OT in Action!

Setting the table is a fun and practical way to help your preschooler develop important skills at home. It’s a simple task that can easily be adjusted to fit your child's abilities, by making it easier or adding challenges while promoting skills learned in school and therapy.

• Visual Perceptual Skills: Scanning the environment to locate and gather necessary items.

• Bilateral Coordination: Using both hands to carry items safely to the table.

• Task Sequencing: Deciding the order of actions (gathering items, carrying them, placing them in the correct spot).

• Problem Solving: Figuring out what items are needed and where to place them on the table.

• Sensory: Using the right amount of force when placing items to avoid breaking them.

• Attention: Staying focused on the task to ensure it is completed correctly, following a multi-step task and following directions.

• Visual Motor Skills: Writing names on place cards, completing a coloring sheet or drawing a picture for each guest

• Fine Motor Skills: Pouring water from a small pitcher into a cup, folding napkins, using utensils

• Easier: Provide a picture of the correct place setting at the table or prearrange items on the counter.

• Harder: Add challenges like carrying heavy items (e.g., a full pitcher), create obstacles to avoid while moving items to the table, give multi-step directions

We hope you have a fun and relaxing holiday break with family and friends. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the ELC preschoolers!

Warmly,

Ms. Carol and Ms. Tesha