Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety: When should you worry?

Jackeline Gurdian, MS, OTR/L

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has suffered with this. I sometimes find myself apologizing for my daughter when she doesn’t want to be with anyone but mom or dad. (in my case mostly dad L). The more and more I talk about this with other parents, the more I realize that this is a problem that we are all dealing with.

So….Is it normal?

YES! Children often deal with separation by showing their true colors (crying, tantrums, etc.). This is a normal developmental stage in your child’s life. This anxiety will usually begin between 8-14 months; they often start to fear new people or new places. At this stage, children have a hard time understanding time and might feel like you will never come back. Usually around 2 years of age, most children outgrow this stage. Please note that it’s ok if at times your child demonstrates separation anxiety during periods of stress.

What can you do?

Social Skills

Does your child need help with social skills?

by Jackeline Gurdian, MS, OTR/L

It is key for a child to have positive relationships with peers to allow for maximal success in life. Academic skills are very important of course but without appropriate social skills, success is limited.

Social skills begin at birth but we often start to see and hear parents complain about delays when the child begins school.

Here are some examples of social skills that school aged children (4-5 years of age) should have:

·         Play group games appropriately (plays fair, takes turns, etc.)

·         Make close friends

·         Win or lose gracefully

·         Shows interest in others

·         Able to interact nonverbally (smiling, nodding, etc.)

·         Initiate and maintain conversations

·         Able to empathize with peers

·         Participate in pretend play

·         Able to stay on task for at least 5 minutes

·         Establish good eye contact with peers

Children learn from imitation and practice, so it is important to always show appropriate behaviors for your child to follow. For some children, social skills come naturally and others need a little help. If you feel your child needs a little or even a lot of help, please do not hesitate to contact us speakeatplay@gmail.com and we would be more than happy to find a social skills group that fits your child’s needs.

 

 

Please feel free to leave any comments below, we would love to hear your thoughts. Like our blog? be sure to sign up to recieve new posts via email or follow us on facebook facebook.com/speakeatplay.

Positional Plagiocephaly

Does your baby have flat areas on his head (Positional Plagiocephaly)?

By Jackie Gurdian, MS, OTR/L

Childbirth is an adventurous ride for your baby and sometimes it results in your newborn looking like a cone head, but don’t worry, because your baby’s skull will even out on its own.

Some babies develop a flat area after birth, this is called positional plagiocephaly. Flatness can occur on either side of the back of the head.

Why does this occur?

One of the main reasons why babies develop flat areas is because they sleep or rest in same position repeatedly. It is not recommended that babies spend too much time laying on their backs when they are awake, or anywhere where their head is laying head against a surface.

Another reason is having weak neck muscles. Your baby could be having difficulty turning his head to both sides. This can lead to torticollis, other times the child has torticollis which leads to flatness (information on torticollis coming soon). 

Prematurity is also another reason that plagiocephaly can occur. Premature babies have softer skulls than most full term babies and possibly could be spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where they are unable to move from the same position for long periods of time.

Positional plagiocephaly can also occur in utero when there is pressure placed on your baby’s skull.

What do you do if you suspect your child may have positional plagiocephaly?

This could be very easy for you to notice. Most of the time you will see a flattened side and this may cause that side to look pushed towards the front of the face. You may also notice asymmetry when looking at the face in frontal view.

If you suspect your child may have a “flat head”, ask the doctor. The doctor could recommend simple positioning changes to make around the house or possibly a custom molded helmet to provide pressure on some areas and allow growth in others.

How can you prevent positional plagiocephaly?

·         Lots and lots of tummy time to not only prevent baby being on his back for so long but also to strengthen their neck muscles. You could also try baby carriers when you need to be on the go.

·         Try putting baby at different ends of the crib every nap or bedtime. Usually if you are right handed you will place child in crib the same way every time try and alternate what arm you use to hold baby.

·         Limit the time that the baby is in equipment such as car seat, bouncy chair, swing or other similar seats.

·         If you have crib safe toys, alternate sides in which baby will have to look to play.

• Use a product like the Tortle, a beanie especially made for positional plagiocephaly, we wrote a review about it HERE.    

If you would like more information on different positional adjustments to make for your child please contact us speakeatplay@gmail.com.  We will also love to read your comments and any other suggestions you have tried.

Be sure to like our facebook page for updates and other informational posts www.facebook.com/speakeatplay

Thanks for reading!

Playing with your Newborn

10 Fun and Interactive Ways to Play with your Newborn

By Jackie Gurdian, M.S., OTR/L

It might be hard to believe but your newborn wants to play. I’m not talking playing a game of Monopoly but playing peek-a-boo is her idea of a fun night. For these games there is no need for fancy toys (the toys you registered for and found out later that your baby rather play with a box), instead you will be her favorite toy.

First, lets answer this question, why is play important?

Play is the way that newborns learn how to communicate, socialize, move and understand what is going on around them and socializing with you is the best way for baby to learn. Stimulation is very important for baby’s well-being and many studies show babies who are stimulated reach physical and cognitive milestones earlier.

Now, the fun stuff below is a list of games that my daughter loved to play as well as some ideas from other parents.

Bilateral Coordination Skills

Doesyour child have poor bilateral coordination skills?

By Jackie Gurdian, MS OTR/L
 

A bilateral skill is the child’s ability to utilize bothsides of the body for activities. A child with poor bilateral skills wouldprefer to use one hand than use both hands together for activities that requiretwo hands. Some children with hemiparesis have significant weakness in one sideof the body. It’s important to incorporate affected side to increase functionaluse of hand.

Below you will find some fun activities to incorporate inthe home to promote bilateral skills. Remember to have fun!

Bilateral Activities

Everyday household activities

• Carry container
• Help clear table after lunch, dinner, etc.
• Open packages (candy for increased motivation)
• Push large object on floor such as laundry basket or garbage
• Help with mixing food (ex: cake mix)
• Twist to ring water out of towel
• Hold cup

 

 

 

 

• Spread butter/peanut butter on bread/crackers or frosting on cookies
• Place empty containers inside each other (yogurt, butter)
• Bath time: fill up containers with water and pour them out

School and fine motoractivities

• Cut paper
• Tear paper

 

 

 

• Hold paper down with affected hand and draw/color with the unaffected hand

Sports

• Play catch
• Monkey bars

 

 

• Jump rope
• Swim
• Hold on to swing with both hands

 

 

 

• Hold baseball bat
• Ride bicycle

 

Games and toys

• Blow bubbles and have child pop by clapping

 

 

 

• Play finger games (Itsy Bitsy Spider)
• Sew or string beads
• Snap/Pop beads
• Lego’s
• Playing 2 handed musical instrument (drums, recorder, piano, guitar)
• Push a cart (play stroller, shopping cart, lawn mower, etc.)
• Play videogame with controller
• Remote control car, plane or boat
• Fly a kite
• Create “jungle”- clear cushions off couch and chairs and have child crawl and climb through “jungle”
• Make sand castles at the beach
• Crawl through a maze

 

• Scooter board game

 

• Wheelbarrow walk
• Play Simon Says

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contactme at speakeatplay@gmail.com. As always please consult your child’s physician before any activity.

If you like our posts be sure to follow us.

Source: Case-Smith, Jane. Occupational Therapy for Children,6^th edition.