Playing with friends. Getting dressed for the day. Joining a classroom activity. Taking part in a family outing.
These everyday experiences can mean so much to a child and their family. They bring opportunities for connection, choice, independence and belonging.
This OT Week, we celebrated the theme “Participation matters” and the occupational therapists at Stronger Together Foundation who help children take part in the things that matter to them.
Participation looks different for every child
Every child has their own interests, strengths and ways of engaging with the world. What meaningful participation looks like will be different for each of them.
It might be finding a comfortable way to join in play, having more choice in a daily routine, or feeling supported in a busy classroom.
Our OTs work alongside children, families and educators to understand what matters to them and explore ways to make everyday activities more accessible. That can involve building skills, adapting an activity or changing the environment around a child.
The starting point is getting to know the child. As one family shared:
“Really adapting to her mannerisms and behaviours … incorporating her interests.”
Understanding a child’s interests and responding to their needs can help create opportunities for them to feel comfortable, connected and involved.
Finding ways to help children take part
There is no single approach that works for every child. Our OTs bring curiosity, flexibility and practical thinking to their work, exploring different ways to support participation.
One family described their appreciation for a therapist’s persistence and inclusive approach:
“She is always trying something different. Making them both feel involved.”
Working together with the adults around a child matters too. Another family shared how the support extended into the classroom:
“Teachers … have commented on how they are learning from them and applying strategies to the whole class.”
These reflections highlight the value of support that considers the child’s everyday surroundings and the people who share them.
Celebrating the people behind the support
To mark OT Week, our team decorated the office, enjoyed some fun snacks and organised gifts for our OTs. We also created “warm and fuzzy” envelopes so colleagues could share messages of encouragement and appreciation.
The handwritten notes offered a lovely glimpse of the qualities valued within our team:
“You are so creative, resourceful, kind-hearted and real!”
Another message celebrated a colleague’s thoughtful approach to the children they support:
“I love how you remain curious about your kiddos.”
And one captured the contribution an OT makes to both the workplace and the children in their care:
“Your genuine happiness and kindness make STF a better place to work! You are amazing with children.”
Taking time to recognise these qualities was a meaningful part of our celebrations.
A thank you to our OTs
To our whole occupational therapy team, thank you for the care, thought and energy you bring to your work with children and families.
For getting curious about what a child enjoys. For adapting when something isn’t working. For working alongside families and educators to find possibilities.
This OT Week, we celebrated you and the contribution you make every day.
Because participation matters, and every child deserves opportunities to take part in ways that work for them.
