Upside Down Therapy

24/08/2026

Happy Children’s Book Week! 🎉

📚 Does story time feel like A LOT for your little one?

This year’s theme is “Symphony of Stories” — and we love it because every child has their own story… and their own way of getting ready to enjoy one! 💛

If sitting still for story time feels like a LOT for your little one, try a movement warm-up before the book comes out.

Think:

🛝 Slide, climb or crawl
🌀 Have a swing
🐛 Squish into a body sock
🐻 Get some heavy-work play in
🏃 Have a quick movement break

Sometimes, getting the body moving first can help a child feel more organised and ready to listen, engage and enjoy the story. 📖✨

And remember — story time doesn’t have to mean sitting perfectly still! Wiggling, moving, changing position or holding a sensory tool can all be part of being engaged.

Our friends at .au make some of our favourite tools for movement and sensory play — you might even spot a few in our sensory gym!

What’s your child’s favourite way to move before settling in with a book? Tell us below! 👇

20/08/2026

Helping educators help kids self-regulate

Teachers and educators carry so much! Including supporting children through big feelings, sensory overwhelm, and everything in between.

Our Sensory Steps program, delivered through the Kindy Uplift initiative, helps educators understand how sensory processing can influence a child’s regulation, participation and behaviour, and gives them practical strategies to recognise and respond to each child’s needs.

Because when educators feel confident and equipped, children get to spend more time learning, connecting and thriving.

If you're an educator or run a kindergarten facility, we'd love to chat about bringing Sensory Steps to your team — link for more info https://upsidedowntherapy.com.au/kindy-uplift/

19/08/2026

We listened, and we agree. 🤸

You told us jumping on the trampoline is one of the best ways your kids decompress after school - and honestly, the science backs you up.

Here’s why it works so well:

Trampoline jumping delivers active proprioceptive input. This deep pressure through the joints and muscles is one of the most regulating types of sensory input for the nervous system.

It also provides rhythmic vestibular input in a predictable, repetitive pattern, which can help shift kids out of a dysregulated state after a long day of holding it together at school.

And because it’s rhythmic and self-paced, kids can control the intensity themselves by jumping as hard or as gently as they need in the moment.

Sometimes the best regulation tools aren’t complicated. Thank you for sharing yours with us, keep them coming. 💛

17/08/2026

Happy National Science Week! 🔬 This week, we’re celebrating one of the body’s most incredible systems — the nervous system!

A child’s nervous system is constantly processing information from their body, senses and environment. When it’s under stress or overwhelmed, OT activities can help support regulation.

Here are 3 things you might see in our clinic:

🧗 Movement & heavy work — climbing, pushing, pulling, crashing and carrying provide proprioceptive and movement input.

🛝 Sensory-rich play — swinging, jumping, tactile play, deep pressure and sensory equipment help us explore sensory input through purposeful play.

🤝 Connection & co-regulation — calm connection, predictability and playfulness help children feel safe and supported.

And the science bit? 🧠 Neuroplasticity means the brain can change and adapt through experience, practice and repetition.

So when you see us swinging, climbing, crashing and playing, there’s often a whole lot of nervous system science behind the fun!

14/08/2026

What’s your family’s after-school reset?

We talk a lot about after-school burnout — but every child decompresses differently.

What’s the one thing that helps your child reset after a big day?
🌳 Playing at the park
🍎 A snack in silence
🤸 Jumping on the trampoline
💛 A big cuddle
😅 Being left alone

There's no wrong answer — every regulation strategy that works for your family is a good one.

Share your family’s after-school reset in the comments 👇 We'd love to build a list together for other families to try.

13/08/2026

Meltdown at 3:30pm? Here's what might really be going on.

If your child holds it together all day at school, then falls apart the second they get home — you're not imagining it, and they're not being 'naughty.'

It's often called after school burnout (or restraint collapse), and it happens because school asks a lot of a child's nervous system — sensory input, social demands, transitions, sitting still, masking. By 3pm, many kids are simply out of capacity.

A few gentle things that can help:

🔹 Skip the 20 questions — try 'I'm happy to see you' instead

🔹 Offer movement or quiet time before homework, not after

🔹 Keep afternoons predictable where you can

🔹 Create a calm corner with pillows, fidgets, or dim lighting



Behaviour is communication. When we understand what a child's nervous system is telling us, we can respond with support instead of frustration.

Looking for simple ways to help your child reset after school? 💛
Download our free After-School Regulation Ideas printable — link in blog https://upsidedowntherapy.com.au/after-school-burnout-what-your-child-may-be-trying-to-tell-you/

12/08/2026

Thinking about starting therapy?

Here's what to expect.
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel like a big decision — and we know it often comes with a lot of questions.

Here's the short version of how it works with us:
1️⃣ Get in touch — call, email, or fill out our online enquiry form
2️⃣ We'll chat about your child's needs and match you with the right therapist
3️⃣ Your first session focuses on getting to know your child — no pressure, just connection
4️⃣ From there, we build a plan together, whether that's in-clinic, mobile, telehealth, or group therapy

We work with NDIS self-managed, plan-managed, medicare and private clients. You do not need a referral to get started.

If you've been sitting on the decision to reach out, consider this your sign. We're here, and we'd love to meet your family.

Book an Appointment - https://upsidedowntherapy.com.au/book-an-appointment/

10/08/2026

It was such a pleasure spending the morning with the team from Tarragindi War Memorial Kindergarten, exploring sensory processing and how deeply it can influence children’s regulation, connection, participation and learning.

I loved the thoughtful conversations and reflections throughout the session.

Today we welcomed Kate Reeve, the Director from Upside Down Therapy to our Kindy space. Kate delivered some amazing Kindy Uplift Training about sensory processing and the important role it can play in children’s social and emotional development.
Thank you so much for your time today, Kate. 💚

10/08/2026

Our Director, Kate Reeve, spent the morning with the wonderful team at Tarragindi War Memorial Kindy , delivering our Sensory Steps Kindy Uplift Training.

Together, we explored sensory processing and the important role it can play in children’s social and emotional development — helping educators understand what may be happening beneath the behaviour and how they can support children in practical, meaningful ways.

We loved receiving this feedback afterwards:

“Thank you so much for our PD this morning. It was so informative and we are thankful to have more information to share with families and support children in the classroom.”

Thank you to the C&K Tarragindi team for having us and for being so engaged and passionate about supporting the children in your care. 💛