In the fall of 2018
Sinclair Occupational Therapy Assistants come to the garden to play and learn.
I was so happy to host 11 students from the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Sinclair Community College. This was one of the most rewarding experiences I have shared with adults or students in the garden. The intent of this pilot program was to help the OTA students learn how to interact with children of elementary age, learn how Occupational Therapy plays a part in school-based services, and plan therapeutic games and activities to meet the needs of students of all abilities.
The intent for the Kiser students was to have experiences they would remember for a lifetime. Our original thoughts were that the OTA student would interact with Kiser students mostly on the playground during recess. They would teach children new games and how to get along with others on the playground and encourage them to have new experiences. However, as fate would have it, we had no playground available, due to construction. This was the perfect opportunity to show everyone how the garden space could be used to meet the needs of students of all abilities.
As a profession, Occupational Therapy looks at the whole child or person.
Therefore an Occupational Therapy practitioner might interact with students at lunch, on the playground, in the classroom, and during specials, to see where we might bring in therapeutic interventions to help the child be more successful during their school day. Here’s a very brief list of some of the things Occupational Therapy Practitioners might address:
shoulder stability and finger grasp on pencils, crayons, scissors, forks, etc, visual motor and perceptual skills (important for reading and writing), socialization and emotional well being, daily living skills (eating, dressing, clothing fasteners), seating and posture, determining how sensory information is processed/perceived, and learning how to be a successful student.
Each and every one of these areas can be addressed in a garden…As a matter of fact…I might propose that there is no better place to address these areas than in nature– and especially the garden.
Despite excessive heat, rain, and other obstacles…
The Sinclair students really excelled in making their time with the students just what we had hoped…An experience they will remember for a lifetime. Students practiced letter formation and drawing skills on the outdoor chalkboard. They painted rocks (visual-motor), popped bubbles and played in sand and water (sensory experiences), and made Harry Potter wands using natural materials found in the garden (bilateral hand skills). They played lots of games, learning to take turns, be a good sport, and how to get along with their classmates. They participated in scavenger hunts (visual perceptual) where they had to find/recognize plants/flowers in the garden, and last but not least, were treated to a “circus day” for their last day. The Sinclair students learned a lot about children, and Kiser students, teachers, and administration were sad to see them leave.
