Childhood Occupations: Eating, Sleeping, Playing!

What are childhood occupations? What types of activities support their well-being and help them build their sense of self? How do they learn and develop the skills needed to go to school, make friends, and fully live their life as a kid? 

I list eating, sleeping, and playing as some of childhood’s most important occupations because they are rich with opportunities for children to learn about themselves and the world around them. Also, because functional routines in these areas set the foundation for nervous system regulation, which children need to overcome challenges and develop new skills. 

But wait! Eating, sleeping and playing aren’t easy for all children, and they may have a developmental difference that makes engaging in these occupations hard. Bedtime struggles? Picky eating at mealtime? Sibling arguments? Sound familiar? When routines surrounding these important activities are challenging, it can have a big impact on how our day feels. This is where OT comes in! 

Let’s start today with sleep.  

Rest is so important for the brain to integrate all it learns. Sleep also helps our body achieve the “just right” alertness level needed to take on a busy day. Consistent sleep also helps caregivers get the rest and recovery they need to be the best version of themselves for their children. 

When sleep routines become challenging, OTs get curious and ask,”What adaptations can we make to better accommodate your childs’ physical, emotional, and sensory needs?” What did their physical activity look like today? Are they hungry? How is their breathing during sleep? What feelings and emotions are coming up at bedtime? OTs will also consider current patterns in behavior for clues about your child’s sensory preferences. Maybe they need more sensory input before bed…maybe less… Can we change up the environment with changes to lighting or sound? What other cues can we give to your child so they know that sleep is coming? 

Occupational therapists are trained to look at what is going on internally with the child (emotions, nervous system, sensations) as well as what is happening externally during the routine (sibling/parent interactions and the physical environment such as sounds, sights, smells). My goal as an OT is to help families and children find a peaceful dynamic between these internal and external experiences to ultimately support a successful bedtime routine and a more restful night!  

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll take a look at what OTs consider during mealtime routines!