Blogs and Free Resources
Here at PESI, our mission is to provide professionals like you with FREE practical and valuable tools, strategies,
and resources to assist with the great work you do. Find expert tips, helpful worksheets, demonstration videos, CE, news,
and more here. Happy learning!
Yoga & Mindfulness for Children
Practices for Better Mind-Body Balance
Yoga and mindfulness practices can be powerful tools to help children build strength, manage their emotions, become more flexible (physically and mentally!), and gain mind-body balance. With our young clients, students and our own children headed back to school, you may be in need of some fun and simple strategies to deal with the stress and anxiety that can accompany this transition. Here are three practices you can try today!
NEW Classroom Activities
Dr. Lynne Kenney recently released 2 practical programs introducing research-based activities from her most recent works Bloom Your Room and 70 Play Activities To Enhance Thinking, Self-Regulation, Learning and Behavior. Discover simple activities to enhance competence, confidence, communication and collaboration. Get ahead of misbehavior by teaching with the brain in mind!
How To: Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Self-Regulation with Children & Adolescents
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Worksheet Included
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a great technique to use with children struggling with self-regulation because it allows for personalization of the scripted passages we use to guide the exercise. Read more to download your FREE PMR Worksheet...
4 Easy Steps to Calm a Stressed Child
If you work with children who struggle with self-regulation, mind-body strategies that use yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and guided imagery can be especially effective, and often fun, for the child to gain their composure. Use this activity, called The Steps, at home, in the grocery store, or wherever life takes you.
Environmental Enrichment
A Multisensory Enrichment Protocol for Autism
Environmental Enrichment (EE) was designed as a low-cost program that has been shown to decrease autism symptoms and sensory issues and increase receptive language and cognitive skills at home. In this blog from Teresa Garland, MOT, OTR/L, you can download a free EE activity worksheet.
A Hidden Culprit of Poor Handwriting Posture
For most children, following proper writing posture is no problem. But what about Johnny, a bright child in your class who just can't follow your directions to sit up straight. Is it that Johnny just wants to look cool slouched in his chair, or is something bigger going on?
Lion Breathing
Melt stress and tension from your face
For all the time we spend stretching our body, how often do we pause to stretch our face? With Lion Breathing you can quickly and easily relieve stress and tension by stretching your face.
How Does the Brain with Autism Work?
Understanding the brain with autism is quite complex, as it is with understanding the brain of any individual, whether that individual is neurotypical or not. The more we know about the brain, the more we will know what interventions are the most effective in working with ASD.
How to Navigate a Sensory World with an Autism Diagnosis
When children with Autism learn to navigate their sensory world and understand that a simple touch on the shoulder is not a threat, they are better able to reach out socially.
Sensory-Friendly Theatre: Making the big screen accessible to all
The experience of seeing a show, whether on the big screen or the big stage, can be particularly challenging for those who struggle with sensory processing. Thankfully, performers and venues across the nation are taking notice and offering sensory-friendly shows.