The Nurturing Hand

Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Allied Health Assistance

About Us

The Nurturing Hand is a neuro-affirming paediatric occupational therapy practice dedicated to delivering quality therapy services rooted in play, connection, and relational safety.

We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and empowered. Our vision is a world where neurodiversity is embraced, and children grow up knowing they are seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are. We aspire to build communities of connection, understanding, and belonging – where children and families can flourish and lead meaningful lives.

Guided by our mission to nurture, to connect, to empower, we create supportive spaces that honour each child’s strengths and needs. Through playful and engaging experiences, we help children feel grounded, confident, and ready to grow. From this foundation of safety, children can explore, learn, and participate in the activities that matter most – from play and schoolwork to building independence in everyday life.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We walk alongside parents, caregivers, and educators to ensure children are supported across all environments. Together, we celebrate strengths, foster resilience, and create opportunities for meaningful participation.

At The Nurturing Hand, therapy is more than achieving goals – it’s about helping children and families feel connected, supported, and empowered as they grow.

Helping Children Flourish, One Playful Step at a Time.

Our Services

Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Paediatric Allied Health Assistance

What sets us apart?

Client-Centred

We recognize and adopt the principles of client-centred care, which means that care is personalized, coordinated and enabling.

Outcome Driven

We prioritize outcomes, and look to administer frequent check ins to ensure you are satisfied with service delivery.

Holistic

Experienced professionals delivering inclusive care by understanding case history and external networks, empowering through integrated support.

Neurodiversity Affirming

We carry the belief that every individual regardless of diagnosis is unique and their strengths and interests should be respected and appreciated.

Cross-Cultural Awareness

Diverse team fostering cross-cultural understanding. We recognize and appreciate cross-cultural sensitivities and tailor our approach.

Trauma Informed Provision

We intend to create a physically and emotionally safe environment, through establishing safety, trust, and boundaries.

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🌿🧩 A neuro-affirming private practice dedicated to providing quality therapy services rooted in play-based learning, connection, & relational safety.

🙋 🎤 Here’s the thing most people don’t r

🙋 🎤 Here’s the thing most people don’t realise: your toddler’s brain isn’t built for perfect listening. It’s built for exploring, feeling, and growing… slowly, beautifully, and yes, sometimes a little chaotically too.

Not listening? That’s not necessarily defiance.

Meltdowns? That’s not failure.

Struggling to follow through? It’s not manipulation, it’s just development doing its thing.

It’s not about raising a perfectly obedient child. It’s about building a brain that knows safety, connection, and eventually, self-control.

So if it’s felt hard lately, take a breath!

You’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing something powerful: wiring trust into your child’s nervous system, moment by moment 🌳 🧠

#childdevelopment #paediatrics #kids #children #neuroscience #occupationaltherapy #paediatricoccupationaltherapy #childbrain

Child-led play is more than just letting a child c

Child-led play is more than just letting a child choose a toy or a task, it’s about meeting them where they are emotionally, developmentally, and playfully. It’s about being present, responsive, and attuned. Instead of simply directing, we join the child in their world and use their natural interests to build connection, co-regulation, and meaningful growth.

At The Nurturing Hand, we hold a strong focus on child-led practice. We further hold emphasis in neurodiversity-affirming principles and the Floortime approach, our sessions aim to prioritize relationships, empower choice, and honour every child’s unique way of engaging with the world 💚

Because growth is most meaningful when it starts from the child’s world, not ours! 🌍 ✨

#childledplay #occupationaltherapy #kidsplay #paediatricplay #paediatrics #paediatricoccupationaltherapy #neuroaffirmingpractice #dirfloortime

🎥 New Tools in Action! We’re sharing two of

🎥 New Tools in Action!

We’re sharing two of our fantastic new additions to our therapy toolbox at The Nurturing Hand. The Magnetic Drawing Board and Crankity 🌈🧠

These engaging resources aren’t just fun and mind-engaging, they’re carefully chosen to build essential skills in our kiddos.

🧲 Magnetic Drawing Board

Children use a magnetic pencil to replicate colorful patterns (including a range of different themes), building:

🔹 Visual Motor Integration
🔹 Visual Discrimination
🔹 Fine Motor Precision
🔹 Spatial Awareness
🔹 Planning & Organization
🔹 Color Matching Skills

⚙️ Crankity

A hands-on gear based puzzle game where kids figure out how to connect gears to make them spin together. This supports:

🔸 Problem Solving
🔸 Fine Motor Skills: Finger Isolation, In-hand Manipulation & Rotation
🔸 Logical Thinking
🔸 Sequencing
🔸 Spatial Reasoning
🔸 Motor Planning
🔸 Patience & Perseverance

What we use as paediatric therapists in our sessions is more than just “toys” and “games”, they’re engaging opportunities for skill acquisition, confidence, and creativity!

OTtools #OccupationalTherapy #TheNurturingHand #PaediatricOT #LearningThroughPlay #OTFun #VisualMotorSkills #FineMotorPlay #ProblemSolvingSkills #EarlyIntervention #TherapyToys

“The way children show up is a reflection of the

“The way children show up is a reflection of the space we’ve created for them.” holds a profound meaning when viewed through a lens that integrations child development, neuroscience, co-regulation and relational safety - all of which we are extremely passionate about fostering here at The Nurturing Hand. 🧠💡

We break down this quote in the slides provided!

#childrenstherapy #kidstherapy #paediatrics #occupationaltherapy #paediatricot #childdevelopment #children

We Turned 2! 🎂 In late April, The Nurturing H

We Turned 2! 🎂

In late April, The Nurturing Hand quietly celebrated a big milestone, two years of supporting incredible children and their families.

From humble beginnings in a small office suite to our beautiful, expanded clinic space with a sensory gym, our journey has been filled with growth, learning, laughter, and connection. Over the past two years, we’ve had the honour of working with over 180 amazing children, each one teaching us something new and inspiring us every day.

To our wonderful families past and present, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child’s journey! Here’s to continuing to create safe, nurturing spaces where children can thrive 💚

#TheNurturingHand #OccupationalTherapy #PaediatricOT #NeurodiversityAffirming #ClinicMilestone #Gratitude #SensoryGym #ChildDevelopment

😤 ✋🏼 When children appear avoidant or resi

😤 ✋🏼 When children appear avoidant or resistant to tasks, it can be easy to label them as defiant or stubborn. But often, there’s more going on beneath the surface!
⁠
This graphic highlights some common underlying reasons that may be driving avoidant behaviours. Understanding why a child is reacting this way helps us respond with empathy and support, rather than frustration.

🌊 At the surface of the ocean (what we see):

- Meltdowns

- Shutting down

- Lashing out

- Avoidance

- Refusal

🌊 Deeper below the ocean (what’s really going on):

- Limited capacity (cognitive, emotional, sensory)

- Need for control and autonomy

- Difficulty initiating or transitioning between tasks

- Disruption to routine or predictability

- Fear of failure or making mistakes

- Sensory overload or discomfort

- Unmet emotional or relational needs

- Executive functioning challenges (e.g., planning, organizing, remembering steps)

- Trauma-informed responses (past experiences of being misunderstood or shamed)

🔍 It’s important to explore the “why” behind these avoidance behaviours to demands and recognize they often reflect a child’s way of communicating stress, overwhelm or unmet needs.

#pda #occupationaltherapy #paediatricot #demandavoidance #neurodiversity

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of our team: Gurleen and Mia, our amazing new Occupational Therapy Assistants! 🌟

Gurleen and Mia bring unique strengths and a shared dedication to supporting growth, independence, and confidence in every child they work with.

Swipe through to read their bios ✨

After a few months of settling in, we’re finally

After a few months of settling in, we’re finally excited to share a glimpse of our space 🤩 What started humbly in April 2023, offering therapy on the go to a handful of children. Within just a month, we moved into a small shared office suite, giving our work a more stable home. And now we’re here, welcoming you into our very own serene and purpose-built therapy clinic 🌈

Introducing our new space: a warm, inviting hub featuring thoughtfully designed therapy rooms and a sensory gym tailored for our kiddos - a space where regulation meets fun, and every jump, spin, and swing has a purpose ✨

As Dr. Garry Landreth so beautifully said, “For a child, the therapy room isn’t just a space. It’s a world where they are accepted completely, where it’s safe to play, express, and be.”

And yes… we’re still growing! If you’re a passionate graduate or early-career OT that values connection, play, and purpose, don’t be shy to reach out 🙌🏼

#therapyclinic #kidsclinic #kidsot #paediatricot #occupationaltherapy #paediatricoccupationaltherapy #childevelopment #neurodivergent

✨ NEW LOOK at TNH ✨ We’ve added some amazi

✨ NEW LOOK at TNH ✨

We’ve added some amazing 3D visual posters around the clinic - featuring our favourite characters and themes, handpicked with our awesome kiddos in mind! 💥

Creating a space that feels safe, inviting, and familiar is so important, and we love how these additions are helping bring even more joy to our therapy space 💚

#kidstherapyclinic #3dposters #sensoryfriendly #childrenstherapy #pokemon #minecraft #sonic #spiderman #frozen #pawpatrol #kids

At The Nurturing Hand, we are deeply committed to

At The Nurturing Hand, we are deeply committed to helping children feel safe, seen, and heard. The words we speak to them shape their confidence, emotional well-being, and resilience. Here are some powerful, affirming comments you can share with your child - simple yet profound words that validate their feelings and nurture their self-worth 🌟

Each of these affirming comments also come with reasoning. Check them out below:

“I believe you.” – Validates their experiences and emotions

“Your feelings make sense.” – Helps them trust their emotional responses

“It’s okay to feel how you feel.” – Normalizes emotions and reduces shame

“Mistakes are part of learning.” – Encourages a growth mindset

. “I love you just the way you are.” – Reinforces unconditional acceptance

“You are safe with me.” – Builds a secure attachment and trust

“Your brain works in its own amazing way.” – Affirms neurodiversity

“We can figure this out together.” – Encourages co-regulation and problem-solving

“You are strong, even when things feel hard.” – Reinforces resilience and self-efficacy

Try them out!

#affirmingwords #validation #paedatrictherapy #wordsofaffirmation

DISCLAIMER: Is this a first? ‼️ This Canva po

DISCLAIMER: Is this a first? ‼️

This Canva post, created and edited, independently and passionately, by our very own Liam! 🌟

Liam is one of our awesome 10 year old neurodivergent regulars at our clinic. His interests? Everything technology and content creation ✨ 📺

Today’s session had a sole purpose: To connect, to create, and to inevitably put Liam’s strengths and interests to use as a means to foster interest-based engagement.

Following a range of activities that incorporated executive functioning and sensory integration, we made our way to the computer to finalize our content creation 😎 Liam took charge in uploading his desired photos, exploring appropriate photo frame elements, removing backgrounds, playing around with fonts/sizing, harnessing all his creativity.

Interest-based and strength-based activities empower our neurodivergent kiddos by fostering intrinsic motivation, boosting confidence, and honouring their unique ways of thinking, further creating a space where they can thrive authentically.

#paediatricot #occupationaltherapy #paediatricoccupationaltherapy #interestbasedlearning #neurodivergent

Our awesome Audrey engaging in a whole lot of Squi

Our awesome Audrey engaging in a whole lot of Squigz fun in our session 🌟

Squigz are a great tool that can be utilized in so many different ways! Some beneficial ways these can be integrated in therapy:

1. Creating a Squigz track and blowing a ping pong ball. Ready.. set.. blow!
✅ Ocular-Motor skills
✅ Oral-Motor development
✅ Visual tracking

2. Utilizing wobble cushions and balance boards to extract from walls:
✅ Proprioceptive input
✅ Fine motor integration
✅ Hand muscle strengthening
✅ Visual motor integration
✅ Incorporating balance and core muscles

3. Sitting or lying prone on a gym ball to extract and place in trays:
✅ Engaging core
✅ Enabling sensory needs if seeking movement
✅ Crossing the midline

#paediatricoccupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapy #paediatrics #therapy #squigz #paediatricot #playtherapy

A fantastic new addition in our office for our par

A fantastic new addition in our office for our parents and kiddos to discover 🌟

“I need more, I need less” by Paediatric OT Sally McNamra is a wonderful children’s book that explores the concept of sensory needs! It focuses on helping children understand the balance between seeking sensory input that feels good and managing sensory overload. Through a simple engaging narrative, this book highlights how some children need more sensory stimulation to feel calm and focused, while others might need less to feel regulated and comfortable.

When children understand and learn to advocate for their sensory needs, they are better capable to build self awareness in exploring and figuring out what works best for them in order to thrive 🙌🏼🙏

#paediatrictherapy #sensoryprocessing #sensoryneeds #occupationaltherapy #paediatricot

Many parents and teachers often expect young child

Many parents and teachers often expect young children to be able to self-regulate, but it’s important to remember that we may be asking for this too soon 🤚

Self-regulation is a gradual process that is closely linked to brain development, emotional attunement, empathy, and supportive relationships. ✨

It’s crucial to be mindful of these influences! Expecting children to self-regulate independently too early overlooks the complexity of these factors. Therefore, we should always begin with co-regulation as the foundational step in helping children develop these skills 🌈

#paediatric #selfregulation #braindevelopment #kidstherapy #selfregulationskills #coregulation #pediatrics

Creating meaningful and engaging therapy sessions

Creating meaningful and engaging therapy sessions with children should at the very least start with some of these essential components 🌟

Therapists, let’s always keep these elements in mind to support our clients in the best way possible! 🌝

#occupationaltherapy #kidstherapy #paediatric #paediatricot

🍵 🌈 In a neuro-affirming environment, the in

🍵 🌈 In a neuro-affirming environment, the inclusion cup is grounded in recognizing and celebrating each child’s unique strengths and challenges, while in turn fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all kids, regardless of their differences.

For our neurodivergent kiddos in particular, it is essential that we collectively work towards pouring these elements in a child’s *inclusion* cup - a collective responsibility which we should all contribute towards!

A child’s social and emotional well-being is nurtured through the consistency in these practices.

#inclusioncup #neurodivergent #neuroaffirming #kidstherapy #paediatrics

I’m excited to share that The Nurturing Hand is

I’m excited to share that The Nurturing Hand is moving to a new location! Starting next Monday, November 4th, 2024, we’ll be operating out of our new office at Level 1/855 Plenty Rd South Morang.

This move marks a significant step for us! Since our start at Greenhouse Axis, it has been my vision to create a larger, well-equipped space for all our wonderful kiddos. Our new facility includes a sensory gym, which has been a goal of mine to enhance our therapeutic offerings. In addition, the new office will feature three rooms designated for future therapists, a comfortable waiting area, a kitchenette, and more.

I wanted to thank you all for your continued support and for joining us on this exciting journey. We can’t wait to welcome you and your child to our new space and continue our work together.

Tahmid
Director of The Nurturing Hand

This profound statement emphasizes how creating a

This profound statement emphasizes how creating a predictable and stable environment fosters the foundation for building deep, meaningful relationships ✨

✅ Predictability: Consistency in actions and responses will help support children in feeling secure because they know what to expect.

✅ Routine: Predictability naturally leads to establishing routines, which are regular patterns or structures in daily life.

✅ Safety: Routines provide a sense of safety because they create a stable, familiar environment. Safety is essential for emotional and psychological well-being and for the nervous system to be regulated and for the thinking part of the brain to be activated.

✅ Trust: When children feel safe, they are more likely to trust those around them. Trust is crucial for emotional connection.

✅ Meaningful relationships: Trust is the cornerstone of close, genuine relationships, enabling deeper emotional bonds.

#trust #safety #meaningfulrelationships #paediatricoccupationaltherapy

Every parent, caregiver, and therapist should enga

Every parent, caregiver, and therapist should engage in serve and return interactions with affect and warmth.. why? ⚡️

💚 Warm, responsive interactions build trust, making the child feel safe and understood, which is fundamental for healthy emotional development.

🧠 Repeated, positive exchanges support the formation of neural connections that lay the groundwork for learning, self-regulation, and social-emotional growth.

🫧 Serve and return interactions create a foundation for back-and-forth communication, helping children learn how to initiate, respond, and engage in meaningful social exchanges.

Serve and return with warmth is more than just an exchange - it’s the core of relationship-based development, creating opportunities for connection and holistic growth.

#childdevelopment #dirfloortime #playtherapy #paediatrics

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