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Joyful Chaos: The Confetti Wars
How OT Club Builds Essential Skills in Kids
Hey there, fellow parents! Let's talk about something that might sound a little messy but is incredibly fun and beneficial for our kids: Confetti Wars at OT Club! If you're wondering how something as seemingly chaotic as confetti battles can actually help develop important life skills, stick around because I'm about to spill the glittery secrets (pst, we opted for cut up construction paper).
So, what exactly is OT Club? Occupational Therapy (OT) Club is a place where kids engage in various activities designed to promote their development and enhance skills they need for daily life, addressing individual goals in a group setting with like-age peers. And one of the most recent activity? You guessed it – Confetti Wars!
Here's how this playful activity actually helps our kids grow:
Teamwork: Confetti wars require teamwork – whether it's strategizing with teammates, coordinating movements to launch confetti, or working together to clean up afterward. Through these battles, kids learn the value of cooperation and collaboration.
Body Awareness: Dodging incoming confetti and maneuvering around the battlefield help kids become more aware of their bodies and spatial awareness. It's like a fun workout disguised as a game! They had a line in the middle they could not cross; if they did, they’d have to sit out the rest of the round (only at most 2 minutes) and then could rejoin the game.
Direction-Following & impulse control: In the midst of all the excitement, kids must listen to instructions and follow directions to start the game and to make sure we knew when the round of the game ended. This helps them improve their ability to focus and follow through on tasks, crucial skills for success in school and beyond.
Handwriting: Believe it or not, the fine motor skills required to make the confetti, pick up and throw confetti can actually improve handwriting. Strengthening these muscles in the hands and fingers lays the foundation for better penmanship. We squeezed in extra handwriting practice by make a written list of the rules of Confetti Wars.
Mental Flexibility: Confetti wars are unpredictable, requiring kids to adapt to changing circumstances and think on their feet. This fosters mental flexibility and resilience, qualities that are essential for navigating life's challenges. We chose teams from names in a hat, and switched teams if that’s what we decided as a group.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Skills: Managing space during the chaos of a confetti battle and then tidying up afterward are practical life skills. Learning to organize and clean up after themselves teaches responsibility and independence. If you can believe it, we ended up having kids VOLUNTEER and ask to be the sweeper after the rounds.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – "But won't my house be covered in confetti?" Fear not! OT Club is equipped with strategies to ensure that the mess stays contained and cleanup is part of the fun. Plus, seeing the joy and laughter on our kids' faces makes it all worth it.
So, the next time your child comes home from OT Club covered in confetti, remember that they're not just having fun – they're building valuable skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. And who knows, maybe you'll even want to join in on the confetti wars yourself!
