Sensory-Based Group Programming and Caregiver Education: Enhancing Participation in Early Childhood

Early childhood, typically defined as birth through approximately 5 years of age, is a critical period for the development of self-regulation, social participation, sensory processing, and engagement in play and learning. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (4th ed.; American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020) describes sensory functions as foundational to participation in everyday occupations, including play, social participation, and education. Sensory processing plays an essential role in a child’s ability to participate in daily activities, and when children experience differences in sensory processing, they may demonstrate difficulties in developing skills, such as regulating emotions, maintaining attention, transitioning between activities, and participating in social activities.