Up routines: development of a family-centered parent training program to promote participation in early childhood routines

This article presents the development of Up Routines, a parent training program aimed at strengthening sensory integration and promoting child participation in early childhood. Designed for caregivers of children aged 0 to 3, the program emerged from qualitative data collected from healthcare professionals (n = 13) and caregivers (n = 14) and is grounded in a family-centered, preventive care perspective. Key challenges in daily routines, such as feeding, sleep, regulation, and play, were identified as priority targets for intervention. Drawing on developmental science and early intervention literature, the program was structured into ten hybrid-format sessions combining online and in-person delivery. Rather than focusing on diagnostic treatment, Up Routines promotes caregiver understanding and implementation of practical, relationship-based strategies that enhance the child’s engagement in daily routines and the development of sensory integration. This article outlines the rationale, design, and structure of the program, demonstrating how parent and professional input shaped its content and delivery. The discussion reflects on the use of sensory-informed practices and the potential integration of such programs into pediatric and primary care services.