A child’s development starts with new experience which facilitates his or her cognitive, social, and physical development. The first 3 years of life are a critical time for brain development, especially if a child is delayed or restricted in development. If a child needs support to develop optimally, occupational therapy can help.

What is child development?
Child development refers to the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood. During this process a child progresses from dependency on their parents to increasing independence.
Child development is strongly influenced by genetic factors (the genes passed on from their parents) and events during prenatal life, however is also influenced by environmental facts and learning.
Child development includes:
Cognitive Development (ability to learn and problem solve)
Social and emotional development (interacting with others and
self-control)

Speech and Language development (understanding and using language, reading and communicating)
Physical development (fine and gross motor skills)

 Why is child development important?
Monitoring child development is important to ensure that children meet their 'developmental
milestones'. Although arbitrary time frames that are far from exact,
 checking that children are roughly 'on track' for their age is helpful in order to detect early on if there are any hiccups in development. This is usually carried out through child/mother services and Paediatricians as infants and toddlers, and later through kindergartens and school term skills assessments.
The earliest possible detection (and treatment if appropriate) of developmental challenges is helpful as it can allow the early intervention to help minimize the impact these developmental hiccups can have on children's skill development and subsequently their confidence, or serve as an indicator of a possible diagnosis.
Developmental milestone checklist/charts are used as a guide as to what is normal for a particular age range and can be use to highlight any areas that a child may be delayed in.

Which children have developmental problem?
Cerebral Palsy
Autism
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
Chromosomal Disorder (Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome etc) and
Any other type of disability
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists work with children who have physical or developmental delays, to maximize the child’s ability to function and participate in their family, school and community.
Together with the child and family, occupational therapists help identify goals and strategies to maximize the child’s functioning--in their environment, family and school life.
What occupational therapists do?
Hand function and hand splint selection if needed
Independence and self-care skills
Dressing
Feeding
Play skills
Specialized equipment selection and adaptation
Computer modifications for children with disabilities
Assessment and recommendations for home and school modifications
Sensory processing strategies
OT school consultation.