Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2025
Document Type
Problem/Project Report
Degree Type
OTD
College
School of Medicine
Department
Occupational Therapy
Committee Chair
Breanna Adkins
Committee Co-Chair
Cari Murral
Committee Member
Kayleigh Nolan
Committee Member
Heather Livengood
Abstract
Little research has been conducted investigating the consultative role of occupational therapy (OT) in childcare, especially their role in supporting the social and emotional development of children aged 1 – 5 years. This project takes place in a rural childcare setting where a needs assessment found gaps in classroom routines' functionality, the accessibility of center-wide age-appropriate resources, and the use of social and emotional supports in the classroom. The occupational therapy doctoral student utilized the coaching model, evidence-based research, and the foundations of occupational therapy with the intention to improve teachers’ confidence in implementing social and emotional content in the classroom and improve the self-regulation skills of the children at the site. Data was collected through observation, interaction, informal interviews, and surveys. Behavioral management, creation of social and emotional content, and functional organization were intervention themes based on the needs of the center. Findings suggest the consultative OT approach in childcare can improve the social, emotional, and self-regulation skills of teachers and children through improving the accessibility of age-appropriate resources, as well as reinforcing consistency in daily expectations and routines.
Recommended Citation
Conley, Katherine M., "Exploration of Occupational Therapy's Consultative Role for Social Emotional Development in the Rural Childcare Setting" (2025). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12762.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12762