Discover OT

24/12/2025

I’ll never stop loving writing messages in the sand - A snap from my favourite Christmas holiday spot! 🤩
Wishing all of my families a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, connection and rest of course 🎄🎅🏼
I can’t wait to hear all about your holiday adventures and Christmas magic in the new year!
What a big beautiful year 2025 has been growing Discover OT! 🫶🏼 Thank you to all my wonderful families who have welcomed me into their world!

💖 Miss Nat x

18/11/2025

Do you sit on the sideline at your kids’ sport and think… why can't they pay attention or how didn't they see that!?
ALSO please tell me I'm not the only person that sits on the sideline and thinks about all of the skills that need to be firing and working together to get coordinated and controlled movement!

Starting night soccer this term has been a very humbling experience for me!
I've learnt first-hand just how tricky it can be to master all the skills at the same time...I wish all my little superstars could see me step outside of my comfort zone making mistakes and trying again and again! Lots of kids ask me in sessions "but why can you do it" and I always remind them Miss Nat gets to practice skills everyday with lots of kids that are all different ages – it’s the best job in the world!

Let's shine a light on some of the many underlying soccer skills: I'm talking - Kicking with the right amount of pressure, judging where other team members are in space, visually tracking the ball, reaction time, motor planning to make contact with the ball (boy oh boy it is harder than it looks!)
To give you some perspective - I started netball when I was 6 year olds and continue to play....the last time I played soccer was during interschool sport in primary school! Yes, they both involve a ball and a goal but still have lots of different skills involved! It has been a fabulous reminder that repetition and consistency are non-negotiable - for kids and adults!

I challenge all my parents to try a new skill - it is eye opening and worth a giggle! 😂y

31/10/2025

What a week it’s been behind the scenes - a very special chance to pause, celebrate and reflect on the heart of Occupational Therapy and the incredible influence our professional lens adds to all individuals 🤩
It is an absolute privilege to connect and be welcomed by so many families, teachers, educators and allied health professionals to SUPPORT and EMPOWER all of our growing little superstars feel confident and capable in their own body 🌟
When we understand a child’s developing brain and body, we unlock connection, regulation and curiosity in play and everyday life!
I’d love to hear - what does OT mean to you and your family? 🥰🫶🏼
Together we can make even more people feel understood, hopeful, and empowered by starting a conversation!

23/09/2025

It’s School Holiday Time...Let’s Talk Cups!

Holidays can feel like a fun adventure… or a sensory rollercoaster🎢 for both you and your child!

Here’s a fun way to help your child understand their feelings:
🥛Grab a real cup for you and your child. Think about is your cup small or LARGE?

This will help visually show your child how quickly it can get full throughout the day and overflow.

Overflowing = time for a pause, sensory break, or calm activity.

Think of your sensory cups:
🥛 Your Cup: How full is it right now?
🥛Your Child’s Cup: How full is theirs?

Some days we need more input to feel balanced, some days less - it all depends on our every-changing capacity.

💡 Parent Tip: A little pause, a creative activity, or a movement break can empty the cups and restore balance.

Take a moment, reflect, and notice your cups today!

28/07/2025

A wonderful morning of fun and play for your little one PLUS real conversation and connection for you! 🤩
I can’t wait to see you at Ayr State School on Wednesday 30th July

Please share!
'Ready Set Go' is on again!
Host this year is 'Ayr Primary School'

Colouring-in competition sheet to follow!

23/06/2025

Grateful for these little humans who call me Aunty Nat 🥰

Here's a quiet reminder of how much our children are navigating every single day behind their smiles and energy.

From the second they wake up; their nervous system is on scanning and tuning into:
- Background noise
- Lights
- The feel of clothes on their skin
- Unexpected smells
- Constantly learning and exploring new things
- Changing expectations and environments - transitioning to school, kindy or daycare
- Thoughts, feelings, and sensations... all at once.

Our kids are doing so much more than we often realise and give credit for.

As adults we have had LOTS of practice and learnt to filter out distractions or avoid uncomfortable experiences to help us stayed regulated

Our kids are still learning how to manage that flood of sensory input.

If your child melts down after school…Gets stuck on socks, cereal choices, or seatbelts…
It’s not bad behaviour.
It’s a body doing its best with a lot going on inside and around it.🫶

School holidays can be a mix of chaos without consistent structure and routine that the school term provides as well as lots of new opportunities to explore, sometimes creating a sensory overload!
Every child has their own preferences, sensitivities, and needs...they are valid and real!

Ps. I’ve been quietly creating something new to walk alongside even more families in our community, and I can’t wait to share it with you soon.
Think...Practical support!

09/06/2025

This comment from a beautiful Mum made my heart sing 🥰💖
'It doesn't need to be "perfect" conditions or circumstances - I want it to be true!'

Because therapy isn’t about perfectly curated moments.
It’s not about a child showing their "best" for 45 minutes in a calm, quiet room with no interruptions.

It’s about meeting them in their real environment whether that be school, daycare, Kindy or home with all its noise, unpredictability, sensory challenges, and emotional waves…
And asking: What support holds up here? What helps them feel safe, confident, and connected — even when it’s hard?
This is how we learn and see what actually helps.

Therapy is real life - it's co-regulating in the chaos... it's shifting how we support your child. That’s where growth lives. That’s what I'm here for! 🫶
Always remember, real growth doesn’t always look like a neat success - sometimes, it looks like wobbling through a skill with courage and creativity!

Here’s to a week of noticing all the pearls tucked into your everyday moments - the tiny wins and the quiet efforts!

25/04/2025

Here’s what I said to my niece: 💖 That was really tricky yet you tried your best! 💖 I’m right here with you! If you fall, you’ll land in the water with me! She wasn’t looking for a fix - just safety to feel her feelings and be held in them! Here’s the magic - with no pressure, just time and space, she was ready to try again! Her confidence and courage was pure gold! ✨When we meet our kids fear with presence instead of pressure - regulation returns! My biggest lesson is to let children choose when they’re ready - that’s how we show them they’re safe, seen, and supported 🫶🏼 Drop a 🤍 if this feels true! I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections from the Easter school holidays too!

07/04/2025

Looking for some holiday fun ☀️

Reminder we are now operating on our school holiday schedule…. Hope to see you for some outdoor Easter fun tomorrow at ANZAC park 🙂

27/03/2025

The meltdowns, the resistance, the big emotions - it can feel overwhelming, frustrating, even isolating.
You don’t have to navigate these tricky moments alone. 💖
Whatever brought you here - I want you to know: You are not alone.
You are already doing so much right. You have the gut instincts and you’re advocating for their needs! You give so much love every day, even when there's little left for yourself. ✨And with the right knowledge and support, you can feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.
You are carrying so much, and it’s okay to need support too.
You are just as worthy of care and support as your child you nurture every day. 😘
Let’s make sense of your child’s behavior together - so you can feel confident, connected, and empowered.

26/03/2025

As I was leaving school today, I heard little voices in the distance calling out, ‘Byeeee Miss Natalie!’ 👋💕

It melted my heart. These tiny goodbyes aren’t just words, they’re trust, connection, and the sweetest reminder of why I love being a Paediatric OT.

Being a familiar, safe and trusted presence in a child’s world? That’s the kind of energy I’ll carry with me every day. ✨

In the busyness of life, it’s easy to overlook these small, everyday moments - the quick hugs or the way someone's face lights up when they see you arrive at their classroom. But these are the moments that matter. Because every small moment - every smile, every word of encouragement, every time we show up - is shaping something bigger... a lasting impact on their self-esteem and confidence!

What’s a small moment that made your heart full this week? 🥰
I’d love to celebrate those moments with you!