The Whole Child Connection

The Whole Child Connection We are an NDIS Registered Provider offering evidence-based therapies and support services aimed at optimising your child’s development.

01/02/2026

A baby’s cry is a biological signal that their body is in distress and they need support.

In early development, their brain relies on these moments to shape how it responds to the world. When a caregiver consistently shows up, the brain begins to wire for safety, connection, and trust.

When those cries are ignored, the baby’s body stays flooded with stress, and the brain starts preparing for a world where needs go unmet. This affects how they regulate emotion, how they seek comfort, and how they form relationships—often in ways that are hard to undo.

Always tend to your little one’s physical and emotional needs. Their future depends on it.

31/01/2026

Denmark is officially moving away from the cry it out method after a nationwide study revealed it was still being taught in most municipalities. More than 700 psychologists signed a unified statement urging immediate discontinuation of the practice. They emphasized that prolonged crying without comfort elevates cortisol and affects how the infant brain forms emotional and stress regulation pathways. This national push reflects growing scientific awareness of early neural sensitivity.

Researchers highlight that when babies cry alone, their stress signals rise sharply. Without caregiver response, the brain begins wiring for self protection rather than trust. These early patterns influence later attachment styles emotional stability and even learning behavior. Denmark’s decision aligns with decades of neuroscience showing that infants depend on caregiver regulation to build healthy neural circuits.

Despite this, the cry it out approach continues to be recommended in parts of the U.S. where outdated models of infant independence remain common. Scientists argue that babies do not learn self soothing through isolation. Instead they learn through repeated experiences of comfort which stabilize heart rate breathing and emotional processing. This helps form long term resilience.

Denmark’s shift highlights a global conversation about infant well being. The science is clear. Responding to a baby’s distress supports healthier development than leaving them to cry alone.

15/01/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦❗❗❗

"Shifting from addressing behaviors to trying to understand their origins and triggers means making a shift from managing out children to understanding them deeply" Mona Delahooke, Ph.D.

Term 1 | Group Therapy (Thursdays)The Whole Child Connection is seeking expressions of interest for neuroaffirming socia...
08/01/2026

Term 1 | Group Therapy (Thursdays)

The Whole Child Connection is seeking expressions of interest for neuroaffirming social learning and group therapy sessions at Derrimut Community Centre.

Groups will be DIRFloortime®-informed, child-led, and relationship-based, with a focus on connection, shared joy, and meaningful engagement. Sessions will be small, therapeutic, and formed based on age and developmental capacities.

📩 Comment or message us to express interest or request further information. Limited places available.

✨ A Happy and Blessed New Year! ✨We can’t wait to continue following children’s interests, celebrating achievements, and...
01/01/2026

✨ A Happy and Blessed New Year! ✨

We can’t wait to continue following children’s interests, celebrating achievements, and nurturing meaningful relationships in 2026!

The Whole Child Connection Team 💜

31/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, here’s a look back at some of the materials and learning experiences that supported connection, shared joy, and meaningful relationships in our therapy sessions with our young friends. ✨

Activities were thoughtfully chosen by following each child’s interests, lead, and developmental capacities - creating safe, playful spaces where growth and connection could unfold naturally. 🌱




As the year comes to a close, we want to thank our families and community for trusting us to support your children’s jou...
25/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to thank our families and community for trusting us to support your children’s journeys. It has been a joy to share in their growth and connections this year.

Thank you for being part of our year, and we look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead. ✨😊

The Whole Child Connection Team

22/12/2025

FYI! 😉

22/12/2025

📘 𝗗𝗜𝗥® 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
A term often heard within the DIRFloortime community and in the DIRFloortime Training Program is "Interoception".

In DIRFloortime, we are always working to attune to the individual we are working with. This includes trying to understand what they may be experiencing internally in any given moment.

Internal bodily sensations can be overwhelming for anyone, and they can be especially dysregulating for individuals who do not yet understand what they are feeling or the meaning behind it. This is why interoception is such an important individual difference for Floortimers to consider in their work.

In DIRFloortime, we work to help individuals make sense of the many messages their bodies are sending, helping build regulation and promote development.

10/12/2025

Regulation is Everything!

Thank you, Dr. Costa for this amazing acronym!

28/11/2025

📘 𝗗𝗜𝗥® 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
A term often heard within the DIRFloortime community and in the DIRFloortime Training Program is "attunement".

In DIRFloortime, attunement is crucial. You cannot truly enter someone's world without first being able to 'tune into' their emotional and sensory experiences. When we do, we create the safety and trust that becomes the fuel for development.

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Melbourne, VIC
3026

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

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