Joining in with Life skills
Life skills are everyday activities that allow children to become more independent and capable as they grow. These include tasks like making lunch, washing dishes, cooking, putting away clothes, and taking out the rubbish. These routines not only support a child’s self-care and independence but also foster important skills such as responsibility, time management, and problem-solving.
For many children, life skills come naturally through repetition and modeling from family members. However, some children may face challenges with these tasks due to physical, cognitive, or developmental conditions. Occupational therapists work with children to develop these essential skills in a way that aligns with each child’s abilities and needs, helping them engage more fully in daily life.
Schedule an appointment with one of our Occupational Therapists today to discover how we can help you.
Why Life Skills Can Be Challenging
Children may experience difficulties with life skills for various reasons:
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
DCD affects motor planning and coordination, making it hard for children to plan and carry out movements in the correct sequence. For example, a child with DCD might struggle to make a sandwich because they have difficulty coordinating the steps involved in spreading ingredients or holding the bread steady while they cut.
Brain Injury
Children with a brain injury may have trouble with memory, attention, and problem-solving, which are all essential for daily tasks. For instance, they might forget the steps for washing dishes or become easily distracted, leaving a task unfinished.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities can impact the understanding of instructions and the ability to organize and sequence tasks. A child might know how to put away clothes but may have trouble understanding how to separate clean and dirty laundry, fold clothing, and place it in the correct drawer.
Sensory Processing Differences
Children with sensory processing differences may experience sensory information as overwhelming or confusing, which can impact life skills. For example, a child may avoid putting away clothes because they find certain textures uncomfortable or refuse to empty the trash due to strong sensitivity to smells.
If your child need help from any of these conditions, do not hesitate to
contact Perfect Balance Occupational Therapy for help.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Occupational therapists work with children to develop customized strategies that make life skills more manageable. They might break down complex tasks into smaller, simpler steps, use visual schedules or checklists, or provide adaptive tools to enhance a child’s abilities. For instance, a therapist might use visual sequencing cards for cooking to help a child follow each step of a recipe, or they might introduce a child to tools like a button hook or zipper pull to assist with dressing.
By building these foundational skills in a supportive, structured way, occupational therapists empower children to participate more fully in daily routines, fostering a sense of accomplishment and independence that will serve them throughout their lives.
Request an appointment to
enhance functional skills and daily living abilities.
Our Occupational Therapy center can help improve motor skills, sensory processing, and
overall independence, empowering you to engage more confidently and effectively in everyday activities!
Schedule a consultation with Perfect Balance Occupational Therapy today, and
take the first step toward a more independent and fulfilling life!
- Request an Appointment
- Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
- A joint effort to make progress
- Work towards easier communication
Unlock your child’s path to confident and independent living skills!
Request an Appointment
