What is it? Providing adequate support while interacting with task objects without momentary propping in order to make objects more secure/stable during tasks (AOTA, 2014, p. S25).
Why is it important? Stabilization is a skill necessary for occupations throughout the lifetime such as:
- Dressing (grasping clothing while fastening zippers, buttons, snaps, etc.)
- Feeding (holding bowl/plate while mixing or scooping food; stabilizing food while cutting it)
- Grooming (holding toothpaste bottle while opening lid)
- Academic performance (stabilizing paper while writing or cutting)
- Driving (holding buckle while fastening seatbelt)
- Home management (holding dustpan while sweeping)
- Meal preparation (stabilizing foods while cutting them)
- Job performance
- Play and leisure activities
5 activities to try at home:
1. Building towers with blocks. Tip: See how high the tower can be built before falling!
2. Cutting craft. Tip: Choose a craft of interest for your child!
3. Stirring and creating slime in a bowl. Tip: Mix 1 cup water and 1 cup school glue together; Mix 1 cup warm water with 1 tsp Borax and let dissolve; Add water/Borax to water/glue mixture. Stir well!
4. Cutting pretend play-doh food. Tip: Make sure your child is stabilizing the play-doh food with a non-dominant hand while they cut with the dominant hand.
5. Drawing picture/ writing name/ applying stickers to craft. Tip: Stabilize paper with a non-dominant hand while drawing or writing on it.
References American Occupational Therapy Association. (2014). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Suppl. 1), S1-S48.
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