Development
Learn how to support your baby as they grow and develop through milestones, including gross motor and fine motor development as well as communication skills.
Filter by: Communication, Crawling, Fine and Gross Motor, Orientation and Mobility
Crawling, Product Reviews
Best Crawling Toys for Babies in 2023
The best crawling toys for babies not only serve as encouragement for crawling, but also provide entertainment and opportunities for exploration.
Crawling
How To Encourage Crawling: 10 Creative Tips for Your Baby
Tummy time is one of the greatest forms of encouragement you can give to your baby as she learns how to crawl. Now learn what the other nine are.
Communication, Potty Training
How to Use Sign Language for Potty Training
Sign language can be helpful for potty training young children who are pre-verbal, kids with special needs, or for multilingual families.
Fine and Gross Motor, Toys
6 DIY Toys to Encourage Fine Motor Development
I talked to an OT about some of the home-made toys she creates for her students to help them learn fine motor skills. Here are six of my favorites!
Development, Visual Impairment
Helping Your Blind Baby Develop Through Play
As the parent of a visually impaired child, I'm sure you worry about your baby's development, both physically and cognitively. How can you be sure that you're doing all that...
Fine and Gross Motor, Sensory Activities
The Learning Blanket: Tactile Activity Blankets & Pillows for Visually Impaired Kids
The Learning Blanket creates interactive blankets and pillows for kids who are blind, each containing visual, sensory, tactile and educational activities.
Crawling, Visual Impairment
Crawling & Climbing for Blind Babies
Crawling and climbing are two very important developmental milestones for babies and children who are blind. Some babies may skip these steps or reach them later than their typically developing...
Fine and Gross Motor
Recycling OT Videos
Barbara Smith shares videos with ideas for making interesting games and toys out of basic materials that will encourage fine motor skills.
Communication, Visual Impairment
Teaching Your Visually Impaired Child Sign Language
Jennie writes about how she taught her son, Max, to sign. Max is totally blind and does have a few verbal words, but using signs to augment his early communication...
Communication, Visual Impairment
Helping your blind child develop effective listening skills
Learning to listen carefully and distinguish between different sounds is an important skill for any child, but espeically for children with visual impairments. Lesley Potgieter explains how to assess your...
Assistive Technology, Communication
Switch Play: Using a switch for communication and play!
For children who are non-verbal or have low motor coordination, switches can be a great way to augment their play. If you're just getting started with a switch you may...
Communication, Visual Impairment
You Can Say That Again! Echolalia in Visually Impaired Children
Learn why children who are visually impaired repeat back what they hear, and how parents can help minimize repetition in a constructive way.
Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment
Guide Dogs of America
Guide Dogs of America is dedicated to its mission to provide guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women
Communication, iPad Apps and Accessibility
Adapting Signs App for Children with Vision Impairment
This app gives tips on how to adapt signs for blind children including videos and written information. It also allows you to create your own dictionary of signs.
Orientation and Mobility
ZipZac Mobility Chairs
The ZipZac 1 & 2® are great mobility chairs for kids who need assistance. The chair was originally developed for a young boy with spina bifida who could move his...