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When kids tip into sensory overload, their nervous system needs calm before anything else. Soft lights, slow movement, and predictable patterns, can gently draw attention away from overwhelm and help the brain reset without needing lots of words.

In this guide, we explain why visual calm works, the best times to use it through the day and share our favourite Starfish visual tools for home, classrooms and clinics to support regulation, focus and emotional wellbeing.

Teaching isn’t about pushing harder - it’s about guiding smarter. The art of teaching is finding that sweet spot where learning happens best: not too easy, not too hard, and with just the right support.

This blog unpacks Vygotsky’s ideas of the Zone of Proximal Development and scaffolding, with practical examples parents, educators, and tutors can use right away.

Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. Technology is vital for staying connected, but what we can do is learn to manage screen time responsibly.

Games are an ideal solution. There are so many great, screen-free games to keep children entertained that are just as easy to pop in the bag or car, here's some of our Starfish favourites!

Choosing the right size weighted compression vest can be tricky — especially when shopping online. In this practical guide, we walk you through everything you need to know, from how to measure your child to what a well-fitting vest should look and feel like.

We’ve even included real photos, body measurements, and expert tips to help you order with confidence. Because when it fits well, a weighted compression vest can do what it’s designed to: support calm, focus and self-regulation!

What’s the secret behind learning to read? It all starts with understanding how letters represent sounds. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the alphabetic principle and show you exactly what to teach, how to teach it, and why it matters. Perfect for parents, educators, and tutors supporting early literacy.

With free printables, video explanations, and evidence-based strategies, this is your go-to resource for teaching the building blocks of reading.

In early childhood education, teaching the alphabet is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for reading and writing.

However, the order in which the letters are taught can greatly impact a child's learning progress.

In this blog, we will explore the importance of teaching the alphabet in a particular order, provide practical tips on how to effectively teach letter sounds, and suggest activities and resources that you can do now to support your child's learning journey. Plus a FREE DOWNLOAD!

Struggling with faint, messy, or heavy-handed handwriting? Weighted and vibrating pens are more than just novel tools—they offer targeted sensory input that can help improve control, coordination, and writing fluency.

In this post, we unpack how they work, who they’re best suited for, and how to trial one at home before investing in a specialised option.

Teaching the alphabet is more than just letter names—it’s about helping children understand the sounds that build words. Using a synthetic phonics approach, this guide covers the best strategies for teaching letter sounds, choosing the right order, and making learning fun.

Whether your child is a preschooler just starting to explore letters or a school-aged learner ready to decode words, these evidence-based tips will set them up for reading success.

Weighted items like lap blankets and compression vests can transform classrooms and clinics by helping students self-regulate, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.

From understanding the science of deep pressure stimulation to selecting the right tools, this guide provides everything teachers and tutors need to create a sensory-friendly learning environment.