How Can Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?
At Elevate Health, we believe in the power of purposeful play. Occupational therapy (OT) is not just about helping children with challenges—it’s about unlocking their potential and helping them thrive in daily life. Whether it's getting dressed, holding a pencil, or climbing the playground ladder, OT can support your child’s growth in meaningful ways.
What Does Pediatric Occupational Therapy Do?
Occupational therapy focuses on helping children gain independence and success in the "occupations" of childhood—things like playing, learning, and self-care. For kids with developmental delays, sensory processing challenges, or motor skill difficulties, OT provides tools and strategies to support those essential daily activities.
The Role of Toys in Therapy
At Elevate Health, we use toys with purpose. Play is a child’s language, and toys become the tools that build their foundation. From puzzles that enhance visual-motor coordination to therapy putty that strengthens hand muscles, every toy has a role.
Here’s how we use play to build motor skills and strength:
Building Blocks & Stacking Toys: Improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
Animal Walks or Obstacle Courses: Promote core strength, coordination, and bilateral integration (using both sides of the body).
Therapy Swings & Crash Pads: Regulate sensory input and improve balance.
Play-Doh and Popper Activities: Refine finger strength and dexterity needed for writing and buttoning.
These activities aren't just fun—they're rooted in research. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), play-based interventions significantly improve motor planning, coordination, and functional skills in children with developmental concerns (AOTA, 2023).
Why It Matters
When kids can move, play, and participate with confidence, their self-esteem and independence grow. OT builds the physical and emotional strength children need—not just to meet milestones, but to enjoy childhood.
Want to learn more about how OT can support your child’s development? Contact us today—we’d love to help your child play with purpose. Or watch our Real Talk series every Thursday which gives you an inside look of our clinicians and services.
Reference
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). Occupational Therapy’s Role with Children and Youth. Retrieved from https://www.aota.org/practice/children-youth
