Starfish Therapies

A pediatric therapy company operating in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We provide physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy services in the most beneficial and convenient setting for you and your child, including our clinic, currently located in Burlingame, your home, school or daycare.

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3 More Teletherapy Games

May 18, 2020 by Stacy Menz

Enjoy the first round of virtual therapy games? Check out this follow up with more ideas to engage your patients over video calls while challenging them with movement and exercise! Share your ideas too! We’d love to build our resources and keep learning together.

1. Hangman – …Or other basic turn taking game such as I Spy or Pictionary. This version was played with a whiteboard, slips of paper and a cup (any container would do!). The idea was a correct answer or guess resulted in choosing a slip from one cup of “fun/silly” cards and an incorrect answer resulted in choosing a slip from the other cup of “challenge” cards. The promise of the fun cards along with the game style entices the kids to participate even in the face of the challenge cards. You can tailor these to be actual silly cards or just more preferred or slightly easier exercises depending on each kid.

This was the set up for Hangman and it could work well for I Spy or Pictionary in the same manner. A similar set up could be used for games like Tic-Tact-Toe or Bingo where, instead of choosing a card based on a right or wrong guess, they need to complete cards to earn points towards taking their turn. You can set how many points they need and then fun cards can be small points and challenge cards big points!

2. Athletic Competition (similar to Olympics) – This game was originally designed when return to in person visits seemed more imminent and the “prize” of winning a plastic medal from the office was motivating. Without that option, a fun alternative is “collecting” virtual medals and showing them their folder or document which is slowly getting more medals. In this game, each color was assigned an activity and when all 5 colors of the Olympic rings were completed they’ve earned a medal. You can incorporate a color wheel or spinner for extra fun and motivation if needed!

This version is very simple but can be made more complex! Consider making activities related to actual Olympic events in order to earn a medal rather than following the color idea. Or develop a point scheme similar to the above game where the kiddo can earn points over several sessions towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals.

3. Superhero Practice – With things continuing to carry on for longer times, even the most agreeable and go-with-the flow kids are getting tired of the usual terms. One kiddo was not having it when words like “warm up” or “strength” or “exercises” were thrown around but he was completely game once it was reframed more creatively. We re-named our warm up Superhero Practice and incorporated the following:

  • Super Speed: running in place
  • Kicking: step up and kick while alternating feet
  • Jump: jumping jacks
  • Super Strength: push ups
  • Flying: superman
  • Climbing: mountain climbers

For more superhero ideas check out our Superhero Boot Camp Cards or Superhero Boot Camp Sheet

 

What are your favorite Teletherapy Games?

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Filed Under: Blog, Developmental Milestones Tagged With: balance, coordination, education, exercise, games, gross motor development, imagination, kids, motivation, motor planning, Motor Smart Kids, play, playing, Starfish Therapies, strengthening, telehealth, teletherapy

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