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OT in Action!

Occupational Therapy Skills and Activities

OT in Action!Occupational Therapy Skills and Activities

Occupational Therapist Recommended Gift Ideas

Setting the Table

Setting the table is a fun and practical way to help your preschooler develop important skills at home. It’s a simple task that can easily be adjusted to fit your child's abilities, by making it easier or adding challenges while promoting skills learned in school and therapy.

Occupational Therapy Skills Addressed in Setting the Table:

  • Visual Perceptual Skills: Scanning the environment to locate and gather necessary items.

  • Bilateral Coordination: Using both hands to carry items safely to the table.

  • Task Sequencing: Deciding the order of actions (gathering items, carrying them, placing them in the correct spot).

  • Problem Solving: Figuring out what items are needed and where to place them on the table.

  • Sensory: Using the right amount of force when placing items to avoid breaking them.

  • Attention: Staying focused on the task to ensure it is completed correctly, following a multi-step task and following directions.

  • Visual Motor Skills: Writing names on place cards, completing a coloring sheet or drawing a picture for each guest

  • Fine Motor Skills: Pouring water from a small pitcher into a cup, folding napkins, using utensils

Tips to Adjust the Task

  • Easier: Provide a picture of the correct place setting at the table or prearrange items on the counter.

  • Harder: Add challenges like carrying heavy items (e.g., a full pitcher), create obstacles to avoid while moving items to the table, give multi-step directions

Sensory Tips

  • Incorporate movement activities BEFORE meal times to encourage your child to sit for a longer period of time. These activities can include:

  • Crawling

  • Walk up and down stairs

  • Jumping

  • Diving into a crash pad made out of couch cushions or pillows

  • Participate in a brain break. Click HERE for the link.

  • Standing at the table may be helpful as it gives the child the movement input they’re seeking while still participating at the table with the family.

We hope you have a fun and relaxing holiday break with family and friends. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the ELC preschoolers!

Warmly,

Ms. Carol and Ms. Tesha

Nicole Petschenko