Carly Budd Developmental Play Academy

07/01/2026

🎉 Celebrating Megan Carr – Our New Tummy Time Practitioner! 🎉

We are thrilled to welcome Megan Carr to the community of OT-approved Tummy Time Practitioners at the Developmental Play Academy!

Megan is a mother, FEDANT-accredited antenatal educator, and founder of d, where she supports families in preparing for birth and navigating the fourth trimester. Her work helps parents feel informed, empowered, and confident in making choices that are right for them and their families.

Megan recently completed our Tummy Time Practitioner Training, and her excitement is contagious:
“Your enthusiasm about tummy time has made me excited to start sharing all the love with others. The training was excellent, and I feel like I got so much from it….My first private group is in January !”

By integrating her antenatal and perinatal expertise with OT-approved Tummy Time practice, Megan is perfectly placed to support families from the earliest stages, boosting development, confidence, and connection in both typically developing children and those with additional needs.

If you’re looking for expertise to guide early development and give families a strong start, Megan is someone to connect with. 💛

And if you somebody looking to uplevel your skill set this year so that you too can offer specialist programmes, courses and workshops to families in your community then do check out my accredited training www.carlybudd.co.uk

05/01/2026

Oh dear, January makes it so easy to slip into rushing, back to this, back to that and then literally slipping over on to your back 🤪 (I’m ok, I didn't hurt myself! I was so padded up and just glided down😝) but this morning reminded me that it’s ok to slow down, and take each step intentionally.

It got me thinking about my approach to my online training too here at the Developmental Play Academy® because everything can be taken steady, at your own pace, with intention.

Did you know that all my training is self-paced, online, with no deadlines, so you can start, pause, and come back whenever you need to? You get long term access too so there is no pressure!

Tummy Time Training is the equivalent of 2 full days, where as the advanced programme in developemntal play 0-3 can be competed in around 3-4 months…but
Two of my new students have decided to use this whole year to complete their studies with me.

All my courses take a neurodevelopmental lens - we go into the depths of development from a health perspective, with everything OT-approved. You learn not just the what, but the why, so you can confidently support children of all abilities in play and development… we don’t expect children to rush, so you don’t have to either.

So if you’re looking for a steady path to becoming confident in supporting children with all abilities in play and development, this could be the perfect fit for you.

www.carlybudd.co.uk

31/12/2025

I always feel a bit reflective as the year closes, and for me 2025 has been a beautiful reminder that meaningful work doesn’t need fanfare or numbers. It can simply be steady, grounded, and deeply rewarding.

As we step into 2026 I hope you carry with you the reminder that the work you do with families and children, in whichever way you show up, truly matters. And I thank you.

Big love, Carly xx

www.carlybudd.co.uk

22/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close I’ve been reflecting on what this year has held.

It has been a year that asked for integrity, to stay steady, to trust the work that matters, and to focus on depth over noise. To remember that development is a journey not a destination, and that every child, family, and professional grows in their own way.

Being alongside children in homes, schools, clinics, and supporting professionals who care deeply about play, inclusion, and thoughtful practice has been a privilege. I’ve seen courage, curiosity, and resilience in so many forms. Supporting children is not about rushing or fixing, it’s about noticing the small steps, holding space, and celebrating what is.

Play continues to sit at the heart of everything I do. Not only does it nurture connection, regulation, access, and participation, but it also builds skills and helps children move and explore their world in ways that matter to them.

My online training at the Developmental Play Academy has welcomed more teams from nurseries, third sector organisations, family support workers, and perinatal practitioners this year. Although I may be quieter here on socials, the work with children and professionals has been as impactful as ever.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, it is not the likes, but the shared moments of reflection, curiosity, and learning that mean the most. Thank you for valuing integrity, care, and depth in the work we do together.

Wishing you a gentle end to 2025, and a Christmas filled with connection, play , and meaningful moments.

With love and play,
Carly xx

www.carlybudd.co.uk

20/12/2025

December, you have been a lot and just enough ✨I feel like this snippet of December sums me up!
Christmas trees filling cosy corners.
Elves being playful.
Sunshine between trees, misty magic in the woods.
Cold, fun beach days.
Trips to London.
Dogs. Always dogs.
And the cat quietly supervising it all 🐾
Hot drinks between busy moments.
Cheeky tipples that turned into proper laughs.
A work Christmas party that reminded me why connection, community and shared values matter so much.

December so far has felt full of movement, warmth and gentle magic. I’m here for it xx

17/12/2025

My Tummy Time Practitioners and Advanced Developmental Play Practitioners are trained to confidently support families with over 50 ways to incorporate Tummy Time into everyday routines.

This approach is:
🚼Always nurturing and relationship-led
🚼Always responsive to the baby’s cues and regulation
🚼Always aligned with the baby’s individual developmental needs

It supports babies who are typically developing, as well as babies who are following their own developmental path, including those with additional or complex needs.

Because Tummy Time is not a protocol to be prescribed, but a dynamic position for play, connection and neurological development, shaped by the baby in front of us. It’s a position that when used mindfully as part of a varied play diet has huge developmental benefits throughout life.

⭐️If you are a practitioner who would like to confidently offer bespoke, tailored programmes, workshops and services for families and their babies, educating and empowering parents while creating meaningful opportunities for babies to play and develop, then do check out my practitioner training at www.carlybudd.co.uk

16/12/2025

😍

10/12/2025

07/12/2025

🎄Christmas & Sensory Overwhelm - from a Paediatric OT 🎄
Here’s the thing. Kids don’t really worry about the THINGS. Babies & children’s brains are wired for social INTERACTION & human LOVE- they will far appreciate your interaction & moments of shared joy, than the receiving of objects, toys, & more things.

It is lovely to treat children & get in the spirit, but don’t forget it can also become a huge source of worry, stress & pressure for parents, as well as contributing factor to sensory overwhelm /overload for children (and adults) alike. ⁠

During this time of year our environments can change dramatically & can often include:⁠
🎄Lots of noise/busyness - visual stimulation like decorations, trees, lights, as well as a lot of auditory stimulation through music & Christmas songs⁠
🎄Social gatherings with an expectation on behaviour 🎄Later nights & routines altered
🎄Eating more sugar based products such as chocolate, sweets and cake⁠
🎄Parents/adults frequent reminders & threats to report behaviour & added pressure to perform
🎄The excitement/hype of waking up to what the cheeky elf has got up to over night, which can lead to anxiety & stress over the lack of control of their environment
🎄Lots of NEW things - yes amazing gifts but children cannot always process all of the things
How can we support our children & us through this time?
❤️Schedule in down time
❤️Spread festive events out across the holiday rather than all at once
❤️Think about boundaries for you & your family and know its ok to say No- always ask your self “do I want to do this or do I feel I have too?”
❤️Consider the time you are going to spend at events - does it serve you & your children to stay the full time or can you leave a bit earlier and happier?
❤️Carry age appropriate “sensory” “calming” activities with you - a book, essential oil playdoh, fidget toy, soft toy, chewy/crunchy snacks (they can help regulate nervous systems)
❤️Offer lots of hugs to help regulate
❤️ Put children in comfy clothes (I know its tempting to dress them up but this can add to the sensory overload)

Try & remember that Christmas is for you & yours. There’s magic in the stillness too 🫶🏽

07/12/2025

🎄Christmas & Sensory Overwhelm - from a Paediatric OT 🎄
Here’s the thing. Kids don’t really worry about the THINGS. Babies & children’s brains are wired for social INTERACTION & human LOVE- they will far appreciate your interaction & moments of shared joy, than the receiving of objects, toys, & more things.

It is lovely to treat children & get in the spirit, but don’t forget it can also become a huge source of worry, stress & pressure for parents, as well as contributing factor to sensory overwhelm /overload for children (and adults) alike. ⁠

During this time of year our environments can change dramatically & can often include:⁠
🎄Lots of noise/busyness - visual stimulation like decorations, trees, lights, as well as a lot of auditory stimulation through music & Christmas songs⁠
🎄Social gatherings with an expectation on behaviour 🎄Later nights & routines altered
🎄Eating more sugar based products such as chocolate, sweets and cake⁠
🎄Parents/adults frequent reminders & threats to report behaviour & added pressure to perform
🎄The excitement/hype of waking up to what the cheeky elf has got up to over night, which can lead to anxiety & stress over the lack of control of their environment
🎄Lots of NEW things - yes amazing gifts but children cannot always process all of the things
How can we support our children & us through this time?
❤️Schedule in down time
❤️Spread festive events out across the holiday rather than all at once
❤️Think about boundaries for you & your family and know its ok to say No- always ask your self “do I want to do this or do I feel I have too?”
❤️Consider the time you are going to spend at events - does it serve you & your children to stay the full time or can you leave a bit earlier and happier?
❤️Carry “sensory” or “calming” activities with you - a book, essential oil play dough, fidget toy, a soft toy, chewy/crunchy snacks (they can help regulate the nervous system)
❤️Offer lots of hugs to help regulate
❤️ Put children in comfortable clothes (I know its tempting to dress them up but this can add to the sensory overload)

Try & remember that Christmas is for you & yours. There’s magic in the stillness too 🫶🏽

28/11/2025

Oh dear… Deleted the last version of this post as a couple of people said it sounded like I was talking about something else entirely 😆🤣🥴 Not what I was going for at all. Let’s try that again!!

🌳No Black Friday sale from me this year, just green rooted intentions.

This week the kids and I planted acorns, and it reminded me how much I value slow, steady, intentional growth. The kind that actually lasts. Learning is the same.

I’m a mum and an Occupational Therapist who qualified in 2008, registered with the HCPC and RCOT, and now back in clinical practice. Everything I teach is grounded in real world experience and evidence. My training is designed to give you depth, clarity and practical tools you can use straight away.

The Advanced Practitioner in Developmental Play 0 to 3 Years Bundle already saves you money because it brings all my core 0 to 3 courses together in one place and discounts those investing in the full programme. It covers everything from early mini milestones and tummy time foundations to more complex toddler play, with practical frameworks, hundreds of activity ideas, adaptations for additional needs and accredited diplomas that genuinely support your work.

My students include perinatal workers, early years practitioners, family support workers, former primary teachers, baby massage instructors and allied health professionals who want to feel confident supporting little ones well.

And if early foundations are your passion, the Tummy Time Practitioner training can be taken on its own or as part of the full 0 to 3 Bundle.

I did do a cheeky offer in the summer, and as I said at the time, that was the only one planned for this year. The value is already built in.

My doors are always open for anyone who wants trusted, evidence based training that is steady, rooted and built to last.

www.carlybudd.co.uk

28/11/2025

👀

✨ Guess the OT! ✨
Another week to learn more about our team and guess who’s who!

This little one has been a tummy time fan since the 80s, with a love for Care Bears, My Little Pony, imaginative play, and the occasional living room dance performance she always loved getting creative 💖💃

She grew up to bring a playful twist to the team, with a love of nature, music, and a passion for neuro OT and play-based therapy.

Who do you think this GLOT is? 😉