School Readiness

Starting a new chapter in your child’s education can feel exciting but also overwhelming. Whether your child is preparing for daycare, preschool, kindergarten, high school, or university, occupational therapy can provide the tools and strategies needed to support their engagement and participation in these transitions.

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Kindergarten and Early Childhood Readiness

 

For young children preparing for daycare, preschool, or kindergarten, occupational therapy supports foundational skills that promote confidence and independence, including:

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• Fine Motor Skills: Developing hand strength, pencil grasp, scissor skills, and pre-writing skills.

• Gross Motor Skills: Navigating their environment, engaging in during circle time, or engaging in play with peers.

• Self-Care Skills: Teaching independence with dressing, toileting, and managing snacks or lunch.

• Social and Emotional Skills: Supporting turn-taking, following directions, and managing emotions in new or group settings.

• Sensory Processing Skills: Helping children adapt to busy environments and new routines by supporting sensory preferences and fostering regulation strategies.

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High School Readiness

 

The transition to high school brings new challenges as students adapt to larger workloads, different schedules, and increased social expectations. Occupational therapy can help by:

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• Building Executive Functioning Skills: Developing time management, organization, and prioritization strategies to manage multiple classes and homework.

• Enhancing Emotional Regulation: Providing tools to manage stress, anxiety, and peer interactions in a new environment.

• Promoting Independence: Encouraging self-advocacy, problem-solving, and self-care skills.

• Supporting Fine Motor Functioning: Addressing fine motor needs for written assignments or keyboarding.

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University and Post-Secondary Readiness

 

The leap to university or other post-secondary programs involves navigating independent living, academic demands, and social connections. Our services include:

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• Transition Planning: Developing personalized routines for balancing academic, social, and self-care needs.

• Study and Learning Strategies: Improving focus, organization, and problem-solving skills for post-secondary level coursework.

• Daily Living Skills: Supporting meal planning, budgeting, and household tasks for students transitioning to living on their own.

• Self-Advocacy and Accommodations: Guiding students to access supports like disability services, school-based accommodations and effectively communicating their needs.