Milestones Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Independence starts with small everyday wins 💛

𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
✓ Putting on shoes
✓ Tidying toys
✓ Helping set the table
✓ Pouring drinks

help children build confidence, coordination, and problem-solving skills.

Progress doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs encouragement.

Transitions can feel overwhelming for some children.

𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲:
• Shifting attention
• Managing emotions
• Processing expectations
• Coping with uncertainty

When transitions are difficult, children often need support — not pressure.

Predictable routines and preparation can make a huge difference 💙

School refusal can have many underlying causes.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀:
• Sensory overwhelm
• Difficulty with transitions
• Social exhaustion
• Executive functioning challenges
• Environmental mismatch

Understanding the root cause is essential before solutions can help.

Every child’s experience is unique.

Building hand strength doesn’t need worksheets.

Simple play-based activities can strengthen the muscles children need for:

✏ Writing
✂ Cutting
🧩 Manipulation
🖐 Daily independence

Try:
• Playdough squeezing
• Peg games
• Spray bottle play
• Tongs activities
• Building toys

Learning through play is powerful.

That after-school meltdown?

It may be the release of a whole day spent working hard to cope.

Children often hold themselves together during school, then release their stress in the safety of home.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀:
• Sensory overload
• Emotional exhaustion
• Social demands
• Cognitive fatigue

Support starts with understanding what their day has required of them 💛

Executive function skills help children manage everyday tasks.

These include:
🧠 Planning
🧠 Organisation
🧠 Focus
🧠 Emotional regulation
🧠 Task completion

When these skills are harder, children may seem forgetful, overwhelmed, or easily frustrated.

They’re not being difficult — they may need support building these skills.

Not every unusual pencil grip is a problem ✏️

Children often experiment with different ways of holding a pencil as their hand strength and coordination develop.

What matters most:
✔ Comfort
✔ Control
✔ Endurance
✔ Legibility

Sometimes what looks “wrong” is simply part of normal development.

Not all movement in the classroom is “distraction.”

Sometimes, a child who struggles to sit still may actually be trying to regulate their sensory system.

Movement can help children:
✓ Focus
✓ Process information
✓ Stay calm
✓ Feel more organised

Understanding *why* a child moves is the first step toward meaningful support 💛

Not sure whether Occupational Therapy is the right next step? 💭

That’s completely okay.

Our free initial consultation is simply a chance to talk through your concerns and understand what support may help your child most.

No pressure — just supportive guidance 💛

📩 Feel free to message us anytime.