A Heartfelt Children’s Book That Helps Families Understand How OT Supports Feelings, Friendships, and Confidence
After exploring hand skills, motor planning, sensory processing, eye-hand coordination, and daily routines in the earlier books, the final book in the series focuses on one of the most important parts of development, how children feel and how they connect with others.
That’s what inspired Social and Emotional Skills in OT, the seventh book in my “What Is OT?” series. This story helps children and families understand how occupational therapy supports emotional regulation, social participation, communication, and confidence.
✨ Understanding Social & Emotional Skills ✨
Social and Emotional Skills in OT helps children understand how OT teaches:
💛 Emotional Regulation
– noticing feelings
– naming feelings
– learning calming strategies
– understanding what the body needs
🗣 Communication Skills
– expressing needs
– asking for help
– taking turns in conversations
👯 Social Participation
– joining play
– sharing and taking turns
– understanding others’ feelings
– learning problem-solving for social situations
🧠 Mind-Body Awareness
– how emotions feel inside the body
– how movement, breathing, and sensory activities help
– how the brain and body can work together to feel safe and connected
Children also learn about social awareness, noticing cues from others, like facial expressions, tone of voice, posture, and energy level. Recognizing these clues helps children build friendships, communicate clearly, and respond with kindness.
Through OT activities, Olivia learns that there are many ways to stay calm, make friends, and feel confident, and that small steps lead to big growth.
💬 From the Author
As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen how deeply social and emotional skills affect every part of a child’s day, from learning and friendships to family life and self-esteem.
I wrote Social and Emotional Skills in OT to show children and families that OT is not just about hands and bodies, it’s also about hearts and feelings. This book gives children language, tools, and hope, wrapped in warmth, clarity, and connection.
📚 The “What Is OT?” Book Series
This is the seventh and final book in the series designed to help children and families understand the many areas OT supports:
1️⃣ What Is OT and What Will I Work on in Occupational Therapy?
2️⃣ Hand Skills in OT
3️⃣ Brain and Body Skills in OT
4️⃣ Eye and Hand Skills in OT
5️⃣ Life Skills in OT
6️⃣ Sensory Skills in OT
7️⃣ Social and Emotional Skills in OT
Each book introduces a new area of development through colorful illustrations, relatable characters, and stories that celebrate progress through play and perseverance.
Dedication:
To my sisters, Danielle and Holly —
the two people who have walked through life with me from the very beginning. We grew up side by side, and even though we now live in different states, our bond remains strong, steady, and full of heart. No matter how much time passes, whenever we are together, we fall right back into the rhythm only sisters share—one filled with laughter, memories, and a love that never fades.
You are both such hard workers, devoted mothers, and beautiful souls.
Danielle, you are steady and thoughtful, the calm in every storm.
Holly, you are generous, caring, full of life- yes, and still our loud baby sister, hahaha.
I treasure the three of us, the Prefontaine Sisters, and the way our lives continue to intertwine through our children, our memories, and our deep sisterhood. I pray for your blessings, your love, and your peace every day. May God cover you with protection, joy, and all that you deserve.
🌟 Join the OT Journey 🌟
OT helps children connect their hearts, minds, and bodies so they can feel calm, confident, and connected in their world. My hope is that Social and Emotional Skills in OT empowers families everywhere to support emotional health, build meaningful relationships, and celebrate children for who they are.
