Chynna's Sensational Pearls: 7 Things 'Sensational' Caregivers Should Say To Their Kiddos Every Day

With all the hustle and bustle of therapy appointments, at-home exercises and figuring out how to give our kiddos the opportunity to practice her social skills, we sometimes forget that all our kids really need is a few loving words of encouragement.

Very early on, during the time when Jaimie was nonverbal, I knew that what I said to her got through. I could tell looking into her beautiful blue eyes that she heard what I'd say, even when she couldn't--or didn't want to--speak back. And now that she's doing so much better, I know she absorbed my words into her soul because I often hear her repeating the same phrases to me or to her siblings. When I ask her where she heard the expressions, she'll say, "I don't know. They just make me feel good so I like to say them."

What we do for our kids to help them function in the world around them is so important. But what we say is sometimes even moreso because those words stick like crazy glue. And if you give them loving and positive words to repeat to themselves (and others), it's an incredible gift that keeps going forward.

Here are a few things I say to my kids (especially my 'sensational' ones) each and every day:

FOODIE FRIDAYS: Add Pizazz to Your Celebration With 'Cake In A Cup'

For Mother's Day, I was spoiled nicely. One of the gifts I received was a beautiful hand-painted mug from Jaimie along with a recipe for 'Cake In A Cup'.

I'd never heard of it before and never thought you could bake a cake in a cup. I was picturing a crusty cake-like blob with raw batter in the middle. Not my idea of yumminess. But I was surprised!

We didn't do the recipe for Mother's Day but saved it for Steve's birthday and, surprisingly, they turned out really well.

So I thought I'd share this wonderful recipe with you. This is also a great fine motor skill activity where you can get your kids to paint their cups and have them spoon out all the ingredients! It's messier but MUCH more fun. Enjoy!

The Sensational World According To Jaimie: Using My Interests to Help With My Fine Motor Skills

We are constantly trying to find new and fun ways to work with Jaimie and Xander on their sensory struggles. In Jaimie's case, she still struggles with certain gross and fine motor skill tasks as well as her tactile system (she's still so sensitive she cringes when I put nail polish on her!) but I always try working on what she's most interested in, mixed with her strengths, when creating activities to get those muscles and joints working.

In the last few months, Jaimie has become obsessed with everything to do with the Titanic. She has read almost every book in our local library and in her school library. A couple of weeks ago she found a Titanic book where she could create her own cut-out model of the ship. I was a bit worried that it would be too much for her but realized it would be a great way to get her working those fingers while learning even more about the Titanic. She even used her own money to buy it!

She struggled at first but...she did it! And today's post is all about it. We learn in therapy how to use a child's strengths, interests and ABILIITIES when getting her to do her sensory work. This is proof how important it is and that it works.