How to Be Preschool Occupational Therapist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 6, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Preschool Occupational Therapists work with young children to help them develop the skills needed for daily life, such as dressing and eating. These therapists can provide an invaluable service by helping children build the necessary skills for academic success and social development. By helping children develop the skills needed for everyday tasks, such as self-care and play, occupational therapists can contribute to the overall development of a child.

The effects of occupational therapy can be long-lasting, including improved school performance, improved social skills, increased self-esteem, and increased independence. In addition, occupational therapy can help reduce behavior problems, improve physical skills, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step in becoming an occupational therapist is to earn a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy or a related field. Most programs include coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, and other related sciences.
Complete an Accredited Occupational Therapy Program. After completing a bachelor's degree, aspiring occupational therapists must complete an accredited occupational therapy program. These programs include both clinical and classroom instruction and typically require supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings.
Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam. To become a certified occupational therapist, individuals must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Earn a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. To become a preschool occupational therapist, individuals must earn a master's degree in occupational therapy. This degree typically takes two years to complete and includes coursework in child development, play therapy, assessment, and intervention strategies.
Become Licensed. All states require occupational therapists to be licensed. The licensing requirements vary by state and may include passing the NBCOT exam, completing supervised clinical experience, and passing a state-specific exam.
Obtain Certification as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. To specialize in preschool occupational therapy, individuals may wish to obtain certification as a pediatric occupational therapist through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This certification requires at least three years of pediatric experience and passing an exam.
Stay Current with the Field. Preschool occupational therapists must stay current with the field, so they can provide the most effective treatment and interventions for their clients. This may include attending conferences and workshops, reading current literature, and taking continuing education courses.

Preschool Occupational Therapists play an important role in helping children reach their full potential. They use a variety of strategies to help children develop the skills needed for success in school, home and community. In order to do this effectively, it is important for the therapist to be ideal and competent.

This requires specialized knowledge and experience in the area of child development, motor skills, sensory integration, behavior management and communication. An ideal and competent Occupational Therapist will have the ability to assess a childs needs, set appropriate goals, and implement interventions that are tailored to the individual child. By doing so, they can help to ensure that each child receives the necessary services and support they need to reach their full potential.

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Job Description

Develop and implement individualized treatment plans designed to address the sensory, motor, and self-care needs of preschool children.
Monitor the progress of children and make adjustments to treatment plans as necessary.
Provide direct and indirect therapy services for children with physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs.
Collaborate with teachers, families, and other professionals to develop a comprehensive plan for each child.
Educate parents and caregivers about skills and techniques to be used at home to support the child's development.
Evaluate a child's needs and develop an individualized plan of care that includes activities, equipment, and interventions.
Use a variety of therapeutic techniques such as sensory integration, gross motor activities, and fine motor activities.
Consult with other professionals in related fields including speech therapists, teachers, psychologists, and social workers.
Participate in IEP meetings and provide input on the development of educational goals.
Document progress notes and maintain accurate records of a child's progress.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of children
Ability to assess and evaluate childrens physical, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities
Knowledge of sensory integration strategies and how to use them in therapy
Ability to design and implement individualized therapy treatment plans
Knowledge of various assistive technologies that can be used to meet the needs of the child
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with other professionals on the childs health care team
Ability to provide education and support to families to promote successful integration of therapy strategies into the home environment
Ability to document progress and results of interventions
Knowledge of laws and regulations related to pediatric occupational therapy practice
Understanding of cultural diversity and its impact on therapy services

Working as a Preschool Occupational Therapist requires a great deal of patience and understanding. An ability to build relationships with both children and parents is essential, along with the ability to observe and recognize individual needs. A successful Preschool Occupational Therapist must also have strong communication skills, be able to think critically, and develop creative problem-solving strategies.

In order to effectively support a child's development, the therapist must be well-versed in the many causes of delays and understand how these can impact a child's progress. By having a comprehensive understanding of the causes of delays, the therapist can then create targeted interventions to help the child reach their goals. Furthermore, an understanding of the impact of family dynamics, environment, and culture can help the therapist create more effective solutions.

the most important skill to have as a Preschool Occupational Therapist is the ability to understand and respond to the unique needs of each individual child.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with children in a preschool setting?
How do you integrate Occupational Therapy into the classroom activities?
What strategies do you use to help preschoolers develop their fine motor skills?
How do you create an individualized plan for each child in your care?
How do you help children with sensory integration issues?
Describe your approach to working with parents and teachers of preschoolers.
How do you encourage creativity and independence in children during OT sessions?
What types of assistive technology do you use in your work with preschoolers?
How do you measure success when working with preschoolers?
What challenges have you faced working in a preschool setting?

Common Tools in Industry

Therapeutic Exercise Station. A device used to strengthen muscles and improve coordination and balance skills. (Eg: Thera-Band Exerciser)
Adaptive Equipment. Tools or devices that help with activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, and grooming. (Eg: adapted utensils)
Sensory Integration Tools. Items used to help children process, attend to, and respond to sensory information from their environment. (Eg: weighted blanket)
Fine Motor Tools. Items used to help with hand-eye coordination and fine motor control. (Eg: pegboard)
Visual Motor Tools. Items used to help with hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, and spatial awareness. (Eg: lacing cards)
Cognitive Tools. Items used to help with problem solving, attention, memory, and executive functioning. (Eg: puzzles)
Play Therapy Supplies. Materials used to help children explore social relationships, emotional expression, and problem-solving skills through play. (Eg: Play-Doh)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
International Federation of Occupational Therapists (IFOT)
National Association of Pediatric Occupational Therapists (NAPOT)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Early Childhood Intervention Association (ECIA)

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Common Important Terms

Motor Skills. Refers to the coordination of physical movement and posture to perform activities or tasks.
Sensory Integration. The ability to process and integrate sensory information from the environment and within the body to plan and execute a meaningful response.
Developmental Milestones. A set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range.
Fine Motor Skills. Refers to the ability to perform smaller, more precise movements with the hands, arms and fingers.
Gross Motor Skills. Refers to the ability to control larger muscle movements, such as walking, running, jumping, and kicking.
Adaptive Behavior. The ability to respond to and adjust to ones environment in order to meet basic needs and successfully interact with others.
Visual Perception. The ability to interpret visual information and understand what is seen.
Cognitive Development. The process of developing mental abilities like problem-solving, memory and language skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Occupational Therapist? A1: An Occupational Therapist is a healthcare professional who helps individuals develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for everyday living and working. Q2: What is the role of an Occupational Therapist in a preschool setting? A2: An Occupational Therapist in a preschool setting works to help young children develop the motor and sensory skills that are necessary for success in school. This can include activities such as fine motor skills, sensory processing, coordination, and play skills. Q3: What qualifications are needed to be an Occupational Therapist? A3: In order to be an Occupational Therapist, you must have a masters degree in Occupational Therapy and be licensed by your state. Additional certifications may also be required depending on the state. Q4: What type of environment do Occupational Therapists work in? A4: Occupational Therapists work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health settings, and more. In a preschool setting, they typically work in the classroom with the teacher and other staff members. Q5: How do Occupational Therapists help children in a preschool setting? A5: Occupational Therapists help preschool children develop the physical, cognitive, and social skills needed for success in school. They may help with activities such as fine motor development, sensory processing, coordination, and play skills.

Web Resources

50 Occupational Therapy Activities for Kids + [Printables] www.usa.edu
Pre-Occupational Therapy - University of Oklahoma www.ou.edu
Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy? - University of Utah healthcare.utah.edu