MovesMatter

22/10/2025

Bisley Village Hall, Comminity Coffee Morning, first Monday of the month, Alex from Arbour Companions & Care and myself will be there to listen and support.

30/07/2025

22/04/2025

“Crossing the midline” is a foundational skill in occupational therapy that refers to the ability to reach across the middle of the body with the arms or legs crossing over to the opposite side. This skill is essential for many everyday tasks and is closely linked to bilateral coordination, brain development, and motor planning.

Why Is It Important?

Crossing the midline is crucial for:
• Writing across a page
• Reaching for objects on the opposite side
• Putting on socks or shoes
• Brushing hair
• Tying shoelaces
• Efficient reading and writing (visual tracking)

Difficulty with midline crossing can affect a child’s:
• Academic performance (especially writing and reading)
• Independence in self-care
• Motor coordination
• Cognitive development (because it reflects communication between the brain’s hemispheres)

Activities to Promote Crossing the Midline

Here are some OT-based activities to help develop this skill:

1. Figure 8 Drawing

Have the child draw large horizontal figure 8s (infinity symbols) on a whiteboard or chalkboard.

2. Ball Pass Across the Body

Pass a ball or object from one hand to the other across the body while seated or standing.

3. Windmill Exercises

Standing with feet apart, touch the left hand to the right foot and vice versa.

4. Simon Says with Cross-Body Movements

Include actions like touching the left knee with the right hand or reaching across to the opposite shoulder.

5. Lacing and Threading Activities

Set up materials so the child has to reach across the body to grab items.

6. Twister or Yoga Poses

Encourage whole-body movements that require reaching across the midline.

7. Obstacle Courses

Set up stations that require crossing midline movements — like picking up a bean bag on the left and placing it in a bucket on the right.

⸻

Tips for Parents:
• Observe how a child moves during activities — are they avoiding crossing over?
• Encourage bilateral hand use — such as one hand stabilising while the other works.
• Make it fun and goal-directed — engaging in games helps with motivation

30/03/2025

Happy Morher’s Day to all the Mums. Sending love to all followers. 💙💕❤️

14/02/2025

Copied and pasted from Naomi’s LinkedIn!

A couple days ago, I held my sobbing child... She'd been on the receiving end of open exclusion and was absolutely distraught.

Despite the mom tigress in me silently fuming, and roaring wildly, I knew no 'fixing' or 'distracting' would ease her broken heart—those things never do.

So I held... and held... and listened... and held some more.

While my little girl will be okay, here's what needs to be spoken about.

Something I see far too often in the kids and teens in my practice who are struggling with severe depression and thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore:

The number one trigger? EXCLUSION.

This is no minor issue. These children find themselves in a void so deep they wish the world would swallow them whole.

Their words echo a haunting refrain: "I don't want to exist anymore..."

These aren’t children being dramatic.
These are children drowning in shame—shame born from the belief that something must be inherently wrong with them to be cast out, often from a group where they thought they belonged.

It’s neuroscience. As mammals, we're wired for belonging.

Safety lives in togetherness—just watch how sheep and zebras gather, knowing the isolated one is the most vulnerable.

Alone is a dangerous place, especially when we have no idea why the herd has turned away.

When I'm the one being rejected, lost and alone, shame becomes inevitable… dark thoughts of feeling worthless in the world are unavoidable.

And adults are not exempt- they exclude too. The wounds cut just as deep.

A few essential reminders:

💡 Our children learn from our example.
💡 They mirror our treatment of others.
💡 We are their life textbooks.

If you want your kids to thrive in a kind world, teach them to BE kind, to be inclusive, to honour every living being equally.

Be the person you hope your child encounters each day of their lives. BE THAT ONE.

Be the one who:

🌻 Befriends the lonely
🌻 Comforts the broken-hearted
🌻 Makes everyone feel like they BELONG

In a world that often divides,
Don’t be the reason someone wants to leave.
Be the bridge that connects instead.
Be the reason they’re excited to stay.

With love
Naomi ❤️

*Shared with permission from my littlest person

13/02/2025

What’s the difference between a reaction and a response?

Reacting is an instinctive, emotional response to a situation. It's often impulsive and can be influenced by our past experiences or fears. On the other hand, responding is a thoughtful and deliberate action. It involves considering the situation, weighing the options, and making a conscious decision.

What we try and improve on by calming down the nervous system is allowing that nano second of time to regulate and rather than react, we can respond!

22/01/2025

Fun, cute but so good for mental and physical development

21/01/2025

You're not healing to be able to handle trauma, pain, anxiety, depression. You're used to those. You're healing to be able to handle joy and to accept happiness back into your life."