Occupational Therapy Month: Celebration and Spring Tips

Written By: Kristy Bautista-Harris OTD, OTR/L

Spring is here — a great time for movement, sensory play, and hands-on learning. Below you’ll find important dates, practical tips for home and school, activity ideas, and celebrations of student progress.

Focus of the Month: Fine Motor & Handwriting Skills

Fine motor skills are essential for writing, self-care, and classroom participation. Strengthening these skills supports independence and confidence.

Quick ideas families can try at home:

• Bead stringing or lacing cards (hand strengthening and bilateral coordination)

• Cutting shapes with scissors (scissor control and precision)

• Playdough or clay for hand strengthening (pinch, roll, flatten)

• Rainbow writing with colored pencils (fun repetition for letter formation)

Tip of the Month: Movement Breaks!

Short movement breaks improve attention and energy regulation.

Try quick 2–5 minute activities:

• Jumping jacks or hopscotch outdoors

• Balance beam or stepping-stone activities (use tape or cushions indoors)

• Quick sensory circuits using classroom or household objects (e.g., crawl, hop, push a small box)

These mini-breaks are easy to add between lessons and help students return to work ready to focus.

School-Based Occupational Spring Themed Activities

Plant & Grow

Supports handwriting, tool use, and responsibility

• Skills: fine motor strength, bilateral coordination, sequencing)

• Steps:

  • Scoop soil into cups, pinch seeds, and water plants

  • Tear paper towels to line pots

  • Draw and label plant growth stages

Spring Cutting Station

Differentiates easily for multiple skill levels

• Skills: scissor skills, hand strength, coordination

• Steps:

  • Cut out flowers, butterflies, or rain shapes

  • Snip straws to create flower stems

  • Cut along curved and zig-zag lines

Rainy Day Sensory Play

Supports calming and focus

• Skills: sensory processing, fine motor control

• Steps:

  • Dropper play with blue water (“raindrops”)

  • Cotton ball clouds using tongs

  • Finger paint rain scenes

Frog Jump Math & Movement

Integrates academics + OT seamlessly

• Skills: gross motor, coordination, attention

• Steps:

  • Jump to numbered lily pads

  • Combine counting or spelling with movement

  • Frog hops between tasks

Ongoing Support

Thank you for your ongoing support in practicing skills at home and celebrating student progress with us. We look forward to collaborating with you this spring — please reach out with questions, ideas, or to request resources! Please feel free to contact Dr. Kristy Bautista-Harris OTD, OTR/L for any questions!! kristy.bautista@ucpcfl.org