Dollar Tree Occupational Therapy

Handwriting is a crucial part of learning, but for many children, especially those with unique learning needs, writing can feel like a frustrating hurdle. If you’ve noticed that your child struggles with forming letters, grasping a pencil, or writing comfortably for extended periods, you're not alone. Betsy Sproger, a retired Occupational Therapist (OT), homeschool veteran, and blogger, has developed three helpful resources designed to support parents teaching children who struggle with handwriting. These free downloads will provide practical activities and tips to help your child build the necessary fine motor skills for better handwriting. Betsy’s expertise as both an OT and homeschooling parent gives her unique insight into addressing challenges with creative and effective solutions. 1. Small Muscle Games for Handwriting Fine motor skills are essential for writing, but many children struggle with the small muscle movements needed to control a pencil. This download includes a variety of engaging games that target those muscles, making handwriting practice both fun and functional. From finger isolation exercises to creative play with small objects, these activities will build your child's hand strength and coordination, setting the foundation for smoother handwriting. 2. Handwriting Grasp Activities The way your child holds a pencil can significantly impact their writing ability. A poor grasp may cause fatigue, frustration, and slow progress. Betsy’s Handwriting Grasp Activities are designed to improve your child’s pencil grip by targeting the muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists. These exercises are simple, using everyday objects you likely have around the house. They can be easily incorporated into your homeschool day, helping your child develop the correct grip for more confident and comfortable writing. 3. Parent’s Guide for Helping Struggling Writers As parents, it’s tough to watch our children struggle with something as foundational as writing. But with the right approach, you can support their growth without turning writing into a daily battle. Betsy’s Parent’s Guide provides helpful strategies for identifying why your child may be struggling, and offers tips to motivate them without adding pressure. You'll also find suggestions for making writing more accessible for children with different learning needs and abilities, empowering you to guide them at their own pace. About the Author Betsy Sproger, the author of these resources, is first and foremost a homeschool mom to her now-adult daughter. When her daughter began struggling with traditional learning environments, Betsy and her husband decided to homeschool her from kindergarten through high school. This decision allowed them to tailor their daughter’s learning to her individual needs and reinforce their family values in everyday teaching. Betsy’s experience as a retired OT helped her daughter thrive, particularly when it came to developing handwriting skills. Today, she continues to support homeschooling families through her blog, BJ's Homeschool, where she shares her wisdom on teaching children with unique learning needs. Download Your Free Handwriting Resources Ready to help your child improve their writing skills? Click the links below to access each of Betsy’s free resources. Whether you're just beginning your homeschooling journey or are looking for fresh ideas to support your child's handwriting development, these resources from Betsy Sproger will give you the tools to set your child up for success. Be sure to check out Betsy’s blog for more valuable tips and guidance on homeschooling children with unique learning needs.

By Peggy Ployhar As the air turns crisp and the world around us takes on a golden hue, it's the perfect time to infuse your homeschool routine with the joys of fall. Pumpkins, apple orchards, corn mazes—these seasonal delights are not only fun but can also be educational. Routine is crucial, especially for our special education homeschooled kids, but a touch of seasonal flair can make learning even more engaging. If you're looking to sprinkle some autumn magic into your homeschool lessons, here are 20 fantastic fall-themed activities. 20 Fall Special Education Homeschooling Activities Fall Candy Science: Explore STEM activities using candy corn. 10 Fall Movement & Sensory Activities: Enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor sensory activities. Pumpkin Craft for Speech Activities: Engage in crafts that support speech goals. Fall Themed OT Activities: Choose from 30 activities to integrate a fall theme into your home-based occupational therapy. Fall & Thanksgiving Themed Unit Study: Dive into books, crafts, activities, studies, writing projects, and games. Why Do Leaves Change Color Science Project: Teach this simple science lesson with items from your yard and house. Autumn Sensory Story: Create sensory storytelling experiences for children with multiple learning delays or visual impairments. Halloween Social Stories: Access 16 stories and 2 videos to help children navigate Halloween social situations. Fall Lego Building Challenges: Tackle 20 Lego challenges centered around fall. Fall Tree Luminaries Craft: Turn jars into glowing works of art with this easy craft project. Leaf Preservation Ideas: Learn three different methods to preserve beautiful fall leaves. Fall Sight Word Scavenger Hunt: Make reading active with this sight-word scavenger hunt. Scarecrow Alphabet Activity: Enhance letter recognition with a fun scarecrow activity using felt, a die, and stickers. 20 Fall Speech and Language Activities: Discover numerous resources to work on speech and language goals. Fall Leaf I Spy Game: Enjoy a free printable game of Leaf I Spy. 30+ Pumpkin Learning Activities: Utilize pumpkins to teach various learning concepts. 40 Fall Fine Motor Activities: Incorporate the fall theme into fine motor skills practice with this extensive list. Fall Books for Speech Therapy: Use four popular fall books to support speech goals. 41 Pumpkin Writing Prompts: Encourage writing with these pumpkin prompts for your student. Fall Unit Study: Integrate the fall theme into literature, language, art, math, science, and history lessons. For more fall SPED homeschooling ideas, be sure to check out our SPED Homeschool Fall Pinterest Board.  Embrace the season and make your homeschooling experience both educational and enjoyable with these fall-themed activities!