Developmental milestones for productivity occupations in children and youth: An integrative review.

BACKGROUND: Limited research exists on developmental milestones for productivity occupations throughout the paediatric lifespan, and negative connotations of work for children and youth may have contributed to a paucity of literature on the topic.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain what is currently known about the timing and types of engagement in productivity occupations in children and youth aged 4-19.

METHODS: Literature referencing productive occupations in children and youth aged 4-19 was searched for this integrative review. Search terms were established based on paediatric age and occupational therapy descriptors, and terminology associated with productivity. Sixty-seven peer-reviewed articles were analyzed according to the constant comparative method.

RESULTS: Six core productive occupations emerged as avenues for productive engagement: paid work, school-related activities, caring for self and others, household chores, volunteering, and agricultural chores. A timeline was constructed to display common milestones for engagement in these occupations throughout the paediatric lifespan. Paediatric engagement was found to be influenced by personal (age, gender, child and youth perceptions, and safety considerations), and environmental (familial factors, parental perceptions, societal influences, and safety considerations) factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Approaches to paediatric practice must account for the full spectrum of productive occupations children and youth engage in beyond the school context.