Rethink Therapy - Five Counties Children's Centre

You know your child best… and are their greatest strength and resource.

When we Rethink Therapy, we see therapy happens everywhere — not just at Five Counties Children’s Centre with a clinician/staff member, but all around us!

Small actions with your child every day build connection, confidence and their abilities for life. These actions and interactions happen… at home… at play… all day… every way.

You’ve got this… and we can help!

Therapy happens everywhere

Family. Friends. Fun. Fitness. Functioning. Future.

Rethink Therapy At Five Counties, these F-Words for Child Development keep us focused on what matters most — your child’s everyday life, strengths and goals. The F-Words help families and professionals work together to build abilities for life .

As we Rethink Therapy, let’s keep the F-Words in mind to guide us.

The F-Words Framework is inspired by decades of research and developed by McMaster University’s CanChild Research Centre. The F-Words work, because they move us from a medical model of “fixing” kids to a strength-based approach that promotes health and development using all aspects of a child’s life.

Each F-Word speaks to a different part of a child’s life. When combined together, the F-Words can help to:

Celebrate a child’s strengths.
Guide families as to enhance their child’s growth and happiness, while supporting a child’s unique needs and goals for treatment.
Build a child’s abilities for life.

Let’s spell out the F-Words to see what they mean for your child and family.

Each F-Word covers a different part of a child’s life. Let’s explore each one to see what it means for you and your child — and how you can put it to work to support your child’s treatment journey.

Rethink Therapy. You’ve got this… we can help!

Family

Family represents a child’s essential ‘environment’ (“My family knows me best and I trust them. Listen to the, talk to them, hear them and respect them”).

Here’s an example:

Therapy happens everywhere, including the kitchen. Family activities like making a meal together support your child’s therapy goals. Whether pouring or mixing, measuring foods, pronouncing the name of ingredients, or taste-testing, this fun, sensory-rich activity has it all. Bake a cake, make memories and help build your child’s abilities for life!

Fitness

Fitness describes a child’s physical and mental well-being (“Everyone needs to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Help me find ways to do this.”)

Here’s an example:

Therapy happens everywhere, including the water. Fitness builds a healthy mind and body. It’s good for kids in – and outside of – treatment sessions. Swimming lets a child defy gravity, build strength, and can reduce pain. On land, encourage your child to shower others with words or gestures about their watery adventures. You’re making waves, while building your child’s abilities for life!

Friends

Friends Friends refer to a child’s relationship with others their own age. (“Having friends is important. Please give me opportunities to make friends.”

Here is an example:

Therapy happens everywhere… even with friend! Friends give children the opportunity to connect and learn through play. Building a blanket fort with a friend boosts teamwork, imagination, and speech skills through shared stories, and playful communication. So, take a friend along on your child’s treatment journey. It’s helping build their abilities for life.

Fun

Fun includes activities a child likes doing. (“Life is about fun and play. Please help me do the activities that I find the most fun.”)

Here is an example:

Therapy happens everywhere… even at the local fair! Fun activities like bumper cars can e part of your child’s treatment journey. It’s a chance for families to connect, explore and grow together. Sharing joyful moments can build a child’s self-confidence and emotional regulation skills. Whether waiting patiently in line, counting cars, or planning your next big BUMP, you’re helping build your child’s abilities for life!

Functioning

Functioning is a child’s strengths and way of doing things. (“I may do things differently, but I can do them. How I do it isn’t important; please let me try.”)

Here is an example:

Therapy happens everywhere… even at the beach. Functioning lets children be themselves and do what they can in their own way. In clinic or at the beach, a child can explore, have fund with friends, see the sights and be part of the moment – their way, every day! Making sandcastles together also means building your child’s abilities for life!

Future

Future is a child’s expectations and dreams for the future. (“I am growing up every day, so please find ways for me to participate and be included in my community.”

Here is an example:

Therapy happens everywhere… including bike rides! The future is now when it comes to building your child’s abilities for life. Activities like riding a bike help children work on coordination, strengthening and safety goals. Little steps help them gain confidence and can lead to big dreams – bikes today, race cars tomorrow! Who knew riding a bike could be so therapeutic.

Resources for Families

F-Words Profile for Your Child – Use this fillable document to highlight what each F-Word means for your child and family. It can also be a great way to introduce your child to others and to new service providers (NOTE: As your child grows older, the F-words Profile may need to be changed and updated).
F-Words Collage for Your Child – A picture says it all! Use photos or your child’s artwork to create their F-Word profile together—an easy, engaging way to share what matters most.
Rethink Therapy Postcard – A good summary resource reminding you about the F-Words and how to apply each in your day-to-day activities to support your child’s unique needs and goals for treatment.
Therapy Happens Everywhere Poster – Post this resource to remind your family that therapy happens everywhere.