Cincinnati- Keystone Pediatric Therapy

Blowing through a straw is a fun way to support oral motor skills and encourage deep breathing. It can be both calming and regulating.

✨ Try this:
-Blow cotton balls across a table
-Create races or obstacle paths
-Use different straw sizes for challenge

🧠 OT tip: Longer, slower breaths = more calming effect.

A simple line of tape on the floor can turn into a powerful sensory activity—no fancy equipment needed, just a little creativity! Walking heel-to-toe along a line challenges your child’s balance and coordination while also strengthening body awareness (proprioception). These skills are essential for everyday tasks like navigating stairs, sitting upright in a chair, and participating in play.

This activity is especially great for kids who seek movement or need help with focus. Slowing their body down to stay on the line requires control, attention, and motor planning—all in one simple exercise!

✨ Try this:
• Walk forward, backward, or sideways
• Pretend the line is a balance beam over “lava”
• Add objects to carry (stuffed animal, small toy, etc.)
• Place stickers along the line to step on
• Time it for a fun challenge or race
• Use different speeds—slow motion vs. “fast but careful”

🧠 OT Tip: This activity supports motor planning, balance, and attention. It’s a great regulating strategy before homework, meals, or transitions.

💡 Make it your own: Use painter’s tape, masking tape, or even draw a line with chalk outside. Keep it playful and low-pressure—the goal is progress, not perfection!

Play-Doh isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful sensory tool! Squeezing, rolling, flattening, and pinching all provide proprioceptive input (deep pressure to the muscles and joints), which can help kids feel more calm, organized, and ready to focus.

It’s also a great way to build hand strength and coordination, which are important for skills like handwriting, cutting, and buttoning.

✨ Try this:

-Hide small toys or beads inside for a “treasure hunt”
-Roll into “snakes,” balls, or letters
-Use cookie cutters or stamps for extra creativity
-Make it a game—who can build the tallest tower?

🧠 OT tip: Play-Doh is a great warm-up activity before fine motor tasks like writing or homework. Just a few minutes of play can help wake up the hands and improve focus.

As always, follow your child’s lead—keep it fun, pressure-free, and engaging!

It is time for the Keystone Pediatric Therapy Annual Food Drive!

We are happy to support our local families again this year by spreading Christmas cheer for one or two families right here in our community.💛

❄️ There are TWO wonderful opportunities to help a local family in need ❄️

1) Help us by nominating a family in need. 🔎

👉 Do you know of a family that would benefit from a full, festive Christmas dinner? Please reach out to us directly if you have a nomination you would like to submit.

All nominations are due by December 19th. This deadline is necessary to ensure the order can be placed and delivered by Christmas Eve, December 24th.

2) Donate Non-Perishable food items 🥫

🗓️ Canned Food Items/Donations Accepted: December 8 - December 30

In addition to identifying a family in need, we will be collecting food donations throughout the month of December to donate to Sem Food Pantry before Christmas. 🛒✨

Donation ideas: Soups and stews, Grain breakfast, Canned or dried beans, Pasta sauce, Canned tomatoes, Shelf-stable milk, Canned vegetables, Rice, Canned fish, Meat, Peanut butter / other nut butters.

Please drop them off at your child's next therapy session.

🤝 Let’s come together to make sure every family has a warm and joyful holiday meal. Thank you for your generosity and support! 🙏