Melissa Petcu MS OTR/L, occupational therapist at the Midtown office of Child and Family Development, emphasizes that pediatric occupational therapy is all about “the job of living”. Families can capitalize of events and activities already happening when they are out and about in the community to facilitate development and improve skills. In February, she shares:
Think it would be nice to have a helper at the grocery store? Give your child a “job” and watch their attitude change! Your child will enjoy pushing the cart with you (even a smaller one). Kids will feel proud when they are picking out the items and placing them in the cart. I find that there are less melt downs and negotiations when the focus is on their grocery list, pushing the cart and locating the items. Maybe the reward is one extra item of their choosing!
When you think about it, a market is a multi-sensory location with lots of opportunity for motor, strength and language activities. It sounds a lot like the multidisciplinary approach here at C&FD!