NAIS Occupational Therapy Services

11/06/2026

16/04/2026

Stimming isn’t something to stop — it’s something to understand.

For many children, stimming is how they calm their body, manage overwhelm, and feel safe in their environment.

When we respond with acceptance instead of correction, we support regulation, confidence, and wellbeing.

Which step feels most important for your child right now?

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.

08/04/2026

When children play, they are not just having fun. Every imaginative activity, game of tag, or fort they build actually boosts their brains in ways that schoolwork alone cannot. Science shows that play fires up the brain’s high-efficiency mode, sending out dopamine and endorphins that help kids feel happier and learn faster. In fact, play can help the brain grow new connections up to 20 times faster than traditional memorization.

If you notice your child building, running, or pretending, know that they are building powerful thinking and problem-solving skills at the same time as their confidence. Countries like Finland let kids play until age seven, and these kids go on to outscore others in reading, math, and science. MIT studies suggest children in playful programs see a 40 percent jump in skills like focus and memory—simply by having more fun with their learning.

Instead of pushing more drills or screen time, give your child the gift of unstructured play. Let them choose their games, create with their hands, or run outside. You might be surprised: The best boost you can give your child’s future is letting them discover joy through play."

20/03/2026

16/02/2026

SECOND CHANCE SUNDAY

In our ‘What is…?’ Series, we’re breaking down big concepts that shape a young person’s world — starting with this one.

Stimming, repetitive actions which serve to regulate a child, is often misunderstood, yet it’s one of the most important ways many children attempt to calm, communicate, and feel safe in their bodies. When adults truly get it, we respond with compassion instead of correction.

Today’s visual offers a clear, child-centred explanation you can share with families, colleagues, and classrooms.

If you’d like a deeper, easy-to-print version, check the footnote of the visual — you can download a free bite-size information sheet to use at home or school.

Save this one for later and share with anyone who supports neurodivergent young people.

16/02/2026

Did you know play develops in stages?
From solo exploration to full-on group games, kids learn so much through play and every stage matters!

Here’s a quick breakdown:

👶 Unoccupied Play (Birth–3 mo): Random movements, exploring the world
👧 Solitary Play (0–2 yrs): Playing alone, focusing on their own activity
👀 Onlooker Play (2+ yrs): Watching others play, learning through observation
🧱 Parallel Play (2–3 yrs): Playing side-by-side, but not yet interacting
🤝 Associative Play (3–4 yrs): Sharing toys, beginning to interact
🎯 Cooperative Play (4+ yrs): Working together toward a shared goal

These stages aren’t steps to “rush through”, they’re building blocks for social skills, emotional growth, and cognitive development.

Play by age and stage: https://www.theottoolbox.com/play-by-age/

10/02/2026

Why handwriting fails without proper Core Strength and Hand Strength...https://ilslearningcorner.com/why-handwriting-fails-without-core-strength-hand-strength/

Do you see handwriting development falling behind when your child or students have a weak core and weak hand strength?

10/02/2026