Blossom Children's Occupational Therapy

25/09/2025

Why Early Communication Matters:

From the very beginning, communication is the foundation for learning, relationships, and wellbeing. Even before words, babies and young children are communicating through eye contact, gestures, sounds, and play.

As Speech and Language Therapists, we know that supporting these early skills can make a huge difference to a child’s future development. Early intervention can:
✅ Strengthen language and vocabulary growth
✅ Support emotional regulation and social connections
✅ Boost confidence and independence in learning

Simple everyday moments – singing, playing peek-a-boo, pausing for your child to respond – all help to build strong communication pathways in the brain.

👶💬 The earlier we notice and nurture these skills, the better the outcomes for children.



Helpful resources and activities on this website:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/key-talking-tips

24/09/2025

Building Dens:

For children who are neurodiverse or have experienced trauma, building dens can be a powerful therapeutic activity.

Why?

🌸Safe space: Dens create a cosy, contained environment where children can feel secure and in control.

🌸Sensory regulation: Soft textures, low light, and enclosed spaces can help reduce overwhelm and support calming.

🌸Problem solving & creativity: Choosing materials, planning, and building encourages flexible thinking and executive function.

🌸Relationship building: Co-creating a den with a parent, sibling, or therapist strengthens trust and connection.

18/09/2025

✨ OT Tip for Independence in Dressing! ✨

Backward chaining is a fantastic strategy we use in children’s occupational therapy to build confidence and independence in self-care skills like dressing.

👕 What is it?
Instead of teaching a child all the steps at once, the adult starts the task and the child completes the last step.

✅ Example: You put the t-shirt over their head and arms, and the child pulls it down at the end.

🎯 Why does it work?

The child experiences success right away 🏆

Builds confidence and motivation

Gradually increases independence step by step

👉 Over time, you give the child more steps to complete until they can do the whole task independently!

🌱 Remember: Small steps = big achievements.

14/09/2025

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c237vv8x3n7o?app-referrer=deep-link&fbclid=IwY2xjawMz7FRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHu_HbT4n2OTLrGIu0oMi68WuVAeYS06msx0LWsEJCkaiYDs31zwfvOwHbI_z_aem_F0XyoFE0icRzV0tJrWtvUw

School leaders say emotionally based school avoidance is increasing, but what should be done to help?

13/09/2025

🌸Sensory Circuits for Teens – Not Just for Primary!🌸

Sensory circuits are often thought of as a tool for younger children, but they can be just as powerful for older students and teenagers.

For many young people, secondary school brings longer lessons, higher demands, and increased social pressure. This can be overwhelming for the sensory system. A short, structured circuit at the start of the day—or before tricky lessons—can:
🔹 Wake up the body and brain for learning
🔹 Support attention and focus
🔹 Reduce restlessness and anxiety
🔹 Promote regulation and self-confidence

Circuits can be adapted to feel age-appropriate, using activities that are discreet, purposeful, and respectful of a young person’s stage of development. Think resistance bands, wall push-ups, balance tasks, and core stability work instead of “playground style” activities.

💡 With the right approach, sensory circuits give older students practical strategies to prepare their bodies and minds for the challenges of school and beyond.



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07/09/2025

We are on a roll! .....another lovely review received on google this week! Keep them coming!!
As well as the amazing feeling we get when receiving such nice feedback, reviews are really helpful to us as a small business because it increases our website presence 😃

Thank you to those of you taking time to leave such positive feedback.

02/09/2025

Such lovely words in this recent Blossom Google review 🌸 This is exactly what i hope to achieve for all our families and the vision i had when i set up Blossom 😀

30/08/2025

✨ Helping Children Concentrate in Class ✨

Concentration in the classroom is about more than just “trying harder” — it’s about having the right foundation to succeed. From an occupational therapy perspective, we look at the whole child and the skills that support focus and attention.

🪑 Posture & Seating – A stable sitting position helps children use their energy for thinking, not wriggling.
✋ Fidget Tools & Movement Breaks – Small, structured movement opportunities can actually improve attention.
👀 Sensory Environment – Lighting, noise, and visual distractions all affect concentration.
🧩 Organisation Skills – Routines, clear instructions, and visual supports help children know what to do and when.
💙 Regulation First – Children need to feel calm and safe in their bodies before they can learn.

When we support these building blocks, children are better able to concentrate, engage, and thrive in class.

🌱 At Blossom Children’s Occupational Therapy, we help children develop the skills they need for learning and everyday life.

26/08/2025

Today we have been exploring what one young mans body may need with 'experiments' and trying to make sense of body clues (interoception) 🔍🧍‍♂️all carefully achieved using child led approaches, fun physical movement and using toys of interest for motivation and engagement 🌸

24/08/2025

Gym ball ideas to help with a number of areas :
* Regulation
* Core strength
* Attention
* Postural control and shoulder stability
* Coordination
* Balance

Great for movement breaks too and bonus of only needing 1 item- gym ball!
Typical size ball requirements:

3-7 yrs 45 cm
7-12 yrs 55cm
13-17 yrs 65 cm

21/08/2025