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Please see the resource section to find helpful strategies and resources to help support your child in occupational therapy

A school occupational therapist in an elementary school helps students develop the motor, sensory, and self-care skills needed to succeed in the classroom, participate in school activities, and build independence.

1. Enhancing Academic Success:
   OTs help students develop fine motor skills needed for tasks like handwriting, cutting, and using classroom tools effectively.

2. Promoting Independence:
   They support children in building skills for self-care, such as managing zippers, buttons, and organizing materials.

3. Improving Sensory Processing:
   OTs assist students in managing sensory challenges that may affect focus and behavior, using strategies to create a calm and productive learning environment.

4. Supporting Social Participation:
   By fostering motor and sensory skills, OTs encourage participation in group activities, play, and peer interactions.

5. Providing Individualized Support:
   They assess each child's unique needs and develop customized interventions to help them thrive in the school setting.

6. Collaborating with Teachers and Families:
   OTs work closely with educators and parents to implement strategies that support students both at school and at home.

Examples of What OTs Do

• Teach proper pencil grips and handwriting techniques.

• Help improve coordination for activities like gym or recess.

• Design tools or accommodations, such as modified seating or adaptive equipment.

• Offer exercises and activities that build strength, endurance, and balance.

Who Can Benefit from OT Services?

Students who may benefit from occupational therapy include those with:

• Fine or gross motor skill challenges.

• Sensory processing difficulties.

• Autism spectrum disorder.

• Developmental delays.

• Physical disabilities.

Here are some targeted occupational therapy tips to support strength, alertness, fine motor skills, and visual motor and visual perceptual skills for elementary students at home:

1. Strength

Building muscle strength helps with posture, coordination, and endurance for daily tasks.

• Animal Walks: Encourage bear crawls, crab walks, or frog jumps to strengthen arms, legs, and core muscles.

• Wall Push-Ups: Have your child do push-ups against the wall for upper body strength.

• Plank Challenges: Engage in timed planks to build core stability and strength.

• Weighted Activities: Have your child carry or push/pull items like a loaded laundry basket or a small bag of groceries.

• Yoga for Strength: Poses like downward dog, warrior, or bridge help improve muscle tone and body awareness.

2. Alertness

Activities that promote focus and regulate energy levels can help with attention and self-regulation.

• Movement Breaks: Do jumping jacks, trampoline jumps, or run around the yard to increase alertness.

• Chewing or Fidgeting: Provide crunchy snacks (like carrots or pretzels) or fidget tools to help with self-regulation.

• Breathing Exercises: Practice deep belly breathing or blowing bubbles to regulate energy levels and focus.

• Rocking or Swinging: Use a swing or rocking chair for calming, rhythmic movement to regulate alertness.

• Listening Activities: Play music with varying tempos to match energy needs (fast for alertness, slow for calming).

3. Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor activities support tasks like handwriting, buttoning, and using tools.

• Playdough or Clay: Rolling, pinching, and sculpting build hand strength and dexterity.

• Tweezers or Tongs: Use these to pick up small items like pom-poms or beads.

• Threading Beads: Stringing beads or pasta onto a string strengthens hand-eye coordination.

• Scissor Practice: Cut out shapes, follow lines, or make art projects using child-safe scissors.

• Pencil Grasp Practice: Use small crayons or pencil grips to promote proper pencil control.

4. Visual Motor Skills

These skills help with tasks that require the coordination of vision and hand movements.

• Mazes and Dot-to-Dots: Help your child complete mazes or connect-the-dots puzzles.

• Tracing Activities: Trace letters, shapes, or lines with a finger or writing tool.

• Building with Blocks: Encourage LEGO building or stacking towers to improve spatial awareness.

• Target Games: Throw bean bags or balls at a target to practice visual tracking and coordination.

• Craft Projects: Origami, weaving, or collage-making can build both visual motor and fine motor skills.

5. Visual Perceptual Skills

These skills help with identifying, interpreting, and processing visual information.

• Spot the Difference Games: Play “find the difference” puzzles or “I Spy” games.

• Sorting and Categorizing: Have your child sort items by color, size, or shape.

• Puzzles: Work on jigsaw puzzles to build spatial awareness and figure-ground skills.

• Matching Games: Use memory card games to build recognition and visual recall.

• Hidden Object Activities: Find items hidden in pictures or sensory bins.

General Tips for Success

1. Incorporate Play: Make activities fun and engaging to keep your child motivated.

2. Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

3. Encourage Consistency: Practice daily, even for just a few minutes.

4. Provide Positive Reinforcement: Praise effort and progress to boost confidence.

5. Adapt to Your Child’s Needs: If an activity is too hard, simplify it; if it’s too easy, make it more challenging.

These strategies can be customized to your child’s unique interests and needs. If more tailored support is required, consider consulting an occupational therapist for individualized advice.