When your child gets the “all clear” after having a cast removed from their leg, it’s a moment of relief and celebration. But for many families, what follows can be unexpectedly challenging. You might have been told your child is now fine to walk… but they refuse to stand, hobble on tiptoes, or keep asking to be carried. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

At Nurture Paediatrics, we regularly support tamariki and their families through this very phase – helping children retake confident steps (literally!) after a fracture. This blog will guide you through what’s going on, why your child might be anxious or reluctant, and what you can do to help – practically, gently, and playfully.

Helping Kids Understand Pain: Why Metaphors, Education & Family Support Matter

When a child is in pain, their response is often misunderstood as overreaction. But what looks like “catastrophising” is usually a normal, developmentally appropriate reaction to fear and uncertainty. At Nurture Paediatrics, we use child-friendly education tools—including metaphors like the pain control console—to help tamariki (and their whānau) understand the complexity of pain and take confident steps toward recovery.

Learn how we’re transforming pain care for children through connection, clarity, and compassionate communication.

Is your child complaining of heel pain after sports or activity? They may be experiencing calcaneal apophysitis (Sever’s disease)—a common condition in growing kids. Despite the name, it’s not a disease but an irritation of the heel’s growth plate due to overload, growth spurts, or unsupportive footwear.

Is this blog Mandy explores why traditional calf stretching may actually prolong symptoms—and highlights evidence-based treatments like load management, supportive footwear, sport-specific strength training, and biomechanical assessments. With the right approach, kids can stay active and recover fully.

Helping Your Child Prepare for School Cross Country
Why preparation matters – and how to make it a positive experience

School cross country is a long-standing tradition in Aotearoa schools, but for many children, it can be a source of stress rather than excitement. In a typical classroom, there’s a huge range of physical abilities—from sporty kids training daily to others who are largely inactive. That gap is only getting wider, and unfortunately, it can make school cross country feel daunting for those not already confident in their physical abilities.

At Nurture Paediatrics, we love the idea of school cross country – but we believe it needs a better lead-in to make it inclusive and enjoyable for every child.

In this blog, we walk you through simple, practical strategies to help your child prepare. From goal setting to course familiarisation, family exercise routines to informal training races – we cover it all. You'll also learn why timing matters, especially as cross country often falls just before winter sports begin. Without adequate preparation, kids face a higher risk of injury or pain, which can discourage them from future participation.

With the right support and preparation, cross country can be a wonderful opportunity for children to build confidence, endurance, and resilience – regardless of where they finish in the race.

Your child doesn’t need to be a top runner – they just need to feel prepared, supported, and proud of giving it a good go.

Read the full guide to help your child thrive at this year’s school cross country and plant the seed for a lifelong love of movement.

As an Occupational Therapist (OT), my role in helping individuals with autism is to support them in achieving greater independence and participation in everyday life by addressing their specific needs and challenges. In this blog post, I’ll share some insights into how occupational therapy can support individuals with autism and why it’s such an essential part of the treatment and intervention process.

In today’s fast-paced world, managing stress and anxiety can be challenging, especially for individuals with sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD, or anxiety. Sensory equipment offers a practical solution, providing comfort, calm, and focus through innovative tools like weighted blankets, compression clothing, and fidget toys.

Weighted Blankets: A Natural Way to Reduce Anxiety
Weighted blankets use deep pressure stimulation to promote relaxation, helping to increase serotonin levels and reduce stress. Whether for improved sleep, better focus in school, or relief from overwhelm, weighted blankets or smaller lap pads can make a significant difference.

Compression Clothing: Enhancing Comfort and Focus
Compression items like body socks, tight-fitting shirts, and sensory bed sheets create gentle, even pressure, helping with body awareness, emotional regulation, and improved sleep quality.

Other Sensory Tools for Everyday Calm
From fidget toys and sensory swings to chewable pendants and wobble cushions, a variety of sensory tools can support self-regulation and focus for both children and adults.

If you're unsure which sensory tools are right for you or your child, consulting a pediatric occupational therapist (OT) can help tailor solutions to individual needs. Sensory equipment is more than just a trend—it’s a proven way to enhance well-being, reduce anxiety, and improve daily life.

Discover the Hidden Benefits of Playgrounds for Tamariki
Playgrounds are more than just fun—they’re essential for child development! From enhancing balance and coordination on the slide to building strength and flexibility on the monkey bars, playgrounds nurture physical and sensory growth. Learn how activities like climbing and swinging boost the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, promote social skills, and support healthy habits. Explore the developmental magic of playgrounds and empower your tamariki to thrive through play! 🌟

Keywords: benefits of playgrounds, child development, tamariki, balance, coordination, strength, sensory integration, vestibular system, proprioceptive system, playground activities, paediatric physiotherapy

Struggling with a picky eater? Discover 5 common phrases to avoid and what to say instead to encourage your child to explore new foods without pressure or stress. Create positive mealtime experiences with practical tips that build trust and confidence.

picky eaters, kids’ nutrition, healthy eating habits, mealtime tips, overcoming food aversions, child-friendly meals, parenting advice.

Sleep is essential for children’s physical health, cognitive growth, and emotional well-being. At Nurture Paediatrics, we recognize that sufficient sleep is crucial for your child's development and overall health.

How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

• Preschoolers (3 to 5 years): 10 to 13 hours (including naps)

• School-aged children (6 to 12 years): 9 to 12 hours

• Teenagers (13 to 18 years): 8 to 10 hours

The Impact of Poor Sleep

Inadequate sleep can significantly affect a child’s physical health, learning abilities, emotional regulation, and behavior. Sleep is the time when the body heals, grows, and processes information. Without enough rest, children may experience slower growth, difficulties with concentration and learning, increased moodiness, and behavioral problems.

Creating Healthy Sleep Habits

Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, creating a sleep-friendly environment, encouraging physical activity, and monitoring sleep quality are key to ensuring your child gets the rest they need.

At Nurture Paediatrics, we integrate sleep health into our comprehensive care plans to support each child’s unique needs, promoting their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. If you have concerns about your child’s sleep, we’re here to help. Let’s work together to ensure your child’s sleep supports their journey to a healthy and thriving future.

In the busy world of a school day, children take thousands of steps, but how does this activity measure up to recommended levels? Global guidelines emphasise the importance of physical activity, and tracking daily steps has become a simple way to gauge movement. Research shows that while children are generally more active than adolescents, many struggle to meet or exceed these guidelines, leading to potential risks like injury or musculoskeletal pain. At Nurture Paediatric Physio, we focus on helping children find a balance, promoting optimal health through proper loading, injury prevention, and recovery.

Hydrotherapy, also known as aquatic therapy or water rehabilitation, has gained recognition as a powerful rehabilitation tool for individuals recovering from orthopaedic or musculoskeletal injuries. This form of therapy harnesses the unique properties of water to provide a safe and effective environment for rehabilitation, especially for children and adolescents. In this blog, we will explore the numerous benefits and principles of hydrotherapy and how it can aid in the recovery of young individuals with injury recovery.

If you’re a parent of a child with ADHD, you may often find yourself telling them to "stand still" or "look at me" to ensure they’re listening. However, for children with ADHD, such commands can be counterproductive. ADHD affects how they process sensory input, and many children use movement as a way to focus. Forcing them to be still can actually hinder their concentration and increase anxiety. Instead, embrace their need to move. Try engaging in light activities like walking or letting them use a fidget toy while talking. Reducing sensory distractions, using visual aids, and creating comfortable spaces for conversation can also help. By adapting to your child’s natural tendencies, you can foster more effective communication, making them feel understood and valued, which leads to stronger relationships.

Most people know the five senses—smell, taste, vision, hearing, and touch—but we also have three more: proprioception, vestibular, and interoception. Sensory processing is how our brain interprets sensory input and guides our response to the environment. Proprioception helps us know where our body is in space, vestibular input informs us about balance and movement, and interoception tells us about internal states like hunger or thirst.

Children with autism or ADHD often experience sensory input differently, needing extra proprioceptive input to feel calm or showing strong responses to vestibular stimuli, such as spinning or motion. Interoception challenges may affect things like toilet training or weather-appropriate clothing.

Each child has unique sensory preferences, and understanding these can help them thrive. Paediatric occupational therapists can work with families to identify a child’s sensory profile and create strategies that support their sensory needs, helping them engage fully in daily activities.

Parenting is a beautiful journey filled with joys and challenges. Among these challenges is striking the right balance between ensuring your child's safety and allowing them the freedom to explore and develop. We often use various products like car seats, high chairs, and baby walkers to keep our little ones safe, but it's essential to recognise that sometimes these products, while necessary, can inadvertently limit their movement and exploration. In this blog, we'll explore the concept of "container kids" and offer positive ways busy parents can support their child's development.

In physiotherapy, every child deserves individual attention and care. As practitioners, we nurture their physical abilities and make them feel special. I start new consults by boosting the child's confidence and emphasizing that their brain and body are adaptable. Research shows children learn new skills faster than adults due to higher levels of GABA in their brains, which helps retain new information. This rapid learning ability should encourage teachers and parents to provide ample learning opportunities. Physiotherapy can support this process, helping children realise their amazing potential.

As the exam period approaches, ensuring a conducive study environment for your children at home becomes crucial for their learning and productivity. Just as optimal ergonomics are essential for workplace efficiency, the same principle applies to your child's study space. Let's delve into key guidelines for establishing a quality study space that promotes focus, comfort, and overall well-being.

Walking in the New Zealand bush offers children immense benefits, from physical development to mental well-being. Recent observations revealed many kids are uncomfortable in this natural setting, highlighting the need to reconnect them with nature. Bushwalking enhances coordination, balance, and proprioception while also boosting mental health through fresh air and the sounds of birds. It fosters social and emotional bonds through shared experiences and builds resilience. Moreover, it nurtures a deeper spiritual connection to the environment. Let’s encourage our children to embrace the outdoors, promoting their holistic development and creating lasting family memories.

In the world of paediatric healthcare, it's crucial to recognise that a child's behavior, especially when faced with an injury, can be a reflection of their deepest fears and uncertainties. What may seem like "catastrophising behavior" to some can actually be a plea for understanding, education, and reassurance. In recent years, qualitative research has shed light on the increasing concern that healthcare providers sometimes dismiss these emotions rather than addressing them. In this blog, we'll delve into why it's essential for healthcare to acknowledge and help children who are fearful of their injuries.

Inside Out 2 brilliantly illustrates how emotions like anxiety, sadness, and joy interact and impact our lives, much like how our emotional state influences pain. As a paediatric physiotherapist, I see firsthand how emotions shape the experience of pain in children. The film’s portrayal of Anxiety, which overtakes other emotions, mirrors how anxiety can intensify pain, sidelining joy and making it harder for children to cope. Movies like this offer valuable tools for helping children understand and articulate their emotions, paving the way for better pain management and emotional well-being.

Puberty is a dynamic period of growth and development. From growth spurts and improved posture to hormonal changes and increased physical capabilities, these changes highlight the incredible adaptations of our bodies. Celebrate growth as a sign of health and provide guidance on nutrition and exercise. Emphasise the positive role of hormones and the enhanced strength, endurance, and coordination that come with puberty. By framing these changes positively, we help adolescents embrace their developing bodies with confidence, appreciating the remarkable potential and resilience of their bodies during this pivotal stage of life.