A is for Activities of Daily Living
OTs help children master essential everyday tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, and grooming to promote independence and self-confidence.
B is for Bilateral Coordination
OTs help children develop the ability to use both sides of their body together, which is essential for tasks like cutting with scissors, tying shoes, and zipping jackets.
C is for Cutting
OTs use scissors skills to develop hand strength, bilateral coordination, and visual motor skills. This important developmental milestone prepares children for school tasks and independence.
D is for Development
OTs understand developmental milestones and create individualized plans to help children reach their potential.
E is for Executive Function
Organization, planning, and time management are essential life skills that OTs help children master.
F is for Fine Motor
From buttoning shirts to holding pencils, OTs design activities to strengthen the small muscles in hands and fingers.
G is for Grasp
OTs help children develop efficient grasp patterns for holding pencils, utensils, and tools. A proper grasp is essential for handwriting, self-feeding, and manipulating objects with control and precision.
H is for Handwriting
OTs provide specialized interventions to develop proper grip, letter formation, and writing fluency.
I is for Independence
The ultimate goal of OT is to help children achieve maximum independence in all areas of life.
J is for Just Right Challenge
OTs are experts at creating activities that are not too easy and not too hard—finding that sweet spot where children are challenged enough to grow but still experience success and build confidence.
K is for Key Grasp
OTs help children develop this important fine motor skill—the ability to hold and turn small objects like keys between thumb and finger—which is essential for manipulating toys, fasteners, and tools.
L is for Leisure Activities
OTs help children develop skills to participate in play, sports, and hobbies that bring joy and satisfaction. Meaningful leisure activities are essential for social development, stress relief, and quality of life.
M is for Memory
OTs help children strengthen working memory, sequential memory, and visual memory through engaging activities. Strong memory skills support learning, following directions, and academic success.
N is for Neuroplasticity
OTs leverage the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections. Through strategic interventions, they help create positive, lasting changes in children’s developing brains.
O is for Oral Motor
Eating, drinking, and speaking require complex coordination that OTs help develop through specialized activities.
P is for Pincer Grasp
OTs help children develop this crucial fine motor skill—the ability to pick up small objects using thumb and index finger—which is a developmental milestone that enables self-feeding, manipulating small toys, and eventually proper pencil control.
Q is for Quality of Life
OTs focus on improving children’s overall well-being and participation in meaningful activities.
R is for Routines
Occupational therapists help children establish consistent, predictable routines that provide the structure needed to thrive. From morning preparation to bedtime wind-down, these daily patterns help develop independence, reduce anxiety, and build essential life skills. OTs work with families to create effective routines that support successful transitions between activities and help children understand expectations.
S is for Sensory
OTs help children who struggle with processing sensory information through carefully designed sensory diets and activities.
T is for Teamwork
Occupational therapists recognize that every child has their own unique support team. This team might include parents, siblings, teachers, doctors, therapists, friends, and other important people in the child’s life. OTs help children identify and engage with their personal team, empowering them to communicate their needs and celebrate their successes together. By harnessing the strengths of everyone involved in a child’s life, occupational therapy creates a powerful network of support that helps children achieve their goals and reach their full potential.eir full potential.
U is for Unique Needs
Occupational therapists recognize that every child has their own distinctive combination of strengths, challenges, and learning styles that require individualized attention. OTs excel at identifying these unique needs and creating custom intervention plans that address specific areas for growth while building upon existing abilities. By taking the time to truly understand each child’s particular requirements—whether sensory, motor, cognitive, or emotional—OTs ensure that therapy is precisely tailored to help children overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential in ways that work best for their individual circumstances.
V is for Vision
Occupational therapists help children develop clear visual skills that extend far beyond just eyesight. OTs address visual tracking, visual memory, figure-ground perception, and visual-motor integration—all crucial skills for reading, writing, sports, and navigating everyday environments. Through targeted activities that strengthen these visual processing abilities, OTs help children succeed in classroom tasks, social interactions, and daily routines. When a child can efficiently process and respond to visual information, they gain confidence and independence in school and beyond.
W is for Whole Child Centered
Occupational therapists embrace a comprehensive approach that considers all aspects of a child’s development—physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. Rather than focusing solely on isolated skills, OTs understand how these domains interconnect and influence each other. This whole child centered perspective ensures that interventions address not just immediate concerns but support the child’s overall development, well-being, and participation across all environments. By seeing beyond specific challenges to understand the complete child, OTs create holistic support systems that nurture growth in all areas of life.
X is for eXercise
Occupational therapists incorporate purposeful physical activities into therapy to build strength, coordination, endurance, and body awareness. These therapeutic exercises are carefully selected to address specific goals while being fun and engaging for children. From animal walks that strengthen core muscles to climbing activities that develop upper body strength, OTs transform physical challenges into playful opportunities for growth. Regular exercise not only improves physical abilities but also enhances focus, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing, creating a foundation for success in daily activities and academic tasks.
Y is for “You Did It” moments
Occupational therapists celebrate every achievement, no matter how small it might seem. These “You Did It” moments—zipping a jacket independently for the first time, successfully using scissors, or trying a new sensory experience—represent significant milestones in a child’s journey. OTs are experts at recognizing progress, creating opportunities for success, and helping children build confidence through these victories. By acknowledging and celebrating these accomplishments, OTs foster a positive mindset that encourages children to tackle new challenges with enthusiasm and persistence, building resilience that will serve them throughout life.
Z is for Zealous Advocacy
Occupational therapists are passionate champions for the children they serve, advocating tirelessly for their needs across all environments. With unwavering dedication, OTs educate families, teachers, and communities about accommodations and strategies that support each child’s success. They attend IEP meetings, collaborate with medical professionals, and work to remove barriers that limit participation and independence. This zealous advocacy ensures that children receive appropriate services, adaptations, and understanding, creating a world that recognizes and embraces diverse abilities and learning styles. Through their persistent efforts, OTs help build more inclusive schools, communities, and futures for all children.
Don’t forget to visit our FREE Resources Section to download the Freebie for each day (found under ABCs of OT)! That is 26 amazing FREE resources for you and your kids!
Happy Occupational Therapy Month to all the incredible pediatric OTs making a difference in children’s lives every day!
