The Growing Brain PH

10/07/2025

Our DIR Floortime workshop helped a parent understand how to connect, engage and support their child's development in a relationship-based way.

Next batch: Saturdays, July 12 & 19, 2025, 8:30 - 10:30 am via Zoom.
Sign-up: bit.ly/dir-parents

08/07/2025

❤️ This is at the heart of what I get to do as a parent coach. It captures the heart of the reflective, relationship-based work. When a parent comes to us overwhelmed, scared, or even defeated, what they often need first isn't a strategy-- it's a safe place to be seen and heard.

📥 Parents can only co-regulate their children when they themselves feel regulated, safe, and understood.💕

For our dear parents, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause and ask:
- What am I feeling right now?
- Who helps me feel grounded?
- Can I offer myself the same empathy I offer my child?

*️⃣ If something in this post resonates with you, please don’t hesitate to seek guidance. Early support makes a difference. You can reach us at The Growing Brain PH Clinic or talk to your trusted health provider.

02/07/2025

Registration now open for Batch 4 of our DIR class for parents.

💙 Bridging Developmental Gaps: A Practical Guide to DIR Floortime for Parents 💙

This 2-day online workshop will be held on July 12 & 19, 8:30 - 10:30 am. Please view our post for details. You may contact us at 09773047245 or email info@thegrowingbrainph.com for inquiries.

🔗 Registration: https://bit.ly/dir-parent

01/07/2025

One of the earliest signs of healthy development isn’t speech or walking—it’s shared joy. Think about a baby lighting up when you smile, or a toddler giggling during peek-a-boo. That moment when your child seeks you out just to share the experience—that’s the foundation of social-emotional growth.

For neurodivergent children, joy might not look like big laughter or obvious expressions. It might be a soft glance, a quiet hum, or bringing you their favorite object.

We focus on affect—the emotional tone—as a key driver of development. Joyful moments are more than cute—they are developmental catalysts that grow attention, engagement, and communication.

Create joy-filled rituals:
🫶🏻 Make silly faces during breakfast
🫶🏻 Dance to a favorite song
🫶🏻 Blow bubbles and take turns popping them

Don’t chase a skill. Chase the spark between you.💫

25/06/2025

20/06/2025

⭐️ When your child is in meltdown mode:
Step 1: Take a deep breath first—para sa’yo
Step 2: Lower your body to their level
Step 3: Use a soft, steady tone: “Galit ka, no? Gusto mo ba ng yakap?”
Step 4: Stay close—even if they push you away at first

Children don’t calm down because we say “Stop.”
They calm down because we show them how.🫶🏻

Note: This story reflects real experiences, but names and details have been changed for confidentiality. If something in this post resonates with your child, please don’t hesitate to seek guidance. Early support makes a difference. You can reach us at The Growing Brain PH Clinic or talk to your trusted health provider.

15/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day!👨🏻‍💼❤️

14/06/2025

Self-esteem starts from within. For a child to truly feel good about themselves, they need to feel successful in their own eyes—not just ours as parents. That might mean:

✨ Lining up cars just right and proudly showing you
✨ Climbing the couch after weeks of trying—even if it makes your heart race
✨ Getting through a haircut without tears
✨ Telling a sibling 'no' instead of melting down

These are their victories. And our role? To stay connected, stay safe, and stay curious.
If your child finally climbs the couch and beams with pride, you might say:
💬 “Wow, you worked so hard to figure that out! Let’s find a way to keep climbing safe so you can keep practicing!”

When we honor what’s meaningful to them while guiding gently, we’re building real confidence—based on connection, co-regulation, and felt success. 💛 "

10/06/2025

When we prepare children for what’s coming, we reduce the overwhelm.
Especially for children who struggle with transitions or new experiences, structure = safety.

What you can do for clinic or public trips:
💜 Bring a calming object (stuffed toy, panyo, chewy necklace)
💜 Make a simple routine card with pictures: “First wait, then doctor, then playground”
💜 Use noise-canceling headphones or calming music
💜 Notice small wins: “Wow, nakaupo ka nang tahimik for 2 minutes!”

Note: These stories reflect real experiences, but names and details have been changed for confidentiality. If something in this post resonates with your child, please don’t hesitate to seek guidance. Early support makes a difference. You can reach us at The Growing Brain PH Clinic or talk to your trusted health provider.

07/06/2025

As I pause to reflect on the past five years of The Growing Brain PH, what stands out most is the incredible community that has grown around this work. Seeing how many families have followed along, engaged with content, and shared their stories has been deeply affirming. It reminds me that sharing neuroscience in a way that supports relationships—not just development—is both meaningful and needed.

Being in this space has allowed my love and understanding of relationship-based work to deepen. It’s not just about supporting parents and their children—it’s about the relationships I’ve been honored to form with families, and the co-regulation that happens not just between child and parent, but between provider and caregiver, too. Holding space for those moments of connection and trust has been one of the most meaningful parts of this ongoing journey.

Looking ahead, my hope is that as the field of neuroscience and relationship-based work continues to evolve in the Philippines, TGB can remain a place where families feel supported, seen, and informed. I hope families continue to feel the impact of their relationships with their children—that they feel empowered, connected, and reminded that they’re growing together in ways that shape not only their own lives, but their communities, too.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve walked through my clinic doors or simply read a post that resonated with you—your presence matters.

Cheers to what we’ve built together, and to all that’s still to come!❤️

- Dr. Angel

02/06/2025

And just like that, summer is flying by ☀️ The first day of school is not just a big moment for kids, but for parents too! Navigating this new transition can be tricky, but it’s always important to support your child with warmth and patience every step of the way. Let’s walk alongside our children as they explore new ideas, build confidence, and discover their unique strengths! 📚✏️

31/05/2025

Our DIR Floortime workshop helps parents understand how to connect, engage, and support their child’s development in a relationship-based way.

Next batch: Saturdays, June 7 and 21, 2025, 8:30 - 10:30 am via Zoom
Sign up: bit.ly/dir-parents