Community Care Connections, Inc.

Community Care Connections, Inc.
EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
INFANT-TODDLER THERAPY SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Little Children, Big Futures
Upcoming Events in Butler County:
October 17
Harvest Festival
Faith Fellowship Alliance Church, Butler
October 17-18
Antiques & Artisans Fall Festival
Whispering Pines Farms, Cabot
October 17-18
Posh Events by Valerie Posh Girls Shop &
Spa Slumber Party
Hyatt Place, Cranberry Twp.
October 24
ARC of Butler County Craft Show
PARC Productions, Butler
October 24
Fall Festival
Bear Run Campground, Portersville
October 25
Wedding Clickers Bridal Show
Marriott North, Cranberry Twp.
November 1
Christmas Bazar
Harrisville Fire Department
Upcoming Events in Armstrong County:
October 10-11
Fall for Animals Festival
Crooked Creek Horse Park, Ford City
November 1
Flea Market
Kittanning Twp Fire Hall
Please visit www.pavendors.com
for more information.
OCTOBER 2015
DEVELOPING BABY’S FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Fine motor skills are
those movements
involving fingers,
hands and wrists, and
helping babies learn
to hone those skills
can be both simple
and lots of fun for
baby and parent.
Some examples of the skills are things like
grasping and letting go, turning objects in
hand, stacking, threading, drawing with crayons, snapping, buttoning, zipping, cutting
and tying.
A natural area for building fine motor skills is
at the highchair. Giving little ones, usually
around nine to ten months, finger foods like
O-shaped cereals, or other similar food is a
great way for babies to practice their beginning pincer grasp and to build new foods into
their diet at the same time. The pincer grasp
is when baby uses the thumb and index
finger together to hold onto objects.
At bath time, let babies and toddlers play
with various empty containers to pour and
spill water. This encourages them to use
those hands and explore the world around
them. Be sure to use different sized containers, and perhaps some with holes for sprinkling. It is also a great use for those recycled
yogurt and fruit containers you have stacking
up.
Then out of the tub, take some of those
same containers and show baby how to
stack them, or fill them with smaller objects
and dump the contents into different ones.
Don not impose any rules, just model some
ideas and let baby go.
Sometimes you don’t need any toys to play
and develop fine motor skills. Ball up some
aluminum foil and let baby bat it back and
forth to you. Maybe let the baby drop it into a
container, or toss it. Again, don't worry about
structuring the play, just be sure to put the
foil up when playtime is done, and always
supervise.
Art can be helpful in building those fine motor skills, too. Let baby and toddlers enjoy
writing with crayons. They won't particularly
care about the end result, it is the process
that they are enjoying. Just give them a safe
place to doodle. In a high chair, you can give
them dollops of pudding to play with, or
some edible peanut butter playdough.
When dressing baby, don't rush all the time,
but let baby help you by encouraging him or
her to wriggle fingers free through sleeves or
to aim arms into sleeves. Let baby pull off
those socks, and go ahead and put them
back on. It is a game that develops those
fine motor skills and babies never seem to
get enough of playing.
When baby is ready, find some heavy thread
and beads large enough that they can not be
choked on, and teach baby how to string
them. Also, bigger wooden puzzles with
knobs are great for chubby hands to develop
new skills.
While reading books with your little one,
encourage your child to do the page turning.
This is another great skill builder. Soon you
will realize how accurate baby is getting.
Where once several pages would be
skipped, now she or he is reliably turning
single pages.
Blow bubbles outside and let baby try to
catch them with their hands. Show them how
to pop them with a clapping movement.
Sidewalk chalk can be fun, too, as long as
you make sure it does not become an afternoon snack.
Toys that can be stacked, pulled or pushed
are always good skill builders. Look for
things that baby can play with in a variety of
ways to keep their attention and avoid stifling
creative play.
Page 2
ITTS Newsletter
DEVELOPING BABY’S FINE MOTOR SKILLS continued
Musical instruments
that baby can shake,
pounds or press will
reward those fine motor movements with
delightful sounds. You can buy them, or
make your own by filling a container with
beans or pebbles and securing the lid carefully with duct tape. Or just open the cabinet
and let baby discover the joys of banging pot
lids together.
However you decide to work on these skills
just remember to keep it fun for you both.
Go to the library to expand your repertoire
beyond bye-bye and pat-a-cake. Finger
plays are great for both fine motor and language skills and there are plenty of books
out there for parents to help them when they
run out of ideas after "Five Little Monkeys."
6 Months
 Reaches for/grasps objects
 Plays with toes
 Transfers toys from one hand to the
other
 Shakes rattle
Another great idea to combine fine motor
and language skills is teaching your baby
some basic sign language. While you're at
the library looking for fingerplays, pick up a
book on signing for babies and learn a few
key words and phrases. Proponents say
there is the added benefit of less frustration
in communicating for your toddler, and maybe as a result fewer tantrums.
9 Months
 Plays pat-a-cake
 Waves bye-bye
Curious about what developmental milestones to look for in baby and toddler regarding fine motor skills? Here is a list that outlines the main areas.
0-3 Months
 Grasps rattle
 Holds hand open or with loose fists
12 Months
 Finger feeds self raisins, cereal
 Pincer grasp develops
 Puts blocks in & out of container
 Bangs blocks together
18 Months
 Pushes, pulls & dumps objects
 Pulls off hat, gloves, socks, shoes
 Turns pages of a book
 Scribbles with crayon
 Stacks two blocks
2 Years
 Feeds self with spoon
 Helps wash hands/self in tub
 Helps dress self by putting arms into
sleeves
 Opens boxes, drawers, and lids
This article is for informational purposes only and
should not be used to treat or diagnose any medical or
non-medical condition. Please consult your family doctor, obstetrician, or pediatrician to ensure you are getting the best possible medical advice for you and your
family.
www.thebabycorner.com
RECALL ALERT
Rainbow Play Systems Recalls Plastic Yellow Trapeze Rings Due to Fall
Hazard
This recall involves only the yellow plastic trapeze rings. They are triangular in
shape with rounded sides and have a loop at the top. They measure about 8½
inches high by 6½ inches wide. The yellow rings come as a pair and were
connected to a trapeze bar. They were sold either as a separate component or
as an attachment on the following Rainbow®-branded residential wooden
playsets: All-American, Backyard Circus, Carnival, Fiesta, King Kong, Monster,
Sunray, Sunshine and Rainbow. All of these playsets have an aluminum plate
located on the front of the wooden swing beam with the following name
stamped on it, “Playgrounds America,” “Rainbow Play Systems Inc.,” or
“Sunray Premium Playgrounds.”
Consumers should immediately stop children from using the recalled rings,
contact Rainbow for ring removal instructions, then remove the rings from the
playset and receive a $10 gift card.
Sold at Rainbow dealers nationwide from January 2007 through December
2011 and at several mass merchandisers including Sam’s Club, Toys R Us and
Walmart from January 2009 through December 2009. The playsets retailed for
between $900 and $10,000.
Page 3
ITTS Newsletter
FINE MOTOR FUN IN THE KITCHEN
Not only does cooking with kids increase the chances that they'll try new
foods, but it is also a wonderful way to develop fine motor skills. Here is
a recipe your child is sure to love helping prepare.
4. Poke fork holes into the crust. Bake crust in a 375 degree oven for
about 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
Fine Motor Work: Grasping the fork. Poking!
Veggies & Dip Pizza
5. Put softened cream cheese and sour cream in a large bowl.
Fine Motor Work: Opening the cream cheese package. Scooping in
the sour cream.
You will need:
 2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls
 8 oz. package of cream cheese (softened)
 1 cup sour cream
 ranch dip package (or your favorite dip mix
or spices) a variety of veggies for toppings
Steps:
1. Wash hands!
Fine Motor Work: Turning on water, using soap, scrubbing, rinsing,
drying.
2. Open crescent rolls.
Fine Motor Work: Peeling, ripping, and pulling off the label. Pressing to
make the canister POP!
6. Add the dip mix. Combine.
Fine Motor Work: Pushing, twisting, pressing while grasping the masher.
7. Spread cheese dip mixture over cooled crust in an even layer.
Fine Motor Work: Holding knife. Transferring and spreading dip.
8. Top with mixed veggies of your choice.
Fine Motor Work: Breaking broccoli into small pieces. Sprinkling toppings & arranging them just so.
9. Cut into pieces and enjoy!
Fine Motor Work: Cutting the pizza. Taste
testing. Giving a thumbs up!
3. Unroll crescent roll dough onto an ungreased baking sheet for your
pizza crust.
Fine Motor Work: Peeling & unrolling the dough. Patting it down.
FALL FINE MOTOR ACTIVITES
PAPER PLATE SPIDER WEB
SCRUNCHED TISSUE PAPER AUTUMN LEAF
What You Need:
 Sturdy white paper plates
 Hole puncher
 White yarn
 Bobby pins
 Spider rings
You will need:
 Autumn colored card (brown as shown, or oranges, yellows and
even dark green will work)
 Tissue paper in a variety of Autumn colors
 Glue
 Autumn leaf templates if you don’t want to draw your own, there
are several printable templates available online.
This couldn’t be much simpler, you just scrunch up pieces of the colored tissue and glue it on to the leaf. Your child can rip the tissue
before scrunching, or cut (with blunt scissors) to practice skills.
What To Do:
 Punch holes around the plate like above
 Attach one end of yarn through first hole and tie off
 Attach bobby pin to other end and weave the yarn through the
hole going across the plate back and forth, tie off end when all
yarn is gone
 Cut ring part in the middle and attach to the web
TORN PAPER PUMPKIN
Give child a paper plate, a glue stick, orange,
brown, black and green construction paper.
Have child tear paper into pieces and glue
onto the plate like shown.
While ripping and scrunching you can talk about the sounds – the
scrunch of the tissue, the crunch of Autumn leaves. For older preschoolers or younger school children you can
explain that this is Onomatopoeia and see
what other words you can think of that sound
like the sound that it makes. For younger
toddlers, just enjoy the sounds and textures
together.
Page 4
ITTS Newsletter
OUR PROGRAM
The CCC Infant-Toddler Therapy Services
Program provides therapy and education
to children, birth to three years of age,
who have a developmental delay or disability. Therapies and instruction that are
provided include Physical Therapy,
Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Instruction,
and Nutrition services.
Therapies are provided weekly, bi-monthly or monthly dependent upon the child's needs in the child’s natural environment
with parents, siblings or other family members present. This
includes your home, grandparent's home, daycare, babysitter's,
community and playground. These family-based therapies are
designed to strengthen the relationship with parent and child,
and to provide opportunities for parents to learn how to incorporate it into their daily routines that will assist their child in meeting his/her developmental milestones.
All Infant-Toddler Therapy Services Program staff have extensive pediatric experience and are licensed or credentialed to
provide service in Pennsylvania. The program currently serves
infants and toddlers residing in Butler, Armstrong, Beaver and
Allegheny Counties.
The Infant-Toddler Therapy Services Program is funded through
a grant from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning
(OCDEL). Services are provided free of charge to eligible children, birth to three years of age.
Each county has an Early Intervention program which may be
reached directly. For the counties in which we provide services,
the Early Intervention referral phone numbers are:
Butler County—724.431.3748
(Center for Community Resources)
Armstrong-Indiana County—724.545.1234
(Family Counseling Center)
Beaver County—724.891.2827
(Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office)
Allegheny County—412.885.6000
(Alliance for Infants and Toddlers)
You may also call the CONNECT phone number at
1.800.CONNECT to find contact information for all Early Intervention programs in Pennsylvania.
We are an active member of the Early Intervention Providers
Association.
For more information about the Infant-Toddler Therapy Services
Program contact Program Director, Becky Werner at
724.283.3198 Ext. 249
Community Care Connections, Inc.
EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Infant-Toddler Therapy Services
Little Children, Big Futures
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Developmental and Nutrition Services
Offered at no cost for children birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities.
Becky Werner-Director
For additional information please call 724-283-3198 or visit our website:
www.communitycareconnect.org