OTD Capstone Projects

Abstract

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School in Nashville, Tennessee, a program serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years, with the aim of supporting early childhood development through parent and educator education. The primary goal was to develop evidence-based parent newsletters on early childhood development topics, including practical strategies for daily routines. Weekly newsletters were distributed to parents and later compiled into a booklet to serve as an ongoing resource for educators. Parent survey feedback indicated that the newsletters were clear, helpful, and applicable to everyday routines. A second goal and primary deliverable was the development of a sensory toolkit for educators to enhance their understanding of sensory processing differences and provide strategies to support regulation in the classroom. Outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-surveys, which demonstrated increased educator confidence in identifying and addressing sensory needs. Overall, this project highlights the role of occupational therapy in supporting caregivers and educators through accessible education and practical strategies that enhance children’s development, regulation, and engagement across settings.

Publication Date

Spring 4-21-2026

Faculty Mentor

Caroline Hillyard PPOTD, OTR/L, MSOT, CPAM

Department

Occupational Therapy, School of

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree

Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Early childhood development, Sensory processing, Sensory regulation, Parent education, Educator education, Participation, Infants and young children

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