Six Stages of Floortime Therapy
April 15, 2025
Unlock the power of Floortime therapy with the six stages of development. Discover how it transforms lives!
Understanding Floortime Therapy
Floortime therapy is an innovative approach to therapy that is based on the DIR/Floortime model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan in the 1980s. This model emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and follows the child's lead in order to promote their development and growth.
Foundations of Floortime Approach
At the core of the Floortime approach is the belief that emotion is critical to the growth of the mind and brain. By following the child's lead and understanding their interests and emotions, parents and therapists can create a supportive environment for learning and development. The approach is based on the idea that each child is unique and has their own pace of development.
In Floortime therapy, the therapist spends time observing the child closely, watching their behavior, and looking for clues about their motivations and challenges. This careful observation helps the therapist understand the child's emotional world and identify activities and experiences that can be used to engage and challenge the child in a way that promotes their development.
Importance of Emotional Connection
The DIR/Floortime model recognizes the crucial role of emotional connection in therapy. Building a strong relationship between the child and the therapist is a fundamental aspect of Floortime therapy. By establishing this connection, the therapist creates a safe and supportive space in which the child can explore, learn, and grow.
Emotional connection is also important because it helps the child feel understood, validated, and accepted. When a child feels emotionally connected, they are more likely to engage in the therapy process and actively participate in their own development. This connection strengthens the bond between the child and the therapist, fostering a collaborative and trusting relationship.
By focusing on emotional connection and following the child's lead, Floortime therapy aims to promote the child's social, emotional, and cognitive development. It recognizes that each child has their own unique developmental trajectory and seeks to support them in reaching their full potential.
To learn more about the six stages of Floortime therapy and how it is implemented, continue reading our article on 10 things to know about Floortime therapy. Additionally, if you're curious about the age range for which the Floortime model is appropriate or the duration and cost of the therapy, check out our articles on which age range is the Floortime model appropriate for? and how long does Floortime therapy work?, respectively.
The Six Stages of Floortime Therapy
Floortime therapy, also known as the DIRFloortime® approach, is an innovative therapeutic model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan. It focuses on building emotional connections and promoting developmental growth in children. The therapy consists of six stages, known as the Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs), which form a foundational progression for learning and development.
- Self-Regulation and Interest
- The first stage, Self-Regulation and Interest in the World, involves helping the child develop the ability to regulate their emotions and engage with their surroundings. The therapist observes the child closely to identify their interests and uses these interests to promote further growth and development. By following the child's lead and understanding their emotional world, the therapist can provide the necessary support and challenges for the child to thrive.
- Engaging and Relating
- In the second stage, Engaging and Relating, the focus is on building a strong relationship between the child and the therapist. The therapist spends time getting to know the child, observing their behavior, and identifying their motivations and challenges. By developing a deep connection, the therapist creates a safe and supportive environment for the child to learn and grow.
- Intentionality and Communication
- The third stage, Intentionality and Communication, emphasizes the development of two-way communication between the child and the therapist. The therapist works on helping the child understand their own intentions and communicate them effectively. This stage focuses on expanding the child's communication skills and promoting meaningful interactions [1].
- Complex Communication and Problem Solving
- As the child progresses to the fourth stage, Complex Communication and Problem Solving, they further develop their communication skills and problem-solving abilities. The therapist encourages the child to engage in more complex forms of communication and helps them navigate challenging situations. This stage fosters the child's ability to understand and respond to social cues and collaborate with others.
- Using Symbols and Emotional Ideas
- The fifth stage, Using Symbols and Emotional Ideas, focuses on the child's ability to use symbols and represent their emotions and ideas. The therapist supports the child in expressing their feelings through various forms of symbolic play, art, or other creative outlets. This stage enhances the child's emotional expression and understanding of complex emotions.
- Logical Thinking and Idea Building
- The final stage, Logical Thinking and Idea Building, involves the child's development of logical thinking skills and the ability to connect and build bridges between ideas. The therapist encourages the child to think critically, problem-solve, and engage in higher-level thinking processes. This stage promotes the child's capacity for abstract thinking and independent reasoning [1].
By progressing through these six stages of Floortime therapy, children with developmental challenges can experience significant growth in their social communication skills, reduction in anxiety, and overall enhancement in functioning [2]. It is important to note that each child progresses through these stages at their own pace, and therapy is tailored to their individual needs and abilities.
Implementation of Floortime Therapy
To effectively implement Floortime therapy, it is essential to understand the structure of therapy sessions and the role of both parents and therapists in the process.
Therapy Sessions Structure
Floortime therapy sessions are typically structured to create a safe and nurturing environment for the child. These sessions often last around 20 minutes and involve multiple play sessions. The key concept is for parents or therapists to follow the child's lead and engage in activities that capture the child's interest. This approach allows the child to take the lead in the interaction, helping the therapist or parent gain insights into the child's emotional world.
During the therapy sessions, the parent or therapist closely observes the child's interests and emotions. By tuning into the child's emotional world, they can understand what activities and experiences are meaningful to the child. This observation helps guide the therapy process and enables the parent or therapist to challenge the child appropriately for further growth and development.
The activities incorporated into the therapy sessions should be designed to target the child's specific goals and developmental needs. The therapist or parent may introduce challenges to help the child master important skills related to the six functional emotional developmental capacities. The therapist or parent should use their observations of the child's interests and emotions to guide the selection of activities and challenges.
Role of Parents and Therapists
In Floortime therapy, both parents and therapists play crucial roles in supporting the child's progress. Parents are encouraged to actively participate in therapy sessions and take on the role of the primary caregiver in the child's development. Through active engagement, parents establish a strong emotional connection with their child and gain a deep understanding of their unique needs and interests.
Parents are encouraged to apply the principles of Floortime in their daily interactions with their child beyond therapy sessions. This continuous engagement helps reinforce the child's development and promotes growth in various settings. Parents can create opportunities for Floortime interactions during playtime, mealtimes, and other daily routines.
Therapists, on the other hand, serve as guides and facilitators throughout the therapy process. They provide support and guidance to parents, helping them understand and implement the Floortime approach effectively. Therapists work closely with parents to develop individualized goals, strategies, and activities that align with the child's unique needs and developmental stage.
Collaboration between parents and therapists is crucial for the success of Floortime therapy. Through regular communication and feedback, parents and therapists can work together to ensure consistency and progress in the child's development. By establishing a strong relationship between the child, parent, and therapist, the therapy process becomes a collaborative effort focused on the child's well-being and growth.
By understanding the therapy session structure and the pivotal role of parents and therapists, Floortime therapy can be implemented effectively. The collaborative approach empowers parents to actively engage with their child, promoting emotional connection and supporting the child's development.
Effectiveness of Floortime Therapy
Floortime therapy, based on the DIR/Floortime model, has shown to be an effective intervention for children with developmental challenges. Numerous studies have demonstrated positive outcomes in various areas of development. Let's explore some of the key benefits of Floortime therapy.
Social Communication Improvement
One of the primary goals of Floortime therapy is to enhance social communication skills in children. Studies have shown that children who participate in Floortime therapy experience significant improvements in their social interaction and communication abilities. Through the child-led play and interaction in therapy sessions, children learn to engage with others, initiate and respond to social cues, and develop meaningful connections.
Reduction in Anxiety
Anxiety is a common challenge for many children with developmental differences. Floortime therapy offers a supportive and nurturing environment that helps reduce anxiety levels in children. By focusing on emotional connection and building a secure relationship between the child and therapist or parent, Floortime therapy creates a safe space for the child to explore and interact at their own pace. As a result, children often experience a decrease in anxiety and an increase in their overall emotional well-being [4].
Overall Functioning Enhancement
Floortime therapy has proven to enhance the overall functioning of children with developmental challenges. Research studies have shown improvements in multiple areas, including adaptive behavior, sensory processing patterns, and social-emotional skills [5]. Children who engage in Floortime therapy often demonstrate increased relationship-building skills, social interactions, and emotional development. Additionally, parents may also benefit from Floortime therapy by strengthening their parenting skills and improving their understanding of their child's unique needs.
Floortime therapy is a cost-effective intervention that can be initiated early in a child's development, yielding positive outcomes in social communication, anxiety reduction, and overall functioning. By providing child-led and relationship-based therapy, Floortime empowers children to reach their full potential and promotes healthy development.
For more information about Floortime therapy, check out our article on 10 things to know about Floortime therapy.
Research on Floortime Therapy
Floortime therapy, also known as the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based model of intervention (DIR), has been the subject of several research studies. These studies have examined the effectiveness of Floortime therapy in promoting social communication, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall functioning in children.
Positive Outcomes in Studies
Research studies on Floortime therapy have shown positive results in building social communication skills, improving engagement, and strengthening the parent-child connection. One study conducted by Greenspan and Wieder in 1997 found that 58% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who received Floortime intervention for two to five hours per day for two or more years demonstrated "good to outstanding" outcomes. These children mastered all six milestones and engaged in pretend play.
Another research study highlighted that Floortime therapy has shown significant development in adaptive behavior and sensory processing patterns. It has led to improvements in social/emotional skills, such as increased relationship and social interaction. Additionally, children who participated in DIR-based creative art therapies also experienced positive outcomes.
Floortime therapy has also been found to augment social interaction and communication skills in children. Home-based training programs based on the DIR/Floortime approach have shown benefits for children's emotional development and parents' parenting skills.
Future Research Needs
While research on Floortime therapy has shown promising results, there is still a need for further investigation. Future research should focus on expanding the evidence base and examining the long-term outcomes of Floortime therapy. This includes exploring the effectiveness of Floortime therapy across different age ranges and determining the optimal duration and intensity of therapy sessions.
Additionally, more research is needed to explore the cost-effectiveness of Floortime therapy. Preliminary findings suggest that Floortime is a cost-effective intervention, but further studies are required to fully evaluate its economic impact [5].
As the field of developmental interventions continues to evolve, ongoing research on Floortime therapy will contribute to a deeper understanding of its effectiveness and inform best practices in supporting children's social and emotional development.
Floortime Therapy and Development
While the core six stages of Floortime therapy provide a foundation for emotional and social development, the journey of growth and progress continues beyond these stages. Additional milestones and stages exist, particularly for older children. Let's explore these aspects further.
Milestones Beyond the Core Six
As children progress through the core six stages of Floortime therapy, their functional emotional development continues to evolve. Beyond the initial stages, additional milestones play a crucial role in their development. These milestones include:
- Multiple Perspectives: Children begin to understand and appreciate different viewpoints, enhancing their ability to relate to others and consider various perspectives.
- Gray Area Thinking: This stage involves the development of cognitive flexibility, allowing children to navigate situations that may not have a clear-cut answer or solution.
- Reflective Thinking and an Internal Standard of Self: Children develop the ability to reflect on their own thoughts, emotions, and actions, forming a stronger sense of self and their own standards.
- An Expanded Sense of Self: Children develop a broader understanding of themselves in relation to their environment, including their roles, responsibilities, and aspirations.
- Reflecting on a Personal Future: This stage involves the development of future-oriented thinking as children consider their long-term goals and aspirations.
- A Stable and Separate Sense of Self: Children develop a secure and distinct sense of self, enabling them to navigate social interactions and relationships confidently.
- Intimacy and Commitment: This stage involves the ability to form deep and meaningful connections with others, fostering healthy relationships and bonds.
- Creating a Family and/or Developing Other Nurturing Roles: Children explore the concepts of family and caregiving, developing empathy and nurturing skills.
- Broadening Perspectives on Time, Space, the Life Cycle, and the Larger World: Children gain a broader understanding of the world around them, including the passage of time, spatial concepts, and the interconnectedness of life.
- Wisdom of the Ages: Finally, children continue to grow in wisdom and insight as they learn from past experiences, cultural knowledge, and the accumulated wisdom of humanity.
Additional Stages for Older Children
For older children, Floortime therapy can be adapted to meet their specific developmental needs. These additional stages focus on building upon the core six stages and addressing the unique challenges faced by older children. While the specific stages may vary, some common areas of focus include:
- Developing self-advocacy skills
- Navigating social complexities and relationships
- Cultivating independence and autonomy
- Setting and achieving personal goals
- Exploring career aspirations and vocational skills
- Developing a sense of purpose and meaning in life
By acknowledging the milestones beyond the core six stages and tailoring therapy to the unique needs of older children, Floortime therapy continues to support their ongoing development and well-being.
As research and clinical practice continue to evolve, further insights may emerge regarding the stages of Floortime therapy and their application across different age groups. It is essential to stay informed about the latest developments in the field to provide the most effective support for children on their developmental journey.
To learn more about Floortime therapy, refer to our article on 10 things to know about Floortime therapy. Additionally, if you have questions about the age appropriateness or duration of Floortime therapy, we have dedicated articles on which age range is the Floortime model appropriate for? and how long does Floortime therapy work?.