Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Morton Grove, Glenview, Skokie, Lincolnwood

Developmental Milestones: At birth, most babies have reflexes for sucking, grasping, and rooting. They often begin to lift their heads while lying on their stomachs by 2 months. By 3 months, babies typically can hold up their heads when seated and reach for and grasp objects. They often start rolling over from front to back and back to front by 5 months. At 6 months, babies should be able to sit up with support and may start to crawl. Most babies will begin to bat at objects while on their back around 2-3 months and actively grab objects at 4 months. Babies typically will purposefully release objects at 5-6 months.

What OT Looks Like: At age 0-6 months, OT will often work on the gross motor skills and strength needed to meet the early motor milestones. OT will often occur with the baby on the floor in different positions that help to strengthen the large muscles of the trunk and neck, work on visual scanning, and use of the eyes and hands together.

Developmental Milestones: Babies can typically sit up without support by 8 months and may start to crawl or "army crawl". They often begin to pull themselves up to stand and may take their first steps with support around 10-12 months. Babies typically start to develop fine motor skills such as using the pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) to pick up small pieces of food at mealtimes and other small objects. Babies should start to bang objects together, clap, and point - and begin to understand simple requests.

What OT Looks Like: At age 6-12 months, your child may participate in OT on the floor on his/her belly, back, on hands and knees, or cruising along furniture. OT may continue to develop gross motor skills and strengthen the large muscles of the trunk and neck while also addressing grasping skills and symmetrical use of the hands. OT may begin to support social skills, such as shared enjoyment of an activity.

Developmental Milestones: Toddlers are known to learn to walk independently, run, and climb stairs with assistance. They typically start to develop hand-eye coordination and can stack blocks, scribble on paper, and put objects into containers with various openings. They should begin to show independence and assert their preferences. Toddlers may tantrum but can typically be easily redirected. They can often attend to one play activity for 2-6 minutes. Toddlers show more refined use of their hands and are able to stack blocks into a tower with control.

What OT Looks Like: OT at age 1-2 years may continue to support strengthening of the big muscles of the body and use of both hands in play. OT may address social skills, attention for play and interactions, and problem solving. Your child may participate in OT while lying on his/her belly, sitting on an exercise ball, climbing over an unstable surface (like pillows) or while seated for preferred play activities that address multiple skills.

Developmental Milestones: Toddlers can often jump, walk backwards, and kick a ball. They usually use utensils to eat and may start to draw simple shapes and lines. They should develop more complex language skills and can understand and follow simple instructions. Toddlers are known to start engaging in imaginative play and develop social skills such as sharing and taking turns. Typically, toddlers can follow multiple step directions. They can transition away from preferred activities without tantrum. Toddlers will often begin to develop a hand preference/dominance, use scissors to make cuts on paper, and string beads.

What OT Looks Like: OT at age 2-3 years may help to support a “just right” level of arousal for better attention to play and interactions with peers, develop more refined use of the hands for manipulation of objects, use of writing utensils, or support daily activities such as dressing or using utensils for feeding. In OT, your child may participate in movement play or use their preferred play to address delays, such as coloring tasks, stacking of blocks, stringing beads, or completion of puzzles.

Developmental Milestones: Kids will begin to copy shapes, letters, and numbers and develop more precision with writing. They should be able to dress independently, including fastening of buttons, snaps, and zippers. At this age, kids can often stay focused on one activity for long stretches of time. Typically, they can draw shapes on paper while holding the writing utensil with the thumb and pad of the index finger (or index + middle finger), with the other fingers resting in the palm of their hand.

What OT Looks Like: OT at age 3-6 years may continue to support a “just right” activity level through movement play, can include gross motor play (jumping, climbing, swinging) and activities requiring more hand precision, along with seated activities (coloring, drawing, handwriting, and/or manipulation of smaller objects).