Participation and Goal Setting

Occupational Therapy for children is all about fostering meaningful engagement in activities that enrich their lives and promote development. While the term "occupation" typically refers to work, for children, it encompasses everything from play to self-care tasks. Central to this is the concept of engagement – that is, actively participating in activities that hold personal meaning and contribute to growth and development.

Setting goals for meaningful participation is a key aspect of children’s Occupational Therapy. Imagine a child who loves football. Attending a game might be a goal, but the real aim is to go beyond physical presence and fully engage with the experience – clapping, cheering, and soaking in the excitement of the game. Similarly, in Occupational Therapy, the goal is to support children in actively participating and immersing themselves in activities that are important to them.

Occupational Therapists collaborate closely with children and their families to identify activities that are meaningful and relevant to the child's interests, strengths, and goals. Whether it's playing with toys, engaging in sports, or participating in school activities, the focus is on promoting active attendance and involvement (Imms et al., 2015).

Participation in meaningful activities is essential for children's development and well-being. Engaging in activities that hold personal significance promotes social interaction, emotional regulation, and cognitive development. It also enhances physical health by encouraging movement, coordination, and sensory exploration.

In the words of children themselves:

“TURNING UP IS NOT ENOUGH”

(Imms et al., 2023).

References:

Imms, C., Adair, B., Keen, D., Ullenhag, A., Rosenbaum, P. and Granlund, M. (2015) ‘Participation’: A Systematic Review of Language, Definitions, and Constructs Used in Intervention Research with Children with Disabilities. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 58(1) pp 29-38.

Access here free: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26411643/

Imms, C., Kilgour, G., Stott, N. S., Steele, M., Adair, B. and Hogan, A. (2023) More Than Just Having Fun! Understanding the Experience of Involvement in Physical Activity of Adolescents Living with Cerebral Palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation [ONLINE]

Access here free: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2251395