Remember a few years ago when the Big Thing was to throw a water bottle into the air and make it land standing up? The videos made it look so easy, and when a client brought a water bottle to session to teach me how to do it, I was terrible at it. I think I stuck the landing exactly one time.
Anyway, recently someone showed me a flash game called Flip Bottle, which I ended up using in a few sessions. The game consists of different levels where you have to flip a water bottle onto different objects across a course in order to pass, and I am way better at the virtual version of flipping water bottles than the real-life version. It takes concentration, and some levels are really difficult! I’ve had clients get frustrated, creating a perfect opportunity to practice their calming skills.
You can introduce the game by sharing your screen and granting remote control. I usually play by having the client and I take turns, each doing a level – that way I model the exact skills I’m teaching when I get a particularly difficult level. Not to mention, the child can practice asking for help if they want me to clear a level that’s giving them a hard time. And, if they persevere and clear the level, we get a lesson in how they can do hard things!
Since play is completely click-based, clients using smart phones and tablets can play easily by tapping the screen, so this activity is accessible regardless of what device the client uses for their sessions.
What games have you been using in your telehealth sessions? Tell me about them – I’d love to share more options on this blog!