November 20, 2024
As parents, we all want the best for our children, but sometimes it's hard to know whether their development is progressing as expected. While every child grows at their own pace, there are certain signs that could indicate they might need a little extra support.
At POTS Newcastle, we work with children and their families to identify and address these challenges, helping them thrive in their everyday lives. Below, we’ve outlined some common developmental red flags to watch for, along with tips on what you can do to support your child.
Fine motor skills involve the use of small muscles in the hands and fingers to perform precise movements, such as holding a pencil, using scissors, or buttoning a shirt. Children with delayed fine motor skills may struggle with activities like writing, drawing, or playing with small objects like Lego.
What this could lead to: Without support, delays in fine motor skills can make everyday tasks, such as dressing and schoolwork, more challenging and impact a child’s confidence in these areas.
How we help: Our OTs use fun, play-based activities like crafting and building to strengthen these skills.
Gross motor skills involve larger muscle groups that are used for activities such as running, jumping, and climbing. Delays in these skills may cause your child to appear clumsy, have difficulty participating in sports, or avoid active play altogether.
What this could lead to: Poor gross motor skills can affect a child’s ability to join in with their peers during physical activities, potentially leading to feelings of isolation and reduced physical fitness.
How we help: Movement-based exercises, tailored to your child’s needs, improve coordination and strength. You can find a list of exciting gross motor skill activities that we recommend here.
Visual perception is the brain’s ability to interpret what the eyes see. Children with visual-perception problems may struggle to recognise shapes, letters, or patterns. This could make reading, writing, or copying from a whiteboard more difficult.
What this could lead to: These challenges can affect academic performance and lead to frustration in tasks that require visual recognition, such as reading, handwriting, and solving puzzles.
How we help: Games like puzzles and drawing can support these skills in an engaging way.
Visual scanning is the ability to follow moving objects or scan across a page. A child with scanning problems might lose their place while reading, struggle to track a ball in sports, or find it difficult to locate objects in a cluttered environment.
What this could lead to: Without intervention, these difficulties can impact academic performance, sports participation, and even day-to-day tasks like reading maps or finding items.
How we help: Activities that encourage eye-tracking and scanning help build this important ability.
Attention skills are essential for focusing on a task without becoming distracted. A child who struggles with attention may find it difficult to complete homework, follow instructions, or stay engaged during play.
What this could lead to: Difficulty maintaining focus can hinder academic success, create challenges in social situations, and impact a child’s self-esteem.
How we help: Strategies like breaking tasks into smaller steps and using visual schedules make it easier for children to stay on track.
Hyperactivity can present as constant movement, fidgeting, or difficulty staying seated. Children with hyperactivity may seem unable to slow down, which can disrupt learning and social situations.
What this could lead to: Hyperactivity can make it harder for a child to follow routines, participate in group activities, or concentrate in class, potentially impacting their relationships and academic progress.
How we help: Our sessions include calming techniques and structured activities to channel energy in positive ways.
Feeding issues might include trouble chewing, swallowing, or being highly selective about food textures and flavours. Mealtimes can become stressful, with children refusing to eat or gagging on certain foods.
What this could lead to: These challenges can result in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and increased stress for the entire family around mealtimes.
How we help: Gradual exposure to textures and fun food-play activities help children feel comfortable during meals.
Sensory sensitivities occur when a child overreacts or underreacts to stimuli like sounds, lights, or textures. They might dislike loud environments, refuse to wear certain clothes, or avoid messy play.
What this could lead to: Sensory challenges can make daily tasks like getting dressed, eating, or participating in group activities overwhelming and exhausting for both the child and their family.
How we help: Sensory-friendly strategies and tools, such as fidget toys or calming environments, are part of our approach.
Body awareness refers to knowing where your body is in space. A child with poor body awareness may frequently bump into things, appear clumsy, or struggle with activities like catching a ball or climbing stairs.
What this could lead to: Without support, these issues can affect coordination, balance, and a child’s confidence in physical activities, leading to social challenges in group play or sports.
How we help: Activities like obstacle courses and yoga can enhance spatial awareness and coordination.
It’s important to remember that these red flags don’t always mean something is wrong—but they are a signal that your child might benefit from extra support.
At POTS Newcastle, our mobile paediatric occupational therapy in Newcastle comes straight to your home. We tailor our approach to your child’s unique needs, focusing on play to build foundational skills for success in school, playtime, and beyond.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, our functional capacity assessments can help identify specific areas where your child may need extra support. These assessments provide a clear roadmap for how we can work together to achieve their goals.
Get in touch to learn more about our services or book an appointment with one of our friendly paediatric OTs today!