Partnering for Change (P4C) is an innovative, collaborative school-based service model initially developed for occupational therapists (OTs) working in the Ontario school system with children with motor coordination challenges.
In P4C, occupational therapists partner with kindergarten teachers and provide some small groups, activities, and strategies to use in the classroom to help all the students develop fine motor skills such as opening containers, using scissors, holding pencils, and printing. They will also help with gross motor skills such as jumping, getting on the school bus and climbing stairs; self-care skills such as dressing and hygiene; and sensory skills including seeing, smelling, touching, and hearing . All of these skills contribute to successful learning in kindergarten.
The Children’s Treatment Centre for Chatham-Kent P4C pilot began in the spring of 2016 in just two schools and expanded to 14 schools in January 2017 with very positive results. The program was launched across Chatham Kent in September 2018.
For more information on P4C and how your kindergarten classroom can participate please click here.