Parenting Classes are coming soon!
Topics to be covered are: Setting Boundaries; Command/Request; Raising Responsible Children; Establishing Household Rules; and Helping Your Child Feel Safe.
Call 320-587-2326 for more information and dates.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are health professionals that work with individuals of all ages and conditions. Some people may think that occupational therapy is only for adults (as kids after all, do not have occupations). However, ‘occupations’ are the everyday activities that individual’s both want and need to do. Occupational therapy aims to maximize an individual’s independence, prevent disability, enrich development, and overall enhance quality of life.
Occupational therapists have a holistic perspective. They focus on adapting the environment to fit the person, where the person is an integral part of the therapy team. Therefore, OT’s not only address an individual’s physical well-being, they also address psychological, social, cognitive, visual, and environmental factors that can affect functioning in different ways. OT’s identify an individual’s functional abilities in the above areas, within different environments, to determine his/her strengths and limitations. OT’s then select tasks that will improve the individual’s basic skills and make recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use. OT’s also provide guidance and education for family members and caregivers with the ultimate goal of the individuals being able to participate in his/her desired ‘occupations’.
Why is Infant Mental Health so important?
Babies and young children thrive when they are cared for by adults that are “crazy about them!” (Bronfenbrenner, 1976 1). Responsive relationships with consistent primary caregivers help build positive attachments that support healthy social-emotional development. These relationships form the foundation of mental health for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Zero to Three
Extensive research has shown that the quality of experiences in the first 3 years of life has a profound impact on later development, including how children perform in school and their ability to form satisfying relationships with family, teachers, friends and others. Having caring relationships with sensitive parents or other primary caregivers is the most important factor in determining later outcomes. Zero to Three organization defines infant mental health as: “the developing capacity of the child from birth to age three to: experience, regulate and express emotions; form close and secure relationships; and explore the environment and learn all in the context of family community and cultural expectations for young children. Infant mental health is synonymous with healthy social and emotional development.
Children need to know that in someone’s eyes they are “AWESOME”. This gives them the confidence to explore, make mistakes and try again.