The DIRFloortime model assumes that we can favourably influence individuals' core developmental functions of relating, thinking, and communicating by working with their emotions (affect). The principle is tailoring interactions to the child's nervous system, building spontaneous interactions, and harnessing the child's natural interests and feelings as part of their interactions. We do this because language, cognition, and emotional and social skills are learned through emotionally meaningful relationships.

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The learning tree below is a visual representation of the framework.

• The roots represent the person's individual differences across sensory/motor domains. 

• The tree's trunk shows the functional-emotional developmental capacities we must progress through to reach higher-order thinking and learning. 

• The tree leaves show the traits that are fostered in a child once they have a solid foundation in the first six developmental capacities. 

• The fruit represents our academic learning, which is only possible once we have reached the level of logical thinking at the top of the tree trunk. 

• Finally, the sun represents the people in our children's lives who can influence their development through warm and meaningful interactions. 

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The following link provides more information about each area of the learning tree and this overall framework. 

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Interactive Learning Tree | The Floortime Center

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