A question that comes up from parents/caregivers is around asking what to do when their child, particularly a younger child, starts talking about death or experiences a death in their life. It can cause the adults stress around the best response in order to not traumatise the child.    FIRSTLY, take a breath :)   Remember that it's developmentally normal for children to have lots of questions and be curious around the concept of death/loss even if they've never experienced de

We often refer to this pyramid of learning in OT when supporting a child that has been referred for therapy. When children struggle with learning, attention, or classroom behaviour, the reasons for it often stem from beneath the surface.    This model illustrates how  foundational sensory and motor skills  support higher-level learning. Think of it like a building: if the foundation is weak, everything above becomes shaky.   The OT Learning Pyramid (from bottom to top) Sensor

Play is often called the  work of childhood —and for good reason! It’s how children explore their world, build relationships, and most importantly, develop communication skills. As speech pathologists, we use play every day in our sessions because it’s a natural, motivating, and developmentally appropriate way to teach language. And the good news? You can do it at home too.   How Does Play Support Language? Through play, children learn to: Use words to express their wants, ne

Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived danger. It can help us stay alert and prepared. However, when anxiety becomes excessive or persistent, it can interfere with daily activities and wellbeing. Signs of Anxiety in Children Children might show anxiety in different ways, such as: Frequent worries about everyday things Avoiding school, social situations, or activities Physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches, or rapid heartbeat Restlessness, irritability,