Occupational Therapy:
Building independence, focus and confidence
At Little Leap Learning, occupational therapy is all about helping children develop the physical, sensory and thinking skills they need for everyday life.
Our sessions are conducted entirely online, so families can access expert guidance right from home. Our therapists engage children through interactive, screen-friendly activities that work beautifully over video using common household items and fun digital tools. It’s practical, engaging and often much more effective than parents expect!
Why OT Is Important for Young Children
The early years are when children learn so much about how their bodies work, how to pay attention and how to take care of themselves.
At Little Leap Learning, our online OT sessions help children strengthen these foundational skills from improving coordination and building hand strength to learning how to stay calm and focused during challenges.
These skills are not just “nice to have.” They are essential building blocks of independence, focus and confidence, skills your child will rely on for life.
Signs Your Child Might Benefit from OT
Every child develops differently, but if you notice your child struggling with everyday activities, OT can make a world of difference. Here are some common signs our therapists parents to look for:
Area of Concern & Examples to Watch For:
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Fine Motor Skills: Difficulty holding a crayon or pencil, avoiding colouring, trouble using scissors, or struggling with small objects like LEGOs.
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Gross Motor/Coordination: Frequent falls, poor balance, bumping into things, or difficulty coordinating both sides of the body (throwing, catching).
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Sensory Processing: Avoiding certain textures (clothes, foods), getting overwhelmed by noise or light, or not noticing pain or discomfort.
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Self-Care Skills: Cannot dress themselves (zippers, buttons, shoes) by age 5-6, difficulty using a spoon/fork, or struggling with toilet training routines.
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Focus & Attention: Difficulty staying with a task, easily distracted, or constantly seeking intense movement.
Common Challenges Addressed in OT
At Little Leap Learning, our therapists use research-backed, play-based techniques to help children build core skills step by step.
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Motor Skills Development:
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Fine Motor Mastery: Focused on finger strength, dexterity and refined hand skills needed for drawing, writing and manipulating small objects.
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Gross Motor Coordination: Improving balance, posture, core strength and the planning needed for ;;;ody movement (motor planning).
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Sensory Processing Support:
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Creating a "sensory diet" - personalized activities to help children either calm down (if they are over-responsive) or seek appropriate stimulation (if they are under-responsive).
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Teaching effective coping and self-regulation strategies to navigate overwhelming environments.
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Visual-Perceptual Skills:
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Working on the brain's ability to interpret what the eyes see, which is essential for reading, writing and finding objects on a cluttered desk.
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Attention and Task Management:
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Using visual schedules and structured activities to build sustained attention, organization skills and the ability to transition smoothly between activities.
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How Occupational Therapy Supports Daily Life Skills
Our goal is always to make therapy part of real life not something that feels separate from it. During sessions, our therapists demonstrate strategies live over video and coach both you and your child to practise together.
Whether it’s learning to hold a pencil properly, zip up a jacket, or tidy up after play, each goal we set is realistic, functional and designed to fit into your daily routine.
How Parents Can Reinforce OT at Home
At Little Leap Learning, we believe parents are a child’s most powerful teachers and we make sure you feel confident supporting progress between sessions.
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Practical Homework: Our therapists provide simple, personalized strategies using toys and materials you already have (e.g., squeezing sponges, playing with playdough, doing 'animal walks').
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Routine Integration: We help you embed therapeutic goals directly into your existing daily routines (mealtimes, bedtime, getting dressed) so that practice feels natural, not like extra work.
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Long Term Empowerment : Over time, we teach you how to create sensory-friendly spaces, manage emotional meltdowns calmly and build routines that help your child thrive.
At Little Leap Learning, our approach is about small, consistent steps that lead to big, meaningful growth. Together, we help your child feel capable, confident and proud of what they can do — one little leap at a time.
