Why the Arts Help Kids With Learning Differences

Arts participation gives kids with learning disabilities another pathway to think, learn, and connect. It can strengthen attention, planning, and memory because children practice steps, patterns, and cause-and-effect while making something. Many families find the arts become a creative outlet to express when words are hard.

This matters because progress is not only academic. When a child has a place to succeed, confidence grows and stress often drops. Research links arts activities most days with higher self-esteem, which can spill into schoolwork, friendships, and daily routines.

Think of art like a “practice space” for life skills. A short drawing session rehearses starting, sticking with a task, and finishing without perfection. A small group activity also teaches taking turns and sharing ideas.

Try 6 Art Paths—With Simple Home Adaptations

You don’t have to “pick the perfect art” to get the brain, emotional, and social benefits of creativity. Try one path for a week, notice what your child enjoys (or avoids), and then adjust the activity, not your expectations.

1. Painting and drawing: make success automatic with easy tools. Start with 10 minutes and just two choices (one paper size, two colors) to reduce decision overload. Use short crayons, chunky pencils, or a slant board/binder to support grip and wrist position; tape paper to the table for kids who press hard or get frustrated. Offer prompts that feel safe and concrete: “Draw three circles,” “Paint only lines,” or “Copy this simple shape,” which builds confidence while still supporting planning and focus.

2. Music: use rhythm to support attention and communication. Keep it simple, clap-and-copy patterns, a small drum, or tapping on the table with two spoons can work. Try “stop/go” songs to practice impulse control: play for 10 seconds, pause for 5, repeat. If your child is sound-sensitive, start with quieter instruments (shakers with fewer beads, soft mallets) and a predictable routine; music therapy benefits often come from structure as much as the sound.

3. Dance and movement: build motor skills without calling it “exercise.” Choose 2–3 moves and repeat them to one song (step-touch, reach high/low, turn in a circle), which supports coordination and sequencing. Add visual cues, sticky notes on the floor for where feet go, or a scarf to show “big” versus “small” movements. For kids who struggle with balance, do seated dance first (arms, shoulders, head turns) and slowly add standing steps.

4. Crafting: strengthen fine motor skills through “helper jobs.” Instead of a big craft, set up a 5-minute station: peel and stick stickers, tear paper for collage, or use clothespins to pick up pom-poms. Adaptive scissors, glue sticks over liquid glue, and pre-cut shapes reduce fatigue and keep the focus on planning and perseverance. Take photos of each step so your child can “check off” progress and feel capable.

5. Theater and pretend play: practice social skills in a low-pressure way. Use a basket of props (hat, spoon microphone, scarf cape) and act out one short scene: ordering at a restaurant, visiting a doctor, or meeting a new friend. Give your child a predictable script with two lines and one choice (“Do you want to be the cashier or the customer?”). Theater participation advantages often show up as stronger self-advocacy and flexible thinking, because kids get to rehearse real-life moments safely.

6. Sculpting and sensory art: turn tactile learning into gradual tolerance. Start with “dry first” materials (Modeling clay, kinetic sand, foil, pipe cleaners), then slowly introduce messier textures if your child is ready; art gives the opportunity to slowly desensitize kids to new materials without forcing it. Offer a “touch tool” option (popsicle stick, gloves, zip-top bag over dough) so they can participate while feeling in control. A simple rule helps: 30 seconds of trying, then a break, repeat twice.

Common Questions Parents Ask About Arts & Special Needs

Q: What are some effective ways to encourage my child with learning disabilities to explore different types of art like painting or music?
A: Offer tiny “samples” instead of big lessons: 10 minutes, one material, one simple goal. Keep costs low with household items like cardboard, washable markers, or a free music app, and let your child choose between two options to reduce pressure. When possible, look for inclusive community classes and ask what accommodations are available.

Q: How can engaging in arts activities help improve my child's communication and social skills?
A: Arts give kids a safer way to express preferences, feelings, and stories without needing perfect words. If social situations feel uncertain, use role-playing potential scenarios before a class or recital.

Q: What should I do if my child feels overwhelmed or frustrated during creative projects?
A: Pause and shrink the task immediately: fewer steps, fewer materials, shorter time. Offer a sensory reset like water, a stretch break, or quiet headphones, then return with a “first, then” plan. Praise effort and coping, not the final product, so frustration does not become a reason to quit.

Q: Are there simple art activities that fit easily into a busy family schedule without causing extra stress?
A: Yes, aim for “micro-arts” you can finish before attention runs out: a doodle prompt, a rhythm copy game, or a one-song movement break. Keep a small bin of ready supplies so setup is under two minutes. Consistency matters more than length, so three short sessions a week is plenty.

Q: How can I manage the additional paperwork and organization if I decide to start an art-related small business with my child?
A: Start with a one-page system: one folder for receipts, one for orders, and a simple weekly checklist. Choose one day to do admin for 20 minutes, and keep your child’s role predictable, like adding stickers to packaging or choosing colors. If you decide to formalize the business (like forming an LLC), using a service such as ZenBusiness can keep compliance tasks and filings from turning into yet another pile of forms at home. If paperwork still feels heavy, an accountant or small-business counselor can help you set up a routine that protects your family time.

Arts Exploration Checklist You Can Use Today

This checklist turns good intentions into an easy plan you can actually repeat. Use it to set up low-pressure art time, reduce meltdowns, and notice what your child truly enjoys.

Choose one art option for today
Set a 10-minute timer
Prep two to three supplies in advance
Offer two choices and let your child pick
Build in one planned break or sensory reset
Use a “first, then” cue to start
Record one win and one preference after

You only need one small try to begin building confidence.

Building Confidence & Joy Through Arts for Special Needs Kids

It can be hard to invite the arts in when sensory needs, communication differences, and unpredictable days make “normal” activities feel out of reach. The steadier path is a playful, low-pressure mindset: offer simple choices, follow your child’s lead, and keep showing up with calm, judgment-free support. Over time, that consistency can bring positive outcomes of arts engagement, more self-expression, connection, and pride, along with long-term benefits for special needs children that reach beyond the art itself. Progress in the arts comes from permission to explore, not pressure to perform. Choose one activity from the checklist and try it once this week, noticing what lights your child up. This is how empowerment through arts grows into resilience and closeness that supports them for years.

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A few quick anchors to keep in mind

● Aim for a rhythm where effort and recovery alternate, not “effort all the time.”
● Protect at least a couple of unscheduled blocks each week, even if they’re short.
● Use the schedule as a tool—not as a scoreboard for “good parenting.”

The hidden cost of “productive” childhood

There’s a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from being constantly “on.” Even joyful activities require transitions, attention, social energy, and often performance. If your child goes from school straight to practice straight to homework straight to bedtime, they may look fine—until they don’t.

A useful lens: What is the schedule doing to your child’s mood, sleep, relationships, and general appetite? Those are early warning lights. If you notice persistent irritability, trouble sleeping, loss of interest, increased anxiety around activities, or frequent stomachaches/headaches with no clear medical cause, it may be time to adjust the load.

Signs you might need more downtime

A creative screen break that can actually restore

Not all screen time is equal. Some of it is draining and sticky; some is playful and expressive. One option, especially after homework or a busy day, is encouraging your child to make a goofy character or short story using a cartoon generator. A tool like an AI cartoon generator can turn text prompts or photos into custom cartoon-style images and short animated clips, giving them a light, imaginative break that still feels like “making something.” If you want to explore that kind of creative downtime together, click here for more information.

A simple family reset (how-to, not a lecture)

Try this as a two-week experiment. Tell your child you’re testing a new routine to make life feel better, not to take away fun.

1. List everything that happens weekly. Include school hours, commuting, homework, chores, and activities.
2. Circle the “non-negotiables.” Typically school, meals, sleep, and one or two commitments.
3. Choose one “anchor activity.” The one that lights your child up—or supports their health—most consistently.
4. Create buffers between major blocks. After school and after evening activities are the big ones.
5. Assign downtime the way you assign soccer. Put it on the calendar. Make it real.
6. Keep one flexible slot. A blank space where nothing is planned.
7. Review weekly, briefly. Ten minutes. One question: “What felt good? What felt too much?”

Downtime that doesn’t feel like “wasting time”

● Free outdoor play (even short, even in a park)
● Reading for pleasure (comics count)
● Quiet crafts: drawing, Lego, origami, knitting
● Music without performance pressure
● Solo time in their room with permission to be off-duty
● Family “low-demand” time: walk, puzzle, cooking together
● Doing nothing on purpose (yes, seriously)

A reliable resource for parents who want calmer routines

If you’re looking for practical, research-informed tools on children’s wellbeing and everyday parenting, the UNICEF Parenting site is a solid place to start. It’s designed for real life: short guidance, manageable ideas, and topics like stress, emotional regulation, and communication. It can help you frame schedule choices around what your child needs developmentally, not what other families are doing. You can browse by age and challenge, and pick one strategy to try this week instead of attempting a total overhaul.

FAQ

How many activities are “too many”?
There isn’t a universal number. A better measure is whether your child can sleep well, eat regularly, keep up with school responsibilities, and still have time to decompress without constant conflict.
What if my child wants to do everything?
Validate the excitement, then set a limit: “You can choose two for this term.” You’re teaching prioritization—an adult skill, not a punishment.
How do I talk to coaches or instructors about scaling back?
Be simple and respectful: “We’re adjusting our family schedule for wellbeing and need a lighter commitment.” Most people understand.
What if downtime makes my child restless or cranky?
That’s common at first. Some kids need a “ramp-down” routine (snack, shower, quiet music, short walk) before they can actually rest.

Conclusion

A balanced schedule isn’t a perfect spreadsheet—it’s a flexible rhythm that protects your child’s energy and joy. Start small: add buffers, reduce transitions, and defend downtime as essential, not optional. Review what’s working every week, and give yourself permission to change the plan mid-season. When kids have space to recover, they usually show you more creativity, more cooperation, and more genuine motivation.

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Key Ideas

● Leadership grows through practice, not personality.
● Small responsibilities teach accountability and confidence.
● Modeling effort and resilience matters more than giving speeches.
● Supportive environments help kids take healthy risks.

Everyday Moments That Shape Leadership

Children learn leadership in ordinary situations: deciding what game to play, helping a sibling, or speaking up when something feels unfair. These moments teach initiative and empathy at the same time. When parents pause before intervening, kids discover how to negotiate, compromise, and stand by their ideas.

One powerful approach is letting children experience natural consequences. If they forget a homework assignment, the lesson sticks more deeply than a reminder ever could. Over time, this builds self-direction and an internal sense of responsibility.

Simple Ways to Encourage Leadership at Home

Leadership doesn’t need a formal curriculum. It thrives when children feel trusted and capable. Here are a few practical ideas that fit naturally into family life:
● Rotate small household responsibilities so each child leads something.
● Invite kids into family decisions that affect them.
● Encourage them to speak for themselves in age-appropriate settings.
● Praise effort, judgment, and follow-through rather than outcomes alone.

Supporting Growth Through Play and Skill Building

Leadership is closely tied to emotional regulation, focus, and confidence. Some children benefit from extra support in these areas, especially if they struggle with attention or self-control. Play-based developmental services can strengthen the skills that make leadership possible without turning learning into pressure.

Services like Playapy use guided activities to help children build resilience, communication, and problem-solving in ways that feel natural and encouraging. As kids gain confidence through play, they’re more willing to take initiative and engage with others thoughtfully.

A Simple Framework You Can Use at Home

Leadership development works best when it’s intentional but relaxed. The steps below offer a simple framework you can adapt to your family:
● Notice situations where your child already shows initiative.
● Create space for them to make choices and explain their reasoning.
● Allow mistakes without rushing to fix them.
● Reflect together on what worked and what didn’t.
● Adjust expectations as skills grow.

Parent Questions About Building Leadership Skills

Parents often want clarity before changing how they guide their children. The questions below address practical concerns that come up when focusing on leadership at home.

Is leadership something kids are born with?

Leadership tendencies can appear early, but skills like decision-making and communication are learned. Children grow into leadership through practice and feedback. Environment and guidance play a major role.

How young is too young to teach leadership?

Even toddlers can practice leadership in simple ways, like choosing activities or helping others. The key is matching expectations to the developmental stage. Small choices lay the groundwork for bigger responsibilities later.

What if my child is shy or introverted?

Leadership doesn’t require being loud or outgoing. Quiet children often lead through thoughtfulness and example. Supporting their strengths helps them lead authentically.

Can too much responsibility backfire?

Yes, if responsibilities exceed a child’s capacity or come without support. Leadership should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Gradual increases work best.

How do I correct mistakes without discouraging my child?

Focus on learning rather than blame. Discuss what happened and what could change next time. This keeps confidence intact while building judgment.

Do extracurriculars matter for leadership development?

They can help, especially when kids take on roles within groups. What matters most is reflection and support from adults. Activities alone don’t teach leadership without guidance.

Bringing It All Together

Leadership in children grows from trust, patience, and example. When parents model resilience, invite participation, and allow room for mistakes, kids learn how to guide themselves and others. The goal isn’t to raise a bossy child, but a capable one. With steady support, leadership becomes a natural extension of who they are.

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TL;DR

You don’t need to do your child’s homework—you need to design the environment for it. Set a calm routine, teach process (not perfection), use online supports strategically, and model curiosity. Small systems beat constant supervision.

Checklist: The “Low-Stress Homework Zone” Setup

Designate a consistent, clutter-free workspace.
Set a start and stop time (predictability lowers resistance).
Keep supplies handy (pencils, paper, charger, water).
Have a “stuck protocol”: what your child should do before asking for help.
End with a 2-minute reflection (“What felt easy? What can we try differently tomorrow?”).

Common Homework Pain Points & Realistic Fixes

How-To Section: The “3-S” Method for Stress-Free Support

1. Structure → Set clear boundaries around time and environment. Routine reduces mental load.

2. Support → Guide, don’t lecture. Ask: “What’s your first step?” instead of “Need help?”

3. Self-regulation → Teach them to pause, breathe, and restart when frustrated. Apps like Headspace for Kids help calm focus.

Resource Highlight: Boosting Learning Confidence Beyond Homework

When children struggle repeatedly, supportive outside help can ease tension at home. Flexible, human-led online tutoring offers personalized, one-on-one guidance that fits your family’s schedule. For example, online Spanish courses can connect your child with trustworthy, certified tutors who tailor lessons, provide trial sessions, and allow easy tutor switching—creating an engaging path toward comfort, steady progress, and lasting
confidence.

Feature Spotlight: Building Habits With Structure

One clever tool for parents is Forest, a focus timer where kids “grow” a tree by staying on task. It gamifies concentration while reinforcing self-discipline—a quiet win for screen-age learners.
You might also explore:
● Khan Academy for concept videos
● Quizlet for flashcard games
● Calm for guided mindfulness breaks
● Grammarly for Education to build writing confidence

FAQ: Common Parent Homework Questions

Q: Should I correct my child’s homework mistakes?
A: No need to fix every one—teachers learn more from authentic errors. Circle tricky areas and encourage a retry.

Q: How long should homework take?
A: Generally 10 minutes per grade level (4th grade ≈ 40 minutes). If it consistently exceeds that, discuss with the teacher.

Q: My child procrastinates—how do I stop the cycle?
A: Break large tasks into micro-goals with mini rewards. The smaller the step, the easier it is to start.

Q: How can I help my child stay motivated while learning a new language?
A: Keep it fun and consistent. Use songs, games, and short practice sessions. Celebrate small wins and focus on progress, not perfection—confidence grows fastest through enjoyment.

Glossary

Stuck Protocol: A preset checklist for what to do before asking for help.
Executive Function: The brain’s “manager” for organization, planning, and impulse control.
Time Blocking: Scheduling focused work periods with short breaks.
Cognitive Load: The amount of working memory being used—too much causes overwhelm.

Conclusion

The best homework help isn’t about giving answers—it’s about building resilience. When learning a new language or tackling tricky subjects, structure beats stress and empathy beats pressure. By focusing on progress instead of perfection, parents can turn homework from a nightly struggle into a calm, shared rhythm of growth—one that strengthens both confidence and communication skills along the way.

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The Benefits 

As an occupational therapist, I understand that children learn and development skills through everyday activities like chores. These skills can include direction following, attention span, strength, coordination, visual perception, fine motor skills, sequencing, and more. Chores are a part of self-care and teach responsibility as well as organization. They also provide exercise for both strength and coordination of the fingers and overall body. They also can be fun when incorporating songs or done socially with a peer or family member especially for children that struggle with executive function.

The Research

Have you ever wondered if there was evidence that making kids do chores could directly lead to a successful life? According to the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, performing chores in early elementary school was associated with later development of self-competence, prosocial behavior, and self-efficacy. In a 2019 study, Kindergarteners that performed chores had improved math scores by third grade. There was also evidence to show that the frequency of chores in Kindergarten was positively associated with a child’s perception of social, academic and life satisfaction in the third grade.

The Lists 

Now that you know there are benefits to assigning chores, you may be wondering what chores are appropriate based on your child’s age. You can reference the chores list for examples keeping in mind that skills can vary by age depending on cultural norms, environment, and expectations of parents.

Finding a balance of play and chores is something that some adults struggle with regularly. Teaching this balance to children is a skill that starts in the earliest of stages. Making chores part of your family’s routine and using a playful approach can help to build lifelong skills. Try incorporating music, timed competitive races, or movement like dancing or shooting paper into baskets as ways to bring joy to chores.

Amy Baez is the Founder of Playapy and Creator of the PALS Handwriting Program. She is a pediatric occupational therapist, speaker, and parent educator with 25 years of experience.

White, Elizabeth M. MD*,†; DeBoer, Mark D. MD, MSc, MCR†,‡; Scharf, Rebecca J. MD, MPH*,†. Associations Between Household Chores and Childhood Self-Competency. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 40(3):p 176-182, April 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000637

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Why Swimming?

Think of the various elements of swimming. It can be indoors or outside. Quiet or load. Solitary or social. Relaxing or invigorating. The sensory experience when swimming can be tailored to the needs of your child and can provides many benefits. According to Henry Ford Pediatrician Leonard Pollack, M.D., individual sports, such as swimming may be more beneficial for children with ADHD than traditional team sports. In fact, there are numerous studies that suggest that swimming activity may have positive implications for motor development, cognitive function, behavior, and academic performance.

Motor Development

Swimming can promote gross motor coordination and motor planning as well as efficient motor patterns. It can also provide age-appropriate motor and physical experiences and aerobic exercise. Swimming is often encouraged as a great activity for incorporating the left and right planes of the body needed for skills like bilateral coordination.

Cognitive Function

Swimming in water with rhythmic and repetitive movement can help to improve cognition. This can include concentration and attention as well as response time and memory. The flow of movement in water provides a unique opportunity to be in creative thought while also moving the body in a safe space.

Behavior

Swimming can also be exciting for someone that needs excessive input to expel energy like when the body is crashing into water and creating a loud splash. This allows an ADHDer to regulate their systems leading to management of their emotions and impulses. Swimming can improve mental health including symptoms of depression, which is common among ADHDers.

Academic Performance

In a 2022 study, children with ADHD from the experimental group completing organized recreational swimming activities showed improved academic performance in reading comprehension and math. Imagine how the sensory input you experience in water can also be calming when slow and easy training the brain to improve focus.

These are just some of the benefits of swimming for those with ADHD. Most children that swim regularly enjoy swimming. Hence, it seems like an easy choice to encourage swimming when other barriers are not a factor.

Amy Baez is the Founder of Playapy and Creator of the PALS Handwriting Program. She is a pediatric occupational therapist, speaker, and parent educator with 25 years of experience.

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When it comes to typically developing children and adults, understanding importance or that there are consequences to not accomplishing tasks can be enough. Some children also can be easily swayed by stickers and other rewards like gifts or praise.

Executive Function Motivators

According to psychiatrist Dr. William Dodson, children with ADHD have different motivators. His research determined that there were four: interest/passion, novelty, challenge, and urgency. ImpactParents, a resource for parents, adapted his research findings and created a more memorable acronym changing INCU to PINCH.

PINCH Acronym

The PINCH acronym is an adaptation of the four executive function motivators. P stands for play and replaces passion. I and N remain the same and relate to interest and novelty. C is for competition and challenges. Lastly, H is for “hurry up” and is equal to urgency.

How OT Helps

Speaking from decades of experience, I can see how occupational therapists are successful with improving executive function skills. We tailor our sessions to incorporate these motivators naturally given we consider the whole child in the design of our version of therapeutic play.

The PINCH acronym can be beneficial to parents at home and teachers at school. Click here to download a helpful Executive Function Motivators PDF as a guide.

Amy Baez is the Founder of Playapy and Creator of the PALS Handwriting Program. She is a pediatric occupational therapist, speaker, and parent educator with 25 years of experience.

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Model Without Narrating

The most powerful thing you can do as a parent is live the life you hope your kids will someday choose. That doesn’t mean turning your kitchen into a smoothie bar or making every dinner a teachable moment. It just means letting them see you go for a walk when you’re stressed, or cook something colorful when you’re craving comfort. Kids don’t need you to narrate your healthy choices; they need to witness them, quietly and repeatedly, until those behaviors feel like the norm.

Talk About Feelings—Not Just Food

Health isn’t just a matter of broccoli versus brownies. It’s also about how your child processes frustration, boredom, loneliness, or pressure. If you only talk about health in terms of diet or exercise, you’re missing the whole emotional landscape that drives so many of our choices. Try checking in on what their day felt like, not just what it looked like. That emotional fluency builds resilience in a way no food pyramid ever could.

Redefine “Exercise”

If your kid hears “exercise” and immediately imagines a gym filled with sweat and misery, something’s gone sideways. Movement doesn’t have to mean reps and routines. It can be roller skating with friends, building a fort in the woods, or dancing like an idiot in the kitchen while you clean up dinner. The goal is to help them associate movement with joy and connection, not punishment or obligation.

Curate the Environment, Then Step Back

You don’t need to control everything your child eats or does, but you do have a say in what’s available to them. Keep fresh fruit visible. Stock the freezer with frozen veggies. Keep a water bottle in the car and a soccer ball in the trunk. When you quietly fill the environment with good options, you allow your kid to “choose” well without them feeling coerced. It’s influence without the lecture.

Visual Reminders That Stick

A few well-placed posters can quietly reinforce the values you want to pass along. Choose quotes that reflect balance, self-care, or joy, and let them live where your child will see them every day. With an easy-to-use app that enables users to design, customize, and print high-quality posters using an array of templates and intuitive editing tools, it’s simple to create something personal. Those small touches—those quiet posters to print—can go a long way.

Normalize Sleep as a Sacred Ritual

We spend a lot of time talking to kids about screen time, sugar, and social media—but not enough about sleep. Good sleep hygiene is a foundation for almost every other healthy behavior, and yet we often treat it like an afterthought. Make sleep something that’s respected in your house. Dim the lights earlier, create calming routines, and speak about rest as something powerful and restorative—not just something kids do because they’re told.

Celebrate Curiosity Over Perfection

If your child wants to know how muscles grow, show them a video. If they wonder what’s in their cereal, read the label together. Don’t worry about teaching them the “right” answers to everything—focus instead on making it okay to ask questions and explore. The more they associate health with curiosity and learning, the more likely they’ll keep seeking information instead of blindly following trends. You want to raise a critical thinker, not a health robot.

There’s no magic script for raising healthy kids—just thousands of tiny decisions, made over years, with love and patience. You’re not trying to win the week; you’re laying down tracks for a life they’ll keep building long after they leave your house. And if you get some of it wrong (which you will), that’s fine. What matters most is that they leave knowing how to listen to themselves, how to recover from bad days, and how to care for their body like it matters—because it does.

Empower your child’s journey to success with Playapy! Discover expert resources and personalized support to help your child thrive—visit us today!

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Therapist Perspective

Being a pediatric occupational therapist for two and half decades, I have my favorite toys and activities. My favorite activity is making things, and the more abstract the better. I personally love to create as a form of play and building with objects can lead to great examples of creativity. In therapy sessions, I regularly give a child a box of various building materials and given them free play for 5-10 minutes to see what they make. The creativity and joy I experience amaze me each time.

Benefits of Creative Making 

Did you know that there is research to support the activity of creative making as a way to significantly reduce anxiety? Studies show that there can be a reduction is cortisol levels following art-making sessions, indicating a reduction in the stress response.  It can also lead to positive emotional responses including increased sense of accomplishment and improved mood. The time spent in creative making is also a mindfulness activity where the focus is on the present moment. I remember once taking a batik painting class for several hours, and it was the most relaxing experience I had that entire year. Getting lost in creativity can be like being in a meditative state. It simply brings me joy.

Creative Making Suggestions

If you are debating what types of activities give you the most benefits, consider making with constructional play toys as a fun option. Most families are familiar with Lego bricks. Other toys to consider for preschoolers include plastic links, magnetic tiles, and straw constructor toys. For early elementary age kids, I would recommend stem builder sets and Pix Brix. If you need more ideas for art-making activities, you can watch videos including paper folding, twist ties, and paper snowflakes. I hope they help you to continue to experience the benefits that come with magic of making.

Amy Baez is the Founder of Playapy and Creator of the PALS Handwriting Program. She is a pediatric occupational therapist, speaker, and parent educator with 25 years of experience.

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As a parent, you might wonder how you can be there for your child while they re-adjust to their usual school schedule. Here are a few tips from Playapy to help you get a child off to a good start when they head back to school after a break.

Have Honest Conversations

When your child gets home from school, make it a point to spend extra time with them. Ask them engaging questions about their day and what they learned. Your child wants to know that you take an interest in what they’re learning.

By prompting them to talk about the positive aspects of their day, you might start shifting their perspective on going back to school. But if they want to vent about a tough lesson or bland cafeteria food, lend a willing ear — we all need to blow off steam sometimes!

Go for a Walk

After going from days of building snowmen and watching holiday movies to long hours back in the classroom, your child might feel like they already need another break! While they can’t take more time off from school just yet, you can schedule fun breaks from homework so that your child doesn’t feel like they have to be productive all day long. When possible, get your kids outside and move.

Try going for walks together. If you’re not sure where to go, check out a Walk Score map of your area. Areas with scores higher than 70 are pedestrian-friendly and should make great spots for you and your child to explore on foot.

Stream Educational Programs

If you can’t get outside, use screen time strategically. Stanford suggests sticking to a limit of about one to two hours of TV time for your children each day. You can stream programs on all kinds of interesting topics, like science, geography, and nature. Set up parental controls on your devices beforehand, just to be on the safe side.

Discuss Your Child’s Goals

Now that the new year has begun, your child might want to set some simple goals. Perhaps they want to get better grades in school, or maybe they want to learn how to play a new sport. Having a fresh start and a new goal to work towards might make them feel more engaged in the classroom.

Give your child some guidance when it comes to goal setting. Help them figure out the small steps they can take towards their goal, like setting up a morning and after school routine. Many successful leaders attribute some of their success to their morning routines. Let your kids know that you support them in whatever endeavors they want to take on this year, and that you believe they can achieve whatever they set their mind to.

Build Good Habits

Helping your child build good habits is a vital part of their development, and teaching them the importance of keeping their room clean is a great place to start. A clean and organized space not only fosters a sense of responsibility but also contributes to their overall well-being and productivity. To make this task more appealing and maintain their interest, consider turning it into a game. You could set a timer and challenge them to ‘beat the clock’ in tidying up, or create a reward chart where they earn points for every day their room is kept neat. Making a game out of cleaning can transform what might seem like a chore into a fun and engaging activity.

Start a Reading Ritual

During winter break, your child might have been busy with family holiday festivities. Now that your family’s schedule is back to normal, it’s time to settle into a routine. Why not designate some time to read with your child every evening?

According to Pearson, reading expands your child’s vocabulary and helps boost their performance in school. If they’re too old for bedtime stories, choose a book that you can both read together and discuss. Decide together on an appropriate book that suits their reading level, with an interesting plot that will lead to great conversations.

Yes, your child will probably be a bit cranky for their first week back at school after winter break, and they might drag their feet as you help them get ready in the morning. Just be patient for a few days and give them time and space to readjust. With your support, your child can put their best foot forward and thrive during the upcoming semester.

Parents and professionals have direct access to caregiver education, pediatric occupational therapy, and parent training. Backed by the experience of working with hundreds of children, Playapy effectively communicates playful solutions that lead to powerful results.

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