The F-Words Life Wheel is an approach and way of thinking that facilitates conversations, interactions, engagement and goal setting for children and their families. It draws on the F-words, developed by Rosenbaum and Gorter from CanChild in Canada in 2011. The six favourite words focus on childhood development domains: function, family, fitness, fun, friends and future. They evolved from the world health organisation (WHO) international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) framework and provide a simple meaningful language for children and families.

Building on this work and their knowledge of coaching, developmental relational frameworks, strength based interactions and cultural models of care, including Hauora, a Māori view of health unique to New Zealand, Arul and Lucy developed the F-Words Life Wheel,

The F-words Life wheel is an approach that values the importance of connection and enables us to hear the child and family’s voice, to value what is important to them now and to journey alongside families. It focuses on occupation centred outcomes that build on individual’s strengths and enable participation in their lived environment. A key component is meeting and matching families where they are at and respecting their values, culture and life capacity at any given time and enabling children and families to envisage next steps towards their hopes and dreams for the future.

Please see Lucy