Our approach
At Mud Pies, we believe children need to feel safe and connected to themselves, others and nature in order to participate and grow.
Our approach brings together nature-based practice with an understanding of regulation, neurodiversity, attachment, trauma, sensory needs and child development, supported by OT-informed practice.
All of our groups are designed to support children experiencing barriers to participation, belonging and wellbeing.
For each child, we consider what might be creating a barrier and adapt the environment, relationships and support around them within our Regulate. Connect. Grow. framework.
Our framework
Regulate
"I feel safe enough"
A child who is overwhelmed, anxious or dysregulated may not yet have the capacity to communicate or participate fully. So, we provide well thought out transition support for those that need it.
We create predictable, low-arousal environments with consistent adults, clear communication and plenty of opportunities for movement, sensory input, rest and space.
Our team uses co-regulation and low-demand approaches, noticing what behaviour, movement, play or withdrawal might be communicating rather than simply trying to change what we see.
Feeling safe can look different for every child. We meet them where they are at.
Connect
"I belong here"
Connection develops through time, trust, consistency and shared experiences.
Our team consciously builds relationships based on shared fun woodland activities, and unconditional positive regard.
We reduce demands, use of declarative language and enable children to retain their autonomy within clear boundaries for safety.
Through shared experiences such as team games, cooking over the campfire, tool use and woodland crafts we enable the development of emotional literacy, communication skills, conflict resolution, friendships and a sense of belonging.
Grow
"I can try this"
We don't rush growth.
When children feel safer and more connected, participation often develops naturally.
Growth might mean joining an activity for the first time, moving further away from a trusted adult, making a friend, communicating a need, trying something difficult, recovering from conflict or taking a carefully supported risk.
Our child-led approach creates opportunities for exploration, play, challenge, independence and success without unnecessary pressure.
What growth looks like will be different for every child — and that is exactly as it should be.
Our practice is...
Trauma-informed
We recognise how experiences of stress and trauma can affect regulation, relationships and participation.
Neuro-affirming
We respect neurological differences and don't measure success by how closely a child can conform to neurotypical expectations.
Sensory-aware
We consider sensory needs and adapt activities and environments to reduce barriers to participation.
OT-informed
Occupational Therapy informed practice helps us understand regulation, sensory needs, participation and the environment.
Child-led
Children’s interests, communication, choices, strengths and needs help shape what happens in our groups.
Child-led
Children’s interests, communication, choices, strengths and needs help shape what happens in our groups.
Nature based
Nature is not simply where our work happens. We use the natural environment to support regulation, connection, play and participation.
Relational
We build safe, consistent relationships based on predictability, trust, connection and unconditional positive regard.
Play-based
Children gain confidence, develop and learn through play that is freely chosen, child-led and, most importantly- fun.