Link: http://mamaot.com/developmental-progression-scissor-skills-best-tips-teaching-kids-use-scissors/

One of the biggest hardships that our little "friends" face in pre-k is cutting. This link provides 35 tips to help these little "friends" learn how to cut appropriately for their age and to develop the skills they need in order to cut properly as they age.

Link: http://mamaot.com/developmental-progression-of-pencil-grasp/

In the school, I have seen so many varying grasp patterns with our "friends." This link really helps to layout the different grasps and it helps to show if a child is developmentally behind on this school skill.

Link: https://theanonymousot.com/2013/03/28/is-it-sensory-behavior-or-both/

A lot of the time, within the school setting, a finger gets pointed at sensory issues, but it also gets pointed at behavior. In my level II, my CI has been challenging me to see if I can tell the difference between behavior and sensory within our caseload and it's been tricky; so, I found this link and found it very helpful for me to distinguish the difference.

Link: https://www.pinterest.com/otmonique/ot-swings-and-sensory-rooms/

The link I posted above is a Pinterest board with 225 swings and sensory room ideas. This is very relevant, not only for preschool aged children, but for all school aged children, as well.

Link: https://summit-education.com/ce/occupational-therapist

As everyone knows, when we are practicing, we have to attend CEU's to keep our license up-to-date. The link I posted above gives a list of the upcoming CEU's within Ohio. On the left hand side of the website, there is a drop down menu where you can change the state, the date, the hours, etc.

Link: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/ieps/the-iep-meeting-an-overview

I found this link that provides a brief overview of what an annual IEP meeting is structured like. I think it'd be helpful for students who have not had a placement in the school setting to better understand part of the OT's job is in the school setting.

Link: http://www.d.umn.edu/~gniereng/documents/betterIEPS_000.pdf

Today, at my level II placement, my CI explained to me the difference between benchmark goals and objective goals when writing a child's IEP. Prior to her explanation, I had never heard of/known the difference between the two; therefore, I think posting this PDF will help those who are interested in being a school-based therapist.

Article: http://www.spioworks.com/files/Jackman_Effectiveness-of-hand.pdf

The article I posted above is a meta-analysis study that dives into the idea of the effectiveness of splinting for children with CP. A "friend" - as we call them - on our caseload has CP and they have been using a velcro splint with her on her L hand and the friend constantly takes her splint off. We are diving into looking at using a plastic splint rather than a velcro one and I thought this journal article did a nice job explaining the benefits and effectiveness of splinting for a child with CP.

Link: https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Special-Education/Federal-and-State-Requirements/Procedures-and-Guidance/Ohio-Required-Forms/ETR-PR-06-form-static.pdf.aspx

The link I posted above is a PDF version of the ETR that we use in my level II placement along with the other members of our team (i.e. social worker, school psychologist, special education teacher, PT, SLP).

Link: http://www.ocecd.org/Downloads/IEP%20Goal%20Tips.pdf

The link I posted is a PDF that lists and explains the six critical elements that are needed in an IEP to be considered measurable - for the state of Ohio.

Link: http://special-ism.com/the-sensory-ups-of-trampolines/

The link I posted above discusses the benefits of jumping on a trampoline. A lot of the children we see on our caseload begin their therapy treatment session by bouncing on a trampoline while singing their ABC's; so, I found this article appropriate to better explain why jumping on a trampoline is actually beneficial.

Link: https://www.lwtears.com/sites/default/lpform/lpstuff/PreKAssessmentsBooklet_2016.pdf

If you guys open this PDF and scroll to pages 5 & 6 you can see what my CI and I have been doing with our pre-K children on our caseload. We used this screener to gather baseline data and then she will compare their baseline screeners to their end of the year screeners. This will allow for her to track any progress on these pre-K skills.

Link: https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/Transitions.pdf

A big part of my CI's job as an OT in the preschool setting is helping her kids on her caseload transition from pre-K to K. This article really breaks down the importance of properly transitioning and the role OT plays during this process.

Link: http://fireflycenter.com/AOTA/preschoolfact.pdf

I found this link that addresses OT in the preschool more specifically.

Link: https://www.pinterest.com/wendyvatkinson/ot-activities-sensory-behavior-social-skills-autis/

I found a Pinterest board that is dedicated to the sensory, behavioral, and social skills that accompany Autism. Autism is another diagnoses that I primarily work with in my current level II placement.

Link: http://network.autism.org.uk/good-practice/case-studies/why-occupational-therapy-important-children-autism

The link I posted above was written by an OT that explains what OT is and how it can benefit children with Autism.

Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012569/pdf/167.pdf

One of the major diagnoses that I am working with while in the pre-K is Down Syndrome. I found this article to better help me understand our role as OT's with these children and their diagnosis.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5lX_LSjn8

The video I posted above was created by MOT students that are discussing how to properly perform the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) Assessment. Since I primarily work with preschool aged children in my level II placement, I found this video super helpful, because it is our go-to assessment.

Link: https://www.greenwichschools.org/uploaded/district/departments/pupil_services/PPS_Conference_2013/Workshops2013/OT_PT_Evals_for_Parents.pdf

The link I posted above is a link to a PowerPoint created by an OT and PT. Within this PP, it discusses the differences (i.e. assessments, terms, areas of concentration, etc) within the school system setting between the two disciplines.

Link: https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/School%20Settings%20fact%20sheet.pdf

Since my current level II rotation is in the school, I decided that I would post this link written by AOTA. It does a nice job of explaining the in's and out's of OT's in the school system.