Reach for the Stars

16/09/2026

14/09/2026

Play therapy may look like play—because play is the medium.

It is not an unstructured break or a reward. A trained therapist works within a clear therapeutic framework, with consistent sessions, attuned responses and safe boundaries, so a child can communicate and explore experience at a developmentally appropriate pace.

The toys are visible. The clinical thinking, relationship and reflective practice are less visible—but they are what make the space therapeutic.

Save this post for the next time someone asks, “But are they just playing?”

PTI

01/09/2026

❗️After school restraint collapse❗️
Share now to spread awareness-this isnt just for early years, this can apply to all children and young people
The next few weeks are a busy period of transitions-please share this info out
👇👇👇

🔑= CO-REGULATE

👉🏼what it’s NOT ..
✖️your child being mean or naughty on purpose
✖️ your child misbehaving

👉🏼what it IS ..
✔️A child that is finally in their safe place/ space (home) after a long day filled with overload of sensory input and information- visual, auditory, tactile -Remember your first day at a new job 🤯
✔️A child who worked sooo hard all day to hold it together & finally (finally!) feels comfortable (and safe) to be able to release it. all....!!!
✔️ An exhausted child who had to follow directions all day from possibly a new teacher (stranger right now) after 2 months of free time in the summer holidays as well as a new classroom/ environment
✔️A child who was surrounded by adults and other children (many classrooms have 30 kids in them- have you ever shared a workspace with 30 colleagues 🤯) & now their bodies, minds, nervous systems needs their own time and space!
To DOWN REGULATE ❤️

TIPS ..
•Food can be a source of calm-
✔️Crunchy foods-carrots -apples- crackers
✔️Thick textures- sucking drinking out of a water bottle or smoothie / milkshake through a straw can promote a calming effect on the nervous system
hot choc/ cheese on toast
✔️create a safe space or a go to space they can have alone time
✔️quiet the environment & reduce visual stimulation turn the lights down / close curtains or only have natural light/ lamp
✔️slow down - take time to be present with them -COREGULATE - Lay off all the questions
✔️sensory play - lots of tactile input -kinetic sand, playdough, fidgets
✔️water - bath / shower with shaving foam, bath bombs, bubbles (sensory)
✖️Do not punish ‘negative emotions’ or ignore, dismiss, or reject negative emotions. A child’s feelings of invalidation are associated with social-emotional difficulties and psychological distress​

‘ FEELINGS ARE JUST FEELINGS, THEY ARE NOT ME’ 🌈

& most IMPORTANTLY • keep yourself calm
-Regulate yourself
let them know they are safe 💜
And enjoy the rain free days ☀️☀️☀️

17/08/2026

Our free mental health and wellbeing courses are back this September. 💛

Whether you're looking for practical tools to manage anxiety and low mood, mindfulness training for the classroom, or support as a parent, we have a range of upcoming programmes available.

All of the courses featured here are FREE, with online and in-person options available.

Places are limited, so early registration is recommended.

🔗 Find out more and register through the AWARE NI website.
aware-ni.org/news/free-mental-health-programmes-september2026

15/08/2026

💚 Your Voice Matters 💚

We want to hear from you!

We are carrying out a short online survey to better understand the experiences, needs and challenges surrounding mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people in Omagh surrounding areas and Fermanagh.

Your experiences and opinions are incredibly valuable. By taking a few minutes to complete the survey, you can help us identify gaps in support, understand what our community needs and work towards improving services for children and young people.

👧🏼🧒🏽 Whether you are a parent, carer, young person, professional, volunteer or member of the local community — your voice matters.

🔹 The survey is voluntary
🔹 Responses are confidential and anonymous
🔹 It only takes a few minutes to complete

📣 Please take the time to have your say and share the survey with others who may wish to contribute.

👉 Complete the online survey here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rNZb14xAkv

Together, we can help make sure children and young people in our community have access to the right support when they need it. 💚