My books are filled with whimsy, kindness, humor, and a whole lot of heart. With over 30 years of experience as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I know how much stories, laughter, and play can help children grow.
Daisy’s OT Tips brings those worlds together—quick, parent-friendly ideas inspired by my books (and Daisy, the sweet little dragonfly who served as my OT practice mascot) that turn storytime into confidence, coordination, and joy. *Be sure to check out my Pinterest boards for even more OT-inspired activities and ideas! (Click on the Pinterest button below)
What it is: Using both sides of the body together. Why it matters: Important for cutting, catching, dressing, and writing. Activities:
Hold + Point → Have your child hold the Shmoopie book with one hand while pointing to pictures with the other.
Clap with Shmoopie → Clap a rhythm while chanting, “Shmoopie, Shmoopie, hug, hug, hug!”
Cutting Practice → Cut out shapes in Shmoopie’s activity book with scissors.
Two-Hand Build → Use both hands to stack blocks, then knock them down and stack again. Have your child use one hand to steady a basket or container while using the other to put the blocks in.
Catch + Throw → Toss a soft ball using both hands together.
Book Tie-In: Reading, clapping, and cutting = bilateral skills in storytime disguise.
Crossing the Midline
What it is: Moving across the invisible line down the middle of your body. Why it matters: Builds brain power for reading, writing, coordination, and confidence.
Activities:
Page Turns → Have your child use their left hand to turn a page on the right side of a book such as Shmoopie: A Whole Hug Planet (and their right hand to turn a page on the left).
Dragonfly Spotting → When a dragonfly that is hidden in my books is on the right page, encourage your child to point with their left hand (and vice versa).
Shmoopie Hugs → Invite your child to cross both arms over their chest for one of Shmoopie’s big hugs.
Criss-Cross Dance Party → Play music and call out, “Touch your right elbow to your left knee… now switch!”
Rainbow Drawing → Tape a large piece of paper to a wall or floor and have your child draw wide arcs across their body like Daisy swooping through the sky.
What it is: Training the eyes to move smoothly left to right, up and down, and all around. Why it matters: Essential for following words and sentences when reading.
Activities:
Finger Follow → Move your finger across each line as you read a book together.
Dragonfly Scan → Ask your child to scan the page with their eyes to spot the dragonflies.
Word Hunt → Choose a simple word or letter and have your child track across the page to find it.
Story Match → Spot an object in the book (like a teddy bear in the toy factory), then have your child look around their room to see if they can find the same object.
Line Tracing → Use the mazes in the Shmoopie activity book to trace your way through with a crayon.
Popping bubbles → Another fun way to work on visual tracking.
Hitting a Balloon in the Air Keeping It Off the Ground→ This one is a lot of fun too if you have a partner.
What it is: Building control, strength, and coordination in the small muscles of the hands and fingers that make big things possible. Why it matters: Fine motor skills are the foundation for independence—helping children write, dress, eat, and create with confidence. Every squeeze, pinch, and press builds the muscles needed for everyday success.
Activities: • Coloring Shmoopie → Use crayons to color pictures in the Shmoopie activity book—pressing harder for darker shades builds strength! • Maze Master → Trace the paths in Shmoopie’s mazes slowly and carefully, keeping the crayon between the lines to build control and coordination. • Playdough Hugs → Roll and squish playdough balls, giving each one a “Shmoopie hug” for extra hand power. • Clothespin Challenge → Clip clothespins around a card or paper plate to “build Daisy’s wings.” Great for grip and endurance. • Coin Drop or Pom-Pom Pick-Up → Use thumb and finger to pick up coins or small pom-poms and drop them into a cup—perfect for pincer strength. • Button Race → Practice buttoning a shirt or jacket—small buttons make it extra challenging!
Book Tie-In: Shmoopie's activity book is full of playful fine-motor activities—from coloring to mazes—that help little hands grow stronger while having fun.
Sensory Calming
What it is: Activities that soothe the nervous system. Why it matters: It helps kids regulate their emotions and stay focused. Activities: • Shmoopie Reading Fort → Cozy up under a blanket with a flashlight and read together. • Stuffed Animal Hug → Hug a plush or a friend/family member tight for calm pressure. • Weighted Warmth → Place a weighted blanket on the child’s lap during storytime. • Breathing Sparkles → Pretend to blow sparkles off Daisy’s wings with slow, deep breaths. • Rock + Read → Sit in a rocking chair and read together. • Squeeze + Release → Make gentle fists, then stretch fingers wide — repeat to release tension. Book Tie-In: Shmoopie’s story + hugs = comfort and calm
Core Strength
What it is: Strength in the trunk that supports posture. Why it matters: Kids need it to sit up, balance, and focus during activities.
Activities:
Tummy Time Reading → Read on your stomach with elbows propped.
Book Bridges → Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor, balance the Shmoopie or Speck book on your tummy, and lift your hips into a “bridge.”
Twist + Turn → Sit tall and twist side to side like you’re turning the pages of a giant storybook.
Storytime Sit-ups → Lie on your back, sit up each time a page is turned. (sit-ups)
Shmoopie Balances → Place the Shmoopie or Speck book on your head and balance it there while walking around.
What it is: Connecting what eyes see with what hands do. Why it matters: Builds readiness for writing, drawing, activities of daily living, and sports.
Activities:
Tracing → Trace the pictures provided in the Shmoopie Coloring and Activity book.
Copy Daisy → Look at a picture of Daisy or any dragonfly and see if you can draw it.
Copy What You See → Have your parent/sibling make a pattern with blocks, stickers, or beads, and see if you can copy it.
Mazes → You can find mazes in Shmoopie’s Coloring and Activity book.
Build A Puzzle→ This is an excellent visual-motor integration builder.
Book Tie-In: The Shmoopie activity book builds visual-motor skills through drawing, tracing, mazes, and coloring.