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5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

During my therapy sessions, I am often working on skills that may be challenging for students. I try my best

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

During my therapy sessions, I am often working on skills that may be challenging for students. I try my best

During my therapy sessions, I am often working on skills that may be challenging for students.  I try my best to incorporate motivating toys and materials into the session to increase student engagement.  These items may shift depending on the needs and interests of the students I am working with.  Here are the top 5 motivating materials I am using in my sessions this year.

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

1. Magnatiles

I have not yet met a student that doesn’t love magnatiles!  They come in various shapes and can be used in so many ways.  My students love to build garages for their toy cars and various other structures with the magnatiles.  These are a worthy investment that will last for years to come!

2. Bristle Blocks

The fun texture of the bristle blocks is very interesting for my students.  Bristle blocks also come with various shapes, so students can make houses, cars, etc. with the blocks.  I love that they take a little upper body strength to push together and pull apart, which is an added bonus!

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

3. AlphaBots and NumberBots

These toys transform from letters into robots by twisting and turning various pieces.  My students love to transform them and also create creative play schemes with all of the robots they create.

4. Kinetic Sand

My students are currently loving sensory play, including kinetic sand.  They love to scoop it, build with it and find items in it.  There are so many different kinds of kinetic sand options available that could be a good match for your students.

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

5 Motivating Materials to Use in Your Therapy Sessions

5. Flexible seating options

Giving my students a choice of where to sit during our sessions is very motivating.  Wobble stools, ball chairs, bean bags, laying on the mat, scoop chair, standing – these are just some of the options my students enjoy.  Try incorporating flexible seating options into your sessions!

The items I find myself using consistently may change each year based on my caseload, but these are the items working for me right now!  What are your favorite motivating items to incorporate into your teaching or therapy sessions?  What are your students enjoying at the moment?  Let me know in the comments!
Katie McKenna, MS, OTR/L
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