Occupational therapists are the best people to address the common concerns that parents have for their kids. OTs are specially trained in how to address developmental milestones and help children learn the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.
One of the most common questions that parents ask is, “What is occupational therapy at home?” The answer to this question is that OTs focus on helping people develop the skills they need to be successful in their everyday lives. OTs, help people of all ages, from infants to adults.
There are many benefits of occupational therapy home programs. OT home programs can help children learn new skills, improve existing skills, and prevent future problems. In this article, we will talk about the occupational therapy activities that can be practised at home. However, before we discuss those activities, it’s important to understand the importance of these programs.
What is an Occupational Therapy Home Program?
An OT home program is a plan that is created by an occupational therapist to help people develop the skills to achieve their goals. The goal of an OT home program for kids is to help children develop the skills they need to be successful in their everyday lives. In such programs, OTs will assess the person’s needs and create a plan that is specific to their individual goals. OT home programs can be used to help people of all ages, from infants to adults, but in this article, we will be talking more specifically around children.
Here, occupational therapists use a variety of techniques to achieve this goal. Some of the techniques that OTs use include:
- Sensory integration
- Motor planning
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Visual perceptual training
Occupational therapists also use a variety of materials to help children learn new skills. They make use of daily items like balls, puzzles, blocks, art supplies, etc. to help children learn new skills.
OTs also use specialized equipment to help children with specific needs. For example, they may use a computer to help a child with visual impairments learn how to read. Similarly, they may use a trampoline to help a child with physical disabilities improve their coordination and balance.
In short, OTs use a variety of techniques and materials to help children learn new skills and improve existing ones.
What are the Benefits of OT Home Programs?
There are many benefits of occupational therapy home programs. OT home programs can help children in many ways. Some of the benefits of OT home programs include:
Improving Fine Motor Skills
Occupational therapy home programs can help children improve their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the ability to use small muscles to perform tasks like writing, drawing, and buttoning shirts. These skills are important for school-age children as they help them perform well in school.
OT home programs can also help improve a child’s handwriting. Handwriting is an important skill for school-age children. OTs can use a variety of techniques and materials to help children improve their handwriting.
Improving Gross Motor Skills
OT home programs can also help children improve their gross motor skills. Gross motor skills are the ability to use large muscles to perform tasks like walking, running, jumping, and climbing. These skills are important for school-age children as they help them stay active and participate in physical activities.
OTs can use a variety of physical therapy techniques and materials to help children improve their gross motor skills. For example, they may use a trampoline to help a child with physical disabilities improve their coordination and balance.
Improving Visual Motor Skills
An occupational therapy home program can also help children improve their visual-motor skills. Visual-motor skills are the ability to use vision to guide movement. These skills are important for school-age kids as they help them perform well in school by developing their hand-eye coordination.
OTs can use a variety of materials like puzzles, blocks, and art supplies to help children improve their visual-motor skills.
Enjoying this article? You might want to check out our list of the best occupational therapy podcasts, perfect for parents, teachers, and occupational therapists.
Improving Sensory Processing Skills
Occupational therapy programs at home can also help children improve their sensory processing skills. Sensory processing is the ability to take in and make sense of information from the environment using the senses. So, whether it’s about active participation in classroom activities or paying attention to some detail, sensory processing skill is a fundamental skill that a child must master.
An occupational therapist uses a variety of occupational therapy activities using materials like balls, bean bags, and noise-cancelling headphones to help children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) understand and make sense of information from their environment. They may also use sensory diet techniques to help a child with
Improving Cognitive Skills
Cognitive skills are important for school-age children as they help them learn and remember new information. OT home programs can help children improve their attention span, memory, and problem-solving skills. For example, an occupational therapist may use games and puzzles to help a child with ADHD improve his or her attention span. OTs may also use memory games to help a child with poor memory to retain information.
Cognitive development plays a crucial role in a child’s academic success. Occupational therapists can use a variety of OT activities to help children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD.
Improving Social Skills
Social skills are crucial for kids as they help them interact with others. OT home programs have many therapeutic benefits that can help your child improve their social skills. For example, an occupational therapist may use pretend play to help a child with
Improving Visual Perception Skills
Visual perception is the ability to interpret and make sense of what we see. It’s an important skill for kids as it helps them with reading and writing. OT home programs can help children improve their visual perception skills in many ways. For example, an occupational therapist may use shapes and colors to help a child with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD. OTs may also use puzzles and block play to help a child with visual impairments learn how to interpret and make sense of what they see.
Improving Academic Performance
OT home programs may also help your kid improve their academic performance. OTs can help children with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, by teaching them specialized techniques for reading and writing. Children with ADHD may also benefit from OT home programs as they can help them improve their attention span and concentration. On joining such programs, an occupational therapist may introduce your child to a variety of OT activities that can help them succeed in school.
Improving Self-Esteem
A child with disability often faces many challenges in their daily life. As a result, they may develop low self-esteem. OT home programs are designed to help children with disabilities overcome these challenges and build their self-esteem. It can help them develop the skills they need to succeed in school and interact with others. An OT home program can also help a child with physical disabilities by teaching them how to care for their own needs.
Occupational therapy programs use a variety of activities, such as game playing and art, to help children with physical and mental disabilities develop a positive self-image. Such programs can help your kid build their self-esteem and confidence.
OT home programs are designed to help children with disabilities develop the skills they need to lead a successful life. These programs offer many therapeutic benefits that can help your child in many different ways.
How to Practice Occupational Therapy at Home
There are many ways that you can practice OT at home with your child. If your child has developmental or sensory issues, consider consulting an occupational therapist to get specific recommendations.
An experienced OT can guide you in choosing activities that will help your child specifically. They can also recommend ways to modify activities so that they’re more appropriate for your child’s abilities.
Once you have a list of recommended activities, here are some tips to get started:
Start with Short Sessions
OT activities can be mentally and physically tiring for children. It’s important to start with short sessions and gradually increase the length of time as your child gets used to the activities.
Make it Fun
Choose activities that your child will enjoy. If an activity is too difficult or boring, they’re less likely to engage in it. It is important to add the fun factor to OT activities so that your kid looks forward to doing them.
Create a Routine
Establishing a regular OT routine can help your child stay on track with their therapy goals. It can also make it easier for you to fit OT activities into your busy schedule.
Encourage Practice
The more your child practices an activity, the better they’ll get at it. Try to provide opportunities for your child to practice the OT activities throughout the day. This will help them make progress towards their goals.
Make it a Family Affair
Involving the whole family in occupational therapy activities can make it more enjoyable for everyone. It can also help your child feel supported and motivated to achieve their therapy goals.
Occupational Therapy Activities to Practice at Home
There are several occupational therapy activities that you can do at home with your child. These activities can help your child develop the specific skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Occupational therapy activities can be divided into several categories according to their purpose. These categories include:
Fine Motor Activities
Fine motor activities help children develop the small muscles in their hands and fingers. These muscles are necessary for tasks such as writing, holding a pencil, and using scissors.
There are many fine motor activities that you can do at home with your child. Here are a few examples:
- Playdough: Kneading playdough helps strengthen the muscles in your child’s hands.
- Building Blocks: Playing with building blocks helps develop the muscles in your child’s fingers and hands.
- Drawing and Painting: These activities help develop the muscles in your child’s hands and fingers.
- Legos: Assembling legos helps develop the muscles in your child’s fingers and hands.
- Cotton Balls: Picking up small objects such as cotton balls helps develop the muscles in your child’s fingers.
- Finger Puppets: Playing with finger puppets helps develop the muscles in your child’s fingers.
Gross Motor Activities
Gross motor activities help children develop the large muscles in their bodies. These muscles are necessary for tasks such as walking, running, and jumping.
There are many gross motor activities that you can do at home with your child. Here are a few examples:
- Ball Games: Playing catch, hopscotch, and other ball games helps develop the muscles in your child’s arms and legs.
- Trampolines: Jumping on a trampoline helps develop the muscles in your child’s legs.
- Hula Hoops: Hula hooping helps develop the muscles in your child’s waist and legs.
- Bicycles: Riding a bike helps develop the muscles in your child’s legs.
- Running: Running helps develop the muscles in your child’s legs.
- Jumping Rope: Jumping rope helps develop the muscles in your kid’s legs.
Sensory Activities
Sensory input helps children develop their sense of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Sensory activities can also help children regulate their emotions and behavior.
There are many sensory activities that you can do at home with your child. Here are a few examples:
- Play with Sand: Playing in sand helps children develop their sense of touch.
- Finger Painting: Finger painting helps children develop their sense of touch.
- Cook Together: Cooking helps children develop their sense of smell and taste.
- Listen to Music: Listening to music helps children develop their sense of hearing.
- Look at Books: Looking at books helps children develop their sense of sight.
- Play in the Mud: Playing in mud helps children develop their sense of touch.
Executive Functioning Activities
Executive functioning skills are necessary for tasks such as planning, organizing, and paying attention. Executive functioning activities can help children develop these skills.
There are many executive functioning activities that you can do at home with your child. Here are a few examples:
- Puzzles: Solving puzzles helps children develop their problem-solving skills.
- Memory Games: Playing memory games helps children develop their memory and attention span.
- Organizing Toys: Organizing toys helps children develop their organizational skills.
- Making a Schedule: Making a schedule helps children develop their planning skills.
- Cleaning Up: Cleaning up helps children develop their organizational skills.
- Obstacle Course: Creating an obstacle course helps children develop their problem-solving and motor skills.
Eye-Hand Coordination Activities
Eye-hand coordination is necessary for tasks such as catching a ball and writing. Eye-hand coordination activities can help children develop these skills.
There are many eye-hand coordination activities that you can do at home with your child. Here are a few examples:
- Tossing a Ball: Tossing a ball back and forth helps children develop their eye-hand coordination.
- Juggling: Juggling helps children develop their eye-hand coordination.
- Hitting a Balloon: Hitting a balloon with your hands helps children develop their eye-hand coordination.
- Writing: Writing helps children develop their eye-hand coordination.
- Coloring: Coloring is yet another activity that helps children develop their eye-hand coordination.
Self-Help Activities
Self-help activities are necessary for tasks such as brushing teeth and getting dressed. Self-help activities can help children develop these skills.
There are many self-help activities that you can do at home with your child. Here are a few examples:
- Brushing Teeth: Brushing teeth helps children develop their fine motor skills.
- Washing Hands: Washing hands helps children develop their fine motor skills.
- Getting Dressed: Getting dressed helps children develop their gross motor skills.
- Eating: Eating helps children develop their fine motor skills.
- Tying Shoes: Tying shoes helps children develop their fine motor skills.
Key Takeaways
There are many occupational therapy activities that you can do at home with your child. These activities can help children develop their fine motor skills, gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and self-help skills. Occupational therapy home programs are a great way to help your child develop the skills they need to be successful in life.
You may consult an experienced occupational therapist in your locality to learn about more occupational therapy activities tailored to your child’s specific needs. They can help you select activities that are appropriate for your child’s developmental level and provide guidance on how to properly execute them.
If you don’t have access to an occupational therapist, there are many resources available online that can help you get started, including the Ready Kids App. The Ready Kids App provides video and printable resources for both parents and children to provide OT at home.
Regardless of how you get started, the most important thing is to just get started! Occupational therapy home programs can make a big difference in your child’s life.
And if you are struggling even after trying a home program, a Mobile Paediatric Occupational Therapist can come out to assist your child face-to-face.
Resources:
Occupational Therapy Home Programs – The OT Toolbox. (2022). Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://www.theottoolbox.com/occupational-therapy-home-programs/
50 Occupational Therapy Activities for Kids + [Printables] – University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (2022). Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://www.usa.edu/blog/occupational-therapy-activities/
50 Fine Motor Occupational Therapy Activities at Home. (2022). Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2020/03/18/occupational-therapy-activities-at-home/
Our 10 Favorite Occupational Therapy Activities. (2022). Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/occupational-therapy-activities-at-home
iqbal, M., & Gilbert, R. (2022). 109 Occupational Therapy Activities for Kids. Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://holfamily.com/occupational-therapy-activities/
8 Gross Motor Activities for Kids. (2022). Retrieved 24 June 2022, from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/8-gross-motor-skills-activities-for-kids
