Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists | Page 3

Tips for Successful Pediatric Group Therapy Sessions

Many children receive group physical and occupational therapy sessions. Children benefit from
group therapy sessions by modeling their peers, using cooperation and acknowledging each
other’s strengths. In a group setting children can communicate their ideas with each other and
problem solve motor activities. In addition, group therapy may benefit children by providing
social interaction. By achieving skills and tasks in front of their peers, a child’s self esteem may
improve. These benefits are wonderful when the group therapy session goes smoothly. But,
what about when the therapy session does not go so smoothly such as having children who
refuse to participate or exhibit non-compliant behavior?
There are several ways to help ensure that the group therapy session is successful. First and
foremost, be prepared. Children tend to exhibit inappropriate behavior when they become
complacent during unstructured times. It is critical to plan out in advance exactly what goals
you will be addressing during the session and design an activity keeping those goals as the
focus. Always have in mind a few extra activities. Some activities that you may think will take 20
minutes may take 5 minutes leaving you with a chunk of unstructured time.
When determining what activities to utilize during a group session, keep all of the children’s
skills and goals in mind. Make sure that all of the children can complete the tasks while
being challenged. If one child finds a task too difficult, frustration may result in non-compliance.
On the other hand, one child may find the task too easy which could lead to inappropriate
behavior while waiting for the next activity to begin. Creating that balance for all the children in
your group can be difficult but with proper planning it can be achieved.
Establish a structured routine and clearly communicate rules that you will follow each therapy
session. The children will know what to expect each and every session. Perhaps, begin with a
short warm up activity, followed by the main task and then finish up with a cool down activity.
Another option, would be to open and close each session with a particular song which gives the
children a clear sign that group is starting and ending.

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