A Heartfelt Children’s Book That Helps Families Understand How OT Builds Focus, Coordination, and Confidence Through Movement
Hi friends, I’m Justine “Jellybean” Bedocs, a pediatric occupational therapist in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For over 25 years, I’ve had the joy of helping children grow, learn, and thrive through the power of play, movement, and connection.
After exploring the magic of OT and fine motor development in my first two books, I wanted to share another incredible part of what occupational therapists do and how we help children connect their brains and bodies to work together smoothly and confidently.
That’s what inspired Brain and Body Skills in OT, the third book in my “What Is OT?” series. This story helps children and families see how OT supports balance, coordination, strength, and confidence, and how these skills connect to everyday life, from the classroom to the playground and beyond.
💛 Meet Tessa, the Heart of the Story💛
In this story, we meet Tessa, a lively and curious little girl who loves to move, climb, crawl, and jump. Tessa reminds us that OT isn’t just about our hands, it’s about the whole body.
She says, “OT isn’t just about my hands, it’s about my whole body too. When I move, climb, crawl, and jump, my brain and body practice working together. That’s called teamwork in OT. These big body movements make me strong, balanced, and confident so I can join games, play with friends, and try new things every day.”
Through Tessa’s journey, children see that every jump, stretch, and climb is an opportunity to strengthen their bodies, improve balance, and build confidence.
✨ A Place Where Mind and Movement Meet ✨
In Brain and Body Skills in OT, children and families see how movement activities help build the foundations for learning, focus, and self regulation. Through colorful, engaging pages, children discover how OT helps them:
🤸♂️ Strengthen core muscles and postural control for sitting and learning
🧩 Improve coordination and balance for smoother, safer movement
🎯 Practice motor planning to complete multi-step activities
🧘♀️ Develop body awareness and self-regulation skills
🧠 Strengthen attention, focus, and sequencing through movement play
Each activity (whether it’s jumping, climbing, balancing, or stretching) becomes an opportunity to connect the brain and body for better success in daily life.
💬 From the Author 💬
As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen how powerful it is when children begin to understand and trust their bodies. When they move with confidence, they can focus better, participate more, and feel proud of what they can do.
Brain and Body Skills in OT was created to help families see that movement is more than play, it’s how children build the foundation for learning, self control, and emotional balance. Through guided play, practice, and encouragement, OT helps children discover their strength, coordination, and sense of control, all while having fun!
❤️ A Learning Tool for Families, Teachers, and Therapists ❤️
Brain and Body Skills in OT is an engaging and educational resource for:
- Parents, who want to understand how movement supports learning and attention
- Teachers, who want to better support students who struggle with focus or coordination
- Therapists, who want a friendly, relatable way to introduce OT concepts to children and families
This story helps everyone see that OT is about more than exercises, it’s about helping children feel confident, connected, and in control of their bodies.
🌟 Join the OT Journey🌟
OT helps children connect their brains, bodies, and hearts so they can move, learn, and grow with confidence. My hope is that Brain and Body Skills in OT inspires families to celebrate every leap, stretch, and success, because each movement is a step toward independence and joy.
You can find Brain and Body Skills in OT now on Amazon! Click the link below to explore the magic of movement in occupational therapy.
