Pediatric occupational therapy provides a wide range of care for children aged 0-18 who experience challenges in their daily activities. In some of our clinics, we currently offer an expertise for preschool-aged children (4-5 years old) facing difficulties in daily activities that require fine motor skills. Our experts focus on the physical aspects of these challenges, aiming to support young children in their motor development to ease their transition into kindergarten. Additionally, we can assist children already in kindergarten who are experiencing difficulties.
What types of difficulties in children may require pediatric occupational therapy services – school readiness for ages 4-5?
Pediatric occupational therapy services are designed for children aged 4 to 5 who experience challenges* in their daily motor activities, such as:
- Cutting and coloring
- Tracing basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, cross, diagonals)
- Tracing within lines
- Immature grip on pencils and scissors
- Difficulty using utensils (e.g., trouble holding a spoon or fork properly)
- Dressing (e.g., trouble fastening zippers or buttons)
- Personal hygiene (e.g., difficulty washing hands or brushing teeth)
- Maintaining a seated position for an extended period (e.g., difficulty staying seated on the floor or at a table)
*These services do not address behavioral or sensory disorders or diagnoses such as intellectual disability (ID) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
What does the occupational therapist assess?
The occupational therapist evaluates the child’s performance in daily activities (e.g., crafts, dressing, eating, and hygiene) by comparing them to typical developmental expectations for their age. This evaluation helps to:
- Identify the child’s specific challenges
- Develop an intervention plan in collaboration with parents
- Support the child in acquiring the necessary skills to overcome these difficulties
This collaborative approach ensures parents are fully involved in the intervention process.
What are the benefits of pediatric occupational therapy – school readiness for ages 4-5?
The primary goal of occupational therapy is to help children develop essential school readiness skills for future success. A child entering kindergarten with motor challenges may be more likely to face difficulties in their academic learning as early as the first grade. Occupational therapy aims to prevent these potential obstacles by intervening during the early stages of the child’s development.
What treatments are used in pediatric occupational therapy – school readiness for ages 4-5?
Pediatric occupational therapy offers various interventions tailored to the child’s specific needs, including:
- Targeted play activities to improve fine motor skills
- Practical exercises to foster independence in daily activities
- Guidance and strategies for parents to continue development at home
What does a typical session in pediatric occupational therapy – school readiness for ages 4-5 look like?
- Initial evaluation: A one-hour evaluation is conducted in a session with the child. Parents complete questionnaires to provide a comprehensive overview of the child’s needs.
- Parent feedback session: Following the evaluation, a feedback session is held with the parents to determine if occupational therapy follow-up is necessary. If so, a personalized intervention plan is developed in collaboration with them, including session frequency.
- Typical intervention session: The parent accompanies the child in the room for a session where the occupational therapist uses games and activities to strengthen the child’s school readiness skills. Tools and strategies are also provided to the parent to support the child’s development at home.
To book an appointment with one of our pediatric occupational therapists specializing in school readiness for ages 4-5, contact us at 1-855-743-9872.
