Wattle Tree Therapy - For Children

F O R C H I L D R E N

T H E E A R L Y Y E A R S

Wattle Tree Therapy services are for children aged 0-6 years.

"What happens during the early years is of crucial importance for every child's development. Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life, making these years the most important for learning and development, than any other stage of their life".

Every single child is wonderfully unique, and perfect just the way they are. I don't seek to change who they are, but instead support them to grow and thrive.

S K I L L S F O R L I V I N G

I work with families to support their child to participate in daily living skills, for their stage of development.

For example...

Playing - valuing individual passions and play styles, making genuine and mutual connections with others, playing with toys
Mealtimes - using cutlery, expanding restricted eating
Toileting - using a potty or toilet
Grooming - successful bath time, brushing hair and teeth
Dressing - getting dressed, shoes on the correct feet, dirty clothes in the washing basket!
Preschool skills - feeling okay in the preschool environment, learning to draw, concentrating on a task

And many other things!

Occupational therapy supports your child with skills for living.

P L A Y

Through everyday activities or play, we practice...

Concentration - spending longer at one activity
Thinking skills - problem solving, planning
Movement skills - hand skills and whole body movements
Language skills - understanding a story, using more language
Social connection - meaningfully connecting with other people

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T S

I work with you in your child's natural environment.

"Natural environments are settings, where children learn and develop everyday abilities and skills, including the home, community and early childhood centres... Learning skills in natural environments is more effective than practising a new skill in an isolated setting once or twice a week".

R O U T I N E S

& R H Y T H M S

All families are different. And most families are busy. Wherever possible, I offer ideas for you to support your child's development, to fit in with the routines and rhythms of your unique family life.

"Interventions are more effective when they reflect everyday activities and routines such as getting dressed and mealtimes. The sequence of routines and their repeated nature provide opportunities for children to acquire and refine skills."

I look for opportunities for a family to support their own child using the resources that they already have.

I B E L I E V E

All children, and families, are wonderfully unique;

diversity is valued and celebrated.

Therapeutic supports work best when tailored to the unique strengths, values and needs of children and families.

This can only occur when kids and parents are listened to, feel understood, and are seen as equals in the therapy process.

Therapists should strive to be honest, curious and compassionate.

They should be competent, yet open to always learning.

They should be kind, yet strong advocates.

Children learn best through meaningful play, and everyday experiences with familiar people in familiar contexts.

All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their child’s learning and development.

All children have a right to be included, to flourish, and to thrive.

This is in line with "best practice" - what is most effective.

References:

2016, National Guidelines for Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention, ReImagine Australia (formerly Early Childhood Intervention Australia)

2024, National Guidelines for Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention (Early Childhood Developmental Supports) - 2nd Edition, ChildKind / ReImagine Australia

www.childkind.org.au

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