DIRFloortime® Therapy

At The Whole Child Connection, our DIRFloortime® Therapy is at the heart of what we do. It’s a playful, relationship-based approach that helps children — from the early years through to primary years – connect, communicate, and grow in ways that feel natural and joyful.

Through moments of shared play and connection, we help each child build the foundation for learning, emotional growth, and social success.

What Is DIRFloortime® Therapy?

DIRFloortime® is a developmental model that focuses on the whole child their emotions, relationships, and individual differences.

Rather than working on isolated skills, we meet each child where they are and build upward through connection, curiosity, and engagement.

Who Can Benefit from DIRFloortime®?

DIRFloortime® is a developmental model that focuses on the whole child their emotions, relationships, and individual differences.

Rather than working on isolated skills, we meet each child where they are and build upward through connection, curiosity, and engagement.

Our DIRFloortime® Approach

We begin by understanding your child’s unique developmental profile (their strengths, challenges, sensory preferences, and the way they naturally engage with the world). From there, we create sessions that are led by your child’s interests and motivations, using play as the primary tool for growth.

Our therapists focus on building the foundational capacities your child needs to thrive: self-regulation and shared attention, warm engagement and trust, two-way communication and problem-solving, and complex thinking and emotional understanding.

What Does a Session Look Like?

During DIRFloortime® sessions, you’ll see us follow your child’s lead (whether that’s building with blocks, creating imaginary worlds, or exploring sensory experiences). We join their world first, then gently expand it by introducing new ideas, challenges, and opportunities for back-and-forth interaction.

Sessions are warm, engaging, and tailored to your child’s energy and developmental level on any given day.

Family Involvement

Parents and caregivers are essential partners in DIRFloortime®. We provide coaching and support so you can bring these playful, connecting moments into everyday life at home. The more opportunities your child has for meaningful interaction, the stronger their development becomes.

Why Choose DIRFloortime® at The Whole Child Connection?

As a provider of DIRFloortime Therapy, our therapist is trained in the DIR® model and is passionate about helping children develop through connection rather than compliance. We see each child as a whole person with unique gifts, and we celebrate every step of their developmental journey.

Our DIRFloortime Therapist follow the DIR® framework, which stands for:

Developmental

Understanding each child’s unique stage of emotional and social growth.

Individual Differences

Recognising how every child processes the world through their senses, movement, and emotions.

Relationship-based

Using relationships and connection as the foundation for learning

This approach helps children become more engaged, regulated, and purposeful in how they relate, think, and communicate.

What Can Our DIRFloortime® Therapy Help With?

DIRFloortime® supports growth across many areas, including:

Emotional regulation and engagement

Helping children feel calm, safe, and connected.

Communication and language

Encouraging meaningful interaction through play

Social skills

Building back-and-forth connection and shared attention

Problem-solving and thinking

Promoting curiosity, creativity, and flexible thinking

Support Cognitive Development:

Nurturing self-awareness and resilience

Our DIRFloortime Therapist often collaborates with families, Allied Health Assistants, and external providers to ensure that the child’s progress is supported across all settings – home, school, and community.

Let us help your child grow through the power of play, connection, and relationships. Contact The Whole Child Connection today to learn how DIRFloortime® therapy can support your family.