Floortime therapy is a treatment model that's widely used to help kids
with delayed developmental disorders come out of their shell and bring out the
best of their potential. This therapy method encompasses of a series of steps
that may be followed by parents to understand their kids with special needs
better.
Observe
The key to understanding your kid is observance. Young kids usually
behave in confusing and eccentric ways. Every parent ought to recognize that
kids communicate through behaviors. To ascertain an excellent communication channel
with your kid, you must observe, document and analyze their behaviors. By being
attentive to your kid and keeping an eye
on them every time, you can verify whether there's a pattern in your
child’s behavior. Parents are instructed to make notes upon the assessment of
behavioral patterns of your kid for future references.
Approach
Once the assessment is finished, you must approach your kid with
appropriate words and gestures if you suspect that there's a natural reason to
do so. To develop communication and connection with your child, you must not
emphasize sensory stimuli as kids with developmental delays can react very
strongly to them. You’ll bond with your kid better by acknowledging the
emotional tone and focus on whatever keeps your child partaking.
Follow
Parents must follow the child’s lead. Following the lead in this
reference merely implies that you must allow your kid to “take charge” and
construct a learning and understanding of the things around them in their own
pace. Your role should be of a facilitator in disguise while enjoying providing
assistance to the child. This offers parents an understanding about what
activities and topics spark the child's intrests.
Extend
and expand play
Once you're alert to what is interesting and exciting of your child,
you can tailor special exercises for them that don’t feel like they're being
forced onto them. Participating in play sessions can provide them the
opportunity to express their ideas. After making certain that they are
comfortable in a play setting, you can ask those questions to stimulate their
creative thinking abilities.
Closing
the two-way communication
Parents open the circle the communication with the use of this
approach, and the child closes it on the basis of their feedback on your queries
and exercises. This may act as a string mechanism as more doors open for
communication subsequently. This may also help a child realize the importance
of communication.
