Fieldwork: Children and Youth

Welcome, goals, and session structure

  • Warm-up with poll questions to gauge comfort level with pediatrics
  • Interactive activity: trial of an intervention in real-time
  • Dr. Davis reviews assignments in modules
  • Content goal: review a simu-case about Nico, highlight key discussion areas, and set up breakout rooms for an occupational profile
  • Emphasis on interactive learning and applying pediatric content from the course (Dr. Fairfield and Dr. Heckman) to fieldwork
  • Session described as a “play arena” to ask questions and apply pediatric content to practice
  • On-site focus to come in module three; expect to weave theory into practice through the occupational profile and team discussions

Grounding, welcome, and ethics pieces

  • A moment for welcome and prayer at the start (apologies for flow; Baylor-style opening)
  • Acknowledgement that pediatrics involves play, movement, and nervous system underpinnings
  • Core OT idea: pediatrics is about changing underlying nervous system function through meaningful occupations (play as the main occupation of children)
  • Movement-based strategies to support learning and regulation, bridging mental health and pediatrics

Core concepts from Brain Gym and movement-based warm-ups

  • Brain Gym premise: whole-body, brain-body integration with activities to improve neurodevelopmental coordination
  • Cross crawls (crossing midline, bilateral coordination)
    • Movement: alternate hand-to-knee crossing, reaching midline with a focus on rhythm
    • Protocol: 10 repetitions per leg, then switch rhythm (1-2-3-4, switch; repeat)
    • Breath integration: inhale, clap, exhale, midline; slower pace can be used for younger children
    • Purpose: reintegrate left hemisphere signals during stress/development by promoting cross-hemispheric communication
  • Windmills (dynamic bilateral movement)
    • Movement: stand up, reach to toes in a windmill pattern, move to other side; five repetitions per side
    • Purpose: develop flow and coordination across the body
  • Ear palpation and “Thinking Caps” (acupressure/self-regulation cue)
    • Technique: palpate tops and behind the ears with gentle squeezing/rubbing as a self-soothing or grounding tool
    • Relevance: helps reconnect disconnected body signals; can be calming during anxiety or transition
  • Belly breathing and related grounding strategies
    • Belly button breathing: hand on belly, hand under clavicle; emphasize diaphragmatic opening and vagal tone
    • Process cue: “belly button breaths” to open diaphragm and visualize air moving from belly to chest to throat
    • Exercise: place hands, inhale deeply, exhale slowly; monitor breath pattern and chest/abdomen movement
  • Practical notes for practice with kids
    • These strategies support self-regulation, attention, and readiness to learn
    • They align with pediatric OT goals of enabling participation in everyday occupations (play, feeding, sleep, routines)

Quick poll overview and applicability to pediatrics

  • Polls used to assess comfort level and tailor content to the group
  • Movement-based techniques offered as a quick, portable toolkit for clinics, homes, or telehealth
  • Emphasis on