Open Arms Support Services Ltd

Open Arms Support Services Ltd At Open Arms, our occupational therapists specialise in working with children and adults.

04/06/2026

When worries start to feel bigger than the moment, it can help children to slow things down.

🤍 5 Finger Breathing is a simple strategy that can support children with focus, calm, and emotional regulation.

Trace up each finger as you breathe in, and down as you breathe out.

By the time you’ve reached the end of your hand, you’ve taken five slow, regulated breaths.

A helpful tool for children navigating exam nerves, busy minds, big feelings, or any day that feels a little overwhelming.

✨ Trace. Breathe. Reset.

Because sometimes, the simplest strategies can help children feel more in control of the moment. đź’›

ParentSupport Neurodiversity WellbeingTools ExamStress

The night before an exam isn’t really about revision.It’s about how a child is feeling.By that point, most of the learni...
30/05/2026

The night before an exam isn’t really about revision.

It’s about how a child is feeling.

By that point, most of the learning has already happened.
What’s left is confidence… or anxiety.

And often, the instinct is to squeeze in more.
More reading. More reminders. More “just in case”.

But sometimes, what helps more is the opposite.

A calm evening.
A familiar routine.
A sense that it’s okay to pause.

Because sleep, rest, and emotional regulation
play a bigger role than we often give them credit for.

A tired, overwhelmed mind struggles to access what it already knows.

A calmer one has a much better chance.

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer
is not more preparation…
but more space.

đź’¬ What do your evenings look like before exam days?

24/05/2026

Sometimes worries feel much bigger when they stay stuck inside our heads.

For children experiencing exam anxiety, even small worries can grow louder and louder when they are carried around all day.

One simple strategy that can help is creating a “worry postbox”.

✨ Encourage your child to write or draw their worries on a piece of paper
✨ Then post them away into a box, drawer, jar, or decorated shoebox

This helps children externalise their worries instead of holding everything internally.

It does not make the worry disappear instantly.
But it can help make the feeling feel more manageable.

Sometimes children need support to organise their thoughts before they can regulate their emotions.

🤍 Small strategies can create big feelings of safety.

Have you ever tried something similar with your child?

Support during exams doesn’t always feel like support to a childSometimes it feels like pressure.Even when that’s not th...
22/05/2026

Support during exams doesn’t always feel like support to a child
Sometimes it feels like pressure.
Even when that’s not the intention.

Checking in repeatedly.
Reminding them how important this is.
Wanting them to do their best.

It all comes from a good place.
But for a child who is already anxious,
it can feel like there’s no room to get it wrong.

And that’s where the stress builds.

What we’ve seen in practice is this:
children don’t always need more reminders.
They need more reassurance.

Simple things like:
• “I’m proud of the effort you’re putting in”
• “We’ll figure things out together”
• “You don’t have to have it all sorted today”

It changes the tone completely.

Because exams aren’t just testing knowledge.
They’re testing emotional capacity too.

And when we support that side of things,
everything else becomes a little more manageable.

đź’¬ What kind of support do you think children really need during exams?

There is no single strategy that removes exam stress for every child.But small adjustments can help reduce pressure.Some...
18/05/2026

There is no single strategy that removes exam stress for every child.

But small adjustments can help reduce pressure.

Some helpful approaches include:

✨ Breaking revision into shorter, manageable sessions
✨ Building regular breaks into study time
✨ Keeping routines predictable
✨ Focusing on effort rather than outcomes
✨ Creating calm spaces for revision

For some children, additional support from therapists or educators can also help them develop strategies to manage anxiety and build confidence.

Because exam success is not just about knowledge.
It is also about regulation, confidence and feeling supported.

🤍 Progress happens when children feel capable.
Share this with another parent navigating exam season.


Exam anxiety does not always look like nerves.For some children it can show up as:• Avoiding school or revision• Emotion...
12/05/2026

Exam anxiety does not always look like nerves.

For some children it can show up as:

• Avoiding school or revision
• Emotional outbursts or shutdowns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches
• Saying “I can’t do it” before even trying

When anxiety becomes overwhelming, children often need support with regulation before they can focus on learning.

Understanding what is driving the anxiety is often the first step in helping a child feel more confident.

Because when children feel safe and supported, their ability to engage improves.

🤍 Support changes the experience.

Keep an eye out for our next post where we’ll be sharing some supportive ways to help children manage exam anxiety.

Have you noticed any of these signs in your child?

Exam periods can feel overwhelming for some children.Changes in routine, increased pressure, and long periods of focus c...
06/05/2026

Exam periods can feel overwhelming for some children.

Changes in routine, increased pressure, and long periods of focus can impact regulation.

This may show as:
• Difficulty sleeping
• Emotional overwhelm
• Avoidance or shutdown

Supporting children during this time means focusing on what helps them feel calm, prepared and supported.

Small adjustments can make a meaningful difference.

Do you have a tip that helps children feel calmer during exam periods? Share it in the comments đź’›

29/04/2026

Is your child struggling with handwriting? ✏️

It might not be about the pencil…

It could be linked to shoulder stability.

When children don’t yet have strong shoulder stability, they often rely on their wrists and fingers to do all the work. This can make writing feel tiring, messy, and harder to control.

Strong shoulders create a stable base, allowing the hands to move with better control, precision, and endurance.

Here are some simple ways to support shoulder stability at home:

✨ Draw or colour under a table
✨ Stand while drawing or use chalk on a wall outside
✨ Encourage more tummy time during play or reading
✨ Place toys slightly out of reach to promote reaching
✨ Try overhead throwing with a ball, pillow, or soft toys

Small activities like these can make a big difference over time.

Because when the shoulders are stable, the hands are free to focus on writing with confidence.

đź“Ś Save this for later
🤍 Share with a parent or teacher who might need it

What does feeding support actually look like?It starts with understanding your child.Not just what they eat, but how the...
22/04/2026

What does feeding support actually look like?

It starts with understanding your child.

Not just what they eat, but how they experience food.

Support may include:
• Sensory exploration, without pressure to eat
• Gradual, gentle introduction of new foods
• Reducing anxiety around mealtimes
• Building confidence step by step

Every part of the process is:
✨ Individual
✨ Gradual
✨ Respectful

Because feeding is personal, and support should feel that way too.

Save this if mealtimes feel challenging 🤍

For more personalised advice contact us at [email protected]

Understanding your child’s sensory profile can change everything 🤍What may look like “challenging behaviour” is often a ...
16/04/2026

Understanding your child’s sensory profile can change everything 🤍

What may look like “challenging behaviour” is often a response to how the world feels to them.

When you understand:
• What they are sensitive to
• What they seek
• What overwhelms them

You can respond in ways that actually help.

✨ Our sensory assessments provide:
✔️ Clarity
✔️ Practical strategies
✔️ Confidence

No more guessing, just understanding.

Comment 👍 if this resonates 🤍

Address

1a Silver Road
Norwich
NR34TX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441603767498

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