Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists July 2016 | Page 25

During this age of social media, we are bombarded with inspirational messages of
which some hit home more than others. I think this quote is perfect for pediatric
therapists. As a profession, I think we live and breathe this everyday for the
children and their families. When children want to achieve a certain skill (no
matter how big or small) it is our job to teach and motivate them to reach their
goals. Part of that job is encouraging children to believe in themselves and for us
as therapists, teachers and parents to believe in their own abilities as well. To me
this is the core of what we do – teach children to be just a little braver, stronger
or smarter.
Think about it with some task analysis using some common therapy goals:
1. Walk across the room independently – the child needs to take the risk that
he/she will not fall and get hurt (bravery), strengthen the trunk and legs to
physically make it across the room and make choices about what obstacles
to avoid (smarter).
2. Tie your shoes – the child has tried hundreds of time to tie his/her shoes
and needs to be brave and try one more time to face that fear of failure,

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