Belle’s OT Corner

Send us Fan Mail Hair washing, toothbrushing, brushing knots out, nail cutting … these “everyday” hygiene tasks can turn into the most stressful part of the day, especially when a child is juggling sensory sensitivities, balance challenges, motor planning, and the mental load of sequencing. We’re finishing our self-care season by getting practical about personal hygiene and grooming, with simple O...

Send us Fan Mail Toileting can feel like it should be straightforward, until you’re the one supporting a child thought it. When they are unsteady on the seat,  overwhelmed by the bathroom, or unsure what their body is even telling them. In this episode take a clear OT approach to toilet training and building toileting independence. We talk through the hidden skills behind toileting, including bala...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we dive into some of the reasons bath and shower time can be a tricky dynamic and go through practical strategies to support bath and shower time to not only be fun, but opportunities for independence.  We go through what can be happening from a sensory perspective, how to use predictability and routines to your benefit was to set up the bathroom environment for su...

Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to make mealtimes calmer isn’t a new gadget; it’s seeing what’s really happening beneath the spills. In this week's episode We unpack how posture, coordination, attention, and sensory processing shape every bite, and why small, smart changes can turn chaos into progress without power struggles or pressure. We start with setup and posture, how this can impact o...

Send us Fan Mail Dressing 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 ma...

Send us Fan Mail Dressing 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...

Send us Fan Mail This 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 sup...

Send us Fan Mail Cooperative 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-sol...

Send us Fan Mail Symbolic 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 a...

Send us Fan Mail Functional play is the gateway into our children exploring toys, objects for their intended purpose. This developmental milestone opens doors to deeper learning, independence, and confidence as children figure out that spoons are for eating, blocks are for building, and crayons can create beautiful marks on paper. In this episode we dive into how to find playful moments throughout...

Send us Fan Mail The journey from solitary to social play isn't a single leap but rather a fascinating progression through various stages. In this  episode, we explore the often misunderstood phases of onlooker and parallel play. When your child seems to be "just watching" other kids at the park or following you around the house observing your activities, they're engaged in pow...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the building blocks of play our solitary and sensorimotor for children. We discuss the importance of these play types in fostering skills, encourage active engagement, and present practical strategies for parents to support their child's playful learning journey. We promise you'll walk away with practical tips to enrich playtime and foster those cru...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the vital role of play for children and adults, unpacking its significance in learning and emotional well-being. We discuss the different stages of play, types of interaction, and the importance of fostering a playful environment for growth and development. Join me to learn more about: • Understanding the value of play for both children and adults  • Unearthi...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how to use regulation to support a child's persistence to tricky activities! In this week's episode you'll gain insights into maintaining calm and teaching resilience to young children, turning challenges into growth opportunities.  Wed discuss how to recognize and support stressors that affect task execution, and how assuming competence and breaking down t...

Send us Fan Mail In this weeks episode we discover strategies for develop self-regulation skills in children  We dive into activities to create an emotional toolkit tailored for kids, guiding them to acknowledge and manage their feelings. You'll gain insights into personal regulation strategies that empower you to model emotional resilience, and in turn, teach these vital skills to your child...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the strategies to support young children through their emotional highs and lows as we explore the essential techniques for regulation.  We’ll share how to play detective with body language and environment to better understand what a child is experiencing. Just like adults, children can struggle to articulate their emotions, and we’re here to guide you in becoming an effecti...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what your child's challenging behavior is truly communicating? Join me in Belle's OT Corner as we unpack the secrets behind the actions of young children through the unique perspective of occupational therapy. By understanding the intricacies of the tasks children face, the environments they navigate, and the social dynamics around them, you'll be equi...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this episode, where we promise you'll gain the tools to support your child through their regulation challenges. We'll start by examining our personal self-regulation strategies—because understanding ourselves is the first step in guiding our children through their own emotional landscapes.  Ever noticed how your mood can influence your child's behavior? T...

Send us Fan Mail In the next season of Belle's OT Corner we work to equip you with indispensable knowledge and practical strategies to foster regulation skills in early childhood. Through an exploration of self-regulation and co-regulation, you'll gain insights into the development of these crucial skills from a nuanced occupational therapy perspective.  Join us as we break down the comp...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how small tweaks to everyday activities can support  your child's motor skills? Discover the secrets to seamlessly integrating motor skill development into daily routines and making it fun in this finale of our motor skills season at Belle's OT Corner! We review all previous episodes and put it all together to offer practical tips to build them int...

Send us Fan Mail Join me for the final episode of our motor skills season, where we uncover the secrets of effectively supporting kids motor skills development through modelling and language. We explore  how to make a significant impact on their understanding and performance, through the adults use of modelling, language and embracing mistakes for meaningful learning. We place a spotlight on the i...

Send us Fan Mail Today we unravel the fine motor progression children go through to move from banging toys to expertly tying shoelaces. We break down key concepts  such as dexterity, in-hand manipulation, and motor planning elements. This episode is all about appreciating and understanding how these skills enable children to engage in their daily lives. Recognizing and addressing fine motor skill...

Send us Fan Mail Can understanding motor planning transform the way you help children navigate their daily activities? This episode of Belle's OT Corner uncovers the  world of motor planning and praxis, shedding light on the cognitive processes that enable us to execute everyday tasks effortlessly. Imagine the complexity of simple actions like carrying items upstairs or learning to walk. You&...

Send us Fan Mail How do the brain's hemispheres work together to help you perform everyday tasks like dressing or writing? Discover practical strategies to support your child's bilateral coordination through engaging. We'll talk through the three stages of bilateral coordination—symmetrical, reciprocal, and asymmetrical. Whether it's catching a ball, peddling a bike, or writing...

Send us Fan Mail Join me as we discuss postural stability and tone and hoe they can impact upon a child's ability to engage in occupation! This episode is a treasure trove of practical strategies and playful activities that parents and educators can incorporate to support core strength and postural control in kids. I'll guide you through the nuances of muscle tone, a crucial yet often mi...