April is National Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, a time to celebrate how occupational therapy helps kids grow, learn, and participate in everyday life. But what exactly is OT and how did it begin? Understanding the history of occupational therapy helps show why it continues to be such a powerful, play-based approach for supporting children today....
Spring is the perfect season to get your toddler moving and it’s also a great time to support their occupational therapy (OT) goals! Simple, playful activities can help build core strength, hand skills, and coordination, all of which are essential for everyday tasks like sitting, feeding, drawing, and playing. Here are some OT-inspired spring activities...
This blog is the final part of our hand development series. Over the past four months, we’ve explored how infants and toddlers move from early reflexes to more refined, purposeful hand movements. Now, this checklist brings all of those milestones together in one simple reference for ages 0–2. You can use it to track your...
Part 4 of Our Hand Manipulation Development Series Between 18–24 months, toddlers want to do what adults do. They want to help, build, feed themselves, scribble, and join in play. At this stage, hand skills are no longer just about exploration, they support independence, imitation, and confidence. When hand development doesn’t keep pace with these...
Occupational therapy (OT) is founded on the belief that meaningful engagement in everyday activities, known as “occupations,” supports health, well-being, and participation. Although many modern OT services are provided in clinics or medical settings, the profession began with holistic practices that frequently incorporated the natural environment. The integration of nature-based interventions, often referred to as...
Every toddler develops at their own pace, which can make it tricky to know what’s typical and what might be a sign that some extra support could help. Occupational therapy (OT) can be incredibly beneficial for toddlers who are struggling with daily routines, sensory experiences, or developmental milestones. But when should you seek occupational therapy...
As we welcome a new year, it’s the perfect time to focus on growth, not just in goals for ourselves, but in supporting our toddler’s developmental milestones. Every child grows at their own pace, but with intentional sensory and motor activities, we can provide the right environment for their skills to flourish. Let’s break down...
Thanksgiving is a joyful time of connection and celebration, but for toddlers (especially those who are sensitive to new people, noises and environments), the holidays sometimes feel overwhelming. If your toddler is prone to sensory sensitivities you might wonder how to make the day less stressful while still being fun. With a little planning and...
As Halloween approaches, many families prepare for a fun-filled evening of costumes, decorations, and, of course, trick-or-treating. For children, especially those with sensory sensitivities, this festive occasion can be both exciting and overwhelming. This trick-or-treating social story is designed to help parents explain what to expect during trick-or-treating in a way that is accessible and...
As parents, caregivers, or therapists, we all want to give babies the best start in life. Play is a powerful tool that supports their development in countless ways. In pediatric occupational therapy, play is more than just fun; it’s a crucial part of helping babies develop motor skills, sensory processing, and social-emotional abilities. Here’s how...
