DIR/Floortime-Informed Insights for Parents of Babies and Toddlers
By Katy Barnes, OTD, OTR/L (Zier Institute, Omaha, NE)

Hello and welcome! My name is Katy Barnes, and I am an occupational therapist at AZ+A’s sister clinic, Zier Institute in Omaha. And like you, I am a parent.

I’m passionate about empowering families who are tired of being told to “wait and see”. You know your child best, and when something doesn’t feel quite right, you deserve support, and that is why I am excited to introduce this summer blog series.

Over the next few weeks, we will explore how your child’s earliest experiences build the foundation for learning and emotional development.

What is Sensory and Motor Development?

When it comes to your baby’s growth, you are probably tracking milestones like “first steps” and “first words”. But before those moments happen, something powerful is already underway. Your child is learning to sense, move, and organize their body in space, and that is where development really begins.

Sensory and motor development includes:
– Gross motor skills like crawling, walking, jumping
– Fine motor skills like grasping toys and self-feeding
– Sensory processing, or how your child takes in and reacts to the world around them

These aren’t just skills, they are foundational systems that shape how your child explores, connects with others and manages big feelings.

Why It Matters
Sensory and motor development lay the groundwork for:
– Sitting and focusing in the classroom
– Forming social skills and friendships
– Developing emotional regulation
– Learning to read, write, and problem solve
– Feeling confident, safe, and connected in their body

When these systems are well-supported, your child can feel regulated, curious, and engaged, all the key ingredients for learning and building relationships.

What Makes DIR/Floortime Different?

At Zier Institute, and Amy Zier + Associates, we use the DIR/Floortime model to guide our work. It is a warm, relationship-based approach to early development that focuses not just on what your child does, but on who they are.

DIR stands for:
– Developmental – Supporting your child through each stage of growth
– Individual Differences – Understanding your child’s unique sensory and motor profile
– Relationship-Based – Using connection and shared joy to support regulation and learning

Instead of rushing to fix a skill, we ask:

“What is this behavior telling us?”

“How can we join this child and co-regulate through play?”

“What is the unmet need?”

Why Sensory Play is More Than Just Fun
When your child rolls on the floor, spins in circles, or stomps in puddles, they aren’t just playing, they are doing the work of development. Through sensory play, children learn to:
– Regulate their arousal and emotions
– Try new things without shutting down
– Connect with caregivers through shared affect
– Practice persistence and problem solving

Try This at Home: Watch, Wonder, Join
Start simple with your child today:
– Watch – What kind of play draws them in?
– Wonder – What ideas are they exploring? What does this play mean to them?
– Join – Match their energy, get on their level, narrate what you see

You are joining their world and helping them grow and build the skills they need for independence, confidence, and lifelong learning.

Coming up next…
Milestones Emerging Through Experience: Understanding Infant Movement and Motor Milestones

Looking for More Support?
Whether you’re just starting to ask questions or already seeking occupational therapy, our team is here to support families who want to understand their child’s sensory world and connect more deeply through play.

Reach out to schedule a consultation.