Occupational Therapy with Children: Understanding Children's Occupations and Enabling Participation

Occupational Therapy with Children draws on contemporary research to examine children’s roles, their occupations and the skills which underpin their ability to participate in society. The book will develop the occupational therapist’s understanding of how to optimise the participation of children in the various environments in which they are required or choose to engage. Occupational Therapy with Children maintains a developmental perspective and incorporates child-centred interventions to improve performance deficits.

Section one examines children’s roles and occupations in contemporary society at a broad level. Coverage includes the child’s participation in the family, at school and in the community. This section considers environmental influences on childhood activities, and highlights children’s changing occupational time use and the impact this has on health and wellbeing. Section two focuses on childhood as a period of significant development and skill acquisition. This is profiled as a dynamic period for the therapist to encourage occupational mastery across the spectrum of childhood experience: in play; in self-care; as a student; and beyond the school grounds. Topical chapters evaluate participation in physical activity and consider the potential for ‘healthy’ leisure, along with the risk characteristics associated with certain approaches to leisure.

Occupational Therapy with Children is aimed at students and practitioners of occupational therapy. Other childhood professionals, particularly early childhood educators, will also appreciate the articulate approach this book takes towards the development of the child.