51+ Go-to Teletherapy Ideas for kids
If you’re new to the world of teletherapy you’ll want to read and save this post. OTs, PTs, SLPs, and teachers can save tons of time and energy planning teletherapy sessions and get inspired by the list of 51+ ideas and websites.
Planning for teletherapy sessions can be very time-consuming and it’s easy to get lost on the web (I may have gotten sidetracked by some YouTube videos once or twice while planning for my teletherapy sessions).
So, in this blog post, I’m sharing some of my favorite teletherapy ideas and frequently used websites so you can stay focused and save tons of time planning your teletherapy sessions.
I’ve broken them down into categories for you but many of the ideas and websites can fit into different categories too!
Plus don’t forget to grab the free printable at the end of this post so you can have all the links in one spot for easy access.
Fine Motor and Handwriting Teletherapy Ideas
Working on handwriting over teletherapy took some adjustments.
My biggest tips on making this successful is to purchase a document camera like this one!
If your student is also able to have a document camera that is ideal!
If your student doesn’t have the document camera there are few things you could try:
Instruct them (or their helper) to adjust the laptop screen to face their hands while writing.
Use the caregiver’s phone as a second camera during sessions.
Have the student do the work and have the caregiver take a picture of it and text or email it to you.
Take a screenshot of your student’s work with your computer.
Here are some of my favorite activities and websites for fine motor and handwriting practice:
Coloring-use those broken crayons to encourage the use of fingers and a more mature grasp.
Simple crafts-you can find tons on Pinterest.
Practice cutting-paper, straws, string, cereal boxes, magazines.
Grasp practice-use kitchen tongs, tweezers, chip clips, or clothespins to strengthen little hands and improve grasp.
Coins-use for in-hand manipulation practice or to find in playdoh.
Playdoh-store bought or make your own for sensory and hand strengthening.
Legos-also great to work on visual perceptual skills.
OT Closet-YouTube channel- This OT has tons of great fine motor videos to screen share with your students. My students love the pencil warm-ups!
Glow Word Books-A great website with online Madlibs. Great for students to practice some typing or writing skills.
Typing. com-A free, fun typing instruction website. You can give this to your students for homework and see their progress in the system.
Gross Motor Teletherapy Ideas
I’m always trying to find ways to encourage my students (and own children) to move more!
Here are some of my favorite go-to ideas to get them moving!
Go Noodle-A fun website with lots of catchy movement songs and brain breaks. Be careful! These songs will get stuck in your head!
Cosmickids.com- An awesome website with kids’ yoga stories, movement, and mindfulness videos.
YouTube-so many great brain break videos, Would you rather exercise videos. Jack Hartmann also has tons of learning and movement videos for younger students.
Simon Says
Minute to win it games
The classics: push-ups, sit-ups, cross crawls, jumping jacks.
Scavenger hunts-These are great and can fit soooo many themes!
Self-Care Teletherapy Ideas
Working on self-care skills is not that different via teletherapy vs. in-person, but, you do have to make sure to plan ahead with your caregivers.
You also need to make sure they can prop their camera somewhere where you can have a bird’s eye view.
Asking the family to be on a mobile device for these sessions is best!
I’ve worked on all of these skills via Teletherapy (with the help of the caregiver/paraprofessional of course):
Shoe tying
Simple meal prep
Toothbrushing
Dressing
Buttoning/Zippering
Pretend dress-up
Comparison shopping
Identifying road signs
Counting money
Balancing a checkbook
Visual-Motor and Visual Perceptual Teletherapy Ideas
There are so many great websites that share easily for teletherapy sessions.
I also love just using simple household items such as cereal boxes and/or magazines to make puzzles, mazes, and legos.
Here are some other go-to websites:
Sensory Teletherapy Ideas
The possibilities are endless to incorporate sensory strategies into teletherapy sessions. Here are a few of my favorites:
Kinetic sand/playdoh/sensory bins: There are some great ready-made sensory bins available at Michael’s for those families looking for an easy way to build them.
Brain breaks
Computer chair spin
Wall push-ups
Food play
Music/dance parties
Zones of Regulation
OT Teletherapy Games
Spot It
Guess Who
Uno
Headbanz
Zingo
Tic toe toe
Scrabble Jr.
Pictionary
Common threads
Other blog posts you may be interested in:
10 Tips to prepare students for teletherapy
5 tips to start your teletherapy school year off right
3 Teletherapy mistakes to avoid
20 OT Teletherapy games kids will love
In search of more support with your EI or preschool caseload?
Join The Therapy Village today! It’s an exclusive online membership for OT’s working in EI or preschool and want to have more support and learn new skills. Check out all the membership benefits here! Doors are only open for a limited time!
