At Kids World, we embrace a family-centred, play-based approach to support and celebrate each child’s unique way of experiencing the world. We work closely with parents and caregivers to understand the developmental stage of their child, the child’s individual processing strengths and needs, and ways to enhance and nurture their relationship. We follow the DIR® (Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based) Model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, M.D., and Serena Wieder, Ph.D., which emphasises the importance of relationships and respecting each child's developmental profile.

​

The DIR®/Floortime Model 

 

The DIR®/Floortime Model is a developmentally respectful, relationship-based approach that highlights the individual differences of each child. It focuses on building a foundation of trust and engagement, which is essential for supporting children in developing their unique potential. This model is centred around understanding each child's processing capacities and using this understanding to create interactions that are meaningful and supportive.

Our goal is to help parents understand how to nurture a continuous flow of interactions with their child, enhancing their relationship through shared emotional experiences. The DIR®/Floortime Model integrates three key elements:

1. Developmental Levels: These are the six core capacities of Functional Emotional Development, ranging from attention and regulation to complex problem-solving and abstract thinking.

2. Individual Differences: Every child has a unique profile of strengths and needs in processing sensory information, motor planning, and emotional regulation.

3. Relationship: The quality of the caregiver-child relationship is the foundation for all learning and development, supporting the child in building meaningful connections and navigating the world with confidence.

 

Understanding a Child's Individual Differences

 

We focus on each child’s sensory processing and regulation capacities to understand their unique ways of interacting with the world. By recognizing and respecting these differences, we can tailor our interactions to create environments that support the child’s comfort, autonomy, and ability to engage meaningfully. This individualised approach helps children build their capacities for attention, communication, and emotional regulation.

​

The Nine Core Capacities of Functional Emotional Development​

​

“Attention and Regulation” – In the earliest months of life, caregivers help infants regulate themselves while they begin to explore and take pleasure in sensory experiences. Children who face challenges in this area may struggle to attend and interact comfortably.

 

“Forming Relationships and Mutual Engagement” – Between three and six months, infants start forming emotional bonds with caregivers. They seek comfort and connection, laying the groundwork for experiencing and expressing a full range of emotions.

 

“Intentional Two Way Communication with Gestures” – By nine months, children begin to engage in purposeful back-and-forth interactions. Through gestures and cues, they communicate their intentions and desires, which are the building blocks for future conversations and social interactions.

 

“Two Way Purposeful Interactions with Complex Gestures and Problem Solving” – Around 12 to 18 months, children start solving simple problems and using sequences of actions to communicate their needs and ideas. These early problem-solving interactions foster a sense of agency and empowerment.

 

“Elaborating Ideas, Pretend Play, Creating Symbols” – By 24 to 30 months, children engage in pretend play and begin to use symbols to express thoughts and emotions. This capacity for symbolic thinking supports creativity and deeper social interactions.

 

“Building Bridges Between Ideas, Emotional Thinking, Connecting Symbols Logically and Abstract Thinking” – From 36 to 48 months, children start connecting ideas logically and engaging in more complex conversations. They begin to understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and actions, laying the foundation for reflective and abstract thinking.

​

"Exploring Emotions and Social Dynamics" – Around 5 to 7 years, children start to understand multiple reasons for their feelings and more complex social dynamics (e.g., “I feel left out when Susie spends more time with Janet than with me.”). They may use creative strategies to navigate relationships, reflecting a deeper understanding of social interactions and emotions.

​

"Recognizing Emotional Nuances and Complex Situations" – From 7 to 9 years, children learn to identify different intensities of emotions (e.g., “I’m a little annoyed” vs. “I’m very upset”). They begin to grasp the complexities of social situations and understand their place within social groups, enhancing their problem-solving and emotional awareness.

​

"Reflecting on Emotions and Developing a Stronger Sense of Self" – Between 9 and 12 years, children start reflecting on their emotions in relation to their sense of self (e.g., “It’s not like me to feel this angry”). They develop resilience to external judgments, forming a positive self-image and internalising values, which helps them navigate challenging social situations with confidence.

​

Supporting Individual Profile 

​

Understanding a child’s Individual Profile and how they process information is crucial. Sensory processing is the brain's ability to receive, organise, and respond to sensory input. Each child has their unique way of processing sensory experiences, which influences how they engage with the world around them. A child may be highly sensitive to certain sensory inputs or may seek out sensory experiences to feel regulated. By recognizing and supporting these individual sensory needs, we can create environments that enhance their comfort and ability to engage.

​

Our Commitment

 

At Kids World, we partner with families to understand and support each child’s individual profile. We value and respect the unique way every child learns and grows, and we strive to create a supportive environment that fosters their development and well-being. Our goal is to empower children to be themselves, express their emotions, and build the skills and confidence to navigate the world on their terms.