Aspiring Occupational Therapy

Aspiring Occupational Therapy Paediatric Occupational Therapy services based in Wānaka, NZ. Contact us: [email protected]

Why do we love mazes in Occupational Therapy?Mazes might look like a simple pencil-and-paper activity, but they can actu...
03/09/2026

Why do we love mazes in Occupational Therapy?

Mazes might look like a simple pencil-and-paper activity, but they can actually support the development of so many important skills!

Working through a maze can help children practise:

✨ Visual tracking – following a pathway with their eyes
✨ Visual perception – recognising pathways, spaces and direction
✨ Fine motor control – guiding a pencil accurately
✨ Hand-eye coordination – coordinating what the eyes see with hand movements
✨ Problem-solving and planning – figuring out which way to go
✨ Attention and concentration – staying focused until the maze is complete
✨ Persistence – trying again when they reach a dead end!

The best part? Children often see mazes simply as fun!

We love incorporating playful activities like mazes into OT sessions to build skills in a way that feels engaging, motivating and achievable.

Sometimes the simplest activities can provide the biggest opportunities for learning 💛

How’s your emotional temperature today?The Emotional Thermometer is a simple visual tool that can help children recognis...
01/09/2026

How’s your emotional temperature today?

The Emotional Thermometer is a simple visual tool that can help children recognise and communicate how big their feelings are.

Just like a thermometer measures temperature, an emotional thermometer can help children think about:

Low – I’m feeling calm and comfortable
Rising – I’m starting to feel worried, frustrated or overwhelmed
High – My feelings are getting big and my body needs support
Very high – I’m overwhelmed and finding it hard to think clearly

💡 The most important part isn’t just identifying the number or colour — it’s learning to recognise what our body is telling us and knowing what can help us regulate before we reach boiling point.

There is no such thing as a “bad” emotion. All feelings are okay — we just need the tools to understand them and respond safely.

The Emotional Thermometer can be a wonderful way to build emotional awareness, interoception and self-regulation in a simple, visual and child-friendly way.

28/08/2026

Messy play is more than just making a mess!

For children, messy play is a wonderful opportunity to explore, experiment and learn through their senses.

Whether it’s squishing slime, scooping rice, digging through sand or making mud pies, messy play can support:

✨ Sensory processing – exploring different textures, smells and sensations
🖐️ Fine motor skills – scooping, squeezing, pinching and pouring
🧠 Motor planning – figuring out how to manipulate and use materials
🎨 Creativity & problem solving – open-ended play encourages children to experiment
💛 Emotional regulation – sensory-rich play can be calming and organising for some children
👀 Visual-motor skills – watching, reaching, pouring and manipulating materials together
😊 Confidence & independence – children get to make choices and learn through trial and error

Welcome to the Team, Bowie! 🐾Today was his first day at Mount Aspiring College, where he is joining the Upper Clutha Com...
23/08/2026

Welcome to the Team, Bowie! 🐾

Today was his first day at Mount Aspiring College, where he is joining the Upper Clutha Community Link Outreach Therapy Pets programme.

We’re so excited to see Bowie begin this new role, bringing his calm presence, cuddles, companionship and a little bit of joy to the school community. 🐶

We’re sure he’ll be a wonderful addition to the team and can’t wait to see the positive impact he has on students and staff.

Welcome aboard, Bowie — you’ve got this! 🐾

Supporting regulation in the classroom 💙Sometimes children don’t have the words—or the capacity in the moment—to explain...
10/08/2026

Supporting regulation in the classroom 💙

Sometimes children don’t have the words—or the capacity in the moment—to explain what they need.

Simple visual support cards can give children an easy, low-pressure way to communicate:

🟢 “I am ready to learn”
🟡 “I need help”
🔴 “I need to go to my safe space”

These cards help make regulation and self-advocacy visible and accessible. Rather than waiting until a child is overwhelmed, we can give them a way to communicate their needs earlier and support them to recognise when they need a break, some help, or are ready to engage.

For some children, pointing to a card can be much easier than finding the words “I’m becoming overwhelmed and I need some space.”

Small supports can make a big difference to participation, confidence and independence in the classroom.

✨ When Big Feelings Show Up… Use Your Infinity Superpower! ♾️This week one of my little OT clients created an incredible...
21/07/2026

✨ When Big Feelings Show Up… Use Your Infinity Superpower! ♾️

This week one of my little OT clients created an incredible comic strip about using Infinity Breathing to transform from feeling overwhelmed into feeling calm and in control.

Instead of fighting the “bad guy,” the real superpower was learning to slow the body and calm the brain.

♾️ How to do Infinity Breathing:

1. Hold one finger up.
2. Slowly trace an imaginary infinity symbol (∞) in the air.
3. Breathe in as you trace one loop.
4. Breathe out as you trace the other loop.
5. Repeat until your body starts to feel calmer.

Why does it work?
💛 Slows breathing
🧠 Helps switch the brain out of “fight, flight or freeze”
❤️ Gives children something simple to focus on
💪 Builds independence by giving them a strategy they can use anywhere

We love turning regulation strategies into superpowers. When children feel like they’re learning a special skill—not just being told to “calm down”—they’re much more likely to use it when they need it most.

This amazing comic is a reminder that some of the most powerful therapy moments come from children’s own creativity. ✨

Have you tried Infinity Breathing with your child?

Why every classroom and playroom needs “Me and My Quirks” 📚 I’m always looking for tools that celebrate neurodiversity r...
15/06/2026

Why every classroom and playroom needs “Me and My Quirks” 📚

I’m always looking for tools that celebrate neurodiversity rather than trying to “fix” it. This beautiful picture book does exactly that.

From an OT lens, here is why this book is a must-read:

✨ Normalises “Quirks”: It reframes behaviours like repetitive movements or unique routines as natural ways a child interacts with their world.
✨ Builds Peer Empathy: It bridges the social gap by helping neurotypical children understand and welcome their neurodiverse peers.
✨ Promotes Inclusion: It reminds us that different brains just process the world differently—and that is a strength!

Read this with your child or students, and use it as a conversation starter to talk about what makes them unique too.

🔗 Link in bio to check it out!

Meet Amy! Amy is our new Occupational Therapist! She has over 18 years of experience helping people of all ages achieve ...
02/06/2026

Meet Amy!

Amy is our new Occupational Therapist! She has over 18 years of experience helping people of all ages achieve their goals and participate more fully in everyday life.

Amy lives in Wānaka with her husband and their two children—an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-
year-old son.

Amy has a broad background and experience and enjoys working with children and their families, helping young people develop skills, independence, and confidence through practical, meaningful therapy.
Amy is friendly, personalised, and focused on helping each client achieve the best possible outcomes.

We are excited to welcome her as part of the Aspiring Occupational Therapy family!!

18/05/2026

Why do some kids LOVE spinning? 🌪️

Spinning activates the vestibular system — the sensory system responsible for helping us understand movement, balance, and where our body is in space.

For some children, spinning can help them:
Feel calm and regulated
Improve body awareness
Support balance and coordination
Meet sensory needs in a fun way

You might notice children seeking spinning through:

* twirling in circles
* hanging upside down
* spinning on playground equipment
* rolling on the floor

For sensory seekers, this type of movement can feel organising and enjoyable. For others, too much spinning may lead to dizziness, nausea, or dysregulation — every child’s sensory system is different.

As OTs, we look at the why behind movement-seeking behaviours and help families find safe, meaningful ways to support sensory needs.

Sometimes “they just won’t sit still” is actually a child telling us their body needs movement. 💛

childdevelopment playbasedtherapy otforkids sensoryregulation movementmatters

07/05/2026

Before therapy gyms and sensory swings… there was flax weaving and knitting 🧶

Meaningful occupations have always supported regulation, coordination, focus, and connection.

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Wanaka
9305

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Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

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