OT's Presently in Egypt

I often receive inquires from parents and spouses who are in need of OT services in Cairo. So, if anyone reading this blog is involved in a new facility providing professional OT services or if you, yourself, are a licensed OT professional working in Egypt and would like your contacts shared, please contact me at LME1169@gmail.com. I would be happy to pass along this information to people who are inquiring about services for their family.

Thank you,
Laura

Global Paradigm School Staff Participate in Sensory Strategies to Enhance Classroom Learning Workshop

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Global Paradigm School and presenting a workshop for the elementary staff. The focus was about sensory processing, identifying red flags of children with sensory processing dysfunction, and strategies for the classroom.

It is important for educators to know that everyone has sensory preferences. As adults, we all seek out different sensory stimuli to make us "feel alright." Some of us chew gum, drink coffee or doodle on paper during meetings and while on the phone. Some of us eat crunchy snacks to make us more alert when staying up late. Some of us prefer tight clothes to make us feel more comfortable and some of us are bothered by the tags in our shirts and pants. Some of us cannot stand noisy environments, like the shopping centers on a Thursday and Friday night and some of us do not mind.


Children are no different.


Some children have sensory preferences and can function alright throughout the day. However, some children have dysfunction in how they process sensory information and need assistance to "feel alright."


Red Flags of Sensory Dysfunction: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html


The teachers were instructed on the importance of classroom strategies, such as proper seating posture, using carpet squares for circle time boundaries, using quiet areas, using fidget toys to focus and movement breaks.


Children need to MOVE! Many studies show that children learn better when provided movement during an educational task. Movement can be integrated into such topics as spelling by clapping hands or stomping feet for each syllable. Movement can be incorporated into math by jumping rope and completing mental math at the same time. There are endless ways to adapt a lesson.

GLOBAL PARADIGM SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

Thanks to all who participated,

Laura

If you would like more information on your school hosting a workshop, I can be contacted at laura@childdevelopmentclub.org

First American Curriculum Preschool Opens in Tanta, Egypt

I was recently invited to speak about occupational therapy and child development at the opening of Capital Schools in Tanta, Egypt. I spoke about pediatric OT in regards to our educational background, evaluation and treatment services and how we can support a child's sensory motor skill development within the school system. I also spoke about the importance of the preschool years being the foundation to build a child's language skills, pre-reading skills, pre-writing skills, social skills, sensory and motor skill development etc. Parenting tips were provided on how to support their children through the educational years.

Although the area has "nurseries", Capital Schools will be the first in the Delta region to have a preschool following an American curriculum. The preschool is opening this academic year and then the elementary and high school will follow in the next stage of development.

I was actually very surprised that Tanta did not have preschools. So, this was a very nice opportunity for me to visit and learn more about a city outside of Cairo!

I am wishing the children, parents and school staff much success this new year!

All the best,
Laura