The Therapy Center for Children

04/30/2026

To gain insight into the purpose of occupational therapy, examine your daily routines and activities. What are your typical daily habits, and do you prioritize time for appreciating the sunrise and sunset? How do these activities impact your circadian rhythms, and do you engage in tasks that promote oxygenation of the brain and body, such as participating in meaningful activities with family and friends, both independently and collectively? If not, what limitations restrict you from doing so? Don't these activities provide a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and overall well-being?

04/05/2026

04/01/2026

The American Occupational Therapy Association, since 1980, has designated this month to highlight the specialized expertise of occupational therapists and assistants in helping patients overcome physical, cognitive, or emotional limitations.

03/26/2026

Occupational therapist needed for western Suffolk elementary school, please contact me if interested!

03/19/2026

Hand separation, also called motoric separation of the two sides of the hand, is a key fine motor skill that allows the hand to balance power and precision. The ulnar side (ring and pinkie fingers) provides stability, while the radial side (thumb, index, and middle fingers) performs precise movements like writing, buttoning, or picking up small objects.

This coordination relies on muscles, joints, and ligaments working together across the wrist and finger joints (MCP, PIP, DIP). When the power side stabilizes, the precision side can move with control, enabling in-hand manipulation and refined grasp.

You see this skill in daily life—zipping coats, tying shoes, managing buttons, or holding objects in the palm while using fingertips. Difficulty with these tasks often signals a need to strengthen hand separation.

03/11/2026

Adorable oirainbow fruit pot of gold for a fun St. Patrick’s Day treat! ☘️🌈

03/11/2026

Most tantrums don’t need punishment.
Kids often just need a reset. 🔄

Simple, repetitive tasks (like sorting, stacking, coloring, or matching) help calm the brain and body—just like knitting, coloring, or gardening helps adults relax. 🧠✨

When a child can follow a direction and complete a short reset activity, they’re showing they’re ready to rejoin the group and start fresh. 🌱

These Reset Activities work in any classroom—and they work great at home too. 🏫🏡

Want our simple guidelines for choosing the right reset activity during a tantrum?

Drop a 👋 below and we’ll send them your way! 💬

03/11/2026

The Relationship Between Play and Occupational Therapy (Part 1) Introduction to Play in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. Play is a fundamental occupation of childhood, serving as a primary context for learning, exploration, and environmental interaction, and playing a critical role in supporting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. In pediatric occupational therapy, play is utilized as a therapeutic medium to facilitate skill development and enhance participation in daily activities. Occupational therapists use play-based interventions to create meaningful opportunities for children to develop essential abilities within a natural context. Play facilitates the development and refinement of various skills, including motor coordination, problem-solving, attention, social interaction, and emotional regulation. By integrating therapeutic goals into play activities, occupational therapists promote engagement, improve functional performance, and support children's independence in everyday occupations. Recognizing the importance of play enables therapists to identify developmental milestones and detect potential delays. In the next post, we will discuss Play Milestones and their role in pediatric occupational therapy.

12/13/2025

Circle time is part of the preschool/kindergarten classroom environment. Here are tips and strategies from pediatric OTs...imagine having an OT in your preschool classroom! https://www.theottoolbox.com/engaging-circle-time-activities/