At Side by Side School, we are committed to ensuring that the strategies and approaches supporting our children in school can also be meaningfully carried over into the home environment.

We were therefore delighted to host a two-part parent workshop series led by Denise Wilson, our DIR-trained Occupational Therapist and Floortime specialist. The sessions focused on helping parents better understand the DIR/Floortime approach and how everyday interactions can support communication, emotional regulation, engagement, and development at home.

The workshops were extremely well attended, with parents valuing the opportunity to gain practical ideas, ask questions, and share experiences in a supportive setting. Denise explored how following a child’s lead, building meaningful connections, and creating opportunities for interaction can strengthen development through everyday routines and play.

Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how beneficial it was to better understand the approaches being used within school and how these can be implemented consistently at home. Families particularly appreciated the practical strategies, real-life examples, and collaborative discussions throughout the sessions.

We would like to thank Denise for delivering such engaging and insightful workshops, and thank all the parents who attended and contributed to the success of the series. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the partnership between home and school in supporting every child’s individual journey.

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