Decoding Your Child's Body Language

Supporting professionals who work with children and families

Decoding Your Child’s Body Language, is also available for organisations that support children and families.

Developed by Anne Matthews, Doctor of Chiropractic, pre and perinatal educator and mother of three, this course draws on over 40 years of experience supporting babies, children and families.

It offers a deeper perspective on children’s behaviour, emotional development and body cues, helping professionals understand what may sit beneath behaviour and how children communicate through their bodies, nervous system responses and emotional signals.

This training provides a reflective and compassionate framework that professionals can bring into their everyday work with children and families.

A woman in a red sleeveless top holding a baby doll in an office or classroom setting with books, a skeleton model, and art supplies in the background.

Why this training matters

Professionals working with children regularly encounter behaviours that can be difficult to interpret.

Tantrums, withdrawal, emotional overwhelm, anxiety or resistance are often addressed purely as behavioural challenges. However, many of these responses can also reflect deeper experiences within a child’s developing nervous system.

This training introduces a different lens for understanding behaviour — one that recognises the body’s role in communication and emotional development.

By exploring children’s body cues, early experiences and relational dynamics, professionals can develop a deeper understanding of what children may be expressing and how best to support them.

A person demonstrating a human skeleton model with their hand and fingers, using a living human hand to illustrate or teach anatomy.

Who this training is for

This course may be particularly valuable for organisations and professionals who work closely with children and families, including:

  • • early years educators

    • nursery and preschool staff

    • primary school teachers

    • family support workers

    • social workers

    • therapists and child practitioners

    • parenting organisations and charities

    • community and family support services

    It is designed to complement existing professional knowledge while offering a deeper perspective on how children communicate through behaviour, body signals and emotional responses.

A woman and a girl sit on the floor in a room with medical models, a skull, and toys, engaged in a conversation. The woman holds a baby doll, with a skull model nearby.
A smiling woman in a red sleeveless top and jeans sitting in a gray office chair, holding a yellow book titled 'Child Telling' in a room with educational and anatomical models, plants, and shelves with books and toys.

Learn from over 40 years of experience supporting babies, children and families

Created by Anne Matthews (Doctor of Chiropractic), a pre and perinatal educator and chiropractor for children with over 40 years’ experience in  infant and family support, this course blends:

  • nervous system awareness

  • Baby Body Language

  • pre- and perinatal psychology

  • reflective parenting

What’s Inside the Course
Organisations will receive access to the full Decoding Your Child’s Body Language course, which includes

  • Icon of a film clapperboard with a play button, on a yellow background.

    10 video modules (short, powerful, and easy to digest)

  • Reflective journaling prompts for personal insight

  • Icon of a backpack on a yellow background.

    "Guiding Backpack" filled with practical tips

  • Line drawing of an adult holding a child on a yellow background.

    Parent stories and real-life examples

  • Minimalist line drawing of a person sitting cross-legged, meditating, on a yellow background.

    Gentle meditations to support calm and clarity

  • Black infinity symbol on a yellow background.

    You have lifetime access — revisit whenever your child (or inner child) needs it most.

This is not about controlling behaviour.
It’s about understanding what sits beneath it

A woman and a young boy in a room with white shelves, a skeleton model, plants, and toys. The woman is showing the skeleton to the boy, who is sitting on the floor.

Through this training, professionals will develop:

• a deeper understanding of children’s body language and behavioural signals

• insight into how the nervous system influences emotional responses

• greater awareness of early developmental experiences

• tools for responding to children with empathy, curiosity and compassion

• practical ways to support emotional safety and connection

The training encourages a reflective approach that can enhance the way professionals support children and families in their care.

Learning outcomes

CPD and professional development

This course can contribute to professionals’ ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of completion, which can be used to record learning hours as part of their CPD portfolio.

📚 Certificate of completion available for staff CPD and professional development

A woman and a young boy in a room with white shelves, a skeleton model, plants, and toys. The woman is showing the skeleton to the boy, who is sitting on the floor.

The Wholesomely Connected course can be offered to organisations in a number of ways, depending on the needs of your team.

Staff training access

Provide course access for your team as part of your professional development programme.

Group learning programmes

Use the course as a shared learning resource for staff teams or professional groups.

Workshops or talks with Anne Matthews

Organisations may also enquire about additional talks, presentations or sessions.

Training access can be tailored depending on the size of your organisation and the number of staff participating.

Flexible options for organisations

Learn about the course

What parents are saying

  • Anne has developed her vast knowledge & understanding of babies & their parents into a powerful holistic approach to their physical & emotional development of children. An invaluable practitioner! Highly recommend!

    Mary Matthews

  • Anne has an incredible ability to connect with parents and children and to guide us in understanding our patterns while also providing practical and innovative solutions to addressing challenges. She does this with such gentleness, compassion and understanding. She has made such a difference in our lives.

    Pauline Mckegney

  • I have had great benefit from Anne’s expertise, both personally and also in supporting me as a parent, and also in helping both my boys in their growth and development over many years. Her holistic approach and care and compassion for all aspects of our lives has been invaluable

    Lorraine Ashcroft

  • This book has transformed our family dynamics, improving communication and understanding across the board. I highly recommend it to any parent looking to strengthen their relationships with their children!

    Philip Murray

  • I wholeheartedly recommend this book not only to parents and grandparents but also to those who hope to start a family. It is most definitely a “must-read”

    C Connolly

Meet Anne Matthews

Anne Matthews is a Doctor of Chiropractic, pre and perinatal educator and mother of three, with over 40 years of experience supporting babies, children and families.

Throughout her career, she has helped thousands of parents understand the deeper messages behind children’s behaviour, exploring the connection between body cues, emotional development and the nervous system.

Through her work, teaching and writing, Anne shares a compassionate approach that helps parents build greater understanding, confidence and connection with their children.

Enquire about organisational access

If you are interested in offering this training within your organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please get in touch to discuss your organisation’s needs and we will provide further details on access and licensing options.

Contact us to learn more

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  •  A 10-module online reflective parenting course that helps you understand your child’s body language, emotional cues, and early imprints—while also reflecting on your own inner child. Through short videos, journaling, parent stories, and meditations, you’ll nurture a calmer, more connected family life. A 10-module online reflective parenting course that helps you understand your child’s body language, emotional cues, and early imprints—while also reflecting on your own inner child. Through short videos, journaling, parent stories, and meditations, you’ll nurture a calmer, more connected family life.

  • The course is fully online and self-paced. Each weekly module includes short videos, reflective journaling prompts, meditations, and practical “Guiding Backpack” tips. We recommend one module per week to allow your reflections to integrate. You have lifetime access to revisit anytime.

  • Ideal for parents and carers of babies and young children (0–5 years), and for those wanting to explore how early experiences shape both your child and your own parenting patterns. It’s for parents ready to deepen connection and co-regulate with empathy.

  • It blends over 40 years of clinical experience with Baby Body Language, pre- and perinatal psychology, and trauma-informed reflective parenting. Unlike quick fixes, it helps you connect with your child while also healing patterns in your own nervous system.

  • No, Anne can’t provide personal advice during the self-paced course. Personalised support is available only after completion through 1:1 sessions, following a pre-intake and confidential intake process.

  • Yes, but only after completing the course. You’ll submit a pre-intake form to check eligibility. If suitable, a confidential intake form allows Anne to tailor guidance to your family’s needs.

  • You’ll have lifetime access to all videos, meditations, reflective prompts, and downloads. You can revisit modules whenever your child—or inner child—reaches a new stage.

  • Email anne@wholesomelyconnected.com for support. We’ll help you quickly so your reflective journey isn’t disrupted.

  • Yes. Founder Members—those who’ve followed Anne’s journey or read her book—receive a limited-time discount and will be invited to give feedback to help refine future versions of the course.

  • No, the course stands alone. However, What is My Child Telling Me, That I’m Not Getting…Yet? is a great companion for deeper insight.

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