Deb’s Blog

Amelia comes to Therapies for Kids and participates in regular Intensive Paediatric Therapy to work on a number of goals: to develop her sitting ability so that she can hold her head and trunk up for longer periods so she can play and engage with her peers at preschool. to improve core stability and trunk…

Research in childhood disability has identified six F-words that should be the focus for development. These include Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future. These areas of development are a key focus for your child’s development. Each of the areas are equally important and it’s important to apply these concepts in a holistic way with…

We often get asked when a parent should be worried about toilet training for their child. Like all developmental milestones, each child is individual in the time they are ready. Some children start being interested in toilet training as early as 18 months, but anywhere up to 3.5 years is okay. Some signs that your…

Harry is four-years-old with a condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting development and growth. For Harry, the syndrome affects his balance, strength, and motor planning abilities. Through an intensive paediatric therapy program, Harry is better able to develop the skills necessary to meet his personal goals, such as riding a bike. We…

I am frequently asked how often, how much, and where to practice therapy. Parents are often shown therapy in a setting which doesn’t always translate into their daily lives and as such find it hard to carry out important skill learning with their child. Here are 7 ways to help make therapy a fun and…

Transitioning from daycare to preschool is one of the biggest milestones in any family and at TFK we feel that supporting children to make this transition successfully helps set the foundation for a lifetime of learning. All the people in your child’s life have a part to play in helping your child successfully navigate this…

At TFK we are constantly talking about tummy time for babies. There are so many reasons why tummy time is important, let’s start with: Brain Cognitive development Aware of environment Sensory integration Head – helps prevent flat head (plagiocephaly) Eyes Visual-motor perception Depth perception Allows follow through 180O Looking up Neck Strengthens neck muscles Improves…

Jumping develops once your toddler is walking, going up and down stairs, trotting, and walking on their toes. Toddlers begin to experiment with this from around 18 months. Jumping is important for a number of reasons: Balance: This is the first time 2 feet leave the ground at once. They first use dynamic balance where…

At TFK we love to see our babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers play posting games. It begins from about 12-15 months and involves dropping or “posting” objects into different containers (e.g. a bowl). Children still play posting games in more complex ways into preschool. Posting helps develop: Fine motor skills Finger dexterity Strength in arms Eye-hand…

Often at TFK you will hear a therapist say “Great crossing over” or “This week we’ll work on crossing the middle.” So, what is crossing the midline? It is easiest to think of the midline as an imaginary line down the middle of your child’s body from head to between their feet. Your child can…