Author: Dr. Aimee Ketchum

Dr. Aimee Ketchum is a pediatric occupational therapist and the curriculum architect behind My First Desk. She has spent her career helping children build the fine-motor, self-care, and social-emotional foundations that set them up to thrive in kindergarten — and she translates that clinical experience into practical, do-it-at-home guidance for the parents and educators who read Insights.

Kindergarten Readiness Should not be Sink or Swim

I often compare kindergarten readiness to pool safety. Years ago, when my husband and I put a pool in our backyard, our children and nieces and nephews were young. Keeping them safe around that pool was incredibly important to us. But we didn’t rely on one thing to keep them safe. We had layers, just like kindergarten readiness requires multiple layers.

Fine Motor Skills Every 4-year-Old Should Practice

Why Strong Hands Matter Before Kindergarten When parents think about preparing their child for kindergarten, they often focus on learning letters and numbers. But there is another important skill that deserves just as much attention. Fine motor skills. These are the small movements children make with their hands and fingers every day. They help children […]