Nurture Paediatrics

29/07/2025

🧒🏃‍♀️ Move to improve!
New research from the University of South Australia shows that structured exercise can significantly reduce depression and anxiety in children and teens.

From light resistance activities to mixed aerobic and strength training, just a few weeks of movement can make a big difference in young minds and bodies.

As paediatric physiotherapists, we know how vital physical activity is—not just for muscles and bones, but for mental wellbeing too. For children who may be unable to exercise due to injury or other challenges, physios play a crucial role in creating tailored movement plans and supporting their recovery and engagement.

Read more about this exciting study and how exercise can be a powerful tool in managing childhood mental health 👇

New research from UniSA shows that something as simple as regular exercise could be a powerful intervention to support young people’ mental health.

23/07/2025

🌍✨ A global first in Nepal is helping babies thrive—and it echoes what we see in tamariki here too.

Nepal has just launched the WHO–UNICEF "Care for Child Development" course—the first of its kind in WHO’s South-East Asia region. This nationwide rollout will help health workers support the emotional, cognitive, and social development of children aged 0–3 through everyday interactions like play, talk, and connection. 💬🧸

It’s an incredible reminder that no matter where a child is born, the building blocks of development are deeply shared.

🌍 It might be in a different part of the world, but the lessons are surprisingly close to home.

Our Welsh physio Abi, now working in Aotearoa, has written about how child development connects us all—no matter where we live.
Read more in: “18,333 Kilometres Apart, Still Growing Alike: The Magic of Development Across Hemispheres”
👉 https://nurturepaeds.co.nz/blogs/growing-alike

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province - In a significant step toward improving care for child development, the Family Welfare Division (FWD) of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), with support from WHO Country Office for Nepal, has introduced the WHO/UNICEF Care for Child Development (CCD) course f...

18/07/2025

🖍 Discover how vertical drawing can build strength, coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity—while keeping little ones off screens and happily engaged after the holidays. Read our latest blog to learn more

Discover how vertical drawing boosts kids’ motor skills, coordination, creativity, and learning—fun, screen-free development at home!

14/07/2025

Does your child receive Individualised Funding / Carer Support / Respite? Are you due for re-assessment soon and feeling apprehensive? The awesome team at Allies Aotearoa are putting on a free online training this Thursday, 17th July, to help you get prepared for the assessment. Check out the details here 👇

The current event has reached its capacity - we are sorry for the inconvenience. If you navigate back to 'contact us' and send a message stating you'd like to be added to the waitlist in the event of any cancellations and/or to be notified when we schedule the next NASC…

13/07/2025

Is your child walking on their tiptoes? 👣
Sometimes it’s just a phase—but sometimes it’s not!
In this video, Abi starts to walk you through what to look for and when to seek advice—before our little helper decides she’s had enough!
Watch for tips (and giggles) on what toe walking might mean.

11/07/2025

🖍 Discover how vertical drawing can build strength, coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity—while keeping little ones off screens and happily engaged after the holidays. Read our latest blog over at nurturepaeds.co.nz/blogs/driving-you-up-the-walls to learn more

10/07/2025

💤End of school holiday sleep-reset reminder 💤

As holidays draw to close, now is the time to start winding bedtime back to your usual term-time routine if your child has been making the most of some late nights. Often it takes a few days to reset our sleep routine once it’s been disrupted, so if you try and leave it until Sunday night, chances are your child won’t be able to fall asleep at their usual time – meaning you will be met with a groggy (and potentially grumpy) child come Monday morning!

If you start tonight and wind back by 15-20 minutes each night, your child should be back on track for falling asleep at a reasonable hour this Sunday night. This way, they’ll be ready to start Term 3 fresh and ready to learn, catch up with their friends and start locking in for the business end of winter sports. 👨‍🏫🤸🤾‍♀️

09/07/2025

Flat feet? Wobbly toes? 🦶
Join our physio Abi as she shows a quick and easy way to check toe strength and arch development in kids.
A fun and informative peek into growing feet!

02/07/2025

👣 Little Feet to First Steps — Two new blogs for curious (and tired!) parents 💭

🍼 Worried about your baby’s feet turning in, out, or looking a bit unusual? In Little Feet, Big Questions, we unpack common newborn foot shapes (like positional talipes and curly toes), what’s normal, and when to seek support from a paediatric physio.

🚶‍♂️ Wondering if your toddler’s walk is just a phase or something more? In Tiptoes, Flat Feet and Funny Steps, we explore tiptoeing, flat feet, wide stances and more — what’s typical, when to wait, and when to check in.

💡From first kicks to first steps, we've got your questions covered.

👉 Tap the link below to take you to the baby feet blog —you’ll find the toddler walking blog linked at the bottom of that page too!

Wondering why your little one’s feet turn in, out, or look a bit unusual? You're not alone! Baby feet come in all shapes and quirks — and most of the time, it's completely normal. In thid blog we unpack common newborn foot positions (like positional talipes and curly toes), what to expect as you...

01/07/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday to Mandy – Our Incredible Director! 🎉

Today we’re celebrating the heart and soul of Nurture Paediatrics – our amazing director, Mandy! 💚

Mandy’s vision, passion, and unwavering dedication to children and their whānau has shaped every corner of this service. From guiding little footsteps to empowering families, she leads with compassion, purpose, and a whole lot of heart.

Your team is so grateful for your wisdom, your humour, and the way you make Nurture feel like home 💫

Have the most beautiful birthday, Mandy – you deserve every bit of joy today brings! 🎂✨

29/06/2025

When we're born, our brains are packed with potential—about 200 billion neurons just waiting to be shaped. As little ones move, play, and explore, they "bloom" the pathways they use most… and "prune" the ones they don’t.

This process—called neuroplasticity—helps wire their brain for life. By age 5, 90% of their neural pathways are set!

That’s why early movement matters. Just like playdough, the brain is easier to mould when it’s fresh 😉

🌱 Move more, grow more, prune smart!

Read more about this fascinating process in Abi's 1st blog for Nurture over at www.nurturepaeds.co.nz/blogs/growing-alike