Small Moments Therapy Program | How My Body Feels
Helping Children Communicate How Their Body Feels
The Small Moments Therapy Program | How My Body Feels is a comprehensive 6-module parent training and therapy support program designed to empower families and children with the tools and strategies to navigate a vital, yet often challenging, area of communication: expressing how the body feels.
When children struggle to articulate their feelings of being upset, overwhelmed, sick, or in pain, it can lead to frustration, anxiety, and significant communication breakdowns. These breakdowns impact not only the child’s ability to have their needs met but also the confidence of parents and caregivers in supporting them.
This program addresses these challenges head-on by combining evidence-based strategies with engaging, play-based tools to help children identify, rehearse, and express how their body feels in various situations.
What’s Included:
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6-Module Parent Training Program
- Step-by-step guidance for parents and caregivers on implementing effective communication strategies.
- Learn evidence-based techniques to help children understand and communicate how they feel.
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Therapy Program Guide
- A clear, structured guide to support parents and caregivers in integrating therapy into daily life.
- Designed to align with NDIS guidelines for skill-building and capacity development.
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Visual Supports
- Tools like the “How My Body Feels” communication board to support children in identifying and expressing sensations and emotions.
- Visual aids make it easier for children to understand and communicate their feelings in real time.
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Interactive Tools for Play-Based Learning
- Resources such as doctor-themed play kits, interactive books, and sensory aids help children rehearse and practice communication in a safe, engaging way.
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Optional Therapy Consult Add-On
- A tailored 1-on-1 consultation with a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist to customise the program for your child’s unique needs and goals.
Program Aim:
The Small Moments Therapy Program | How My Body Feels is designed to:
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Enhance Communication: Help children learn to communicate their physical and emotional needs clearly.
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Reduce Breakdowns: Minimise frustration, anxiety, and distress caused by communication barriers.
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Build Confidence: Empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to support their child effectively.
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Foster Independence: Teach children to identify and articulate their feelings to increase self-awareness and autonomy.
Why This Program Works: Evidence-Based Play Strategies
This program uses proven therapeutic methods focusing on:
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Naturalistic Learning: Activities are integrated into everyday routines, promoting generalisation of skills.
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Play-Based Strategies: Engaging tools and interactive play help children rehearse communication in a low-pressure environment.
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Visual and Tactile Learning: Tools like visual boards and sensory aids make abstract concepts tangible, enhancing understanding and retention.
By focusing on these evidence-based approaches, this program helps families achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes, such as improved functional communication, reduced distress during challenging moments, and increased participation in daily life.
NDIS Alignment and Benefits
The program is fully aligned with the goal of capacity building, functional skill development, and promoting independence.
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Supports Skill Development: Helps children build foundational skills to express their needs and emotions.
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Empowers Caregivers: Equips parents with strategies to implement therapy at home confidently.
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Promotes Well-Being: Reduces communication breakdowns, leading to a calmer and more connected family environment.
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Encourages Participation: By improving communication, children can participate more meaningfully in social and daily activities.
Program Outcomes:
- Improved ability to express sensations like hunger, discomfort, pain, and overwhelm.
- Enhanced self-regulation and emotional awareness.
- Strengthened parent-child relationships through effective communication.
- Reduced reliance on guesswork for parents and caregivers during challenging moments.
Who Is This Program For?
This program is ideal for children who:
- Struggle to communicate when they are feeling upset, sick, or overwhelmed.
- Experience distress due to communication breakdowns.
- Need support to develop skills for identifying and articulating emotions and physical sensations.