Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists

29/04/2026

👟 Ask an OT: How Do We Teach Children to Tie Their Shoelaces?

Learning to tie shoelaces is a big step toward independence for children, but it can also bring frustration for both kids and parents!

The truth is:
👉 There’s no “right” age for mastering this skill.
👉 It’s all about readiness: fine motor strength, patience, and confidence.

In this post, we’re sharing step-by-step tips to help you teach shoelace tying the OT way:
✅ Simple methods (like Bunny Ears or One Loop)
✅ Fun pre-shoelace activities to build hand skills
✅ Tricks like coloured laces and bigger practice objects
✅ Encouragement for when it’s tough

And remember, every child learns at their own pace. Some need more time, different strategies, or temporary alternatives like elastic laces. That’s perfectly okay.

✨ One loop, one step, one success at a time!

Got a question about your child’s development, motor skills, or daily independence?

Drop it in the comments or send us a DM, we’ll be answering them right here in our Ask an OT series.

👉 Follow for more practical tips for everyday parenting. 💙

22/04/2026

Ask an OT Series: How do I choose the right bike for my child? 🚲

Choosing the right bike isn’t just about age or size, it’s really about your child’s development, confidence, and readiness 💛

As occupational therapists, we look beyond “can they ride?” and focus on how a bike supports balance, coordination, motor planning, and independence. The right bike can build confidence and create success, while the wrong one can sometimes lead to frustration or fear of trying.

For many children, a balance bike is the best place to start. It teaches the most important skill first, balance, without the added challenge of pedals. This often makes the transition to a pedal bike much smoother and less overwhelming.

When children move to pedal bikes with training wheels, they can begin to learn pedalling and steering. These bikes can feel safe and predictable, which is helpful for some children, but it’s worth remembering that they don’t teach true balance and can sometimes delay independent riding.

Riding a pedal bike without training wheels requires many skills to come together at once: balance, coordination, strength, and confidence. Some children are ready for this earlier, while others need a bit more time and support along the way.

Safety is just as important as skill development. A well-fitted helmet, closed shoes, and regular bike checks all help keep your child safe while they learn and explore.

If your child is finding biking tricky, it doesn’t mean they’re not capable; it may simply mean they haven’t found the right starting point yet. Going back a step (like using a balance bike) can often make a big difference in building confidence.

Every child develops at their own pace, and there is no perfect timeline, only the one that supports your child’s success and enjoyment 🌈

Follow for more practical, real-life tips to support your child’s development 💛

17/04/2026

A little late… but far too important not to celebrate!

✨ Celebrating Lyndal ✨

In February 2025, Lyndal stepped in during a time when our practice truly needed support, helping to cover while Ashley was unwell and in hospital, and during Tilly’s maternity leave.

What began as a generous “jump in and help” quickly became so much more… and we are so grateful that Lyndal chose to stay on and become a permanent part of our team 🫶

Lyndal brings with her a wealth of diverse international experience, which continues to enrich our practice in the most meaningful ways.

Her clinical reasoning is exceptional, she has a remarkable ability to truly understand each child, even in the most complex of presentations, and to tailor her approach with insight, care, and precision.

She consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, always thinking one step further about how to best support the children and families she works with.

Lyndal is also an incredible team player, always willing to support, guide, and share her knowledge with others. Her openness and generosity make our whole team stronger.

Her passion, dedication, and genuine care shine through in everything she does.

Lyndal, thank you for stepping in when we needed it most, and for choosing to stay. Your impact on our team and the families we serve is truly special.

Happy 1 year work anniversary Lyndal! We are so lucky to have you 🤍

16/04/2026

15/04/2026

Join Our Team: Locum Paediatric Occupational Therapist Needed

Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists is looking for a passionate and experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic team on a locum basis, covering a maternity post from July to September 2026 (Term 3).

Position Details:
- Duration: July – September 2026 (Term 3)
(With the opportunity to continue on a part-time or full-time basis thereafter, depending on caseload growth)
- Hours: Fulltime, Monday to Friday
- Locations: Ballito, Salt Rock, and surrounding schools

About the Role:
You’ll be stepping into a well-established paediatric practice where your work will make a meaningful, lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.
Working as part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team, you’ll support children with a variety of developmental, scholastic, and sensory needs. Your role will involve delivering thoughtful, individualised therapy that builds confidence, develops essential skills, and helps each child reach their full potential.

This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a team that truly values collaboration, clinical excellence, and compassionate care.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:
- Is qualified and registered with the HPCSA as an Occupational Therapist
- Has Professional Indemnity Insurance (essential)
- Has experience in paediatrics and a genuine passion for working with children
- Has an interest in sensory integration and developmental delays
- Is professional, compassionate, and enjoys working as part of a team

What We Offer:
- A warm, supportive, and collaborative team environment
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in children’s everyday lives
- A beautiful practice setting in the vibrant Ballito and Salt Rock area

To Apply:
Please send your CV, proof of HPCSA registration, and a brief cover letter to
ashley@ashleydearlingot.co.za by 30 April 2026

Join us in supporting children to grow in confidence, develop their skills, and truly thrive.

08/01/2026

🚀 Introducing Our New Series: Ask an OT — Straight Answers for Everyday Parenting!

We know parenting isn’t always straightforward — and questions about your child’s development pop up all the time. That’s why we’re launching a new series to answer the questions we hear most from parents and teachers like you.
From choosing the right bicycle 🚲 to teaching your child to tie their own shoelaces 👟, we’ll share practical, easy-to-understand tips to help your little ones grow more confident and independent every day.

Got a burning question about your child’s development, motor skills, or everyday challenges? Drop it in the comments or send us a message — we’ll be answering them right here!

Follow along and let’s make parenting just a little easier, together. 💙

05/01/2026

We're Back! Practice Now Open. Happy New Year! Our practice reopened today, Monday, 5 January 2026, and we're excited to welcome all our families back. What a wonderful break — we're refreshed, energised, and ready to support your children's development journeys in the year ahead.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon! ✨

📞 084 860 8221 📧 info@ashleydearlingot.co.za

02/01/2026

🎉 Celebrating 8 Years with Our Amazing Tilly! 🎉 Today we're celebrating a truly special milestone - Tilly's 8th work anniversary with Ashley Dearling Occupational Therapists! For eight years, Tilly has been an integral part of our team, bringing dedication, skill, and genuine care to every therapy session. Her commitment to helping children reach their full potential has touched countless families throughout our community.

Tilly's expertise, warm approach, and unwavering passion for paediatric occupational therapy make her not just an exceptional therapist, but a valued colleague and friend. From celebrating small victories to navigating challenges, she's been there with professionalism and heart.

Thank you, Tilly, for eight wonderful years of making a difference in the lives of our little clients and their families. Your contribution to our practice and the Ballito community is immeasurable.

Here's to many more years of growth, success, and changing lives together! 💙

01/01/2026

Happy New Year 2026! Welcome to a new year filled with possibilities, growth, and fresh starts.
As we step into 2026, we are filled with excitement for what lies ahead: new milestones to celebrate, challenges to overcome together, and the continued privilege of supporting your children's development journeys.

Our practice reopens Monday, 5 January, and we can't wait to see all our families again. Here's to another year of progress, persistence, and watching your children thrive.

Thank you for being part of our Ashley Dearling OT family. Let's make 2026 a year of meaningful growth together. ✨

29/12/2025

📱 What to Do When They've Had Too Much Screen Time. You've been relaxed about screens over the holidays—and now you're paying for it. Your child is irritable. Everything is "boring" unless it involves a screen. Meltdowns when screens are removed have escalated.

This is common when screen time has significantly increased, and research shows it's reversible.

What's happening:
Studies show excessive screen time, particularly passive or fast-paced content, is linked to emotional and behavioural difficulties. When children rely on screens to manage boredom, they miss opportunities to develop healthy emotional regulation.
The good news? Gradually reducing screen time and replacing it with regulating activities helps restore balance.

How to reset:
1. Acknowledge it "I've noticed screens are making it harder for your body to feel calm. We're going to make some changes."

2. Reduce gradually
Cut screen time by 25-50%
Set clear, consistent times
Use timers
Give advance warnings

3. Replace with regulating activities
Research shows these support regulation:
✅ Outdoor play
✅ Physical activity
✅ Water play
✅ Sensory activities (playdough, sand, baking)
✅ Heavy work (carrying, pushing)
✅ Creative play

4. Expect resistance
Children may initially:
Complain of boredom
Negotiate
Test boundaries
This is normal. Stay consistent.

5. Maintain boundaries
Once limits are set:
Stick to specific times
Use timers
When it's done, it's done
Choose high-quality content

Supporting the transition:
Increase outdoor time. Research shows outdoor play supports emotional wellbeing, reduces stress, and improves regulation.
Plan engaging activities. Stick to sleep routines. Model healthy screen use.

The Bottom Line:
If screen time increased over holidays and you're seeing behavioural effects, you can restore balance through consistent boundaries and alternatives.

Research shows reducing excessive screen time and increasing physical activity supports children's emotional regulation. Be patient. Change takes time. 💙

27/12/2025

📱 Screen Time During the Holidays: Let's Talk About It.

During the holidays, routines have disappeared, and suddenly your child is asking for "just one more episode" before breakfast. Let's be honest: screen time increases during holidays. And that's okay. You're not failing because your child watches more TV in December. But if you're feeling uneasy or noticing behaviour changes, this post is for you.

What we're covering:
✅ WHO screen time guidelines by age
✅ Passive vs. active screen time
✅ Signs screen time might need adjusting
✅ Practical strategies for balance

WHO Guidelines:
📱 Under 2: No screen time (except video calls)
📱 2-4 years: Max 1 hour/day, high-quality, supervised
📱 5+ years: Limits that don't interfere with sleep, activity, or connection

Why holidays = more screens:
During term, structure limits screens naturally. During holidays? That structure disappears. You're juggling work, visitors, and entertaining children.
Screens fill gaps. They give breathing room. That's okay.

What KIND of screen time matters:

✅ Better quality passive screen time:
✅ High-quality educational content
✅ Low stimulation shows (slower pace, calmer visuals)
✅ Parental supervision and co-viewing
✅ Discussion afterwards

Avoid problematic passive screen time:
❌ Endless Autoplay videos
❌ Fast-paced, overstimulating content
❌ Watching alone
❌ Used solely to avoid boredom

Encourage Active screen time:
✅Educational apps requiring problem-solving
✅Video calls with family
✅ Creating content (drawing apps, coding)

Signs screen time needs adjusting:
🚩 Meltdowns when screens removed
🚩 Everything else is "boring"
🚩 Disrupted sleep
🚩 Physical complaints (headaches, eye strain)
🚩 Withdrawal from family activities

Practical Strategies:
1️⃣ Set clear limits. Use timers.
2️⃣ Screens come AFTER: getting dressed, breakfast, outdoor time.
3️⃣ Screen-free zones: meals, bedrooms at night, first hour after waking.
4️⃣ Co-view when possible. Discuss.
5️⃣ Model healthy use.

You don't need perfect rules. When things tip out of balance? Course-correct. No guilt. Just adjustments.

25/12/2025

Wishing You a Peaceful Christmas. To all the families we've had the privilege of working with this year: thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your children, for showing up to every session, for implementing strategies at home, and for never giving up even when things felt hard.

This work is a partnership, and your commitment to your children's growth inspires us every single day. Watching your children develop new skills, gain confidence, and overcome challenges is why we do what we do.

May your festive season be filled with rest, laughter, connection, and joy. You've all worked so hard this year: you deserve this time together.

Merry Christmas from the entire Ashley Dearling OT team. 🎄