DIR/Floortime
Floortime is the centerpiece
of the Developmental, Individual-Difference,
Relationship-Based (DIR)
Model. The DIR/Floortime
approach involves meeting
your child at his current
developmental level, and
building upon his particular
set of strengths to help
him develop. The approach
suggests following the child’s
lead: tuning in to his interests
and desires in interactions
and play to harness the
power of his motivation
and help him climb the developmental
ladder. It also involves
tailoring these interactions
to the child's individual
differences in sensory reactivity,
processing and motor planning.
An important part of
this program is engaging
in developmentally appropriate
interactions at every
opportunity. This is "Floortime,”
which literally involves
getting down on the floor
to play with your child.
By following your child's
interests, joining what
he is doing and wooing
him with warm but persistent
attempts to engage his
attention, you can lead
him to climb the developmental
ladder. Through playful,
engaging interactions,
you can help him want
to learn to pay attention,
want to engage in some
sort of dialogue and want
to take initiative, even
before he speaks in any
meaningful conversation.
By entering into your
child's world, you can
help your child learn
to relate in a meaningful,
spontaneous, flexible
and warm way. This does
not happen overnight;
adopting this approach
involves making a commitment
to spending a considerable
period of time on the
floor, playing with your
child and becoming a part
of his world, even if
his activities are limited.
It involves responding
to his every utterance
or gesture, in an effort
to spark a response –
the beginning of two-way
communication with your
child.
For more information
visit www.icdl.com
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