What Is FLOORTIME?
Floortime refers to the practical piece of the DIR intervention model. It could be described as the time devoted to formally follow a child’s lead to encourage reciprocity, problem solving and creative thinking.
Floortime is…
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A way of interacting and responding to a child
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Tailored to child’s developmental level; considering child as a whole
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Allowing the child to initiate and think
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Flexible and goal driven
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A safe space where a child can express and work through joyful and difficult emotions alike
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Challenging
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Integrated experience (sensorial, emotional etc)
Floortime is not…
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Play on the floor; follow a child aimlessly
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based solely on chronological age of child
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A “break” from work or a difficult time
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Unstructured; with no direction
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An isolated activity of the day
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Easy
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Isolated skill practice
The Floortime technique relies in having a profound understanding of the child’s unique sensory, socio-emotional and developmental profile and tailoring interactions to be engaging, reciprocal and appropriately challenging. A skilled Floortime practitioner applies these principles in every interaction!
The science behind it: Principles of Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity indicate that the brain is constantly organizing and rewiring itself, strengthening and creating new neural connections in response to daily experiences.
The Floortime practice offers the child with repeated joyful, challenging and integrated experience that will positively impact the way his/her brain develops.
Learn more about Neuroplasticity
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.
