The resources on this page are a starting point for children/young people, parents/carers and educational staff. Please click on the resource you need and read the advice given before considering if a Request for Assistance is required. If you can’t find what you are looking for we would highly recommend this link: KIDS for Families | RHCG
Baby Advice
Within this section you will find resources to support the general development of your baby so that they can engage in activities such as playing, feeding, sleeping and reaching milestones like grasping and rolling over. These foundational activities help your baby to have the building blocks in place to grow, progress and learn.
Things I can do:
- Link with your health visitor Health Visitors – NHS Orkney
- ParentClub – tips and advice you can trust to help you with the highs and the lows of parenting We’re here for you | Parent Club
- Birth to 5 years ideas and suggestions Birth to 3 years | RHCG Nursery | RHCG
Self Care – Daily Living Skills
As Occupational Therapists we enable children and young people to be as independent as they need, want or have to be in the tasks and activities that matter to them. Self care activities are dressing, toileting, eating, looking after my body and sleep.
Things I can do:
- Independence Skills Independence Skills | RHCG
- Toiletting Toileting | RHCG
- SLEEP – Sleep Action Sleep Action | UK’s Oldest Sleep Charity | Formerly Sleep Scotland
- HENRY – supporting the whole family to make positive lifestyle changes, creating healthier and happier home environments HENRY – NHS Orkney
- Bowel and Bladder – Eric – The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity Home – ERIC, the School Health Team can support with a Continence Service School Health – NHS Orkney
Sensory Processing Advice
Our senses help us to understand and interact with the world around us. The way we get information from our senses and what our brain does with it is called sensory processing. Sometimes the way we process information can interfere with doing the activities that we need, want or have to do.
Things I can do:
- Videos and information on sensory processing with an interactive sensory questionnaire on different senses Sensory Processing | RHCG and Sensory Processing Questionnaire
- Making sense of sensory behaviour: A practical approach at home for parents and carers leaflet a5 booklet
Handwriting and fine motor skills
Fine motor skills allow you to use your hands to manipulate and play with objects. The early skills that develop when you are small is reaching, grasping and releasing. These skills are built upon to allow you to engage in refined and complex tasks such as using scissors and cutlery or writing and doing fastenings.
Things I can do:
- See the baby advice section for the early development
- Getting ready to write – is my child ready, pencil grasp, pre-writing shapes videos and activities Moving On To Primary School | RHCG pre-writing-skills.pdf
- Having trouble with handwriting Taking Part in Class Work | RHCG
- Highland literacy project – Fine Motor Skills fine-motor-skills.pdf
- Highland literacy project – Scissor Skills scissor-skills.pdf
Bike Riding
Riding a bike is more than just getting from A to B. It is a skill that is hard to master but once achieved it gives the opportunity for independence, social interaction and adventure. It relies on having balance, using the two sides of your body together and visual skills.
Things I can do:
- Step by step guide to help ride a bike Physical Activity and Participation | RHCG