4 Things You Need To Know About Pediatric Occupational Therapy

October 13, 2021

What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Question: What is Occupational Therapy?


Answer:  In the world of pediatrics, an occupational therapist will assist a child (and their family) with the skills required to  participate in the things they want and need to do through the use of therapeutic activities.  Said succinctly, occupational therapist teach the skills necessary to complete daily tasks.


The 4 Ways an OT can Help You


1. Activities for Daily Living

Occupational therapists address the functional skills needed to perform daily tasks at school, home or in life in general. Examples include:

  • Self-care tasks (dressing, tying shoes, toileting, brushing teeth, etc.)
  • Visual-Motor skills (catching a ball, visually tracking an object)
  • Transitions (in and out of tasks/places)


2. Behavior and Sensory Processing

Occupational therapy can help children that have difficulties processing sensory information in the environment.


Symptoms of Sensory Processing Difficulties often include:
  • Difficulty learning new motor skills
  • Clumsiness
  • Over stimulated
  • Seeks out sensations such different:
  • Textures
  • Noises
  • Movements
  • Tastes


Difficulties with processing sensory information can negatively impact all aspects of a child’s life such as attending in the classroom, tolerating different types of clothing, or playing sports with peers. Here at the Pediatric Movement Center our occupational therapy professionals are trained to identify the child’s individual sensory needs and use play activities to work on integrating these sensations for improved attention, behavior, self-regulation, confidence and independence with self-care activities.



3. Fine motor

Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in your hands, fingers, and wrists. Kids rely on these skills to do key tasks in school and in everyday life. Examples of this skill include (but are not limited to):


  • Handwriting
  • Using a toothbrush
  • Using scissors


Our occupational therapists at the Pediatric Movement Center can help kids improve fine motor skills through play and exercise, as well as provide you and your child with tips and tricks to assist at home and in school.


4. Play skills

Play is the main occupation (job) of a child!  Occupational Therapists help children learn how to explore their environment through movement, and touch. This "play" enhances life skills and learning opportunities. Below are skills that children can children can learn and develop through play!


  • Motor Skills
  • Reaching Developmental Milestones
  • Social Skills
  • Life Skills


Shout out to our wondering occupational therapy team! Here at the Pediatric Movement Center, we are blessed to have THE BEST staff around. If you have any questions about if occupational therapy can help you, please call a member of our team at 301-739-5437. We've also made a quick OT reference guide HERE for you!


July 30, 2025
This summer, have fun in the sun and stay safe in the water! Here are a few tips for caregivers and parents to keep kids safe this summer. Quick Facts: Drowning is the number one cause of injury death in children ages 1-4. Nearly 70% of drownings among children under four occur during non-swim times. Bathtubs are the most common location of drownings inside the home, and more than half of bathtub deaths involve children less than one year old. Drowning is almost always silent, and it only takes seconds.
July 2, 2025
Getting a selective eater to try new foods is a process. Keep in mind that the goal is to provide your child with the opportunity to be exposed to new foods. Continue to introduce them to unfamiliar foods, have them see that you eat and enjoy them, all the while making sure they have safe foods that they know they can count on. Giving your child permission helps to reduce anxiety around new foods. Inviting your child to be around and try new foods is a very different experience than forcing them to try new foods.
July 1, 2025
With summer here, your kiddos are likely on a constant hunt for snacks. To help them develop healthy eating habits, try spacing meals and snacks about two hours apart. This gives their little tummies time to feel hungry, enjoy a snack, and recognize when they’re full. When kids “graze” throughout the day—eating small amounts here and there—their bodies have a harder time learning to recognize hunger and fullness cues. Grazing can also lead to more frequent choices of less nutritious, grab-and-go snacks. Let's Support Healthier Habits To support healthier habits, pre-plan snack options and post a visual snack “menu” on the fridge. This gives kids structure, helps them feel independent, and encourages better choices. And why not make snack time fun and educational? Try simple food crafts together—it’s a great way to bond with your child(ren), have fun in the kitchen, and explore possible new foods at the same time! UNDER THE SEA: Shark Snack Cups from Mommy's Fabulous Finds Festive treat made with yogurt, jello, cool whip, graham crackers and optional gummy shark Shark Week Bait from Alex Daynes A lighter treat that includes popcorn, white chocolate chips, f ood coloring/sprinkles, Sixlet Candies, gummy sharks, and pretzel goldfish Candy Sushi from Happy Family Recipes Themed snack made with Rice Krispie Treats (butter, marshmallows, vanilla, Rice Krispie Cereal) Fruit Roll-Ups, large Swedish fish, mini Swedish Fish BEACH + ANIMAL THEMES: Beach Bear Dirt Cups from Made To Be A Momma Celebrate summer with pool inspired lounging! Ingredients include: Teddy Grahams, white chocolate pudding, milk, cool whip, graham crackers, gummy life savers Curious George Snack from Mess for Less (tip, Read a Curious George book to go along with this one!) Enjoy a book and a snack with this Curious George inspired snack! Ingredients include: Nutella, s liced bananas, b lueberries, r ice cakes Animal Tracks Snacks from Loreen Leedy Great snack for the outdoorsy kid who enjoys animals! You can use a variety of ingredients including: cheese, crackers, pretzels, cream cheese, almonds and pepperoni FOR THE NATURE LOVER: Nature Snacks : Edible Crafts for Kids - Parties With A Cause A large variety of snacks for nature lover of all kinds including all sorts of flora and fauna options! POPSICLES: Fresh Fruit Popsicles from One Little Project How to Make Fruit Popsicles with Real, Fresh Fruit Strawberry Breakfast Popsicles from Fraiche Living We can imagine all sorts of variations of this recipe! Start with the following simple ingredients: yogurt, fresh strawberries, milk (or your choice) lemon juice and granola Frozen Yogurt Banana Pops from Kalejunkie Such a simple, yet festive recipe that uses ingredients commonly found in the kitchen such as bananas, yogurt and sprinkes! FOOD IMPOSTERS: Pancake Donuts from Balanced with Babies Made with just two ingredients: pancake mix and milk! You will need a fun donut shaped mold for this recipe Breakfast Banana Split - Art From My Table Ingredients include: banana, yogurt, blackberries, raspberries, granola, mini chocolate chips Fruit Cracker Pizzas from Sunshine & Hurricanes Crackers + cream cheese + fruit! Watermelon Rice Krispy Treats from My Heavenly Recipes Festive treat to be shared! Made with butter, marshmallows, R ice Krispies, food coloring and chocolate chips
June 18, 2025
What is kyphosis? Can I prevent it? Can I address the symptoms? Can a physical therapist at the Pediatric Movement Center help? We'll answer all these questions and more it today's blog post!
June 17, 2025
Think your child is "just" clumsy? They may have Developmental Coordination Disorder, DCD, an infrequently known, but very treatable condition that affects 5%-6% of school aged children! Medical specialists, such as pediatric physical therapists, pediatric occupational therapists, and neurologists can help address the underlying nervous system and muscular issues contributing to DCD.
By Brian Snyder June 16, 2025
Bilateral Coordination
Show More