Blogs

What to expect at your child’s Occupational Therapy assessment You’ve made the decision to have your child assessed by one of our Occupational Therapists at OneOnOne Children’s Therapy. For some parents at our Bondi Junction clinic and Mascot clinics,  it is a relief to start the therapy process. Other parents feel quite anxious about the results of the occupational therapy assessment, and some parents feel overwhelmed with the journey they may be starting. It is normal to feel some or all of these emotions. Chances are that you don’t know what to expect in an Occupational Therapy assessment. Let’s go…

The Power of the Pincer Grip: Setting the Foundation for Successful Handwriting As a parent, you’re always looking for ways to support your child’s development. One of the most fundamental skills that significantly impact a child’s handwriting is the pencil grip (also known as the pincer grip). This seemingly small skill involves using the thumb and index finger to pick up and hold small objects. It’s not just crucial for developing good handwriting but also for various other fine motor tasks. Let’s dive into why the pincer grip is so important and how it helps children become successful writers. What…

What are fine motor skills? Fine motor skills are the co-ordinated movements of the small muscle in the fingers, hands and arms. Fine motor skills also include hand-eye coordination. This is when you use your vision to help you control the movements that you are making with these small muscles. The development of fine motor skills is a specialty area for an Occupational Therapist. Fine motor skills are crucial for toddlers and pre-schoolers. It leads to  many other skills. Firstly, fine motor skills allow children to play with toys. Playing with toys leads to language development, cognitive development and social…

What is a pincer grasp? A pincer grasp is  a developmental milestone which allows a child to pick up small objects with their thumb and forefinger. It normally develops between the ages of 9-12 months. What happens if children don’t have a good pincer grasp? Children who have an immature grasp will find it difficult to play with small toys such as blocks and beads. They may also struggle to independently complete self care tasks such as dressing (clasping buttons, zips and laces) and eating with cutlery. It will also effect their fine motor development in the lead up to…