Thrive with Ali Fleming

08/12/2025

Is it true? Is it fair? Is it kind?

In therapy, I teach children a simple but powerful filter before they speak: their words need to pass all three tests—true, fair, AND kind.

Not just one. Not just two. All three.

Here's why this matters: Many children are still developing the capacity to differentiate between thoughts that live inside their minds and words that come out of their mouths. They're learning that just because they think something doesn't mean it needs to be said out loud.

Take this common example: A child loses a game, and their friend announces, "You lost!" or "You didn't play very well." Technically true? Perhaps. But is it fair or kind to someone who's already disappointed? No. That's an inside thought.

Or when a child finds an activity uninteresting and declares, "This is really boring" or "Your game is silly." They're not intending to be offensive—they're simply stating how they feel. But to the child who loves that game, those words sting. Again, an inside thought.

This three-part pause creates a crucial moment of reflection. Before speaking, they ask themselves:

Is what I'm about to say true?
Is it fair to the person I'm speaking to or about?
Is it kind?
If the answer to any of these is no, it stays as an inside thought.

This is particularly supportive for our ADHD friends who often feel an urgent need to say everything they're thinking, right as they're thinking it. That pause—that brief moment of questioning—helps develop impulse control in a way that feels manageable and respectful, rather than restrictive.

When a child says something that sounds a bit rude, I'll question in a really neutral tone: "I'm just wondering if that thought is true, fair, or kind?" Then I let them work it out. They usually discover it's only one or two of those things, not all three.

We're not teaching children to suppress their thoughts or feelings. We're teaching them to be thoughtful about how and when they share them. There's real power in that discernment.

Supporting your child to develop emotional regulation and impulse control in a way that honours who they are.

Enquire now: alifleming.com.au

05/12/2025

Sometimes children show us truths we might overlook as adults.

A child in my therapy space recently created this drawing. In it, I'm depicted as the large figure in the centre, surrounded by the other children who come to our sessions. What struck me most were the hearts—symbols of love flowing between us, back and forth.

Children tend to draw the people most important to them as larger figures. But what this drawing really captures is something deeper: the reciprocal nature of therapeutic relationships. The love and respect don't flow in just one direction—from therapist to child. They move both ways, creating a space where everyone feels valued, seen, and held.

In my work, I've come to understand that healing happens not just through techniques or interventions, but through genuine connection. When children feel truly loved and respected, and when they can sense that their care for me is welcomed and returned, something transformative occurs. We become a collective body of shared love.

This child's drawing reminds me why I do this work. It's in these moments of mutual recognition and affection that real growth becomes possible—for all of us.

Creating a space where your child feels truly seen and valued can make all the difference.

Enquire now: alifleming.com.au

28/11/2025

Adventurers in Action! 🌳🏛️
This week's outdoor explorations took physical development to new heights—literally!
Tree Climbing 🌿
Navigating branches builds spatial awareness, risk assessment, and core strength. Children learn to evaluate challenges, test their limits safely, and develop confidence in their physical abilities.
Nature Walks 🥾
Bush trails strengthen gross motor skills, balance, and environmental awareness. Following paths, stepping over roots, and navigating terrain teaches body control and decision-making.
Urban Exploration 🏙️
City fountain play developed coordination and confidence as children tested balance and explored their environment.
Museum Discovery 🔬
Our museum visit brought learning to life! Children explored minerals organized by color, discovered desert ecosystems, and identified Australian birds through interactive displays. This hands-on exploration develops classification skills, scientific vocabulary, and observation abilities. When children can touch, see, and interact with what they're learning, abstract concepts become concrete and memorable.
Why Physical Challenge Matters:
Outdoor adventures aren't just fun—they build the foundation for emotional regulation, focus, and resilience. Children who master physical challenges develop problem-solving skills and confidence that carry into academic and social situations.
Plus collaborative building with wooden blocks and marble runs made this a week of complete development! 🎨
Enquire today: www.alifleming.com.au

24/11/2025

What a wonderful week of learning through play!
Musical Moments 🎸
Garden ukulele sessions developed fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and confidence. These musical abilities support reading rhythm, listening skills, and self-expression children will use throughout their lives.
Creative Expression 🎨
Face painting strengthened color theory, spatial awareness, and decision-making. Creative thinking skills transfer directly to problem-solving in everyday situations.
Building & Engineering 🏗️
Cardboard construction and marble runs taught spatial reasoning, physics concepts, and resilience. Children learned that mistakes are part of learning—a mindset that helps them tackle any challenge.
Planning & Literacy 📚
Creating visual plans developed organizational skills and sequencing. Reading time built vocabulary, empathy, and concentration for all academic work.
Social Skills Through Play 👥
Dramatic play helped children negotiate, solve conflicts, and see different perspectives—crucial skills for friendships and teamwork.
Real-World Applications
Every activity prepared children for real life: patience for homework, creativity for problem-solving, organization for daily routines, and social skills for building friendships.
Every day brought new discoveries and skills that will serve them for years to come!

Is this group right for your child? Reach out to Ali for a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. Enquire at www.alifleming.com.au or message us here.

21/11/2025

🎲 Why simple materials built essential skills:

Tea Tree Gully

21/11/2025

🌟 Last Week: Simple Materials, Extraordinary Learning 🌟

Last week, sessions were filled with laughter and growth. From UNO cards to hula hoops and cardboard boxes, children transformed everyday materials into extraordinary learning.

Hula hoops became personal space boundaries—children settled in with books or games, practising independent play whilst remaining part of the group. Inside, we created games nobody had played before. Children negotiated rules, tracked turns fairly, and adjusted strategies when approaches were not working.

🎲 Why simple materials built essential skills:

✨ Hula hoops as boundaries – Visible personal space helps children feel secure in groups.

✨ Barefoot play on grass – Sensory input supports regulation during cognitive tasks.

✨ Game creation – Negotiating rules builds executive function and cooperation.

✨ Cardboard construction – Open-ended materials invite creativity and planning.

✨ Independent turn-taking – Children tracked turns without adult intervention.

✨ Climbing challenges – Physical activity integrates with cognitive work.

Children think they are having fun. They do not realise they are practising patience, building frustration tolerance, and strengthening peer relationships.

What struck me? Children who usually seek constant attention settled independently. Children who struggle with flexibility adapted rules without meltdowns. Young people who find sharing difficult offered toys to peers naturally.

These are the building blocks of resilience and social connection. 🌈

If you would like to find out whether this group could be the right fit for your child, reach out to Ali for a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. Enquire today at www.alifleming.com.au or send a message here on Facebook. Spots are limited—these small groups fill quickly!

04/11/2025

🌈 Curious about Play Therapy and Early Childhood Intervention?

Not quite sure what it’s all about? Come along to the FREE Playgroup SA registered community playgroup I run fortnightly during term time!

🧸 Next session: Tuesday, 18th November
🕘 Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
📍 Location: Ali’s purpose-built play studio, Tea Tree Gully

Join us for a relaxed and supportive morning where you can pick my brain about Play Therapy and Early Childhood Intervention, connect with other parents, and gain insights and recommendations from families who have children developing differently.

✨ Everyone is welcome — come play, chat, and learn in a safe, inclusive and understanding space.

👉 Register here: alifleming.com.au/playgroup-registration-form

02/11/2025

🌈 Small Group Play Therapy – New Thursday Sessions with Ali Fleming! 🌈

Is your preschool, Reception or Year 1 child needing a little extra support with social skills, confidence or emotional regulation?

Ali Fleming is offering a Small Group Play Therapy program every second Thursday (alternate Thursdays) at her calm, purpose-built therapy studio in Tea Tree Gully.

👧🧒 Who it’s for:
Children in Preschool, Reception or Grade 1 who may benefit from:
✨ Building confidence in social play
✨ Practising emotional regulation and turn-taking
✨ Strengthening peer connections
✨ Learning through fun, creative play

🌱 What makes this special:
Each group has a maximum of four children, so every child gets individual attention while enjoying the benefits of peer interaction.

Ali brings over 25 years of Early Childhood teaching and Play Therapy experience, creating a nurturing, strengths-based environment where children can feel safe, seen, and valued.

🗓 Details:

When: Alternate Thursdays 8.30am-4.30pm starting 20th November
Where: Ali’s home therapy studio, Tea Tree GullyFormat: Small group, play-based therapy sessionsNDIS-friendly / private funding options available

💬 Parents say:

“Ali has a unique ability to connect with children on such a personal level. She creates a safe space where my child feels free to explore and grow.”
“We’ve seen such positive changes in our child’s confidence and friendships since joining Ali’s sessions.”

💛 If you’d like to find out whether this group could be the right fit for your child, reach out to Ali for a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation.

📞 Enquire today at www.alifleming.com.au or send a message here on Facebook.
Spots are limited — these small groups fill quickly!

21/10/2025

Our very own Ali received her Children's Week Play Award yesterday!

"This award is to Ali Fleming. This award is given in recognition of Ali’s commitment to children's right to play. Ali partners with educators, families and communities to embed therapeutic play in today's life. Her approach is developmentally sound and emotionally attuned, by vocalising safety, trust and joy to children. She empowers adults to respond to play cues with curiosity and compassion, rather than intervening or distorting the natural play process. Through the Thrive framework, Ali fosters connection, regulation and healing for children. "

What a wonderful achievement! Congratulations to Ali on receiving this special recognition for her contributions to children's play. She had to leave her gumboots at home to receive this one!

20/10/2025

16/10/2025

🌟 Exciting News: Friday Group Sessions! 🌟

I'm thrilled to share that we have rare openings for full-day group sessions for preschool and Reception or Grade 1 children in my custom-built therapy studio in Tea Tree Gully.

1 weekly or fortnightly Friday session available

✨ What makes these sessions special: ♦ Weekly Fridays - Consistent routine children love ♦ Max 4 children - Small groups where genuine connections flourish
♦ Learning through play - Children think they're just coming to play at Ali's house! ♦ Purpose-built space - Designed specifically for children to feel safe and free to explore ♦ NDIS funded - Early childhood intervention accessible through your NDIS plan

The magic happens when children discover they're not alone in their challenges. When one child sees another child taking movement breaks or using visual supports, it normalises their own needs whilst building beautiful friendships.

These full-day sessions allow for deep engagement and the kind of authentic social learning that transfers beautifully to childcare, preschool, school and home.

If you think your child might benefit from this nurturing group environment, I'd love to chat about whether it's the right fit. Spaces are limited as I'm passionate about creating just the right mix of children.

Every child deserves to thrive alongside their peers. 🌱

Interested in learning more?

Www.alifleming.com.au

Explore personalised early childhood intervention services at Thrive with Ali Fleming. With over 25 years of experience, Ali creates a nurturing environment for children's growth, connection, and developmental milestones. Discover Ali's unique approach to learning through play and building strong bo...