Building Parent & Caregiver Capacity
Building Parent/Caregiver Capacity By Jovana Nikcevic As a psychologist who works with young people, therapy doesn’t always look the way […]
Blogs and Publications
Tips for Building Playful Connection with Your Child
Play isn’t just about filling time or keeping kids busy while you get on with chores. It’s a language of love, a way of saying “I see you. I am happy with you. I want to share this moment with…
Understanding Big Feelings: The Power of Emotional Literacy Books for Children
From a toddler having a meltdown in the supermarket to a school-aged child navigating friendships, emotions are at the heart of everyday life. Books that explore feelings allow children to see characters experiencing similar struggles, which helps them feel understood…
Planning your child’s successful Play-date
Play-dates are fantastic opportunities for kids to explore and develop social skills in one-on-one or small group environments. Play-dates provide children with a chance to deepen friendships, practise sharing, turn-taking, communication and cooperation in a comfortable setting. They provide the…
Name It to Tame It: Why Helping Kids Name Their Feelings Really Matters
As parents, you would see your child experience huge emotions every day — for example, excitement that makes them bounce, frustration that turns into screaming, sadness that shows up in tears or silence. Emotions can be big and messy, and…
Mirroring & Empathy: Helping Your Child Learn to Calm Their Big Feelings
Big feelings are a normal part of childhood — but when your child is yelling, melting down, or overwhelmed, it can feel exhausting and confusing for parents. The good news? Your child doesn’t need you to fix their feelings. What…
When Therapy and School Clash: What Parents Need to Know
It can be challenging when your child’s therapy appointments fall during school hours—especially when after-school times are fully booked. You might worry about missed lessons, but experts agree that a child’s mental health is the foundation for learning. In many…
Encouragement vs Praise: Why the Difference Matters for Your Child’s Growth
Encouragement vs Praise: Why the Difference Matters for Your Child’s Growth As parents, we all want to lift our children […]
When a Child’s Need for Connection is Misunderstood
Another day with the kids at home or working with a class of students at school. One child begins to […]
What Is a Psychological Assessment?
At Core Kids Therapy, we frequently receive inquiries about psychological assessments for children. We want to provide you with a […]
Why is My Child Always Moving? The Nervous System and Movement Regulation
Modern schooling asks kids to sit quietly in front of the teacher and others. It is not uncommon to hear […]
Should We Worry About Play Therapy Being Removed from the NDIS?
If you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone who relies on the NDIS for support, you might be wondering if the changes to the NDIS will affect you and your family. Let’s break it down so you can better understand what’s…
How Bullying Affects the Social Development of Primary School-Aged Children
How Bullying Affects the Social Development of Primary School-Aged Children. we explore how bullying influences the social growth of primary school-aged children and why it is crucial to address this issue effectively.
Supporting Children Through Grief with Play Therapy: A Healing Path Forward
Introduction Grief is one of those things that can feel too big to handle—especially for kids. Children don’t always have […]
Cultivating Intrinsic Motivation Through Play
Children often receive messages from the adults around them that aggressive, risky, and messy play are undesirable. However, engagement in […]
The Evidence Behind Child-Centred Play Therapy: Why It Works
Introduction Emotions are complex. They can be hard to understand—especially for children who may not yet have the words or […]
Preparing Your Child for Play Therapy: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Play therapy is a wonderful tool that helps children process emotions, develop social skills, and navigate challenges in a safe, […]
The Power of Language in the Play Therapy Room
Children use play as a powerful form of communication—expressing their thoughts, feelings, and wishes through their actions and storytelling. Likewise, […]
Understanding How Play Therapy is Neuro-Affirming: Supporting the Brain’s Natural Growth and Healing
In recent years, awareness around neurodiversity has grown, along with the understanding that therapeutic spaces must be inclusive, affirming, and […]
How Processing in Play Happens in a Child’s Everyday Life
A common revelation for many parents and caregivers I have the honour of working with is just how important a […]
Medication and Therapy
By Amy Baillie, Synergetic Play Therapist / Children’s Counsellor / Parent Coach. If your child is experiencing big emotions, you […]
Are you looking to prepare your child for primary school?
At CoRe Kids Therapy, we offer a School Readiness Program designed to help children adjust to the classroom setting and succeed academically.
Healing Through Play: The Transformative Power of Play Therapy for Traumatized Children
Introduction: Childhood should be a time of innocence, joy, and carefree play. However, for children who have experienced trauma, their […]
Nurturing Futures: The Importance of School Readiness Programs
The transition from early childhood to formal education is a critical milestone in a child's development. School readiness programs play a pivotal role in ensuring that children are adequately prepared for the challenges of the academic environment.
Nurturing Sibling Bonds: Theraplay as the Bridge to Stronger Connections
Introduction Sibling bonds are a cornerstone of a child’s social and emotional growth, shaping their development in profound ways. Amidst […]
How is Play Therapy different from Play?
Written by Amy Baillie, Synergetic Play Therapist / Children’s Counsellor / Parent Coach Play therapy , and particularly non-directive or […]
What Happens in Play Therapy Sessions?
Directive and Non-Directive approaches Written by Amy Baillie, Synergetic Play Therapist / Children’s Counsellor / Parent Coach All play therapy […]
Executive Functioning in your Child – Article 4 – Developing Skills – Working Memory
Written by Lea Tanner, Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist, CoRe Kids Therapy While executive functioning involves several processes in […]
Executive Functioning in your Child – Article 3 – Developing Skills – Inhibition
Written by Lea Tanner, Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist, CoRe Kids Therapy While executive functioning involves several processes in […]
Executive Functioning in your Child – Article 2 – Developing Skills – Cognitive Flexibility
Written by Lea Tanner, Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist, CoRe Kids Therapy While executive functioning involves several processes in […]
Executive Functioning in your Child – Article 1 – Supporting Differences
Written by Daniela Diaz, Registered Psychologist, CoRe Kids Therapy Executive functions in informal words are the skills used to be […]
Theraplay: Building Bridges for Autistic Children Through Playful Healing
Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents distinctive hurdles in social interactions, communication, and behaviour for children. Conventional therapies often struggle […]
What’s The Meta?
By Ashley Stevenson Emotions can seem complicated at times. Not only do we have a physical reaction to our own […]
Emotion Coaching
By Ashley Stevenson Human emotion is at the core of connection and communication. When children learn to listen to their […]
Why talking about the uncomfortable stuff creates growth & improves mental health
Written by Amy Baillie In the past, after a challenging event, I have heard people give advice, “don’t focus on […]
Building Connections: The Power of LEGO®-Based Therapy for Children
In the world of childhood development, therapists and educators are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage children in meaningful activities […]
ADHD and Self-Esteem
Written by Daniela Diaz As a parent or caregiver, and whether you are new or familiar to ADHD, we would […]
Understanding Selective Mutism
Blog Series By Ashley Stevenson – The Power of Play with Non-Verbal Children What is Selective Mutism? Selective Mutism is […]
Grief and Loss – CoRe Kids Therapy
Prepared by: Daniela Diaz What is Grief? An inevitable process (never-ending) that happens due to a permanent or temporary disruption […]
The Imitation Game & The Narrator
Blog Series By Ashley Stevenson – The Power of Play with Non-Verbal Children The Imitation Game Imitation is an amazing […]
Grand Gestures in Play
Blog Series By Ashley Stevenson – The Power of Play with Non-Verbal Children Play is a powerful tool for helping […]
Non-Verbal MythBusters
Blog Series By Ashley Stevenson – The Power of Play with Non-Verbal Children There is a broad spectrum for the […]
Anxiety and Neurodiversity
Anxiety is a normal response to situations where we perceive a risk, and our brain acts in respond to those […]
How Bullying Affects the Social Development in Primary School-Aged Kids
Bullying has long been recognised as a prevalent issue that impacts children and their development, particularly during their primary school […]
Supporting Children with Separation Anxiety: Strategies and Tips for Parents
Separation anxiety is a common and normal part of child development. It is characterised by distress or anxiety experienced by […]
What is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (0-5 years)?
When we think of babies and toddlers, especially in those hectic early days, weeks and months of life, we […]
Understanding Theraplay and Its Benefits
Theraplay is a play-based therapeutic approach designed to enhance the emotional well-being of children and their families. Theraplay is grounded […]
The Mighty Brain
Ever wondered about our brains? How do they grow and develop from the tiny brain of the newborn which appears […]
Understanding how adverse childhood experiences impact their development
It’s increasingly becoming better understood how our childhood experiences have a long-lasting impact on our mental health, well-being, and development. […]
What’s in a Name? Why Would You Choose to Diagnose or Label Your Child?
Diagnosis and Labels Shakespeare once wrote, “What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet?” […]
What Sort of Brain Do You Have?
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice CoRe Kids Therapy identifies as a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Clinic. This means that we work with […]
A brief guide for parents: Understanding the journey of child development
Understanding the journey of development that your child goes through is an important tool for parents. It helps you know […]
Vagus nerve stimulation for calming the body & mind
The vagus nerve is one of the longest nerves in the body, running from the brainstem down to the abdomen, […]
Oral Sensory Calming Strategies
Have you ever wondered why you bite your nails? Why might you reach for a crunchy snack when you’re trying […]
Busting the myths on “Secure Attachment”
Secure attachment is a relationship between a caregiver and child that fosters feelings of safety and security.
The 4 Parenting styles
How parents interact and communicate with their children can have a significant impact on their development and well-being
How Play Therapy Helps Build Confidence in Quiet Kids
When a child is quiet and shy, there may be a lot of factors in play as to what causes […]
What Is Theraplay®?
Theraplay is a special type of play therapy which strengthens parent-child bonds, self-esteem, trust, and joyful engagement. Theraplay interactions focus […]
The Benefits of Play Therapy for Trauma
Play therapy is an effective and powerful modality in the early intervention for trauma in children. It is a psychological […]
The Impact of Trauma in Childhood on Development
Trauma affects children of all ages and can affect their body and brain development in the long-term. Children experience trauma […]
How Early Intervention In Childhood Impacts Future Mental Health
Nearly half of all mental health problems start before the age of 14. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, […]
How Does Play Therapy Benefit Young Children?
Play therapy or play-based mental health intervention helps children with mental health concerns, social, and developmental concerns. What Is Play […]
New Clinic Location at Moorabbin
CoRe Kids Therapy has recently relocated our Highett clinic to our new premises at 3/3 Tuck Street, Moorabbin, VIC 3189. […]
Interoception
I’m sure you heard at school that our body has five senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing and vision? Well, it […]
Just Breathe – Coping with our Emotions
Just Breathe… Have you ever wondered why people say that? Why is breathing going to help when you feel scared, […]
Learn to Play – Referral Information for professionals in health or education
Learn to Play Therapy aims to develop the ability of children to spontaneously engage in pretend play. It is for […]
Learn to Play – Information for Parents & Carers
What is Learn to Play Therapy? Learn to Play Therapy is for children aged 18 months to 10 years who […]
Connecting and understanding your child through play
When we find ourselves wanting to understand and learn more about our child/ren, the best chance is to meet them […]
How can Child Centered Play Therapy help my child with challenging behaviour?
Child Centered Play Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps children process complicated emotions through their natural medium of […]
Communicating Through Play
Recently I’ve been reflecting on my work and how certain therapeutic approaches suit different people across the lifespan. One thing […]
Nature Play and the Benefits for Children
What are the benefits of nature play for children? This is a very good question and one that we feel […]
Understanding how Play Therapy can help children with a diagnosis of ASD
Children who have a diagnosis of ASD often present with some core autistic traits – for example communicative difficulties, social […]
The Affects of Bullying on Young Minds
In a perfect world, no child should experience bullying, but unfortunately it is not the reality and many children will […]
Children thinking in their Play
Children Thinking in their Play – Piaget Children are expert thinkers ! In play, they test out their ideas and […]
Strategies to help your child cope with back to School
Whether your child is beginning school for the very first time, entering a new grade or starting at a whole […]
What is Play Therapy and How it Helps
What is Play Therapy? CoRe Kids Therapy offers Animal Assisted Play Therapy and Child Centred Play Therapy, along with our […]
Meet Cheeky and Playful Cookie
Cookie is one of our three therapy dogs. He has a lovely cheeky, playful nature and is a joy to […]
Meet Donna Lai – CoRe Kids Therapy Principal Clinician
Donna reflects warmth and empathy when working with children and their families. She has a collaborative and reflective approach, empowering […]
Positive Parenting: How to Enhance Your Communication with Kids
When it comes to raising children, there’s a bit of an art to positive parenting, and it starts with not asking questions. We […]
