Writing this blog post was quite difficult as I could talk about pre-school all day! It is my favourite environment to work in and such a special time in a child’s life. I love the playfulness, the constant chatter and noise and how these tiny people are trying so hard to prove that they can … More Does your pre-schooler need to see an occupational therapist?
Learning to get dressed can be a challenging time for parents and fashionably questionable time for children. Leaving the house in gumboots, tutus and mismatched socks a right of passage for most toddlers. What happens if getting dressed independently is particularly hard for children? For children who need some assistance getting dressed, a special technique … More Teaching kids to get dressed using backwards chaining
We all know how good it feels, waking up from a really great night sleep. Sleep is so important! It’s vital to our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, and having a bad night sleep can impact every single aspect of our daily lives. This is true for our children as well. Some children are super … More Supporting children’s sleep
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we live, work, learn, and play, and pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. What is nature play? Nature play is exactly what it sounds like – playing in nature! Nature play environments can be anything with … More Nature Play
“Does my child have the skills needed for kindergarten” Starting school can be a challenging and exciting time for both children and their parents. Many parents often think a lot about how they can best prepare their child for all the changes in routine and expectations that Kindy will bring. If your child is getting ready to start Kindy, you may be … More School Readiness
By Michelle Newby, Clinical Director Stepping Stones Therapy for Children The Australian job market is booming right now! As an early career Occupational Therapist, it can be really tricky to know which is the right workplace for you! Most job advertisements look the same, with promises of fun and supportive workplaces. Guarantees of Continuing Professional … More The paediatric OT job you don’t want!
Writing your name is not an easy task when we think about all the skills that are required to be able to do this successfully. Let’s take a look at these skills. … More When will my child be ready to write their name?
Getting some kids to go to sleep can be tricky. Many parents come to our occupational therapy clinic complaining about their child’s bedtime antics, and looking for ideas to help their little cherubs get to more sleep. Sleep is vital for our children’s health and wellbeing. It is during sleep that our children’s body systems … More Kids & Sleep: Tips for an easy bedtime
In Australia, we start academics very young! Way too young in our opinion! Some children are still just 4 years old when they start their formal schooling. These very young kiddos are expected to sit still and learn to read, write and understand mathematical concepts. Many schools even expect their Kindergarten students to do homework … More Academics and the young child: In support of play-based learning
What is PANS/ PANDAS? PANS/ PANDAS* is a little known, but treatable, medical condition that looks like a psychiatric disorder. PANS/ PANDAS is said to affect an estimated 1 in every 200 children. This means that P/P is not rare however, sadly for those affected it is rarely diagnosed. Children with PANS/ PANDAS experience a sudden … More PANS/ PANDAS
