Students use fine motor skills to melt the ice and discover the treasure.
Mrs. Mier, Hometown's occupational therapist, and Mrs. Carey, our speech pathologist, have created a world where special services combine to form a beautiful collaborative union that helps our students thrive. Mrs. Mier says, "Mrs. Carey and I believe that speech and OT exist better together!" Mrs. Mier and Mrs. Carey always strive in their SPOT groups to incorporate elements of novelty, surprise, and fun. These teachers teach their students through sensory experiences, play, and they always follow students' lead. This leads to an optimal state for learning and communicating.
This week, the first graders in Mrs. Goutos' class sprayed their way to stronger hands by melting ice cubes to find a treasure hidden deep inside the ice. Students played with sensory snow, while listening to a winter story. The sensory component added to students' engagement and participation. Using simple tools such as cups, spoons, and spray bottles promotes fine motor development while encouraging communication.
When speech and OT services are combined, the primary benefit is students are given a more overarching approach to meeting all student's needs. This allows for improved communication skills, functional skills, and better overall language and motor skills. This often leads to greater independence for students and enhances social interaction; this collaboration is especially valuable for children with complex needs where communication and physical skills are mixed.
Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Mier have created an Instagram page where you can follow their adventures. Please like and share their page: https://www.instagram.com/communicationspot?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==