ABSTRACT

This book uses an occupational therapy way of thinking to guide the reader towards observing, understanding, and communicating the needs of children to foster a supportive environment.

Presented in accessible, everyday language, this book takes a holistic approach of looking at a child from what makes them a unique person, what activities they are trying to accomplish, and what environment they are in. Each chapter helps readers identify, describe, and clearly articulate a different aspect of the child’s environment and how it may affect them, the way that they process different sensory inputs, what their behaviors may be telling us, and how they learn. By recognizing each child’s unique story and effectively communicating their story to others, the reader can identify the most effective ways to support a child to meet a child’s needs and set them up for success.

Therapists, educators, parents, and childcare workers will all benefit from the simple strategies outlined in this book to enrich a child’s learning.

chapter 1|9 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|9 pages

Occupational Therapy

chapter 3|12 pages

Understanding the Caregiver

chapter 4|14 pages

Understanding the Child

chapter 5|15 pages

Acknowledging the Sensory World

chapter 6|12 pages

Understanding How Children Learn

chapter 7|13 pages

Understanding Behaviors

chapter 8|11 pages

Helping a Child Find Balance

chapter 9|12 pages

Integrating Into the Environment

chapter 10|10 pages

Influence of Family/Caregiver Support

chapter 11|9 pages

Collaborative Problem Solving

chapter 12|11 pages

Communication With the School

chapter 13|10 pages

Communication With Health Care Providers

chapter 14|6 pages

Conclusion