Children’s behaviour in Beginning Days of School: Occupational Therapy Intervention based Study

Abstract

Background: For some children, transits may be frustrating or may provoke anxiety, and it may lead
to challenging behaviours.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of occupational therapy intervention on
gradual change in behaviour of a child in preschool, while transit.
Methods: Eighteen pre-schoolers in control and eighteen pre-schoolers in experimental group were
assigned (12 females and 24 males). Based on randomized controlled study design Preschool Behaviour
Questionnaire (PBQ) was used to assess the pre-schoolers behaviour.
Result: According to the result the experimental pre-post analysis (P=0.00; 95%CI: 18.96, 22.90) were
statistically lower than the control group pre-post analysis (P=0.201; 95%CI: -8.23,35.98) and showed
a significant improvement in behaviour of a pre-schooler while transit from home to school which was
the principal focus area of occupational therapy.
Conclusion: The study reflected significant improvement in certain behavioural areas like command
following, sitting tolerance and peer interaction in pre-schoolers with occupational therapy early
intervention program