DIR® FLOORTIME FOR CHILDREN

DIR® Floortime For Children

Paediatric Occupational Therapy

DIR® Floortime is a relationship-based developmental therapy approach used to support children with challenges in communication, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and social interaction. The approach focuses on building strong emotional connections through play while supporting the child's developmental capacities.

In paediatric Occupational therapy, DIR® Floortime helps children develop the foundations needed for learning, communication, and meaningful participation in daily life.

What is DIR® Floortime?

DIR stands for:

• D - Developmental: Understanding the child's current developmental stage
• I - Individual Differences: Recognising each child's sensory processing, motor abilities, and learning style
• R - Relationship-Based: Using warm, responsive interaction to promote growth

Floortime involves joining the child in play at their level and gradually expanding interaction, communication, and thinking through shared engagement.

How DIR® Floortime Helps Children

DIR® Floortime therapy supports development in:

• Emotional Regulation
• Communication and language development
• Social interaction and engagement
• Parent-child relationships
• Attention and problem-solving skills
• Self-confidence and emotional security

The therapy uses play as a natural way to help children develop higher levels of thinking and communication.

Children Who May Benefit

DIR® Floortime can be helpful for children with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Developmental delay
• Attention and regulation difficulties
• Communication delays
• Social interaction challenges
• Emotional regulation difficulties

It is also beneficial for children who struggle with flexible thinking or connecting with others.

How Therapy Works

During a DIR® Floortime session, the therapist:

• Follows the child's lead in play
• Builds emotional connection and engagement
• Encourages communication through gestures, sounds, and words
• Expands play into shared problem-solving activities
• Supports regulation and sensory needs

Parents are actively involved and learn strategies to Continue Floortime interactions at home.

Our Approach

At Move n Grow - Neonatal & Paediatric Occupational Therapy clinic, DIR® Floortime is integrated with sensory integration therapy, reflex integration, and developmental assessment.

Therapy is guided by Dr. Geetha M Arora, who brings over 21 years of experience in neonatal and paediatric neurodevelopment.

Our goal is to help children develop strong emotional foundations, communication skills, and the confidence to participate in everyday activities.

Empowering little hands to do big things.

Parent Involvement

A core principle of DIR® Floortime is empowering parents to become active partners in their child's development.

Parents learn how to:

• Join their child's play effectively
• Expand communication and interaction
• Support emotional regulation
• Build stronger parent-child relationships

Parents are actively involved and learn strategies to continue Floortime interactions at home.

These everyday interactions become powerful developmental opportunities.