Supporting Children to Feel Confident, Comfortable, and Ready for School

Starting school is a significant transition for children and families.

School readiness involves much more than academic learning. Children develop readiness for school through communication, emotional regulation, social participation, sensory processing, independence, routines, confidence, and everyday life experiences.

At Belong Health, we provide school readiness supports for children and families across Western Australia through Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, parent coaching, Psychology assessments, Counselling, Positive Behaviour Support, and telehealth services.

Our approach is collaborative, strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and family-centred.

We work alongside families to support children in building the skills, confidence, and strategies that help them participate meaningfully and comfortably within school and learning environments.

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What Is School Readiness?

School readiness refers to the developmental, emotional, communication, sensory, social, and practical skills that support children in participating in school environments.

Every child develops differently, and there is no single “perfect” pathway into school.

Some children may benefit from additional support with:

• Emotional regulation
• Communication and language
• Social interaction
• Following routines
• Attention and concentration
• Fine motor skills
• Independence skills
• Sensory processing
• Transitions and flexibility
• Confidence in group environments

School readiness support focuses on helping children participate in ways that feel supportive, manageable, and meaningful for them.

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School Readiness and Thriving Kids WA

As Thriving Kids WA and Foundational Supports continue to develop across Western Australia, school readiness and participation in everyday environments are expected to become increasingly important areas of early childhood support.

​The direction of these supports focuses on:

• Early developmental support
• Participation in learning environments
• Family-centred approaches
• Building parent and caregiver confidence
• Supporting children where they live, learn, and play
• Flexible developmental support pathways

School readiness supports may help children build confidence and participation skills before starting school or during the transition into formal learning environments.

Learn more about Thriving Kids WA

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Emotional Regulation for School

Emotional regulation plays an important role in school participation.

Some children may experience:

• Emotional overwhelm
• Anxiety or worries
• Frustration during transitions
• Difficulty managing changes in routine
• Difficulty communicating emotions
• Stress in busy environments
• Difficulty separating from caregivers

School readiness support may help children and families build:

• Emotional regulation strategies
• Co-regulation approaches
• Predictable routines
• Transition supports
• Flexible coping strategies
• Confidence in unfamiliar environments

Our approach focuses on supporting children to feel safe, understood, and supported while building practical strategies for everyday participation.

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Communication and Social Participation

Communication and social interaction look different for every child.
Some children may benefit from support with:

• Expressing needs and ideas
• Understanding instructions
• Participating in group activities
• Social communication
• Play-based interaction
• Building friendships and connection
• Confidence in classroom participation

​Speech Pathology and developmental supports may help children build communication strategies that support participation across:

• Classrooms
• Playgrounds
• Group activities
• Daily routines
• Community environments

We value all forms of communication and support children in communicating in ways that feel meaningful and supportive for them.

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Fine Motor and Independence Skills

Children often develop school-related independence skills at different rates.
Some children may benefit from support with:

• Pencil grasp and early handwriting readiness
• Scissor skills
• Fine motor coordination
• Dressing and toileting independence
• Managing lunchboxes and belongings
• Following routines
• Organising tasks and transitions

Occupational Therapy supports may help children build confidence and participation within everyday school activities and routines.

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Sensory Processing and School Participation

School environments can involve a wide range of sensory experiences, including:

• Noise
• Movement
• Busy classrooms
• Visual input
• Group activities
• Changes in routine and transitions

Some children may:

• Become overwhelmed in busy environments
• Seek sensory input
• Need movement or sensory breaks
• Experience difficulty regulating sensory information
• Feel anxious during transitions or group settings

School readiness supports may help families understand:

• Sensory preferences and sensitivities
• Environmental supports
• Regulation strategies
• Classroom participation supports
• Sensory-informed routines

Our goal is to help children participate more comfortably and confidently within learning environments.

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Parent Coaching for School Readiness

Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting school transitions.

Parent coaching may include:

• Preparing for school routines
• Supporting emotional regulation
• Building independence skills
• Creating visual supports and routines
• Transition planning
• Communication strategies
• Sensory support ideas
• Building confidence around school participation

Our approach focuses on practical and sustainable strategies that can be integrated naturally into everyday family life.

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Psychology Assessments and School Readiness

Some families may seek Psychology assessments to better understand:

• Learning profiles
• Attention and concentration differences
• Cognitive strengths and support needs
• Emotional wellbeing
• Autism or ADHD pathways
• Functional participation within school environments

Assessments may help families, educators, and healthcare professionals identify supports, strategies, and recommendations that assist school participation and learning.

Learn more about Child Psychology Assessments

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Positive Behaviour Support and School Participation

Some children may communicate stress, anxiety, overwhelm, sensory overload, frustration, or unmet needs through behaviours that impact school participation.

Positive Behaviour Support approaches may help families and educators:

• Understand the reasons behind behaviours
• Identify triggers and support needs
• Develop regulation strategies
• Support communication and participation
• Build safe and supportive learning environments

Our approach focuses on understanding behaviour within the child’s environment, communication style, emotional needs, and developmental profile.

Learn more about PBS for Children

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Telehealth School Readiness Support Across WA

Belong Health provides telehealth school readiness supports across Western Australia, including regional and remote communities.
Telehealth may support:

• Parent coaching
• Emotional regulation strategies
• School transition planning
• Behaviour support guidance
• Sensory support strategies
• Communication development
• School consultations

Telehealth can provide flexible access to developmental supports regardless of location.

Learn more about Telehealth Developmental Support

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Signs Your Child May Benefit From School Readiness Support

Every child develops differently, and support needs can vary across different environments.

Some signs that a child may benefit from additional school readiness support may include:

• Difficulty with transitions or routines
• Emotional overwhelm in group environments
• Communication differences
• Difficulty participating in classroom activities
• Attention and concentration differences
• Sensory sensitivities
• Difficulty with independence skills
• Challenges participating socially with peers
• Difficulty separating from caregivers
• Anxiety related to school or change

Seeking support early can help children and families build confidence, understanding, participation, and practical everyday strategies.

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Our Family-Centred Approach

At Belong Health, we value collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and family-centred support.
We work alongside:

• Parents and caregivers
• Schools and educators
• Childcare providers
• Allied health teams
• Healthcare professionals
• Community supports

Our goal is to help children participate meaningfully, comfortably, and confidently within school and learning environments while empowering families with practical guidance and support.

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Supporting Families Across Western Australia

Belong Health supports children and families across:

• Mandurah & Peel Region
• Perth Metro
• Regional WA
• Remote WA communities
• Telehealth across Western Australia

​We provide flexible support options including:

• Home visits
• School visits
• Community-based supports
• Telehealth appointments
• Clinic-based services

Contact Belong Health
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If you would like to learn more about school readiness supports, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, emotional regulation support, Psychology assessments, parent coaching, Positive Behaviour Support, or telehealth services, contact Belong Health today.

​Our team supports children and families across Perth, Mandurah, regional WA, and throughout Western Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions - School Readiness

Does my child need a diagnosis for school readiness support?
Not always. Many children benefit from school readiness support based on developmental differences, participation challenges, emotional regulation needs, communication differences, or functional support needs.

What age should school readiness support begin?
This varies for every child. Some families seek support in the years leading up to school, while others seek support closer to school transition periods.

Can school readiness support occur at school or childcare?
Yes. Supports may be provided within home, school, childcare, clinic, community, or telehealth environments depending on the child’s goals and support needs.

Can telehealth support school readiness?
Yes. Telehealth can support parent coaching, school transition planning, emotional regulation strategies, communication development, and developmental guidance.

Can school readiness support involve Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology together?
Yes. Many children benefit from multidisciplinary supports involving Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, parent coaching, Psychology assessments, Positive Behaviour Support, and Counselling supports.

OFFICE HOURS:      MONDAY TO FRIDAY  8:30am - 4:30pm

Belong Health's Community Services for Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Occupational & Speech Therapy Assistants, & Counselling. Our Services NOW cover Peel to Perth regions.

 13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

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