Author: Kids Plan-it

23 Jul Joint Hypermobility in Children: What Parents Need to Know

Posted at 13:56h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Has your child always been described as "double-jointed" or unusually flexible? While flexibility can be an advantage in activities such as gymnastics or dance, some children experience challenges because their joints move beyond the typical range. This is known as joint hypermobility. Joint hypermobility occurs when...

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09 Jul Why Participation Is the Ultimate Goal of Occupational Therapy

Posted at 09:53h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

When most people think about occupational therapy, they often think about specific skills: improving handwriting, learning to tie shoelaces, developing fine motor skills or managing big emotions. While these are all important parts of therapy, they are not the reason we work on them. Our ultimate...

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10 Jun “Do You Want Me to Listen or Help You Solve It?” The Power of Emotion Coaching

Posted at 14:31h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

As parents, our natural instinct is to jump into problem-solving mode when our child comes to us upset. We hear about a friendship issue, a difficult school day, or a disappointment, and immediately start offering solutions. "Why don't you just play with someone else?" "You should tell...

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25 May Why Body Cues Come Before Emotions

Posted at 15:20h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

For many children, understanding emotions can feel confusing and overwhelming. As adults, we often ask children questions like “How are you feeling?” or encourage them to label emotions such as anxious, frustrated, excited, or angry. While this is well intended, emotions are actually quite abstract...

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07 May Supporting Flexible Thinking and Cooperative Play Through a Neuroaffirming Approach

Posted at 17:57h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Flexible thinking and cooperative play are important parts of childhood development, helping children build problem-solving skills, resilience, communication, and relationships. However, from a neuroaffirming perspective, it is important to remember that children engage, communicate, and play in many different ways. Supporting these skills should not...

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17 Mar When Mainstream School Isn’t the Best Fit for Your Child

Posted at 10:50h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Not every child thrives in a traditional classroom. For some neurodivergent children, or those who have experienced trauma, mainstream school can feel overwhelming, stressful, or even unsafe. When a child doesn’t feel safe, learning becomes almost impossible, the brain prioritises survival over engagement. As a paediatric...

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05 Mar Neuroaffirming Practice in Paediatric Occupational Therapy: Supporting Every Child to Thrive

Posted at 10:32h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Neuroaffirming practice in paediatric occupational therapy recognises that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions, are natural variations in how brains develop and process the world. Rather than trying to “fix” or normalise children, neuroaffirming therapists prioritise understanding and supporting each child’s...

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03 Mar Understanding PDA: Three Practical Strategies to Support Your Child with a Persistent Drive for Autonomy

Posted at 07:31h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Parenting a child with a PDA profile can feel bewildering at times, especially when conventional parenting strategies seem to escalate situations rather than resolve them. Understanding what PDA is, and adapting your approach accordingly, can make a meaningful difference for both you and your child. What...

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10 Feb Creating Safety: Supporting Children to Feel Calm and Ready to Learn

Posted at 15:18h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Safety is more than just a physical state. It’s an internal experience that shapes how children’s bodies and minds function. As a paediatric occupational therapist, I often work with children whose nervous systems are on high alert. Polyvagal theory reminds us that when a child...

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01 Jan Screens: Helpful Tool or Hidden Challenge?

Posted at 17:05h in Uncategorized by Kids Plan-it

Screens are a big part of children’s lives, and for many neurodiverse kids, they can be both incredibly helpful and genuinely challenging. As a paediatric occupational therapist, I often talk with families who feel stuck between relying on screens and worrying about their impact. The...

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