Tailored Kids’ Activities from Crafts to Sleep: Insights from Connie O’Neill

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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Today I'm talking with Connie O'Neill about home-based learning aids for occupational therapists use with kids. Connie and I are both experienced occupational therapists. Connie shares her unique journey from working with adults to finding her passion in pediatric OT.

She has developed Big Play in a Box, innovative bedtime and play boxes, designed to aid children with sensory processing difficulties and developmental delays. These boxes are crafted to not only entertain but also support crucial developmental milestones in children aged 3 to 8. Together we highlight the importance of parental involvement and feedback in a child's day-to-day learning.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Use of Different Types of Scissors for Children's Activities
• Developmental progression in skills like cutting
• Bedtime box designed to help children with sensory processing difficulties sleep better.
• Play boxes with activities supporting development created to provide guidance and tools to busy families.
• Tips for Integrating Educational and Social Skills Activities
• Challenges of virtual therapy and engaging parents.
• Parents need to understand and interact with children to address developmental delays.
• Benefits of a coaching model for parents.
• The research process for creating Big Play in a Box .
• Use of sensory play and open-ended activities.
• Importance of boundaries, completion cues, and teaching executive functioning skills.
• Adaptable projects with an emphasis on child-led activities and exploration.
• The Role of Failure and Imperfection in Learning
• Feedback and Materials for Skill Development
• Messy Play and Sensory Play
• Encouraging open-ended play and adaptability.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Big Play in a Box use MYFIRSTBOX15 for 15% off your entire order
• Developmental Milestones for Early Childhood
• Creative Scissor Skills Tips and Resources
• Designing Messy Play for Infants and Toddlers
• Reverse Planning & Observed Learning Homeschool Journal

Connect with Sarah Collins

• Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
• Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
• Visit the Homeschool OT Website

Connect with our Guest, Connie O'Neill

Connie O'Neill has been an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years. She began her career by working with adults in settings including inpatient neuro, skilled nursing units, and outpatient orthopedics. After 10 years, she transitioned into working with pediatrics in a rural school setting in Central Illinois. It didn't take long to discover the challenges that children with learning differences have with fitting in with their peers and an education system that is far from being capable of providing a one-size-fits-all mold for all children to fit in.

In 2021, she stepped out of direct care to help fill a void that she commonly noted among the families she worked with. Parents demonstrated the desire to be able to interact and play with their child; but struggled with time, creativity, and general knowledge on how to aid their child in moving toward the next area of development.

Big Play in a Box was created to assist parents in being able to create meaningful experiences with their children involving a child's valued occupation of being able to play. The boxes are multi-developmental, centered around a children's book, and guided by her knowledge of being able to adapt activities to fit multiple ages, developmental abilities, and interests. Over two years in, she has expanded her boxes into a quarterly subscription, online retail, and wholesale.

Follow Big Play in a Box on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest