Occupational therapy activities in nursery school: A playful approach to developing children’s skills
25. March 2025
The Kindergarten in Letňany became the scene of a unique meeting of young children with occupational therapy. The event called "Ergogames" gave children the opportunity to discover new activities that support their natural development, motor skills and sensory perception. Under the guidance of occupational therapist Mgr. Natálie Hrušková from Ponseti Clinic, the children had the opportunity to participate in various games and exercises, which are not only fun, but also beneficial for their daily self-sufficiency. Thanks to similar events, the importance of supporting the correct development of children is brought to light in a fun way, which has a positive effect on their daily life and future school success.
What did the children experience during occupational therapy?
The program was designed in such a way that children develop fine and gross motor skills, coordination of movements, perception of touch and sounds in a playful way. The exercises included, for example, sensory tasks in which the children blindly searched for objects in a bag, or movement games focused on balance and coordination. The emphasis was on all activities taking place non-violently through play and own experience. It is important to mention that occupational therapy in kindergartens can take place both in a group form, as in the case of Ergohrátka, or individually - when a therapist and a child work in pairs.
The children reacted very positively to the activities. "They were excited! The activities drew them in and they didn't even realize that they were actually 'exercising'," said occupational therapist Hrušková, who led the program. Movement games and sensory activities, such as guessing objects by touch, were the most successful. "It was interesting to observe the differences between the children - some jumped into action right away, others needed to explore everything first. But in the end, each child found something they enjoyed," she added.
What is the importance of [occupational therapy](/specialization/occupational therapy) for children?
For children with specific needs, for example with motor disorders, graphomotor problems, concentration or difficulties with sensory processing, occupational therapy is particularly helpful. Thanks to targeted exercises, they can also improve in areas that previously caused them problems, and gain more confidence in movement and normal functioning. "However, occupational therapy can also be useful for children without specific problems. For example, it helps them to better perceive their body, develop coordination or gain more confidence in movement," explains the Ponseti Clinic occupational therapist.
Occupational therapy focuses on improving motor skills, coordination, sensory perception and self-sufficiency. The activities are designed in such a way that children gradually become better able to manage everyday tasks, such as holding a pencil correctly, buttoning buttons or concentrating on a given activity.
How can parents or educators help?
Educators also played a big role during the Ergogames, who actively participated in the activities, which motivated the children. In addition, some techniques can be easily incorporated into regular teaching – for example movement games to warm up before learning or simple exercises to develop fine motor skills. Educators can thus continue occupational therapy exercises even during regular classes. "The subsequent regular visit to the occupational therapist is ideal once a month or every two months, so that the children can gradually improve and the teachers can get inspiration for further activities. But even daily small exercises, such as practicing toes or walking on an uneven surface, will make a big difference," explains the occupational therapist.
Occupational therapists also give parents recommendations on activities that children can do at home to further develop their skills. Parents who are unsure whether their child needs occupational therapy should watch for some signs. These include, for example, difficulties with fine motor skills (e.g. poor grip on a crayon or inability to fasten buttons), clumsiness in movement, problems with concentration or hypersensitivity to certain touches or sounds. "Sometimes just a few tips and exercises are enough and you can immediately tell the difference. But if problems persist, it is advisable to contact an expert," recommends Mgr. Hrušková from Ponseti Clinic.
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