Find fun activities and expert advice to strengthen fine motor skills, handwriting, pencil control, hand strength, and everyday independence.
Find fun activities and expert advice to strengthen gross motor skills, balance, coordination, core strength, and confidence for everyday movement, play, and participation.
Many parents worry when they notice their child holding a pencil differently from their peers. But did you know that pencil grasp develops gradually through a series of predictable stages? In this blog, our paediatric occupational therapists explain how pencil grasp evolves, what is considered typical at different ages, common misconceptions, and when it may be helpful to seek support. Learn how strength, coordination, posture, and play all contribute to successful handwriting.
Movement Is the Brain's Favourite Teacher Children don't learn best [...]
When people think about developing hand strength, they often picture endless handwriting practice or repetitive exercises. The good news is that children build stronger hands best through play. Every time they squeeze, pinch, pull, twist, climb, build, or create, they're strengthening the muscles needed for writing, dressing, eating, and becoming more independent. At The Therapy Network (TTN), we believe that the best therapy often looks like play. Our Occupational Therapists help children build strong, capable hands through fun, meaningful activities that fit naturally into everyday family life.
When families hear the word assessment, it's easy to imagine tests, scores and comparisons. But the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS) is very different. Rather than measuring intelligence or academic achievement, it helps Occupational Therapists understand how children manage the everyday skills that support independence, participation and quality of life. From getting dressed and communicating with others to following routines and participating in the community, the ABAS provides valuable insights into what life looks like beyond the clinic. At The Therapy Network (TTN), we use the ABAS as part of comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs) to better understand each child's strengths, identify areas where support may be needed, and develop meaningful recommendations that help children thrive at home, school and in the community.
When families begin the NDIS process, one of the biggest surprises is the number of questionnaires involved in a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). It's natural to wonder why they're needed. The answer is simple: the NDIS doesn't fund a diagnosis—it funds the impact that diagnosis has on everyday life. One of the key evidence-based tools Occupational Therapists use to understand this impact is the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0). In this blog, we explain what the WHODAS measures, why it plays such an important role in Functional Capacity Assessments, and how it helps families, therapists and the NDIS gain a clearer understanding of a person's strengths, challenges and support needs.
When families hear that their child will be completing a PEDI-CAT assessment, they often wonder what it involves and why it's important. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory – Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT) is much more than a questionnaire—it is an evidence-based assessment that helps Occupational Therapists understand how children participate in everyday life. From dressing and mealtimes to mobility, communication and social participation, the PEDI-CAT provides valuable insights into a child's strengths, areas of challenge and support needs. In this blog, we explain what the PEDI-CAT measures, how it contributes to Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs) and NDIS planning, and why it plays such an important role in helping children achieve greater independence and participation.
Chores don’t have to be a battle—in fact, they can be one of the easiest ways to support your child’s development. This blog explores how everyday tasks like tidying, cooking, and folding laundry can build motor skills, independence, problem-solving, and confidence. With simple OT-informed strategies, you can turn routine moments at home into meaningful learning opportunities.
Learning to write is more than holding a pencil—it requires the right hand strength, coordination, and fine motor control. This blog explains the connection between pencil grip, hand strength, and writing readiness, and provides practical tips for parents to support their child’s early writing skills. It also highlights how occupational therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) guide families in developing the foundational skills needed for confident, independent handwriting.
Learning to dress independently is a key milestone in a child’s development, promoting confidence, self-reliance, and fine motor skill growth. This blog explores practical strategies parents can use at home to support children in mastering everyday dressing tasks, while highlighting how occupational therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) guide families with tailored approaches to build independence, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
Fine motor skills are essential for everyday tasks such as writing, dressing, feeding, and play. Developing these skills doesn’t require complex equipment—simple, engaging activities at home can make a significant impact. In this blog, we share 10 practical and easy-to-implement activities that support the development of hand strength, coordination, and control, while highlighting how occupational therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) can support children to build these skills in a fun and meaningful way.
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