04/06/2026
Let's talk Floortime. 🌱
I've been taking the 201 Floortime course this spring and it has been amazing.
If you're not familiar with DIR/Floortime, it's built around 6 Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs) — the foundational milestones that shape how a child connects, communicates, and grows.
FEDC 1 is where it all begins: Self-Regulation & Interest in the World.
Before a child can communicate, they need to be able to show up for the world around them. That means:
✦ Taking in sensory input — sights, sounds, smells, touch — without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down
✦ Staying regulated enough to be present with another person
✦ Exploring their environment with curiosity and intentionality
✦ Co-regulating with a caregiver when self-regulation isn't yet possible
As SLPs, we know that communication doesn't start with words. It starts with connection and presence.
A child who is dysregulated or withdrawn can't access learning — no matter how good our therapy techniques are. FEDC 1 reminds us to ask: is this child available to engage right now? And if not, what do they need to get there?
This is why I fell in love with Floortime. It doesn't skip the foundation.
More on the FEDCs coming soon. 💛