Toileting can feel like it should be straightforward, until you’re the one supporting a child thought it. When they are unsteady on the seat, overwhelmed by the bathroom, or unsure what their body is even telling them. In this episode take a clear OT approach to toilet training and building toileting independence.

We talk through the hidden skills behind toileting, including balance and postural control for sitting safely, motor planning for climbing up and managing clothes, interoception for noticing “I need to go”. You’ll hear practical ideas for setting up the bathroom, ways to reduce sensory overload from bright lights, echo, smells, flushing, to noisy hand dryers. We also share language you can use to give kids more choice and control, so the bathroom feels less surprising and more manageable.

We dive into the full toileting sequence and discuss why visuals, social stories, and consistent routines can unlock independence for older kids as well as toddlers. We cover wiping practice games, creative problem solving with toilet paper, and clothing choices that make early toilet training easier, then finish with tips for keeping strategies consistent across home, preschool, school, and community toilets.

If you found these OT toileting tips helpful, don't forget to leave a review and share the podcast around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. If you would like to donate and support the podcast - https://studio.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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In this episode we dive into some of the reasons bath and shower time can be a tricky dynamic and go through practical strategies to support bath and shower time to not only be fun, but opportunities for independence.

We go through what can be happening from a sensory perspective, how to use predictability and routines to your benefit was to set up the bathroom environment for success and practical strategies for independence in washing their body, their hair and drying off at the end of the day. Including playful techniques to keep the bath/shower time a fun experience for all.

If your child needs more support, we also outline when to consider equipment like grab rails, shower seats, long-handled scrubbers, or transfer solutions—always with guidance from your occupational therapist to get the right fit. Share this episode with a friend who dreads bath time, try one change tonight, and tell us what worked. If you’re finding value in these practical OT tools, subscribe, leave a quick review, and consider supporting the show—your encouragement keeps these resources flowing. What’s the one bath time tweak you’ll test first?

If you would like to donate and support the podcast - https://studio.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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The fastest way to make mealtimes calmer isn’t a new gadget; it’s seeing what’s really happening beneath the spills. In this week's episode We unpack how posture, coordination, attention, and sensory processing shape every bite, and why small, smart changes can turn chaos into progress without power struggles or pressure.

We start with setup and posture, how this can impact on our ability to access feeding. We chat through the importance of mess and simple strategies to bring into mealtimes. We also chat through restricted diets through a sensory lens, showing how unpredictable textures and smells can shrink a child’s “safe foods,” and how low-demand exploring—an extra plate, silly food art, cooking together—opens the door to variety.

You’ll learn practical, OT-backed steps for self-feeding. For spoons and forks, we use backwards chaining and tiny prompts to fade support. We share simple cues that can help kids to organise their movements. For knives, we build bilateral coordination with the knife in the dominant hand, soft foods first, and a clear rhythm—fork in, saw forwards-back, press down then back. We round out with some quick strategies to support drinking from open cups. Along the way, we keep meals playful and social so learning sticks.

If these ideas help, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s in the thick of mealtime challenges, and leave a review to tell us what worked and what you want next. Your stories shape the topics we dig into next.

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Dressing skills are about so much more than just putting on clothes—they're a daily opportunity to build problem-solving abilities that last a lifetime. In this second episode of our self-care season, we dive deep into strategies for later dressing skills (zips, buttons, shoes) and also really discuss the thinking that goes on behind the scenes for dressing.

What exactly makes buttons and zips so tricky for little fingers? We break down these complex motor skills into manageable steps, sharing practical strategies to build confidence and independence.

Beyond the physical skills, we explore the hidden cognitive load of dressing—the thinking processes that make these seemingly simple tasks surprisingly complex. Learn why honouring children's choices in dressing sequence, even when you know they won't work, creates powerful "naturally occurring problems" that build problem-solving confidence. We share playful approaches to make dressing fun rather than frustrating, including dress-up games and modelling how to work through mistakes.

The episode concludes with an enlightening look at adaptive clothing options that work within a child's abilities to maximise independence. From magnetic closures that look like buttons to side-opening designs to many more.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, these practical, playful strategies will transform dressing time from a daily struggle into a valuable learning opportunity. Share your own dressing tips or questions with us on Instagram @bellsotcorner or email bellsotcorner@gmail.com!

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Dressing seems straightforward to us as adults, but for children, it's a complex developmental challenge requiring numerous hidden skills. This episode dives into the foundations of early dressing independence, revealing why undressing naturally comes before dressing and how seemingly simple tasks like putting on a t-shirt involve intricate motor planning, body awareness, and cognitive sequencing.

We dive into the underlying skills needed to engage in dressing tasks and some of the many reason it can be frustrating for both children and parents!
Throughout this conversation, I share practical strategies you can implement immediately, including how to choose the right time to practice, why loose-fitting clothes make learning easier, the power of backwards and forwards chaining techniques, the role of problem solving within dressing!

The most powerful takeaway? Independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. It means supporting children to do as much as they can with the least amount of help, recognising their unique capabilities, and celebrating each step toward self-care mastery. Whether you're a parent frustrated with morning routines or a teacher supporting classroom independence, these foundational principles will transform how you approach dressing skills with the children in your life.

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This final episode of our play season explores how playful moments build the persistence skills children need throughout life. When children engage in play, they're not just having fun; they're developing the ability to notice problems, try different solutions, and maintain emotional regulation through challenges.

Join me as we dive into the intricacies of how we can support the children in our lives to develop their persistence within play. From noticing the problem, trialling some solutions, seeking help from adults to maintaining their regulation and using adults for co-regulation throughout!

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, this episode offers practical strategies for fostering persistence through everyday play. By embracing these approaches, you'll help the children in your life develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong belief that they can overcome challenges.

What persistence skills have you noticed developing through play? Share your experiences and join the conversation!

Don't forget to share the podcast around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights.

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Cooperative play marks a change within play where children begin working together to achieve shared goals. Whether building a tower, creating a fort, or solving an imaginary problem, this collaborative play helps children build so many skills within a fun, playful environment!

When you watch children negotiate who gets which role in their pretend restaurant or see them problem-solve together to build the perfect blanket fort, you're witnessing the emergence of teamwork, communication, and regulation in real-time.

When children step into different roles within dramatic pretend play, they're building so many skills from perspective taking to problem solving, and sequencing skills. Being playful allows children to build these critical thinking skills in a low pressure environment where their creativity can be set free!

As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights.

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Symbolic play marks a fun milestone where children begin using objects to represent something entirely different. That wooden block becomes a phone, a spoon transforms into a microphone, and suddenly teddy bears need proper bedtime routines. This isn't just adorable behaviour – it's your child building new play skills, problem-solving, and creativity!

We also dive into associative play - as children begin engaging with peers around common activities without formal organisation. Children at the playground following each other, sharing equipment, or dancing together with shared joy. While they're not yet cooperatively working toward shared goals, they're developing the social awareness and skills that will support more complex interactions as they continue to grow and develop.

We discuss strategies to support these play stages you can begin to practice at home. Most importantly focusing on how we can follow your child's lead and gently extend their play interactions and scenarios.

These seemingly simple play interactions lay the groundwork for abstract thinking, problem-solving, and social skills that will benefit your child throughout their lifetime. Next week, we'll explore the next developmental stage: cooperative play and socio-dramatic play, where pretend play becomes even more complex and socially interconnected. Join us as we continue unraveling the fascinating world of children's play development!

As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights.

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

Support the show