Aha Connections - Providing DIRFloortime for young children

01/21/2026

Reflection is a foundational practice in DIRFloortime. When educators take time to pause and reflect, we deepen our understanding of children’s emotional experiences, our own intentional responses, and the interactions that support development and connection.

Because of the impact reflective practice has had in my own work, I created A Journal For The Reflective Teacher.

A Journal For The Reflective Teacher gives educators a dedicated space to pause, reflect, and grow at the heart of their practice. This journal features inspirational quotes rooted in DIRFloortime principles and prompts that invite educators to think deeply through a DIRFloortime lens, focusing on connection, emotional regulation, and authentic engagement.

To learn more about reflective practice in DIRFloortime, visit the blog linked in my profile.

📝 Available on Amazon Prime:
👉 https://a.co/d/0WM0MLn

✨ GIVEAWAY ✨
The first 5 educators to comment “Reflective Teacher” will receive a FREE copy of the journal.

01/20/2026

https://www.ahaconnections.com/post/aha-connections-supporting-neurodivergent-children-a-resource-for-families

Finding the right support for a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming for families. Many parents are presented with a narrow range of service options, often centered on compliance-based or behavior-focused models. At Aha Connections, I offer families an alternative, one that is grounded in conn...

01/19/2026

I believe knowledge grows when it’s shared.

DIRFloortime may feel overwhelming or confusing at first, but you do not have to figure it out alone. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or professional, I’m happy to help brainstorm your questions and support you in understanding your child through connection and play.

Drop your DIRFloortime questions below ⬇️
No pressure. No cost. Just connection.

— Jennifer
Aha Connections
Empowering neurodivergent children through relationship-based play

01/17/2026

Responsive Parenting Inspirations 💗

01/12/2026

FYI - share your thoughts…

Barbie's first autistic doll has been developed with sensory-sensitive features in mind. See how.

01/05/2026

Small moments matter

DIRFloortime doesn’t start with teaching, it starts with connection.
When we pause, observe, and follow our child’s lead, we open the door to trust, regulation, and joyful engagement.

✨ January Challenge ✨
Start with 5 intentional minutes of child-led interaction today.
No agenda. No pressure. Just shared attention.

These small moments are where growth begins.

Things to think about 🤔
⭐️How did those 5 minutes feel—for you?
⭐️What helps you slow down and follow your child’s lead?
⭐️What does your child like to play with, do, talk about?

Share below⬇️

01/02/2026

Make Reflection your goal for 2026.

Teaching is more than lessons. It is about relationships, presence, and understanding. A Journal For The Reflective Teacher gives educators a dedicated space to pause, reflect, and grow with the heart of their practice.

Filled with inspirational quotes rooted in DIRFloortime principles, this journal encourages teachers to think deeper using a DIRFloortime lens, exploring connection, emotional regulation, and authentic engagement.

This journal is designed in two parts:
Section 1 - a space for independent journaling.
Section 2 - designed with DIRFloortime reflecting prompts to support your DIRFloortime lens.

Key Features:

70+ lined pages for journaling: to pause, reflect and grow.
DIRFloortime-inspired quotes throughout the journal
Reflective prompts and tips guided by a DIRFloortime lens for deeper insight and personal growth - (Understanding the Individual Child, Connection & Relationship, Emotional Regulation, and Self-Reflection.)
Promotes mindful, relationship-based teaching
Compact and elegant design—perfect for your desk or bag

Who It’s For:
Early childhood and special education teachers
DIRFloortime practitioners
Educators seeking connection, balance, and inspiration

Rediscover your passion for teaching, nurture meaningful relationships, and grow through reflection—one page at a time.

Find on Amazon - link in bio.

12/30/2025

At Aha Connections, we believe every child grows best through connection, not compliance.

As we step into a new year, we remain committed to:
• Meeting children where they are
• Following each child’s interests and strengths
• Building emotional and social connections through play
• Supporting regulation, communication, and shared joy

DIRFloortime isn’t “just play.”
It’s intentional, relationship-based support that helps children thrive.

Here’s to a year of meaningful moments, growth, and connection—one relationship at a time.

Aha Connections
Empowering neurodivergent children through relationship-based play

For more information email jen@ahaconnections.com

12/10/2025

✨ I Wonder Wednesday ✨

I wonder what might happen if we slowed down…
If we followed our child’s lead instead of directing, correcting, or teaching.

In play, less managing, more noticing.
Less doing to, more being with.

When we observe first, join what our child is already interested in, and match their energy, tone, and rhythm, something powerful can happen:
💗 Regulation often improves
👀 Shared attention grows naturally
⏳ Engagement lasts longer
🗣️ Communication becomes more spontaneous
🔄 Back-and-forth interactions emerge
🤍 Trust and connection deepen

This isn’t about doing it “right.”
It’s about being present and curious.

👉 Try it today and notice what shifts.
Did your child stay engaged longer?
Express themselves in a new way?
Seem more connected?

I’d love to hear what you noticed.
Share in the comments ⬇️or send me a message. 💬

12/08/2025

✨ Did you know?
In DIRFloortime™, adult regulation is the foundation, not a strategy, but the starting point.

When you slow and calm your body, you help your child organize theirs, creating safety. And safety is where connection and learning begin. 🌱

12/06/2025

I am listed! 😊

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮❗
Here's a way you can find DIRFloortime Providers in your area!

𝗗𝗜𝗥 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://www.dirdirectory.com/home
Visit the DIR Directory. This is a website we created to help parents find DIRFloortime Providers in their area. The DIR Directory has thousands of verified DIRFloortime Practitioners from all around the world.

𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: When you visit the website, you can put in the location you are looking for. When you search that location, a list of practitioners within a 20-mile radius will come up. You can increase or decrease the number of miles as well. You can also specify your search and search based on specialties and DIRFloortime Certificate received.

𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: You can then browse the listings of these providers and find out more information about them. For example: Profession, DIRFloortime Certificate Level, their specialties, and whatever else they chose to include on their listing.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺: If you find a DIRFloortime Provider you are interested in learning more about, you can then send them a message directly from the DIR Directory.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: Having a listing on the DIR Directory is a voluntary decision made by providers that have received at least a DIRFloortime Basic Certificate. So, the listings on the DIR Directory are only for those that chose to create a listing and not every single provider that has received at least a DIRFloortime Basic Certificate.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: If you have trouble finding a provider on the DIR Directory, you can reach out to directory@icdl.com and we can do a more thorough search to try and help.