplay, it’s vital to acknowledge and reinforce positive social behaviours, such as good sportsmanship, cooperation, and empathy. By consistently praising these behaviours, we reinforce their importance and encourage their continuation.

Join us in nurturing our children’s social skills and imagination. Together, we can shape a brighter future filled with confident, resilient, and socially adept individuals. Give us a call today if you would like to find out more.

If you’d like to chat more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today! Call us on 0477 708 217 or email admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until Next Time,
Maddie

PUBLISHED APRIL 2024

References – We Thinkers! Volume 2 Social Problem Solvers

Latest Posts

Smooth Sailing Through Life’s Changes: Mastering Emotional Regulation During Transitions

· · Leave a Comment

SMOOTH SAILING THROUGH LIFE’S CHANGES: MASTERING EMOTIONAL REGULATION DURING TRANSITIONS

As we delve deeper into 2024, emotional regulation is a prominent theme that goes hand in hand with supporting transitions.

Understanding Transitions

Transitions in life are inevitable. Whether it’s starting a new school year, moving to a new home, or experiencing changes within the family dynamic, transitions can be challenging for both parents and children alike. During these times of change, emotions can run high, leading to stress and uncertainty.

What is Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation refers to an individual’s ability to recognise, process and act upon the emotions that they feel within different situations on a regular day. It is one’s ability to adjust and control their energy level, emotions, behaviours, and attention to allow for success in connecting with our loved ones and engaging in our daily lives. We provide even more information on our “Tools to Support Emotions” blog.

Emotional regulation is a skill that is developed over time. Emotional regulation is essential for healthy emotional development and well-being throughout life. There are two stages to emotional regulation.

Co-regulation is the foundation for emotional development, allowing children to explore, learn and understand unfamiliar situations while parents support them by providing a safety net. 

Self-regulation involves the ability to notice and change/control one’s own feelings and adapt to surroundings. Emotional regulation is essential for healthy emotional development and well-being throughout life. To find out more information, refer to our “Emotional Regulation” blog.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Transitions can evoke a range of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to anxiety and fear. Children who thrive on routine and stability may feel their sense of security disrupted, leading to vulnerability and insecurity. Similarly, parents may experience a mix of pride, worry, and doubt as they navigate unfamiliar territory. With the right tools and support, families can navigate transitions more smoothly, fostering emotional regulation and resilience along the way.

Strategies for Emotional Regulation

So, how can we help you support your child emotionally regulate during transitions? As Occupational Therapists, our role is to enable children and parents to recognise, understand and manage their emotions during times of change. Whether they are transitioning from breakfast to getting dressed or from home to school, navigating our emotions is a difficult task and can depend heavily on our sense of safety within ourselves and others and our connection to place, person, or thing. 

Here are some practical strategies and tools:

1. Transition Time: Allow ample time for transitions, providing a buffer for individuals to adjust mentally and emotionally.

2. Observation: Pay attention to the child’s body language, affect, tone of voice, and overall demeanour to gauge their emotional state.

  • Are we slouching our shoulders or dropping our head?
  • Are we smiling, and are our faces lit up? 
  • Is our tone of voice low, high-pitched, or fast-paced? 
  • Do we appear frazzled or disinterested?
  • Do we seem tired or overwhelmed from something that happened earlier?

3. Tools and Techniques we utilise, and you can too.

  • Visual schedules for predictability and routine. This also provides a point of orientation. 
  • Visual timers to set task timeframes and provide visual information of how long the task is.
  • Therapressure brushing is a technique for grounding and calming.
  • Therapeutic use of self for connection, following their lead and co-regulation.
  • Breathing exercises such as belly breathing or blowing bubbles.
  • Incorporating vestibular input through activities like wobble boards.
  • Providing oral input with stretches, cold drinks, or chewy foods.

Setting the Body Up

We call this process ‘Setting the Body Up’ as this prepares the body with sensory input and transition time to ease into daily activities.

Once our body is adequately ‘set up’ and we’ve allowed ‘transition time’. Transitions into daily activities won’t be as overwhelming. 

Emotional Continuum

We use cognitive-emotional strategies to support the emotional continuum. Strategies like sensory processing and cognitive strategies can help refine knowledge and apply skills in social situations. To learn more about how we use the above techniques as well as “Zones of Regulation,” “Size of Problem vs Reaction,” “The Alert Program,” “The Incredible Flexible You Series,” and “The Social Thinking Detectives” refer to our “The Emotional Continuum” blog. 

Embracing Change Together

Transitions are unpredictable, and allowing yourself grace in navigating them is essential. Understanding your own triggers and emotions is key to understanding how to emotionally regulate yourself. As parents, showing vulnerability can help model to our children that, YES, change can be scary, but you can do this as a TEAM.  Encourage open communication about challenges and solutions, empowering your child to take ownership and responsibility for the transition process.

Ask your child and yourself what is challenging about the transition to school/work or what makes it hard to go to soccer training or out for a catch-up with a friend in the afternoon, and what could we do to make it easier? This collaboration provides a sense of ownership and responsibility for our child and can result in increased adherence to routine, reducing the risk of emotional dysregulation.

Ready to embark on a smoother journey through life’s transitions? Start implementing these strategies today to foster emotional regulation and resilience in your family. Remember, every small step counts towards a smoother sail!

By implementing these strategies and fostering a supportive environment, families can navigate transitions more smoothly, fostering emotional regulation and resilience along the way. Contact us today if you would like to chat about transitions and how we can help.

If you’d like to chat more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today! Call us on 0477 708 217 or email admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until Next Time,
Molly

PUBLISHED MARCH 2024

Latest Posts

Parenting – You’re the expert; we are here to support the transition!

· · Leave a Comment

PARENTING – YOU’RE THE EXPERT, WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE TRANSITION!

As the sun rises on a new week, we hear the hum of school routines resuming, marking the return of familiar patterns.

During the past week or so, many of our families will have returned to school and the routines that it brings with it. For some of our families, February is a transition period where new routines and ways of balancing life are being forged as their child starts daycare or preschool, kindergarten or high school or even a child not being back at school because they have finished or commenced in a type of employment.

How do transitions feel for parents and children?

This transition period can be a daunting time – a rollercoaster of emotions not only for our children as they learn their new environment and the expectations that go along with it. But it is also a rollercoaster as a parent as we navigate a shift in our role; a moment of letting go but also sometimes the fear of the unknown. Our journey into parenthood commences with dreams, hopes, and a multitude of expectations, but from the moment we commence on our journey to become parents, the road ahead is filled with dips and hollows that we can genuinely not prepare ourselves for; however, acknowledging and recognising the transitions within our parenting journey allows us to adapt and grow.


What types of transitions are there?

Some of those significant transitions that we can anticipate during parenting might include:
● Bringing your newborn baby home for the first time
● Starting at daycare or preschool
● Starting kindergarten or high school
● Puberty
● Our child starting their first job and seeking more independence.
● Our child turning 16 and seeking to get a driver’s license.
● Finishing school
● Moving out of home.

But there are also many transitions that we do not anticipate happening during our journey as parents – a child becoming unwell, a diagnosis that wasn’t expected, a death, a separation. All of these heart-wrenching trials require us as parents and individuals to stop, pause, reassess and pivot in our roles and in our way of doing things. Explore & Soar stands as a beacon, acknowledging and respecting the unique narratives of every parenting journey. We recognise that transitions can be tough, change can be challenging, and the journey is as diverse as the individuals embarking on it, so no one’s story or journey is the same, and we respect that here at Explore & Soar.

How, then, can we, as OTs, stand beside you and support you as parents on this rollercoaster?

A Holistic Approach to Transitions

During our university studies, we learn in-depth about the interaction between how, where and why we do things and the positive and negative impact this can have on an individual’s overall health. When we work with a child and their family, we consider the whole person; we consider what strategies, interventions and approaches we are going to use. At Explore and Soar, we want to be able to support you just as much as your child in their journey towards their goals! Sometimes, therapy sessions can provide that space so that you can take a breath, sneak a quiet cuppa in the corner, and recharge while the therapist is working with your child.

It’s also important to ensure that, as parents, we are scheduling our own self-care time – it’s the flight safety briefing message – you need to put your oxygen mask on first before you can help those around you! Checking in with ourselves, noticing our own regulation patterns and adapting our responses also helps to show our children different strategies or ideas they can use when they feel overwhelmed, exhausted or touched out.

Empowering Parents with Self-Care

Next time your therapist recommends some home program exercises, consider them as not just a task for your child but as opportunities for you to connect – Try to do them with your child! See how they make you feel before and after completing them. Talk to your child about them and compare feelings.

At times, we do have those uncomfortable conversations around things we have noticed or ideas on what could make a difference in helping your child with their goal. Our therapists are noticing things from the outside and through our trained eyes. It is not from a place of
judgement but rather a place of working alongside you to build you up. As a parent, you are your child’s biggest advocate and teacher. You have the expertise in your child; it is our role as OTs to help refine this, adjusting and adapting to different transitions across your parenting journey.

Embracing Change Together

As we navigate the ebb and flow of February’s transitions, let’s remember that parenting is a continuous journey of learning and growth. Embrace your experiences, connect with others sharing similar paths, and let’s soar through these transitions together. Share your stories, seek support, and revel in the collective strength that arises when we navigate as a community.

May your journey through 2024 be filled with resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering support that Explore & Soar offers. Here’s to embracing the rollercoaster of parenting with open hearts and a community that understands that every twist and turn is a part of our unique and beautiful story.

If you’d like to chat more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today! Call us on 0477 708 217 or email admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until Next Time,
Lori

PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2024

Latest Posts

Sleep Hygiene: Support to Improve Your Child’s Sleep

· · Leave a Comment

SLEEP HYGIENE: SUPPORT TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S SLEEP

How many of our families out there dread the night-time routine, the idea to try and get the kids to settle to sleep and stay asleep? 

The millions of questions running through their minds that they need to ask you, the need for extra food, extra drink, the list goes on… 

Sleep is a common conversation we have  with our families and where the foundational understanding as to why our kids are unable to shut off and the ideas around the importance of sleep hygiene and sleep routines come into play. 

Sleep is an essential part of our everyday lives. Our bodies need sleep to stay healthy, think, move, interact, and feel our best. The way in which we work towards improving our sleep and how to manage areas that are impacting our children’s sleep is by focusing on our sleep hygiene in our day-to-day. 

What is Sleep Hygiene?

Sleep hygiene refers to quality sleep and making the  actions, habits, and necessary changes to set up a child for success in their sleep. It involves nightly routines, modifications to the environment, and daily decisions that will optimise sleep. 

How do we improve our child’s sleep hygiene?

In order to support improvements in sleep, we first need to look at the underlying reasons as to why these challenges are occurring. 

One reason for challenges in falling and staying asleep for our children can be related to the way their bodies experience and react to the world around them. Sensory stimuli such as sights, sounds, touch, spatial awareness, and body awareness can make it difficult for some children to make their bodies calm and relaxed. When children do not have sufficient body awareness and, therefore, safety within themselves, this leads to them living in a state of heightened or overwhelm, impacting their ability to calm and feel grounded enough to shut off and fall asleep, and they will do anything in their power to avoid it. 

Once this information is established, we work with our parents to identify the environment or lifestyle factors that may be affecting the consistency of the current sleep routine. Such as:

  • Is there a current routine before bed, and how consistent is it?
  • Activities completed before the night routine commences, e.g. limiting screen time
  • The bedroom environment, e.g. temperature, darkness, sounds
  • Diet close to bedtime

How can our Occupational Therapists help?

We work together and provide education to our parents and caregivers on the misconceptions and expectations of sleep and address factors that may exacerbate poor sleep quality to establish: 

  1. A predictable and smooth routine and how we can adapt the current routine for successful and ongoing implementation at home, including setting regular wake and sleep times.
  2. A bedroom environment modification that includes noise, light, temperature, and bedding that helps the child wind down and prepare for sleep.
  3. Sensory strategies that will help children regulate their bodies and prepare for sleep. This may include techniques such as individualised sensory diets.
  4. Relaxation techniques that will promote restful sleep, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
  5. Coping skills and self-regulation to facilitate the child’s capacity to relax for sleep onset.

Sleep is such a complex task. When a child is not sleeping, it impacts the entire family dynamic. Sleep is so important and can seriously impact on daily activities, from self-care to academics to social skills. 

Please reach out to us if you would like more information and support in developing a successful sleep routine. By reviewing a child’s sleep habits, providing education and guidance, and developing behavioural and sensory strategies, we can help our children get the rest they need to thrive. 

Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Contact us on 0477 708 217 or admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

Until next time, 
Maddie

References

https://grhsonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Basic-Sleep-Hygiene-Guidelines.pdf

https://thespiralfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Sleep-and-SI-brochure_final.pdf

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 2, 2023

Latest Posts

Eyes on the Prize: The Power of Hand-Eye Coordination for Mastering Fine Motor Skills

· · Leave a Comment

EYES ON THE PRIZE
– THE POWER OF HAND-EYE COORDINATION FOR MASTERING FINE MOTOR SKILLS

From playing catch to mastering the art of drawing, hand-eye coordination is the superhero skill that enables children to develop their fine motor skills with ease. 

Have you noticed the stage within a child’s life where their messy scribbles become somewhat legible pictures? Or that they catch a ball much easier? Or that they stack the block tower higher before it falls? 

All of these changes can be partly due to the development of fine motor skills, but also other skills such as hand-eye coordination. 

So, when children are referred to occupational therapy for fine motor skills, it is important we look not only at the strength of the hand but other factors that may influence fine motor development.

Hand-eye coordination refers to the ability of the hands and eyes to work together to perform a task. It involves the visual system, providing visual information to the brain about the location of objects and the movements required to interact with them, as well as the motor system, which executes the movements needed to manipulate objects. 

 Children who have poor hand-eye coordination may:

  • Struggle catching or throwing a ball.
  • Have difficulty writing or drawing, or be resistant to do such tasks.
  • Prefer to use their hand rather than using utensils.
  • Be clumsy or awkward in movement, such as bumping into objects or knocking things over frequently.
  • Have poor posture or balance.
  • Have difficulty with visual tracking, such as following moving objects or tracking a line of text while reading.
  • Not be able to do up their shoelaces or button up clothes like other children their age.

It’s common for children who struggle with sensory processing difficulties to experience difficulties with hand-eye coordination and, therefore, fine motor skills. For example, children with sensory processing difficulties may find seeing things with their eyes hard, such as where the pencil is on the page, or where the ball is in relation to the bat. Without this visual feedback, they can have challenges getting their body ready to move so that they can hit the ball or draw the wheels on the car. This is how hand-eye coordination can impact their ability to develop their fine motor skills.   

How can we work on Hand-Eye coordination?

Providing sensory-rich environments through activities such as playing with playdough, finger painting, lego, and puzzles can help children develop their sensory processing skills and improve their hand-eye coordination. We also look for opportunities for movement and physical activity, as this can help children learn where their body, arms and legs are so they can move or adjust their bodies to be ready for what is to come. Once we know where our body, arms and legs are, we then know where our wrists, hands and fingers are. Combining that with our eyes telling our body what is coming means we can coordinate our hands and eyes to complete the task in front of us.   

Some ways your child can develop hand-eye coordination at home:

  • Stringing beads or threading pasta
  • Throwing and catching a ball, balloon, or frisbee
  • Jigsaw puzzles
  • Drawing and colouring
  • Using scissors, cutting out and then pasting onto a page
  • Playing with blocks or Legos (We would love to see the creations made!)
  • Playing with Play-Doh
  • Play with Play-Doh: Use their hands to manipulate the dough while looking at what they are making

We hope you have found this blog informative; if you need a ‘hand’ with developing your child’s Hand-Eye Coordination, please call us today; we would love to chat about what we can do to support your child’s development. 

Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Contact us on 0477 708 217 or admin@exploreandsoar.com.au

 Until next time,
Molly

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JULY 5, 2023

Latest Posts

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive our news and updates via email. That's all.

View our Terms of Use.

Your feedback is always valued at Explore & Soar. If you have some feedback to help us support your needs better, please click here and share your valued feedback with us today.