Inspire Skill Builders by Inspire Pediatric Therapy
Welcome Guide
Welcome to Inspire Skill Builders
Let's get you started
Everything here is organized by skill area and developmental level —
not by age. This guide will help you find exactly where your child
is right now, what to try first, and how to know when to move on.
1
Emerging
2
Developing
3
Consistent
4
Advanced
Every skill on this site uses the same four levels.
Learn the system once — navigate everything.
Inspire Pediatric Therapy · inspirepeds.orgGetting Started Guide · Page 1 of 2
Inspire Skill Builders by Inspire Pediatric Therapy
Getting Started Guide
Step 1
Find your child's starting level
Look at each level below. Read what it looks like — then pick the one that
sounds most like your child right now. When in doubt, start one level lower.
It's always better to begin with success.
1
Emerging
Just starting out. Needs lots of support. May refuse or get frustrated quickly. Skills are inconsistent or absent.
Scissors: makes single snips but can't cut across
Writing: scribbles, no intentional marks
Emotions: limited words for feelings
2
Developing
Getting the idea. Can do parts of the skill with some help. Inconsistent — good days and hard days.
Scissors: cuts across a short strip
Writing: copies simple lines and circles
Emotions: knows 3–5 feeling words
3
Consistent
Doing it reliably most of the time. Accurate with minimal reminders. Ready for more challenge.
Scissors: cuts out shapes with turns
Writing: copies crosses, diagonals, shapes
Emotions: identifies and names feelings
4
Advanced
Efficient, accurate, and mostly independent. Skills are solid — ready for more complex and nuanced tasks.
Scissors: cuts complex shapes and spirals
Writing: forms letters and numbers
Emotions: uses strategies independently
Step 2
Choose a skill area to start with
✂
Scissor Skills
From first snips to complex silhouettes. 10 activity sheets + a parent guide at every level.
Complete — all 4 levels
✏
Tracing & Pre-Writing
Lines, shapes, mazes, copying — the foundation for handwriting.
Complete — all 4 levels
🌤
Emotional Regulation
The Big Feelings Forecast — a weather-based system for understanding and managing big feelings.
Guides + 10 worksheets
🧱
Fine Motor Development
A broader look at fine motor skills — grasp, hand strength, coordination, and more.
Reference guides
Step 3
How to use the resources
1
Read the parent guide first
Each level has a parent guide explaining what to watch for, how to set up for success, and signs your child is ready to move up. Read it before the first session — it will make the activity sheets make sense.
2
Print the activity sheets one at a time
Print at 100% on standard US Letter paper — never "fit to page." Each sheet is designed for one session. Start with Sheet 1 and work through them in order.
3
Keep sessions short
5–10 minutes of focused practice is better than 30 minutes of tired, frustrated practice. Stop while things are still going well — always end on a success.
4
Move up when it feels easy, not just correct
When your child completes most sheets at a level accurately and without frustration, they're ready for the next level. Accuracy alone isn't enough — ease and confidence matter too.
Common questions
Quick answers
My child's age doesn't match the level description. Is that okay?
Completely. These levels are based on where a child is, not where their birthday says they should be. Many children work at different levels in different skill areas — that's normal.
How often should we practice?
Little and often works best. 5–10 minutes, 3–5 times a week is ideal. Daily practice builds habits; occasional long sessions don't.
What if my child refuses?
Try a different time of day, reduce the amount (just one sheet instead of three), or turn it into a game. Refusal usually means the task is too hard, too long, or the timing is off.
Should I correct mistakes?
Gently redirect rather than correct. "Let's try starting up here" works better than "that's wrong." Celebrate effort first, accuracy second.
Remember: These resources are designed to support practice at home or in a clinical setting — not to replace individualized occupational therapy. If you have concerns about your child's development, reach out to your OT or contact Inspire Pediatric Therapy directly.
