The Nurtured OT

01/02/2026

Quick Tip!

Keychain/keyrings are a great thing to add to anything with a zipper for little fingers - such as school bag zips or lunchbox zips!

Adding a keychain/keyring gives little fingers a bit bigger area to grab on to, allowing them increased success in holding the zip while also opening and closing it.

We’ve added one on to our little ones school bag ready for day one of prekindy!

01/01/2026

2026 In's and Outs from us - what are yours?

#2026

30/12/2025

Lies you've been told about co-regulation:

↠ A co-regulator has to be calm all the time
↠ A child will learn to regulate if you don't show them your emotions
↠ You are not effectively co-regulating if your child still has big emotions
↠Co-regulating is about effectively managing emotions
↠ A child should learn to self-regulate in their toddler years and not rely on co-regulation

Instead, we want you to know that:
↠ It is ok to experience big emotions as a co-regulator - we are human after all!
↠ Showing our children our emotions (happy, sad, frustrated, worried) is ok, and helps children to know it is also ok for them to have these experiences
↠ Big emotions are "normal" - it doesn't mean that we are not effectively co-regulating
↠ Regulation is so much more than just our emotions
↠ Self-regulation cannot be taught, if is developed through connection when we co-regulate with our caregivers

Did any of these "lies" surprise you?
The team at The Nurtured OT are here to debunk unrealistic expectations about regulation, and instead are here to support you alongside your journey!

29/12/2025

2025 - The Year That Was

This year, The Nurtured OT:
↳ Moved into our new space at Byford Therapy Collective
↳ Welcomed Holly to our team!
↳ Rebranded with the incredible talent of Lauren from Aesthete Collective
↳ Welcomed Laura to our team!
↳ I gave birth to our second baby girl (and finally went on maternity leave at 39 weeks pregnant)
And most importantly....
↳ We continue to support our current families, and welcomed some new families to The Nurtured OT

We cannot wait to see what 2026 brings (with some exciting things brewing behind the scenes to hopefully bring to fruition)!

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas from the team at The Nurtured OT.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whoever you are with, - we hope that you are creating special memories with loved ones, finding moments of fun and laughter, and looking after your self.

Thankyou for being a part of our community and being here with us in 2025. We cannot wait to see what 2026 brings.

Steph and The Nurtured OT Team

22/12/2025

Co-Regulation - what is it?

You've heard the term "regulation", have now learnt that there are two "types" of regulation (co-regulation and self-regulation) but want to know more about what co-regulation actually is.

Co-regulation is about helping a child to connect to, and to feel safe in their body - it is not about “reducing behaviours". Through a secure attachment with a safe and trusted caregiver, a child learns make sense of their experiences, to recognise, understand and meet their needs, and grow, learn and develop.

But to co-regulate, a child needs a caregiver who has self-regulation capacities (a big piece of the puzzle that is often missing with many of the families we see, due to many various reasons).

Our team are here to walk alongside you as you explore this regulation journey, please don't hesitate to reach out!

21/12/2025

20/12/2025

Christmas can be the most magical time of the year - but also can be one of increased dysregulation.

Christmas brings with it increased noises that are generally repetitive in nature (hello Christmas carols), increased visual stimulus (hello tinsel, baubles and lights), increased social demands (everyone saying merry Christmas, people asking lots of questions, lots more catch ups with family and friends), deceased routines and predictability, increased anticipation and generally more fatigue. So if you notice increaed dysregulation in you or your child, remember that many of our needs are challenged this time of year.

So whilst it may be magical for many, for some it may be a little more challenging. Slowing down, supporting routines and offering extra connection during this time can help nervous systems to feel safe and make the most of the season it is. 🎄

christmastime christmastips ot paediatricot maternalhealthot

19/12/2025

The team at The Nurtured OT are taking a short break over the Christmas period, to spend time with their families and friends, eat some yummy food, catch some sun and recharge their batteries ready for an incredible 2026.

Laura and Holly will not be available via phone or email within this time period, and Steph will intermittently be checking emails.

We hope you all have a save and Merry Christmas and New Year with your loved ones, and look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Steph, Laura and Holly x

18/12/2025

Regulation is a developmental, lifelong skill - not a skill that is expected or required to be achieved by a certain time frame.

So often we hear parents talk about, or referrals come in to us with the main goal of teaching their child to regulate their own emotions, with many of these children less than school aged, or have only just started school (with expectations that they should be able to regulate their own emotions in these environments).

A child's regulation skills develop from continued co-regulation over time with a safe, attuned caregiver. This in turn helps the brain to grow and develop the areas needed for a child to start learning their own regulation skills.

The area of the brain that is responsible for things such as impulse control, emotional awareness and knowing what to do after experiencing big emotions (key aspects of self-regulation) is only just starting to develop and come online at the age of 3; these areas are not fully developed for a child to be able to independently access before this age.

Want to learn more about regulation - for your child and yourself? Please reach out to our team for more information!