What are the occupations of infancy?

Written by otuser on . Posted in Uncategorized

Topic Progress:

When considering the occupational therapy role with infants, we begin by considering the occupations of infancy.

Occupations of infancy include tasks and activities that relate to the infant. Typically they:

  • Have meaning and purpose to the infant and the family.
  • Are influenced by the environmental, social and cultural influences surrounding the infant.
  • Are supported to develop by a parent/caregiver.

Occupations of infancy can be:

  • to play
  • to feed
  • to sleep/rest
  • to regulate body functions and arousal
  • to interact/engage by looking and communicating
  • to bond and form attachment with a caregiver.

And for the unwell infant: adjustment to illness and hospitalisation

Occupations relating to the parent/caregiver include:

  • engagement, interaction and attachment
  • responding to their infant’s cues
  • nurturing roles: feeding, bathing, dressing, soothing/settling their infant.
key

Key Point

Occupational therapists are interested in the occupations relating to both the infant and the parent/caregiver. This dynamic interaction determines the foundation on which development is progressed. Roles which relate both to the infant and parent can be described as co-occupations of infancy.