<h1>Sensory Play</h1>
When a child is born, its sensory systems are not fully developed, but they mature over the next few months. Each new experience gained through different sensations creates neural connections that help the development of the architecture of the brain. The senses are the child's tool for exploring and understanding the world.
What are the benefits of sensory play?
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It helps brain development by helping to create new neural connections. This develops new skills and leads to optimal learning and retaining information.
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Develops body awareness, i.e. the skill that combines body scheme, i.e. where our body is in space, and body image, i.e. where our body parts are and what they do. This skill is essential for the development of motor skills.
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Improves motor skills, specifically gross and fine motor coordination.
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Enhances the development of problem-solving strategies.
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Improves language skills, as through the exploration of new stimuli, children discover new ways to describe objects found around them.
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It helps emotional and behavioural regulation. Some types of sensory play can calm or help children with self-regulation.
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Improves social skills. The process of sharing experiences with parents and other children during sensory play promotes social and emotional development.
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We understand that the benefits of sensory play are many. Here are some activities through which each system can receive additional stimulation.
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<li>Vestibular System : contributes to balance and orientation in space. It is the leading system informing us about movement and position of head relative to gravity. Activities that develop a healthy vestibular system are:</li>
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<ul>
<li>Activities on the playground, such as seesaw, swing,merry-go-round, slide</li>
<li>Swinging in a swing or hammock and moving it with the hands</li>
<li>Bouncing on the bed, on a trampoline or sitting on a hippity hop ball</li>
<li>Riding a bicycle and swimming</li>
<li>Rolling from one end of the carpet to the other (like a barrel)</li>
<li>Do somersaults on a soft surface</li>
<li>Walking on the edge of the pavement with one foot in front of the other</li>
<li>Balance beam</li>
</ul>
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<li>Proprioception System : senses the position, location, orientation, and movement of the body muscles and joints. Proprioception is activated by input to a proprioceptor in the periphery of the body. The following activities are suggested to strengthen this system:</li>
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<ul>
<li>Climbing a wall, a piece of furniture, a rope, a slide (from bottom to top)</li>
<li>Monkey bars</li>
<li>Crawling under furniture with alternating legs and arms (commando crawling)</li>
<li>Pushing heavy objects and furniture</li>
<li>Pulling a rope (tug of war) and stretching a resistance band</li>
<li>Games with heavy balls, such as basketball</li>
<li>Manually squeezing oranges to make juice</li>
<li>Participating in household chores, for example carrying 2 supermarket bags, carrying a moderately heavy bowl of clothes to spread, etc.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
For safety reasons we are careful how much weight a child lifts. The weight of the object should not exceed 10% of the child's weight.
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<li>Tactile System : It has receptors in the skin and is responsible for processing touch information from the body. To enhance this system, it is good to have a variety of materials.</li>
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<li>Play with the sand or pebbles at the beach</li>
<li>Play on grass</li>
<li>Gardening activities to use soil, leaves etc.</li>
<li>Rolling on blankets of different textures (fleece, cotton, etc.)</li>
<li>Large boxes filled with different materials each or with combinations of materials (legumes, rice, flour, soapy water, shaving foam, finger paints, jelly, pebbles, soil, corn, pom-poms, leaves, pine cones, etc.)</li>
<li>Use sponges with different sponges during showering</li>
<li>Play in a ball pit</li>
</ul>
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<li>Visual System : it is responsible for seeing. Through vision can we recognise an object and where it is in the room. Activities to strengthen the visual system are:</li>
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<li>Toys with different colours and lights</li>
<li>Toys with contrasts (bright and soft colours) and shapes</li>
<li>&quot;Hide and seek&quot;: the child should find objects that you have hidden in the room or in the yard</li>
<li>Labyrinths (3D where the child moves the base or on the paper)</li>
<li>Construction games with a template (i.e. copying from a picture) or free construction</li>
<li>Kaleidoscope</li>
</ul>
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<li>Auditory System : it is responsible for hearing, identifying the sound and its source. The ear also plays an important role in balance and posture position. The following are usefull auditory activities:</li>
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<ul>
<li>Bell parade</li>
<li>Record backyard sounds and play back the recording. Try to recognize and name the sound and where it was located in the yard.</li>
<li>Fill containers with items from the backyard. Shake plastic containers or even paper bags with the items and see if your child can name the objects.</li>
<li>Play Marco Polo in the yard</li>
<li>Musical instruments and music in general with different volume and tempo</li>
<li>Rainmaker</li>
<li>Production of music with objects (tapping objects by hand or with a wooden spoon)</li>
<li>Kazoo sound hunt</li>
</ul>
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<li>Olfactory and Gustatory Systems : The olfactory system is responsible for processing smell and the gustatory system is responsible for the sense of taste. Activities that the child can do are:</li>
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<li>Identifying different foods with eyes closed</li>
<li>Experimenting with foods at different temperatures</li>
<li>Classifying objects by smell (which ones smell bad and which ones smell good)</li>
<li>Classification by taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty)</li>
</ul>
<hr>
The activities are just indicative. Activities of different systems can be combined. Always make sure that there is a variety of stimuli, but that it is not chaotic for the child.
It should also be good to remember that free sensory play is necessary and more important than organised one, as this is the best way for the child to develop his or her sensory systems.
From the Synopsis team
Angelina Chatzaki, Occupational Therapist

Sensory Play

<h1>Strategies to improve the child's concentration</h1>
Many children find it difficult to concentrate, either because they have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or for different reasons, e.g. emotional, other disorders, etc. Sometimes children seem to have difficulty in concentrating, they just get bored with an activity and quickly turn their attention to something which they feel is more entertaining and enjoyable. Nevertheless, we must remember that it is normal for every child to be unable to concentrate for several minutes on an activity.
There are several ways to enhance children's concentration. Of course, these strategies are not the therapy for ADHD or any other concentration disorder but are only part of a specialised treatment program.
Play
In general, we should keep in mind that children learn more and faster when they play. So, keep away tablets, computers, and other electronic devices and include a play element, either learning or non-learning in the activities. There are some categories of games In particular that help in increasing concentration a little more.
<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/stratigikes-enisxusis-tis-sugkentrwsis-tou-paidiou-koritsi-ksaplwmeno-sto-patwma-ftiaxnei-pazl.jpeg" alt="Girl is lying in a prone position and does a puzzle">
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Brain games: You can train and strengthen a child's ability to concentrate with games that require thinking, planning, and application of memory. Crosswords, puzzles, and card games such as UNO can be used.
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Sequencing: The link between sequencing and concentration is strong. Sequencing the recipes and putting things in order alphabetically are excellent activities for children who have concentration difficulties.
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Additionally, games that challenge your child to sit in a chair without moving or fidgeting to see how long he can do it, for example, the game of Frozen Statues can be chosen.
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A healthy diet
A healthy diet has a direct link with the child's concentration. A diet that includes a lot of fast food or food rich in sugar is harmful to both physical and cognitive health, while a diet rich in vitamins and proteins such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, and lean meat helps to increase perception and concentration.
<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/stratigikes-enisxusis-tis-sugkentrwsis-tou-paidiou-ugieines-trofes.jpeg" alt="healthy food">
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<li>Caffeine: A recent study in America shows that children have increased their intake of caffeine and caffeinated energy drinks. This gives them an unhealthy dose of sugar, which will lead to an instant increase in energy. However, this also results in hyperactivity, and difficulty in concentrating and sleeping later.</li>
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Routine is important
It is very important to maintain a schedule for the child, even if it is a flexible one. For example, the child gets home from school at 2, eats lunch at 2.30, starts studying at 3.30, and so on. This planning not only helps in time management but also helps the child's brain to know when to study, which in turn helps in concentration. The child knows that after lunch he will have to complete his homework for the next day, so he will be properly prepared to go into &quot;study mode.&quot;
Sleep and breaks
Many children can concentrate better after a good night's sleep. A short 20-minute nap after school or in the afternoon helps to refill energy. In addition, the child should not be hungry and finish the toilet before starting with the books, as these are the needs that often interrupt the study process.
Divide larger tasks into smaller ones
Getting a child to read the entire chapters without a break is a hard task. It is always better to divide them into paragraphs so that the child can get a sense of progress by completing smaller parts of the work. Moreover, this will motivate him to continue. This tactic can also help with household chores, and not just reading.
Find the way your child learns
Not all children learn the same way. Some children process information more easily after seeing, some do it after hearing, while others after having hands-on knowledge of that information. It is important to understand which category your child falls into, as this will help him/her to learn faster, avoid tiring and reduce concentration hiccups.
<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/stratigikes-enisxusis-tis-sugkentrwsis-tou-paidiou-illustration-mathisiakoi-tupoi.jpeg" alt="illustration with three children and the three learning types">
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Visual type: Children with this type of learning understand visual information better. In this case, the child will be able to concentrate better since he/she will be able to read the information and write it down. In addition, short notes, drawings, and paintings are helpful.
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Auditory type: Children under this category learn best when they listen to the information, for example by reading a text aloud or listening to someone else reading it. For this reason, they may find audiobooks better than conventional books.
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Kinesthetic type: Children with this type of learning ability use touch and need to grasp and feel the object to process it better. For these children, learning by doing is more effective than learning by sight or hearing. For example, if the child wants to learn about planets he/she can make planets with different materials and colours, go to a planetarium, etc. A child who belongs to this learning type and learns letters will be helped more through movement, for example making the letters with his body.
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Prepare the child for the next step
When your child is busy, tell him what he should do next. At the same time, give him a few minutes to prepare for starting the new activity. For example, while he is busy with the tablet, don't tell him suddenly that he has to start studying immediately. It’s better to tell him that after the next 10 minutes the tablet will be turned off to start studying, with a reminder again after 5 minutes. You can even use a timer.
Set short-term goals
Set a time limit for achieving the goal. If it is a study, then you can say that a specific number of pages or chapters should be completed within certain minutes. Remember that the average concentration time for an adult is about 42 minutes, so the time for a child should be less, about 15-20 minutes. Of course, some children find it difficult to function under time pressure, as such, it’s always advisable to consider the option that suits best the child.
Reward system
This doesn't necessarily mean sweets or toys. A reward can be in the form of praise, something the child loves such as stickers or something he/she loves to do. This is how you can motivate them to keep going. For example, a walk in the park or playground, and playing with parents can be more result-oriented. Take time, do activities, and don't necessarily reward with material goods.
Allow distractions
Children are often full of energy. Give them time to express that energy when they have finished their task so they can focus on the next one. It is very helpful if the child does something completely different for a while. Movement always helps to learn, so the child can hop or run for a while and then continue. Of course, we don't let the situation get out of hand and set limits.
Yoga and breathing exercises
Let's be honest, we live in a world with an abundance of stimuli and distractions. Even for adults, it is sometimes difficult to concentrate. Yoga and simple relaxing exercises such as deep breathing, mental positive images, and thoughts help in brain activities and developing concentration.
<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/stratigikis-enisxusis-tis-sugkentrwsis-tou-paidiou-koritsi-se-thesi-dialogismou.jpeg" alt="girl is sitting in a meditation pose">
Use children’s energy effectively
Some children have more energy in the mornings, while others have it in the afternoon. Studying or other activities are best done when the child has the mood and energy so that they can concentrate better. Always start with the hardest activities or tasks, so that by the time the energy levels start to drop, the easier tasks are reached.
In conclusion, like any skill, concentration can be improved. However, in cases of neurobiological disorders, the results may not be as positive as expected. If the child has been experiencing severe concentration difficulties for some time, he should be examined by a pediatrician or pediatric psychiatrist and referred to a specialist therapist, if necessary.
From the Synopsis Team
Angelina Chatzaki, Occupational Therapist

Strategies to improve the child's concentration

<h1>Ideas for a fun speech therapy session</h1>
No matter how good a person is at their job, sometimes they feel they need a refreshment, something different and fun. Routine is a problem in our daily work, especially when working with young children, who get bored easily. So here are several ideas that can be incorporated into a speech therapy session and will change the mood of young and old alike.
Motion
All children love to move! Through movement, they discover and learn new things faster while strengthening skills such as vocabulary, articulation, following directions, categories, etc.
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<li>Yoga. The child can also for as long as he maintains the pose, say 5 words that you have asked him. In addition, he will practice body awareness and right-left perception.</li>
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<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/idees-gia-mia-diaskedastiki-sunedria-logotherapeias-kartes-yoga-me-animal-poses.jpeg" alt="Cards with yoga animal poses for kids">
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Outdoor space: go outside in a yard or go to the nearest playground. The child can do slide, swing, hopscotch, race. Ask the child to describe the toys, how they are played or just work with colors and materials. You can also reinforce social skills by having the child talk with other children on the playground. In addition, you will be able to work on spatial concepts and sizes.
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Ball: you can throw the ball to each other and say words that start with a specific letter or words of a specific category, e.g. fruit. You can also have the child throw the ball 5 times at a target or into a basket each time they hit one of your targets.
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Board games
A board game, in addition to being a recreational tool, can also be a good therapeutic tool. You can change the rules or use them as they are. Board games also help to strengthen vocabulary and memory, find solutions to everyday situations, improve articulation and phonology, etc. For example, the classic Snakes and Ladders can be adapted and players in order to progress should produce the words or phonemes, present in the squares. Build your own Snakes and Ladders board game according to the child's needs.
<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/idees-gia-mia-diaskedastiki-sunedria-logotherapeias-fidaki.jpeg" alt="Moderated for Speech Therapy board game Snakes and Ladders">
Thematic games
The child comes to the session and sings you Elsa's song or shows you his favorite Spiderman shirt. Take advantage of it! Children &quot;get hooked&quot; on certain heroes and children's toys and only want to engage with them. Draw their hero/heroine, sing the songs of the animation movie, describe pictures of the hero, say vocabulary related to the animation, use symbolic play related to the plot of the animation.
Crafts
Take out from the cupboard cardboard, glue, scissors, glitter, tongue depressors, finger paints and pom poms. Crafts are also a creative and fun way to practice and reinforce skills such as following directions, memory, staying on task-concentration, using vocabulary (tools), learning numbers, quantities, letters, etc.
<img src="https://assets-synopsis.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/admin/files/idees-gia-mia-diaskedastiki-sunedria-logotherapeias-diafores-kataskeues.jpeg" alt="different crafts">
Incorporate different activities into your sessions and you will see immediately that the child not only has fun, but is more willing to cooperate and performs better.
From the Synopsis team