Resource Industry: Schools

Fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil, buttoning a shirt, or using scissors, are essential for children’s academic success, independence in daily routines, and confidence in play and creativity. As a school-based occupational therapist, you play a vital role in students’ fine motor development, helping them strengthen the coordination of muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists.

In this Soliant guide, explore practical strategies and engaging activities that you can use to help children improve fine motor skills so they can learn, participate, and grow with confidence.

Activities for Fine Motor Development in Kids

Below, learn practical, play-based activities designed to encourage fine motor skills in kids. These strategies not only make skill-building fun, but also support greater independence in schoolwork, self-care, and everyday tasks:

Activities that Strengthen Hand and Finger Muscles

• Use therapy putty, clay, or playdoh for squeezing, rolling, and pinching.
• Encourage clothespin games to build pinch strength.
• Have students crumple and smooth paper or pop bubble wrap.

Strategies to Promote Hand Eye Coordination

• Practice beading activities or stringing pasta.
• Play target games like tossing beanbags or aiming marbles into cups.
• Incorporate simple ball games to improve tracking and catching

Ways to Refine Grasp and Pencil Control

• Offer small crayons or broken chalk to naturally encourage a tripod grasp.
• Use tongs or tweezers in games to pick up small objects.
• Practice tracing, mazes, or dot-to-dot activities for controlled movement.

How to Support Bilateral Coordination

• Encourage tasks that require both hands, like cutting with scissors, opening containers, or crafting projects.
• Play clapping games and do cross-body movements to strengthen coordination.

Incorporate Functional and Playful Activities

• Cooking tasks: stirring, pouring, kneading.
• Building and construction play: LEGOs, blocks, magnetic tiles.
• Art projects: finger painting, stamping, cutting shapes.

Classroom Tips for OTs and Teachers

Supporting fine motor development doesn’t have to stop at therapy sessions—teachers and OTs can work together to build skills throughout the school day. Here are some simple, effective ways to weave fine motor practice into everyday classroom routines:

• Adapt tools: use pencil grips, slant boards, or adaptive scissors when needed.
• Break tasks into steps: split up challenging skills and build up session intensity and goals to prevent frustration.
• Integrate practice into routines: fine motor activities can be part of circle time, centers, or transitions.
• Celebrate small wins: build confidence by recognizing progress, no matter how small.

Explore Occupational Therapy Careers with Soliant

By fostering independence and confidence through activities like the above, OTs make a lasting difference in students’ academic and personal growth. If you’re passionate about supporting kids, Soliant is ready to support you. We can connect you with school-based OT opportunities across the country, from large districts to smaller communities. Explore rewarding OT jobs that fit your career goals with Soliant today.

Looking for more strategies and insights? Browse our additional school therapy professional guides to support your journey as a school-based OT, including online resources for OTs and trust-building strategies to try.

As a school counselor, you’re often one of the first to notice when a student struggles with more than just studying. Test anxiety can show up as restlessness, negative self-talk, or even physical symptoms like stomachaches and headaches. Left unaddressed, it can hold students back from showing what they’ve truly learned.

Whether you’re a counselor, a school therapist, a teacher, or even a parent, understanding how to support students through test anxiety is essential. In this Soliant guide, discover everything you need to know about test anxiety—from its impact on students to its prevalence throughout grade levels—and learn the strategies to help kids overcome it.

How Does Test Anxiety Affect Students?

Test anxiety is more than feeling nervous before an exam. It can lead to difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, or a sudden “blanking out” during a test. Some students experience physical symptoms, like sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat, or nausea, while others may withdraw, avoid school, or show signs of irritability. Over time, these patterns can undermine confidence and create ongoing academic stress.

How Many Students Experience Test Anxiety?

Research suggests that between 20% and 40% of students struggle with moderate to high test anxiety, with some studies estimating even higher rates among younger learners. This makes it one of the most common challenges counselors and teachers see in schools.

About Test Anxiety in Elementary Students​

For elementary students, test anxiety can look a little different. Younger children may complain of stomachaches, become tearful on test days, or refuse to go to school. Because their coping skills are still developing, even small assessments can feel overwhelming. Addressing anxiety at this age is critical, as early support helps children build healthy test-taking habits that carry into middle school, high school, and beyond.

How to Help a Student with Test Anxiety: Test Anxiety Strategies for Elementary Students

1. Normalize their feelings: Let students know that feeling nervous is common and doesn’t mean they aren’t capable.
2. Practice relaxation techniques: Teach simple breathing or grounding exercises they can use before and during tests.
3. Use practice tests: Familiarity with the testing format can ease fear of the unknown.
4. Encourage positive self-talk: Replace “I can’t do this” with “I studied and I can try my best.”
5. Promote healthy routines: Remind families of the importance of sleep, balanced meals, and exercise.
6. Adjust the environment: Work with teachers to reduce distractions, provide short breaks, or offer supportive seating arrangements.
7. Communicate with parents: Share signs to watch for at home and strategies to reinforce outside of school.
8. Know when to refer: If anxiety persists or worsens, connect the student with school psychologists or outside resources for additional help.

Help Make a Difference: Managing Test Anxiety in Students

Helping students manage test anxiety isn’t about removing all stress; it’s about giving them tools to face it with confidence. With guidance from dedicated school therapy professionals like you, students can learn strategies that support both academic performance and emotional well-being.

Looking for ways to expand your impact? Explore Soliant’s education roles, including opportunities for school counselors and teachers nationwide, and discover more of Soliant’s education career resources designed to support passionate professionals like you!

If you’re passionate about helping children with hearing challenges thrive in school, a career as an educational audiologist might be the perfect fit. These specialized professionals bridge the gap between audiology and education, ensuring that students with hearing loss receive the support, tools, and accommodations they need to succeed in the classroom.

In this Soliant guide, learn everything you need to know about the route to becoming an educational audiologist and making a real difference in students’ lives.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become an Educational Audiologist

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Start by earning a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, speech and hearing science, biology, psychology, or a related field. This is the foundation you’ll need to apply for graduate-level audiology programs.

2. Complete a Doctoral Program in Audiology (Au.D.)

To become a licensed audiologist, you’ll need to earn a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from an accredited program. This typically takes four years and includes both academic coursework and clinical rotations. Some programs allow a pediatric or educational audiology focus during training.

3. Obtain State Licensure

Audiologists must be licensed to practice, and each state has its own requirements. Most states require passing the Praxis exam in audiology, completing supervised clinical hours, and maintaining continuing education.

4. Pursue Certification

Although not required in every setting, certification can enhance your credibility and employment prospects. Many educational audiologists obtain:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) through ASHA
• ABA Certification from the American Board of Audiology

5. Get Experience in Educational Settings

While clinical rotations during your Au.D. may include school-based placements, it’s important to gain additional experience in educational environments. Volunteering or collaborating with school systems during your clinical fellowship year can help prepare you for the unique dynamics of working in schools.

The final year of your Au.D. program is a great time to start building your resume and looking at educational audiology openings. Some school districts hire in advance of the school year, and planning early can help you align your fellowship with long-term job opportunities.

Last Step: Apply for Educational Audiologist Positions

Once licensed and certified, you can apply for positions! Educational audiologists are in high demand, and Soliant is here to help you find the right opportunity.

Whether you’re a new graduate ready to make a difference or a seasoned audiologist exploring new paths, our team can match you with rewarding school-based positions across the country. Explore our latest educational audiologist jobs today.

Still on the path to becoming an educational audiologist? Find more helpful school therapy resources with Soliant, including an educational audiologist career guide, what a day in the life of an educational audiologist looks like, and more.

If you’re nearing the end of your graduate program in speech-language pathology, you’ve probably heard about the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), which is an exciting (and sometimes nerve-wracking) step toward becoming a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP).

But how exactly do you become an SLP clinical fellow? When should you apply for SLP CFY? And how do you find an SLP clinical fellowship or SLP CFY job? In this Soliant guide, learn everything you need to know to confidently navigate your CFY journey and make strides toward becoming an SLP.

How to Become an SLP Clinical Fellow

The SLP Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) is the bridge between completing your graduate degree and earning full certification as a speech-language pathologist through ASHA. As a clinical fellow during the CFY, new SLPs work under the supervision of a certified clinician, gaining real-world experience that builds on their academic training.

Here’s a quick step-by-step breakdown of what it takes to officially start your SLP CFY and become a SLP clinical fellow:

1. Earn Your Master’s Degree: Graduate from a CAA-accredited speech-language pathology program.
2. Complete Practicum Hours: You must complete a minimum of 400 supervised clinical hours during your grad program.
3. Get Your License: Earn a temporary or provisional state license (requirements vary by state)
4. Apply for a CFY Position: Find a job that offers supervision by a certified SLP (CCC-SLP)and that meets ASHA’s requirements for clinical fellowship experience (for example, 1,260 hours over 36 weeks with at least 80% of time spent in direct clinical contact).
5. Submit ASHA CF Application: Once you’re hired, submit your ASHA Clinical Fellowship form and pay the associated fee. Your supervisor will need to sign off on it too.
6. Start Your Fellowship: You’ll work full-time, under supervision, while completing regular evaluations and reflections with your mentor.
7. Submit Final Paperwork to ASHA: After your fellowship, your supervisor will verify completion, and you’re eligible to apply for your CCCs.

How to Find an SLP CFY Opportunity

Finding the right CFY placement is key to starting your career on the right foot. Here’s where to look:

1. School Staffing Agencies: Agencies like Soliant specialize in helping SLP grads land their first CFY jobs, especially in school-based settings. Our recruiters connect you with positions that match your goals, location preferences, and supervision needs. Soliant also helps you navigate licensure, access to travel or local roles, mentorship connections, and ongoing support throughout your fellowship.
2. University Career Centers: Many graduate programs have dedicated career advisors or job boards that list CFY openings.
3. State Associations & Conferences: State associations often post CFY job openings on their websites and host job fairs or events where you can connect with hiring managers.
4. Networking: Ask your clinical supervisors, professors, or classmates if they know of open positions.

When to Apply for SLP CFY

Most SLP grad students begin applying for CFY roles during their final semester or right after completing their externships. This usually means applying in spring or early summer if you’re graduating in May.

Find SLP CFY Openings Today

With the right support, your SLP CFY can be a time of growth, confidence-building, and genuine impact on students’ lives.

At Soliant, we’re dedicated to helping you every step of the way on your journey to becoming an SLP, from finding your first CFY job to navigating licensure and paperwork. Explore SLP CFY opportunities with Soliant today.

Looking for more SLP career resources? Explore more guides on SLP CFYs and their requirements, a breakdown of all the steps needed to become an SLP, and visit our speech-language pathologist resume outline & examples guide to help you get your foot in the door.

Students with speech and language disorders may face unique challenges in the classroom, but with the right support, they can thrive. As a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP), your role is crucial to helping students unlock their full communication potential.

Whether you’re working directly with students, consulting with teachers, or developing individualized education plans (IEPs), having an effective toolkit of teaching strategies can make all the difference. In this Soliant guide, SLPs break down some of the most impactful strategies for supporting students with speech and language disorders in the classroom.

5 Key Strategies for Supporting Speech Disorders in Classrooms

1. Simplify and Repeat Instructions

Some students have a hard time understanding complex directions, especially those with receptive language difficulties. To help them out, try breaking instructions into small, easy-to-follow steps while keeping your language clear and simple, repeating yourself if needed.

2. Use Visual Supports

Visuals can make a big difference for students with speech and language challenges, and by utilizing tools like picture schedules, graphic organizers, and illustrated instructions, you can help students stay on track and feel less overwhelmed.

3. Incorporate Multi-Sensory Learning

Multi-sensory teaching strategies, which combine sight, sound, touch, and movement, can help make learning stick by engaging different parts of the brain. For example, this could look like tracing letters in sand while saying the sound out loud or using hand motions to go along with new vocabulary.

4. Support Social Communication

Many students with language disorders find it tough to pick up on social cues, such as taking turns in conversation, starting a chat with a classmate, or figuring out jokes. You can help them build these skills by using real-world practice, like role-playing different scenarios, pairing them with peer buddies, or reading social stories that walk through common situations they might face.

5. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection

Progress in speech and language doesn’t always follow a straight line. That’s why it’s so important to celebrate the little victories, like a student trying out a new word or starting a conversation on their own. These small wins build confidence, and that confidence builds momentum.

Learn More About Speech & Language in the Classroom

As an SLP, your ability to personalize support, stay flexible, and partner with other educators can make all the difference in a child’s school experience. If you want a career dedicated to empowering students to connect, express themselves, and succeed, we encourage you to browse Soliant’s wide range of job opportunities in education. Find roles in schools across the country in speech-language pathology, general education, special education, teletherapy, and more.

Looking for more insights on school speech-language pathology? Explore Soliant’s education career resources here, including guides for SLPs on resumes, salary negotiation, job descriptions, and more!

For students with visual impairments, learning can be full of barriers most of us don’t even realize exist. Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) are the school professionals who empower these students to overcome these barriers. They help students navigate both the classroom and the world with greater confidence and teach them skills that go far beyond academics.

If you’re considering a career in special education and want to make a lasting impact, becoming a TVI is one of the most emotionally and professionally rewarding careers out there. In this Soliant guide, learn all about the career benefits of teaching the visually impaired, including how to get started on experiencing them for yourself.

Career Benefits for Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI)

1. Every Day Is Unique and Meaningful

No two days are the same in the world of visual impairment education. You might be helping a kindergartener learn to read with tactile letter recognition in the morning, then supporting a high schooler preparing for college in the afternoon. Regardless of what you do, your work will have a meaningful, lasting impact as a TVI.

2. You’ll Be in High Demand

TVIs are in short supply nationwide, which means there are plenty of job opportunities in both urban and rural school districts. With TVI demand outpacing the number of certified professionals, many schools are eager to hire and support TVIs, making it easier for you to find a job in a location that suits your lifestyle.

3. It’s a Field with Room to Grow

TVIs are constantly learning, whether it’s new assistive technologies, updated instructional strategies, or advocacy approaches. Some TVIs go on to earn certifications in orientation and mobility, low vision therapy, or even administration. It’s a career that invites growth and specialization, with opportunities to lead and innovate.

4. Flexible Work Models

A lot of TVIs work as itinerant teachers, meaning they move between schools or districts instead of staying in one place. If you’re someone who thrives on flexibility, independence, and a change of scenery, this kind of role can be a refreshing break from the traditional classroom routine.

5. Small Caseloads, Bigger Focus

TVIs typically work with a smaller number of students. This means they experience benefits like closer student relationships, the ability to see tangible progress over time, and avoiding the burnout often associated with overcrowded classrooms.

Experience the Benefits of Becoming a TVI

These are just a few of the many benefits of becoming a teacher of the visually Impaired. If you’re passionate about creating accessible, inclusive learning environments, becoming a TVI could be the perfect career path.

Take the first step by exploring Soliant’s TVI job opportunities today, and find more school therapy resources designed to support your journey every step of the way, including a guide on how to become a TVI, resume tips and examples, and more!