Play Skills

For Children, engaging in play is an integral part of their early development. Typically, play is a fun and functional activity through which children learn about their environment, their place within it as well as many other complimentary skills including social skills, problem solving, communication, specific skill development and skill generalisation. Play is a complex task and can present a challenge for some children with difficulties observed in the following common areas:
  • Play initiation
  • Planning and sequencing
  • Language use
  • Social skills including joint attention, sharing, taking turns
  • Behaviour and emotional regulation challenges in play experiences
  • Flexibility – inability or reduced ability to shift between activities
  • Inability to complete any one play activity – presenting as distractible
Occupational Therapists often use play as a medium to address a range of therapeutic intervention areas as it is a child’s primary ‘occupation’ and activity of meaning with a range of skills coming together in what is most often a fun activity.