MoveAbout Therapy Services

Occupational Therapy Central Coast NSW

Self-Regulation: Expectations vs Reality for Kids

Author: Elise Foxall, Paediatric Occupational Therapist
6 min read

Self-regulation has become a buzzword in child development, but when is it realistic to expect a child to regulate their emotions independently? Many assume that by the time a child reaches school age, they should be able to manage their emotions and behaviours with little to no help. However, is this really the case?

Sensory play at MoveAbout Therapy Services.

What Does Self-Regulation Mean for Kids?

Before diving into when children can self-regulate, it’s important to understand what self-regulation actually is. Self-regulation is the ability to manage your energy, emotions, behaviors, and attention in socially acceptable ways. This skill is essential for achieving positive outcomes like building good relationships, learning effectively, and maintaining overall well-being.

While the roots of self-regulation begin in infancy, this skill continues to develop well into late adolescence. Just as a newborn isn’t expected to walk immediately, children need time and growth to independently regulate their emotions.

The Development of Self-Regulation

It’s commonly believed that children start acquiring critical self-regulation skills around the age of two. However, this doesn’t mean they’ve mastered the art of managing their emotions at such a young age. The brain’s frontal lobe, which is responsible for thinking, logic, and reasoning, continues to develop until our mid-twenties. This prolonged development period means that true emotional self-regulation isn’t fully attainable until late adolescence.

Play therapy at MoveAbout Therapy Services.

Supporting Self-Regulation in Children

Given that children won’t fully develop self-regulation skills until much later, how can parents and caregivers support them in the meantime?

One crucial approach is for caregivers to model their own self-regulation. Children learn a lot from observing how adults respond to various situations. When caregivers manage their emotions calmly, children pick up on these behaviors and start to mimic them.

Another key element is the practice of co-regulation. This involves warm, responsive interactions between a child and their caregiver, coupled with the support, structure, and guidance that helps children develop self-regulation. Co-regulation allows children to practice basic self-regulation skills, like focusing attention, adjusting behaviour, and using words to express needs. However, they still rely heavily on external support to manage their impulses and calm down when upset.


Self-regulation is a complex skill that takes years to develop. Expecting young children to handle their emotions independently is unrealistic, as their brains are still growing and maturing. It’s vital for caregivers to understand this developmental process and be ready to guide and support children as they learn to navigate their emotions.

For more information on co-regulation and how to practice it effectively, check out Kim’s blog here.

If you feel like your child is struggling with regulation contact MoveAbout today. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more education regarding sensory processing and regulation.

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Proprioception: 10 fun and easy ways to get it into your day!

Author: Emily-Kate Pfeiffer, Paediatric Occupational Therapist
4 min read

Proprioception is a crucial sensory system that enables us to sense the position and movement of our joints, along with the perception of force. This ability helps us navigate our surroundings safely, improving our sense of body awareness and promoting regulation. As a paediatric occupational therapist using a neurodevelopmental and neuroaffirming approach, I believe it’s important to find fun and easy ways to boost proprioception throughout the day. Below are ten simple activities that you can seamlessly incorporate into your child’s routine to increase proprioceptive input.

Child jumping on a trampoline.

1. Animal Walks

Animal walks are a fun way to combine imaginative play with proprioceptive input. Encourage your child to move between rooms using an animal walk. They could crab walk to the kitchen for breakfast or slither like a snake to the bathroom to brush their teeth. These walks help build body awareness and strengthen muscles.

2. Wheelbarrow Walks

This is another playful activity that can be done during daily transitions. Have your child hold their body up with their arms while you or a sibling hold their legs—much like a wheelbarrow. Not only does it build upper body strength, but it also increases proprioceptive input. For extra fun, try wheelbarrow races!

3. Kicking a Soccer Ball

Kicking a soccer ball is a great way for kids to develop motor control and get proprioceptive feedback. Whether they’re aiming for a goal, hitting a target, or kicking against a wall, this activity enhances coordination and can be done indoors or outdoors.

4. Bowling

Set up a simple bowling game using plastic bottles partially filled with water to give them weight. Your child can then use a ball to knock them over. For more challenge and proprioceptive input, use a heavier ball. This activity improves hand-eye coordination while offering great push-pull sensory input.

5. Jumping

Jumping is a fantastic way to incorporate proprioception. Whether it’s on a trampoline, off a chair onto soft pillows, or over obstacles, jumping helps regulate sensory systems. Plus, it’s an easy activity to fit into any part of the day.

Child bear walking up incline

6. Toy Rescues

Turn your hallway or living room into an obstacle course using pillows, blankets, and doonas. Hide toys or puzzle pieces at the far end, and have your child crawl, climb, or tiptoe across to rescue them. Older children might enjoy transforming this into a “floor is lava” game, adding a layer of imagination to the physical challenge.

7. Bear Hugs

Bear hugs offer a quick burst of deep pressure, which can be soothing and regulating. When your child runs up to greet you, scoop them into a tight, squishy bear hug for 10 seconds. This simple moment of connection provides excellent proprioceptive input.

8. Blanket Burrito

Wrap your child snugly in a blanket or doona, leaving their head outside like the filling in a burrito. This compression provides calming deep pressure, which can help regulate the nervous system. Let your child choose to be rolled up during quiet time or as a fun wind-down activity.

9. Tug of War

Grab a rope, towel, or blanket and engage in a friendly game of tug of war. This push-pull activity offers great proprioceptive input, especially when your child uses their entire body to pull against you. For an extra challenge, kneel on the floor while playing to make them work harder to win.

10. Playdough

Playing with playdough is not only a tactile treat but also a wonderful way to engage proprioceptive feedback. Rolling, stretching, and poking the dough helps develop finger strength while providing push-pull input at the joints, making it a sensory-rich activity.

Incorporating these activities into your child’s day can help them better understand their body and how it moves. Whether you’re looking for a quick game or a transition activity, these ideas can easily fit into your family’s routine. Each one offers proprioceptive input, helping children feel more grounded and regulated in their environment.

If you feel like your child is struggling with sensory processing talk to an occupational therapist for further guidance. Contact MoveAbout today. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more education regarding sensory processing and regulation.

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Sensory: Tags, Socks, and Rough Objects. Why does my child hate them so much?

Author: Jake Robinson, Paediatric Occupational Therapist
3 min read

Have you ever brought a new piece of clothing to wear, only to find a strange, uncomfortable feeling rubbing on your back? Or put on a pair of socks only to immediately remove them in an attempt to smooth out the ripple or crease rubbing on your foot. This is your body having a sensory response to an unfamiliar or uncomfortable stimuli.

Child sitting on floor putting socks on

Often when we hear kids say “this feels funny” or “I don’t like this”, it is their body experiencing an unfamiliar sensory response. Children are often not able to explain or tell us what is happening. It is also a common reason why some children prefer to wear the same clothes or play with things made of a specific texture as it feels safe and comfortable for their body. 

Sensory Systems

The human body has millions upon millions of sensory receptors all over. These receptors feed information from the environment, your body, and your movements into your sensory systems and brain. Our bodies have eight sensory systems; gustatory (taste), olfactory (smell), visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), tactile (touch), vestibular (sense of gravity and movement), proprioceptive (body awareness), and interoception (internal awareness). These systems are designed to make sense of all the information in your environment, to allow us to act and engage in activities of everyday life. 

Sensory Sensitivity

In the world of occupational therapy, we talk about the importance of using sensory input to help the body feel regulated, but the body can also have challenges tolerating and managing certain sensory inputs. We often refer to this as sensory sensitivity. Sensory sensitivity often occurs when our body is exposed to a sensation that it is not able to understand. This commonly happens for children who have challenges with sensory processing. Sensory sensitivity to touch can cause a large emotional response or can result in children becoming frustrated or refusing to wear clothing. 

Therapist brushing child's hand with therapeutic brush

What can I do about it?

There are many ways to support the body to better tolerate these tactile sensory inputs. A tool that we often recommend is  the Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol. This program is designed to be implemented multiple times throughout the day to reduce tactile defensiveness. Other tools that we may also recommend include compression garments, to support and ground a child’s nervous system. These garments are often worn under the child’s clothing. Other options for intervention include Therapeutic Listening and QuickShifts, which are modulated music designed to promote positive changes to neural pathways in the brain. These strategies and tools are best completed under the guidance of a trained occupational therapist. To find out more about sensory sensitivity and treatment options, reach out to MoveAbout Therapy Services today! 

If you feel like your child is struggling with sensory processing talk to an occupational therapist for further guidance. Contact MoveAbout today. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more education regarding sensory processing and regulation.

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How does my core strength impact my handwriting?

Author: Aremi Blik, Paediatric Occupational Therapist
2 min read

Having legible handwriting is not always as easy as it seems. It’s not just about forming the letters and writing on the line. There are many parts of our body that we need to work together in order for our handwriting to be neat and legible. Keep reading to discover more about how our core strength is related to how we write.

Young boy practicing letter formation

One important factor in handwriting

There are many aspects involved in handwriting, but one of the most important areas is your core! While handwriting involves the use of the small muscles in our hands, wrists, and fingers, we also depend on other muscle groups in our body, like our shoulder girdle and core. These muscles help set us up to have good precision, motor control, fluency, and endurance for writing.

In order to write, you need a stable base of support from your core muscles. Did you know that your core muscles go from your pelvis all the way up to your mouth? Activities such as crawling, sit-ups, or animal walks can help strengthen your core. You can add blowing bubbles, whistles, or balloons to help activate these muscles even further. Frequently engaging in these activities will help build a stable base for your arm to move efficiently for handwriting.

Your shoulder stability and strength are also important. Activities such as pushing, pulling, and weight-bearing through your arms will help build the stability and strength required to make fine and precise movements for handwriting. These activities might include tug-of-war, wrestling with a friend or caregiver, or wheelbarrow walks.

Young girl working on shoulder stability by drawing and colouring on a vertical surface.

Also, it’s important to think about activities that are motivating for your child to engage in that use the small muscles of the hands. Activities such as finding treasures in playdough, playing with Lego, or making crafts are great ways to develop the smaller, intrinsic muscles of the hand.

So, what’s the takeaway?

Your ability to handwrite starts with your core muscles. We also need to develop our stability and strength in the arms and shoulders, while building strength and dexterity in the hands, wrists, and fingers. Making sure these areas are strong is just one important aspect in supporting the motor control, fluency, and precision needed for handwriting.

If you feel like your child is struggling with their handwriting, talk to an occupational therapist for further guidance. Contact MoveAbout today. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more tips and tricks on how to improve handwriting.

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Telehealth Sessions: What, Why and How?

Author: Nisha Nair, Paediatric Occupational Therapist
3 min read

Has your therapist offered you a telehealth session, but you’re not exactly sure how it will benefit you? Here is the what, why, and how MoveAbout engage with telehealth sessions to create consistency of therapy, and provide you with the best service possible.

Parents engaging in a telehealth goal setting session with their child's therapist.

Here at MoveAbout we take a 3-pronged approach when we work with our families: direct treatment, consultation, and education. 

It is an approach that we love and families have really enjoyed as well! While Covid-19 has had its negative impacts, the benefits of telehealth have come to light. It has provided a platform to do our consultation, education, and even direct treatment sessions with our families. While telehealth is something that is emerging in the medical field, there is value for both the therapist and families. Here are just some of the options we can do during a telehealth session:

Communication between parents and therapists

It can be hard to find the time to discuss any challenges or successes that have occurred through the week. While handovers after sessions can be helpful to give a brief overview of the week, some topics require more time to discuss. Even during our handover after sessions, we are super mindful about what we discuss in front of children. Therefore, telehealth sessions have been a great platform to provide a safe space for parents to share any relevant updates regarding their children. This can also be really helpful for therapists to ensure they are able to give you their undivided attention to help problem solve or develop strategies. 

Strategy sessions

Telehealth sessions can also be used as a way to problem-solve and develop strategies. If a challenge arises with your child, telehealth can be a great way to discuss what is happening. It can be an amazing tool to discuss potential strategies, such as developing a sensory diet or ways to adjust challenging aspects of daily life. 

Child putting socks on

Meeting with other professionals and service providers

A multidisciplinary approach to therapy is very powerful, whether it is meetings with other practitioners or meetings between school teachers and learning support staff. Not only has telehealth been extremely successful with facilitating communication between all services and professions, but it has also been helpful to allow for consistency within therapies and supports.

Direct treatment

If your child has a sniffle but is still super keen for OT, telehealth can most definitely be used as a session! Through the craziness of Covid-19, we as therapists have found ways to be super creative and use the home environment as a therapeutic tool. Telehealth sessions have been great to also assist in developing home programs for families to ensure there can be continuity of therapeutic activities at home!


There are so many ways telehealth can be helpful for families. It is a therapeutic and beneficial option that we encourage at MoveAbout for continual holistic care. Whether it is through the screen or face to face, we will always strive to support the people who support the kids. 

Are you needing occupational therapy services for your child? If so, contact MoveAbout today and chat with our wonderful admin teams about your needs. Also, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information about what we offer at MoveAbout.

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The Power of Language: Why the simple words we say to our kids matter

Author: Sophie Robertson, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Clinical Manager
4 min read

Do you often find that your child shuts off or has a meltdown when you say the word “no”? Do you notice that they keep going with their task when you ask them to “stop”? Words such as these can have a feeling of finality associated with them, and a developing brain can have difficulties processing the words or instructions that follow.”

Core strength is at the centre of our wellbeing

Simply changing the words “no”, “stop” and “but”, to “yes”, “pause” and “and”, can have a big impact on how your child perceives and processes instructions. This change may make these often challenging times easier and calmer. Keep on reading to find out why.

Begin with “YES”, avoid “NO”

Saying “yes” first tells your child that you hear what they are saying and acknowledging their request or want. Saying “no” as your first word in your response may make it feel like they will never get what they are asking for. You may be saying “No, not yet, we can have ice cream after dinner” however they may only hear “no” and not process the rest of the sentence. They will only hear “No, blah blah blah”. Instead, try shifting the way in which you respond by saying “yes” first… “Yes, I love ice cream too. We can have some together when we finish eating dinner”. Your boundary hasn’t changed as both responses are allowing the child to have ice cream after dinner, however one is likely to cause your child to shut off and potentially meltdown, the other is allowing their minds to remain open and more likely to have a positive outcome.

Use “PAUSE”, avoid “STOP”

The use of the word “pause” implies that the activity your child is doing can start again once you’ve spoken. It is a more positive phrase, and it creates an opportunity for open dialogue with your child. They will be more likely to understand why you paused them. On the other hand, “stop” has a sense of finality, and may feel like the activity may never start again. It can create a defensive mindset, and negative associations mean your child is already prepared to fight back. They will be less likely to hear why you stopped them, and it also makes the word “stop” less powerful in the times that it is absolutely needed i.e., during emergency and safety situations. A great example of how you can change this language is “Pause! I can see you are about to play with your toys. We need to finish our dinner first before we can play”.

Use “AND”, avoid “BUT”

Has anyone ever said to you “You worked hard on this project, but…”? You hear the word and immediately feel negative about what you’ve achieved. What happens if we take the word ‘but’ out? “You worked really hard on this project, and I think we need to spend a bit more time figuring out this section tomorrow”. The shift between “and” and “but” creates a more positive spin on challenging situations. Your child is more likely to remember and associate positive memories to similar situations. Using “but” tends to negate all that came before it, and anything before it becomes unimportant and forgotten. A phrase we use a lot in sessions with our clients is “It is tricky AND you can do it”. Why don’t you try it the next time your child is having difficulty completing a task.

So, here is a challenge for you. Try saying “YES” instead of “NO” over the next week and see what comes of it. Is your child more receptive to what you say? Will you notice less meltdowns? For more information on ways to manage meltdowns, visit MoveAbout’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

If you feel like your child is struggling to with regulation, communication, or social skills, talk to your paediatrician or an occupational therapist for further guidance. Contact MoveAbout today.

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