MADISON – Is my daughter Sally old enough to swing on the playground? Does Johnny understand the concept of color? Parents can visit a page on Facebook for helpful tips and guidelines for a child in special education.

“The page (Facebook/Madison City Schools OT/PT) is designed to help our students and parents gather ideas to help with continued growth in occupational and physical therapy skills when school is not in session,” Holly Waite said. Waite works as a physical therapist with Madison City Schools and is co-owner of Waite Rehab and Wellness Physical therapy.

“The MCS therapists and I decided to start the OT/PT page when the quarantine started,” Waite said. “The page is designed to help students and parents with physical and occupational therapy during the closure.”

Waite said the page serves as a reference source with helpful links, activities, shared photographs or videos that MCS employees and parents can post to encourage the children. “It’s a place where people in Madison City special education can connect,” she said.

“We want to use this page to give families access to suggestions to help kids bridge the gap when they’re not able to receive direct therapy services,” Waite said. “Our goal is to post fun activities that can build on your child’s skills.”

The page’s benefit is showing a positive way to share information and connect socially but at an approved social distance. Parents can post a question or send a private message.

On the OT/PT page, one video documented a young girl named Ellie on a playground as she learned to swing all by herself. Ellie wants to help children learn to swing on their own, according to the video.

A section on gait training explains the four ‘P’s’ related to the process: Practice, Purpose, Positioning and Progress.

One quick reference gives an exercise sheet for wheelchair users. Example exercises included chest expansions, arm raises and circles, dives and punches.

In addition, one page helps a child improve motor skills and memory by playing a game with colored paper. A parent or other mentor will first place a white poster and then about eight colored sheets. The mentor taps a rhythmical sequence on the sheets, and the student mimics the sequence. The longer they play, the more challenging the sequence becomes.

An Instagram post documents bilateral coordination, crossing midline, gross motor strength and visual motor skills with painters’ tape in a wall grid.

For more information, email hwaite@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visit madisoncity.k12.al.us.