Early Childhood Development

OTs help children build the foundations for learning and independence. This includes play skills, movement, social interaction, and early problem-solving. We support children who may be slower to reach milestones or need extra help to explore and learn.

How OT Helps Children Explore and Learn

• Learning Through Play: Activities like stacking blocks, climbing, or exploring textures help children discover and learn through fun.

• Building Movement Skills: Crawling, walking, balancing, and jumping develop strength, coordination, and confidence.

• Social Skills: Guided play with peers encourages sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others.

• Making Spaces Supportive: Simple adjustments at home or in play areas, like placing toys where children can reach them safely, make learning and exploration easier.

How OT Looks During a Session

• OT sessions are play-based and designed to be fun while supporting learning and development. Activities might include:

• Movement games: climbing, balancing, jumping, or obstacle courses to build coordination and strength

• Fine motor play: stacking blocks, threading beads, drawing, or practising self-care tasks like buttons and zips

• Sensory exploration: playing with different textures, water, sand, or musical instruments to help regulation

• Social games: turn-taking, role-play, or interactive activities to encourage sharing and communication

• Problem-solving tasks: puzzles, building challenges, or simple multi-step games to develop planning and thinking skills

Throughout play, the OT observes skills, provides gentle prompts, models strategies, and adapts tasks to support participation and confidence.

Common Areas of Challenge - Red Flags to look out for

Parents may notice certain difficulties that indicate a child could benefit from OT support:

• Limited or repetitive play, or avoidance of new activities

• Delays in motor milestones such as crawling, walking, or climbing

• Difficulty with hand use or grasping objects

• Challenges with social interaction, taking turns, or sharing

• Sensory sensitivities to sounds, textures, movement, or lights

• Frustration or meltdowns during routine tasks or play

• Trouble focusing, problem-solving, or following simple instructions

How this skill can change as your child grows

Cognitive (thinking and problem-solving skills)

• Early play helps children experiment, plan, and solve simple problems. These skills grow into more complex problem-solving and social reasoning.

Fine Motor (hand and finger skills)

• Grasping and manipulating toys builds hand strength and coordination, supporting later skills like drawing, writing, and self-care (buttons, zips).

Gross Motor (movement and coordination)

• Crawling, walking, and balancing evolve into running, jumping, climbing, and coordinated playground activities.

• These skills support confidence in physical play, sports participation, and safe movement in the environment.

Sensory (understanding and responding to sensory input)

• Exploring textures, movement, sounds, and spaces helps children regulate their body and attention.

• Early sensory experiences contribute to comfort in new environments, tolerance of different sensations, and the ability to focus during tasks.

Emotional & Social (managing feelings and interacting with others)

• Early social play encourages sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others.

• Confidence and regulation in small group activities support friendships, teamwork, and problem-solving in social situations.

• Children learn to manage frustration, celebrate success, and understand others’ perspectives.

How this skill can look at home, school, or in the community

Home - Practising early self-care (feeding, dressing, toileting), playing with siblings, exploring safe spaces, and experimenting with toys.

Pre-School - Engaging in group play, practising social routines, interacting with other children, and learning to navigate shared spaces.

Community -Learning through exploring parks, playgrounds, libraries, and other safe public spaces. As well as practicing early movement, social skills, confidence and curiosity in different environments.

Example

A 4-year-old was hesitant to move around and avoided reaching for toys on a low shelf. A small obstacle course with cushions and boxes encouraged crawling, climbing, and reaching safely. With playful challenges and gentle encouragement, the child began exploring more confidently, trying new ways of moving, interacting with peers, and joining in everyday play.