inspiring play

Sunshine Coast Play Therapy & Early Intervention

Nurturing Children’s Hearts and
Minds Through Play

We offer compassionate, evidence-based play therapy, early intervention and parent support for children aged 2–10.

Our work supports Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent children, as well as children experiencing big feelings, anxiety or emotional overwhelm. Through play therapy, early intervention and parent support, we create safe, nurturing spaces where children can express themselves, build emotional skills and feel understood.

Sessions are available at our Mudjimba clinic or through our mobile therapy services across the Sunshine Coast.

At Inspiring Play, we believe children grow best through relationships and play. Our approach is child-led, family-focused and grounded in connection, allowing each child’s unique strengths, needs and pace to guide the therapy process.

We are deeply committed to walking alongside families with warmth, care and curiosity; supporting children’s emotional wellbeing while empowering parents to feel confident and connected.

Let's Connect

Our Paediatric Therapy Services

At Inspiring Play, we offer a range of range of heart-centred, family-focused services designed to support the emotional development and well-being of children and their families.

We are committed to using evidence-based, neuroaffirming, and trauma-informed practices.

Play
Therapy

Parent
Programs

Parent and child sharing a joyful moment during a play therapy session at Play Therapy Sunshine Coast

Early Childhood Consultancy

Smiling child engaged in creative play in a nurturing therapy environment at Inspiring Play, Play Therapy Sunshine Coast

Autism &
ADHD

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Anxiety &
Wellbeing

Child & Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast

Who Does Play Therapy Support?

Play Therapy can be beneficial for supporting children with:

Autism
ADHD
AUDHD
Global Developmental Delay
Down Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Anxiety
School & social difficulties
Grief & Loss

Trauma
Behavioural Difficulties
Co-regulation
Phobias
Selective Mutism
Identity
Gender Variance
Self-esteem
Self-confidence & Wellbeing

Play Therapy on the Sunshine Coast

Inspiring Play is a private practice with clinics operating in Mudjimba Beach, Sunshine Coast as well as a mobile service provider, that specialises in Play Therapy and Filial Therapy services.

Our highly trained Early Childhood Professionals and Play Therapists are dedicated to helping your child overcome social, emotional and behavioural challenges.

Inspiring Play’s play therapists are experienced in supporting children’s well-being particularly in the areas of anxiety, autism, ADHD and trauma. We strive to create a supportive, warm and safe environment where your child is nurtured to meet their goals and supported with opportunities to help them thrive.

Our Sunshine Coast Play Therapists rely on the most current early childhood treatment methods, backed by evidence-based practices to help children work through difficult life events and situations.

We can't wait to welcome you and your child to Inspiring Play.

Find out more about Play Therapy here.

child-centred-play-therapy-sunshine-coast

Emma Nissen Sunshine Coast Play Therapist

About Us

Meet our Play Therapist - Emma

Emma is a Registered Play Therapist and Early Childhood Professional with over 20 years’ experience supporting children and families on the Sunshine Coast. She specialises in supporting young children with big feelings, anxiety, trauma and neurodivergent needs through warm, child-centred and play-based therapy.

Emma is also passionate about empowering parents and fostering deeper connections between children and their families using evidence-based, neuro-affirming practices.

About Emma

Kind Words

"Thank you for being such a beautiful, calm and inspiring influence on Mr 4 this year. I will be forever grateful for the time you spent with Mr 4 and your commitment and dedication to helping every little person be the best version of themselves possible.

Your ability to meet a child exactly where they are, and your ability to embrace them for who they are is awe-inspiring. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking my baby under your wing.

You have made a HUGE imprint on Mr 4’s journey and you will always be remembered.”

Mr 4's Mum

Keep up with us on Instagram @inspiring.play

Holding Space for New Beginnings

Today is a big day in our house. My youngest daughter started high school this morning. Even though she’s capable and excited, there were still those familiar feelings including nerves, worry, a fluttery tummy, lots of what ifs.

As I dropped her off, I found myself thinking about so many of the children and families I work with, little ones starting prep or kindy and those moving schools.

It’s reminded me how big school transitions are, especially for our youngest children starting prep or kindy.
For little ones, starting school holds so much:
- new routines and rules - new teachers and faces - new friendships - new buildings, sounds, shoes and uniforms.

Many children work incredibly hard to hold it together at school. They want to do the right thing. They try their very best all day long. This takes so much energy for their little bodies. And then they come home.

If your child falls apart after school; tears, meltdowns, clinginess, irritability, or shutting down, please know this isn’t bad behaviour or regression. It’s a sign your child feels safe enough with you to finally let go.

A few gentle ways to support your prep or kindy child in these early weeks:

Lower expectations after school. This isn’t the time for errands, questions, or extra demands. Simple and calm helps their nervous system settle.

Connection before conversation. A snack, a cuddle, quiet time, or a few minutes of child-led play can make a big difference.

Name feelings without trying to fix them. “You worked really hard today.””It makes sense you feel so tired now.”
“I’m so proud of how hard you tried today.”

Remember behaviour is communication. Big feelings can mean your child is adjusting to change not failing.

Starting prep or kindy isn’t about children being brave all the time. It’s about having safe, steady and predictable places to land.

And to you, as parents; you don’t need to get this perfect either. Your grounded presence, patience, and connection are already doing important work.

Enjoy this special time, your child will be in high school too before you know it!!

Take care,

Em

Tomorrow’s a big day. And not just for your child.

The first day of school can stir up excitement, nerves, tears, pride… sometimes all before 9am. Please know, your child doesn’t need you to make the feelings go away. They need you to tune in and connect.

Here are a few ways to support your child tomorrow:

🩷 Notice the feeling before the behaviour Clingy, quiet, wiggly, teary, angry? These are often signals, not problems.
Pause and wonder: “What might my child be feeling right now?”

🩷 Name it to tame it Simple, calm language helps nervous systems settle:
“It looks like you’re feeling a bit worried about the new classroom.” When children feel understood, their feelings soften.

🩷 Validate without fixing You don’t need to rush to reassurance or problem-solve (like most of us parents want to naturally do. Try to fight the urge). Instead try:
“That makes sense. New things can feel hard.” Validation helps build emotional safety and resilience.

🩷 Hold your confidence for them Children borrow our groundedness. Even if you feel emotional inside, offering steady belief like,
“I know you can handle this, and I’ll be here after” gives them a powerful inner message: I can do this.

🩷 Reconnect after school Later, make space for feelings, the big or the small. Connection comes before questions, advice, or lessons.

Tomorrow isn’t about a perfect drop-off. It’s about connection, emotional safety, and being their safe base as they step into something new.
If you’d like more support in building your child’s emotional skills using evidence-based approaches like Tuning in to Kids® and child-centred play, I’d love to support you.
 Link in bio to learn more or book a session.

You’ve got this. And so do they. I believe in you! 🩷

Em x

I hear these questions all the time:

“Why play?” “Why not just ask my child questions?” “Why not talk about feelings?” “Why no worksheets?” “Why does it look like you’re just… playing?”

And honestly, these questions make perfect sense.

As parents, we often solve problems and process emotions by talking. By explaining. By asking questions. So it’s completely reasonable to assume that’s how children work too.

But children don’t process the world the way adults do.

Where adults talk to understand, children play to understand.
Children don’t talk to process, they play to process.

Play is a child’s natural language. It’s how they make sense of the world long before they have the words to explain what’s going on inside.
In play therapy, children show us things they can’t yet say: big worries, confusing experiences, and feelings that don’t yet have names.

When we ask lots of questions or try to teach feelings too quickly, children can feel stuck, overwhelmed, or as though they’re meant to have the “right” answer. This can cause them to shut down.

Play takes the pressure off. Play shows children that we understand their language.
There’s no test. No correct response. No expectation to explain themselves.

Through play, children slowly feel safer, more regulated, and more understood. And when that safety is there… the words often come later.
Worksheets use the thinking brain. Play speaks directly to the emotional brain, the part that actually needs support.

So when you see a play therapist “just playing,” a lot is happening underneath:

• emotional regulation • problem-solving • confidence building • building trust and safety • putting words to feelings • connection • healing

It might look simple. But it’s deeply intentional. And what’s more, it’s backed by science and everything we know and understand about child development!

If you’d like to learn more, feel free to send me a message or visit my website. I’m always happy to talk it through 🤍

Welcome to Inspiring Play!

I’m so happy you found me. I’m Emma - a Mama to two (12 & 16 years), Registered Play Therapist and early childhood professional supporting children and families on the Sunshine Coast.

If you’re here, you may be feeling worried about your child’s emotions or behaviour, and unsure what kind of support would truly help. Many families arrive feeling overwhelmed, confused, or quietly questioning themselves. As a single mum, I completely understand. Please know, you’re not alone. There is help available.

I truly believe that when children are struggling, they are doing the best they can with the skills, development and nervous system they have.

With over 20 years of experience supporting young children, I’ve come to understand behaviour as meaningful communication, not something to fix. It’s a child reaching out for safety, connection and understanding. From there, I like to get curious about each child’s individual needs and experiences, to create a plan to try and best support them and their family.

Play Therapy supports children aged 2–8 to express what they’re experiencing through their natural language of play, in an attuned, respectful and child-led space. Alongside supporting children, I work closely with parents, offering guidance, reassurance and support without judgement. I am committed to using evidence based practices that are trauma informed and neuro-affirming.

I warmly welcome new families as we step into the new school year. If this approach feels like it may support your child and family, you’re invited to take the next step. Let’s connect! 🤍

👉 Book a free 15-minute connection call 
A no-obligation chat to explore whether play therapy feels right for you and your family.

Bids for Connection

Bids for connection are happening all day long.

Often quietly. Often easily missed.

A bid for connection is any small moment where someone attempts to connect asking, “Are you here with me? Do you see me?”

And in parenting, these bids are everywhere.

✨ Your baby pauses mid-feed and looks up at you
✨ Your toddler curls into your side on the couch
✨ Your partner gently rests a hand on your back
✨ Your teenager sits beside you to watch your favourite show
✨ Your friend sends you silly memes for the 10th time today.

These moments aren’t random. They’re nervous systems reaching out. Attempting to connect.

Dr John Gottman’s research shows that relationships grow through thousands of tiny moments of turning towards one another. Not grand gestures. Not perfect parenting. Just small, consistent responses that say, “I see you. I’m here. I care.”

And here’s the good news:
Responding to a bid doesn’t have to take long.

Sometimes it’s:
• eye contact
• a soft smile
• a gentle touch
• a curious “tell me more”
• staying present for a few extra seconds

Those seconds matter more than we realise.

When bids are noticed and met, children learn:

💛 I matter
💛 My feelings are safe here
💛 Connection is reliable

Over time, this builds emotional security, resilience, and trust, which are the foundations our children carry into every relationship they’ll ever have.

So today, see if you can notice just one bid for connection…
and gently turn towards it.

That’s where the magic is. 🤍

If this resonates and you’d like support strengthening connection in your family, I’d love to walk alongside you. Reach out, explore my work, or book an introductory session, trust me you don’t have to do this alone.

Why Adult-Led, Top-Down Approaches Often Miss What Young Children Need Most

When young children are struggling with emotions or behaviour, as a parent, it can be tempting to want to take control. 
To direct. To manage. To teach the “right” behaviour as quickly as possible.
And this makes so much sense, especially when things feel hard.

But young children don’t develop emotional safety, regulation or social understanding through being managed from the top down. They develop these skills through relationship, through attunement, through co-regulation, through safety and trust.

Adult-led, highly directive approaches often focus on what a child should do, rather than what a child is experiencing. Yes, they may change behaviour in the moment, but they don’t always support a child’s inner world, where emotional growth actually happens.

Children learn emotional and social skills when:
 • they feel safe • they feel understood • their feelings are allowed to be expressed (safely) • their nervous system is supported through connection
• they are held with predictable, consistent and steady boundaries.

This is especially important for Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent children, and for children carrying anxiety or stress in their bodies.

In play therapy, when we slow down and follow a child’s lead, particularly through play, we’re offering what young children need most:
 attunement, co-regulation, safety and trust.

Because children don’t need to be controlled into growth. They grow when they feel safe enough to be themselves.

💛 If this resonates and you are curious to learn more.

📞 You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute connection call.

Is your child starting kindy or school this year?

Before the uniforms and lunchboxes, I’d like you to pause for a moment. Take a deep breath.
Stop and notice. What are you feeling?

Excited and proud… or worried, nervous, maybe even a little fearful. Sometimes it’s all of these feelings at once.

When children and families experience a big change like starting school, it can bring up many different emotions for us as parents.
 Our children don’t just hear our words, they feel our feelings.
 When we become curious about and begin to care for our own emotions, we move towards giving our children a grounded, emotionally safe base.

A few gentle ways to support yourself during this transition:
 • Name your feelings • Separate your feelings from your child’s • Ground your nervous system • Offer steady, warm confidence

When we support ourselves first, we pass on reassurance, courage, safety, and connection; right when our children need it most.

I wonder… what emotions come up for you when you think about starting school? 🤍

Today I received confirmation of my full registration as a Registered Play Therapist, and my heart is so full and excited!!!! 🥳🥳🥳

Behind this title is a journey of learning, reflection, growth and a genuine commitment to the children in my care.

Alongside my:
 - Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood - Post-Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy

I also completed over:
 - 300 client hours - 30 supervision hours - 10 personal therapy hours

And I continue to maintain:
 - Teacher Registration - Professional Insurance - Ongoing Professional Development.

This journey has taken a few years of dedication and hard work, and I could not be more grateful for the children, families, my supervisors, therapists, colleagues and moments that have shaped me along the way.

Every day I sit on the floor and engage with a child, I’m reminded how powerful play truly is.
 How lucky am I to do this work?

Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged and believed in this path. I’m so excited for what’s ahead as I continue learning and growing as a play therapist, one child, one story, one moment at a time.

Thank you dearly,

Em xo 🤍

Start the New Year with Support for Your Child and Family!

Is your child struggling with emotions, anxiety, behaviour difficulties or social skills?

Play Therapy could be the safe, nurturing space they need to thrive.

At Inspiring Play: Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we empower children to explore their feelings, build resilience, and develop essential soical and emotional skills, all through the power of play.

New Year, New Opportunities!

We’re excited to announce additional play therapy spaces are now available. Start 2026 with support tailored to your child’s individual needs.

Book Now to secure your spot and take the first step towards a brighter year for your family.

Visit our website: www.inspiringplay.com.au
Or call us today to learn more on 07 5241 5991

Let’s make this year one of growth and emotional well-being for your child.

Inspiring Play is here to support you and your child. 🩷

We wish you a safe and restful Christmas and send every best wish for the year ahead.

We will be closed over the holiday period and will reopen on 5 January 2026.

We look forward to supporting you and your family again in the New Year. ✨❤️💚✨

“As children develop, their brains mirror their parent’s brain. In other words, the parents own growth and development, or lack of those, impact the child’s brain. As parents become more aware and emotionally healthy, their children reap the rewards and move toward health as well.”- Daniel Siegel

We often imagine our children learning from what we ‘teach’ them. But so much of their learning happens long before we say a word. Children are exquisitely tuned in to us.

When we move through the world hurried, overwhelmed, or disconnected from ourselves, they feel it. Children are wired to look to us for cues about safety and belonging.

And when we grow, when we become a little more aware of our triggers, of our own behaviours, a little steadier in our responses, a little kinder toward ourselves, our children sense that, too.

They take in our internal shifts as if they were their own. Their nervous systems learn to settle. Their confidence grows. Their emotional world expands.

A Centring Pause That Helps You Lead With Confidence

When your child’s behaviour feels big or overwhelming, it’s so easy to rush in, try to fix it, or react on autopilot. But what usually helps most is something simpler, that is your steady, grounded presence.

Before you respond, try a short pause. Not to step away, but to steady yourself so you can lead with more clarity.

1. Take a slow, steady breath.
Nothing fancy. Just something you can feel. It sends a quiet message to your body: I’ve got this.

2. Notice what’s happening inside you.
Tension, frustration, worry; they’re all normal. Simply noticing them and naming them helps takes some of the heat out.

3. Come back to your role.
Your child needs your steady leadership. Remind yourself, they’re not giving you a hard time; they’ve hit their limit and are struggling with their feelings. They need your support.

4. Respond from your centre.
Be clear, kind, and confident:

“I won’t let you hit.”
“I can hear how upset you are.”
“I’m right here with you.”

This small pause can shift the whole moment. I’ve seen it make a real difference; when we ground ourselves first, our kids feel safer, and their behaviour often softens. Our calm becomes their anchor.

And please remember, this takes practice and you won’t get it right every time. Be kind to yourself, as we are all learning and growing on this parenting journey. You’ve got this!

If you’d like support building these skills at home, I’m here to help.

You can book a session or learn more at inspiringplay.com.au.

We’re all imperfect parents and that’s ok. Tiny humans need connection not perfection.
LR. Knost ✨🤍✨

Expressions of Interest for 2026

If you’re feeling worried, overwhelmed, or unsure how to support your child right now… you’re not alone.
 So many parents quietly wonder,

“Is my child ready for school?”
“Why is this behaviour so hard?”
“Am I doing enough?”
 And sometimes, you just want someone to say: I’m here for you. I see you’re doing the best you can. Your child deserves support and you deserve support, too.

At our practice, we help families build children’s emotional intelligence through play, nurturing confidence, connection and wellbeing.” Our Play Therapy, Early Intervention Groups, and Parenting Support programs are designed to meet your child exactly where they are with warmth, understanding and evidence-based care.

What We Offer (Ages 3–8)

Launching Term 1, 2026:
 • Social Skills Groups • School Readiness Programs • Resilience + Wellbeing Groups • Early Intervention Support • Play Therapy (limited spots from January)

These programs support children to:
 ✔ build emotional awareness ✔ develop stronger social and communication skills ✔ grow confidence in who they are ✔ develop emotionally intelligent tools for understanding and managing big feelings ✔ feel prepared, grounded and ready for school and beyond

And for parents, they offer something just as important:
 practical, real-life strategies to understand and support your child and the confidence to know you can do this.

If you’ve been longing for connection, understanding and support…this is your invitation.

We’d love to walk alongside you and your child.
 We help families create stronger relationships, and more emotionally intelligent homes.

📩 Expressions of Interest Now Open

• Groups: now taking EOIs for Term 1, 2026 • Individual Play Therapy: limited places from January • Ages 3–8

Express your interest, and we’ll send you everything you need to know.

Reach out today. Let’s connect! 🤍

Our 2026 Play Therapy waitlist is now open, with only a small number of spaces available.

When a child struggles, it often shows up in ways that leave parents feeling confused, exhausted, or even a little defeated. Big feelings, tricky behaviours, anxiety, neurodivergence, medical experiences, or family changes can all feel so overwhelming, for children and for the grown-ups who love them.

In play therapy, children are offered something precious: a steady, accepting space where nothing needs to be fixed quickly and everything can be expressed safely. Where they are held, seen and nurtured.

Through the language of play, they can explore what’s going on inside, at their own pace, in their own way; while feeling truly understood.

If you’re thinking about support for your child next year, this is a gentle encouragement to plan ahead.

Every child deserves a space that nurtures confidence, connection, and trust.

👉 If it feels right for your family, you’re welcome to join the 2026 waitlist today. Let’s connect - reach out at hello@inspiringplay.com.au. I look forward to supporting you and your family.

Warmly,

Em

Let’s talk about Medical Gaslighting

You finally get an appointment. You’ve spent months, sometimes years, saving to see that specialist everyone recommended. You’ve waited on long waitlists, filled out endless forms, gathered reports, and taken time off from work to make it happen. You have teachers and educators demanding answers. You think…finally we will get some support and understanding. You walk in hopeful, maybe this time someone will really listen.

And then… it happens.

A few minutes in, you hear things like,

“It’s probably just a phase.”
“Lots of kids are like this.”
“Try not to worry.”

You leave the appointment feeling confused, defeated, and a little lost. You start to wonder if you imagined the problem, if you’re overreacting, if maybe you just need to “relax.”

But deep down, you know what you know. Something doesn’t feel right. You wonder…where do I turn to next? And so the cycle begins again: you save, you wait, you try again, hoping the next person will listen. All the while, everyone is looking to you for answers. I see this time and time again with families.

This is what medical gaslighting can look like. It’s when a healthcare professional, often unintentionally, dismisses or downplays your concerns. It’s not about blame, it’s about the impact. Because when a parent’s voice is minimised, they’re left doubting themselves, and that’s a very heavy place to sit.

Here’s what I want you to remember:

You are the expert on your child. No one knows them like you do.
Your concerns are valid. They’re not “too much.” They come from a place of deep knowing.
It’s okay to seek another opinion. The right professional will make space for your voice and take your concerns and observations seriously.
You deserve support, not dismissal.

Parenting a child who needs extra support can feel like walking uphill while carrying the world. But your persistence, your noticing, your deep care, it all matters.

Please keep advocating for them. And know that one day, you’ll find the right person, the one who listens, who validates, who helps you find the next step forward.

When Parents Separate: What Our Children Need Most

Divorce or separation can feel like the ground shifting beneath everyone’s feet. Our children sense and feel that, too.

It’s not the divorce itself that causes the deepest wounds. It’s when children feel caught in the middle, unsure where they belong, or afraid to express what’s true for them.
 When we stay grounded, steady and open, our children learn that even in big changes, their world can still be safe.

Here’s some things to keep in mind as we support children through separation and divorce;

Conflict hurts more than change itself.
Where possible, shield your child from adult disagreements. Let them know, “The grown-up problems are for us to figure out. We want you to know that you don’t have to take sides.”

All feelings are safe.
Tears? Anger? Silence? It’s all part of healing. Don’t rush to fix it. Just sit beside them, breathe, and hold space, “It’s okay to feel this way. I get it. It makes sense.”

Routines bring security.
Even when everything’s changing, familiar rhythms like pancakes on Sundays, reading before bed; remind your child that life still has safety and predictability in it.

Support connection with both parents (when possible).
This one’s big. Your child shouldn’t have to choose sides. They need permission to love you both with no guilt attached. When kids feel free to love both parents, they carry less distress, tension and a lot more peace.

Healing takes time.
This is a process, not a single talk. Children will revisit their questions and feelings as they grow. Our children don’t need perfect answers. They just need to know we can handle their truth. That’s how they find solid ground again through our consistent, steady presence.

Give yourself grace.
Remember you’re doing the best you can. And that’s more than enough. Healing doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in those small, ordinary moments of connection.

“Children more than ever, need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping and fort building. It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.” ~ David Sobel 🪺🍃💚✨

Kindness and empathy aren’t skills our children are born with, they are nurtured and grow over time.

And they grow best when kids feel respected, connected, and gently guided.

When we slow down and notice the feeling behind a behaviour. For example, “You looked surprised when your friend said that, I wonder how they felt?”, you’re telling our child: Your feelings matter. And other people’s feelings matter too. That’s where empathy begins.

When we spot those tiny acts of caring - the sharing, the cuddle, the helpful hand - and reflect them back:

“I saw you give her your toy when she looked sad. That was kind,” we give children the words for what they’re already doing. They start to understand the impact they have on others.

And here’s the lovely part:
Kindness grows in the small, everyday moments.
Holding a door.
Offering a snack.
Asking, “How do you think he feels?”
These simple invitations strengthen our children’s caring muscles.

As the grown-ups, our job isn’t to force kindness.
It’s to create the conditions where kindness feels natural; through connection, acknowledgement, and calm leadership. When children feel safe and seen, caring becomes part of who they are.

So maybe today, just watch for one moment.
Pause. Wonder. Notice.
And when you catch your child showing kindness, or even thinking about someone else’s feelings, say it out loud.

Because when kids experience kindness and empathy in their everyday life, they learn to live it too.

Play Therapist Betrayal List!

You know those moments at work where everything’s going great… until it’s not? 
Welcome to the playroom. Being a play therapist is equal parts chaos, comedy, and compassion.
 We get covered in paint, sparkles, and deep feelings; and somehow, it all makes sense.

Here’s to all the play therapists out there doing the beautifully messy work of helping children heal through play. 🤍

I just love this quote. It reminds me how powerful play really is.

When you stop and really watch a child play, it’s like watching magic unfold. They’re creating whole worlds, working through big feelings, solving problems, and expressing themselves without saying a single word.

In Child-Centred Play Therapy, that’s exactly what we tune into. We step into the child’s world and let them lead.

Through their play, we start to see what’s happening inside; the worries, the hopes, the creativity, the resilience.

It’s pretty amazing how much a toy, a block tower, or a little make-believe story can tell us when we slow down enough to notice.

Play isn’t “just play.” It’s how children process life. It’s how they heal. It’s how they grow.

So next time you see your child deep in play; take a breath, pull up a seat, listen and tune in. You might just catch a glimpse of their world.

The Power of the Pause

When emotions run high, yours or your child’s, your nervous system lights up. Your heart races. Your muscles tighten. You feel that familiar urge to react, to fix, to control, to do something!

This is your body’s stress response, designed to protect you. But in parenting, that same protective instinct can make us react in ways that don’t always serve the relationship.

That’s why the pause can be so powerful. When you pause, even for a few seconds, you send your nervous system a message:

You are safe.

This small act begins to shift your body from fight-or-flight into a grounded and connected state.

From that grounded place, you can access curiosity and problem solving, the foundation of emotional intelligence.

You can ask yourself:

💭 What’s happening inside me right now?
💭 What might be happening inside my child?

That gentle wondering turns reactivity into empathy. It helps you see the need beneath the behaviour; the tiredness, the fear, the hunger, the longing to be understood, the need for connection.

Pausing doesn’t mean you’re ignoring the behaviour or letting things slide.

It means you’re choosing to respond from your wise mind, the part of you that leads with love, steadiness and boundaries, not frustration or fear.

In that pause, emotional connection grows. It’s where you model emotional regulation, repair, and respect; the very skills that build secure, resilient children.

So next time you feel that wave of emotion rising, try this:

Stop.
Breathe deeply.
Feel your feet on the ground.
Let your grounded self lead the way.

Your pause is not a delay. It’s a gift; to your child, and to yourself. 🤍

Hi there,

Thanks for stopping by!

I’m Emma, a child play therapist who believes growth happens best when it’s filled with play, safety and connection.

This space is for parents who want to raise emotionally intelligent kids without losing their own calm (or sense of humour) along the way! Expect warmth, curiosity, and a loads of compassion.

When I’m not supporting families, you’ll find me by the ocean, getting lost in art or pottery, or planning my next adventure.

Please remember you’re not alone here on this parenting journey, we’re all learning, growing and connecting, every step of the way. Let’s connect!

Warmly,

Em xo

As a play therapist, I’m often asked if I can fix a child’s behaviour or emotions.

But as Violet Oaklander, Ph.D., so wisely says, “I don’t fix kids.”

Children don’t need to be fixed.

They need to be seen, heard, and understood.

My role isn’t to shape them into something different, but to offer a space where they can safely express what’s inside, where all their feelings, even the messy ones, are welcome.

Therapy is not about control or correction; it’s about connection.

When children feel accepted as they are, they begin to discover their own inner resources, their own capacity to heal and grow.

Every child is whole, capable, and doing the best they can in each moment.

My job is to meet them there, with respect, curiosity, and attunement. 🤍

Choosing the Right Play Therapist for Your Child

Finding the right therapy support for your child can feel really confusing. There’s so much information out there, and when your child needs help, it’s hard to know where to start.

If you’re exploring Therapies for your child, you’re already taking an important step, one that says, “I see my child is struggling, and I want to understand and support them.”

What is Child-Centred Play Therapy?

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based approach that helps children express big feelings through play; their natural language.

In the playroom, the therapist offers safety, acceptance, and connection; allowing children to explore their emotions and build confidence at their own pace.

What to Look For in a Play Therapist

Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming, but here are a few helpful things to know:

Qualifications matter. Most play therapists start with a degree in psychology, teaching, counselling or social work, then complete postgraduate training; such as a Graduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Play Therapy.

Professional registration. In Australia, play therapists can be registered with:
• Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
• Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
• Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)

The connection counts. The best therapy happens when your child feels safe and understood. Trust your intuition, you’ll sense when there’s a good fit.

Remember

The relationship your child builds with their therapist is the heart of the healing process. Skills, toys, and techniques matter, but connection is what creates change.

At Inspiring Play: Child & Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we help children feel safe, connected, and understood through play.

A little one recently gifted me a card that began with:

“Dear Emma, thank you for letting me spend all of your time playing with you. I love playing with you.”

This touched me deeply. As a play therapist, I often wish children could know what a privilege it is for me to grant them that time. What may look like “just play” from the outside is, in fact, something profoundly healing and deeply important.

Through play, children process their world, express what words can’t yet capture, and begin to feel seen, safe, and understood. They tell us their stories, their fears, their hopes.

Play is where children process the hard stuff and celebrate the joyful stuff. It’s their way of making sense of the world. It’s their natural language, and being invited into it is such an honour.

Every pretend scenario, every shared laugh or quiet pause carries meaning. It’s in these moments that children build trust, resilience, and emotional strength.

Play isn’t a luxury for children. It’s essential!
It’s the work of childhood. It’s the pathway to healing and thriving. How very lucky I am to share and witness that. 🤍

The Power of Dolls in Play

When a child picks up a doll, they’re not “just pretending.” They are doing something sacred: they’re wondering, testing, processing, learning.

With dolls, children practise the art of nurturing. They explore what it means to care, to solve problems, to step into roles bigger than themselves. They’re trying on the experience of being in charge, of making sense of life.

And here’s the beauty: dolls also give children a safe space to release feelings. You may see your child cradle a doll with tenderness. Other times, you might witness anger or conflict in their play. All of it matters. All of it is communication. All of it is helping them understand and make sense of their world.

We don’t need to show children how to play with dolls. They already know. Our role is to trust their play, to watch with wonder, and stay curious about what they’re showing us.

Through this timeless, simple kind of play, children are building empathy, practising connection, and expanding their emotional intelligence.

Post-Traumatic Growth: Hope After Trauma 🤍
Last week I returned from the International Children’s Trauma Conference with something I didn’t expect to be carrying home: hope. So much hope.

Again and again, from speakers like David Kessel, Dan Siegel, Deb Dana, and Paul Gilbert, the message was clear: while trauma touches children and families deeply, there is also the very real possibility of post-traumatic growth.

For our children, and for us as parents, post-traumatic growth is a reminder of the resilience that lives inside all of us. Let’s be clear: trauma is never “good” or something to minimise. It hurts, it shapes us, and it leaves its mark. And yet, through the process of healing, children can discover strengths they didn’t know they had, deepen their connections with the people who love them, and begin to see new possibilities for themselves. Parents, too, can find growth through self-awareness, learning to respond with more compassion, finding patience in hard moments, or building stronger, more authentic bonds with their children.

Growth doesn’t take away the pain of trauma. It coexists with it, quietly showing us that even after hardship, new strength and possibilities can emerge.

As parents, carers, and supporters of children, this gives us something powerful to hold on to: trauma does not have to be the end of the story. With understanding, safety, connection, and compassion, there is room for hope, healing, and growth. 🤍✨

Why Nurturing Relational Safety and Co-Regulation Works Better Than Teaching Tools Alone in Early Childhood

As parents and caregivers, it’s natural to want to teach our children important skills, like sharing, listening, or calming down. But before children can truly learn and use these tools, they need to feel safe in their relationships with us.

Relational safety means your child knows they are deeply seen, heard, and held, not just physically, but emotionally. When children feel safe in their connection with you, their nervous system settles, creating the perfect foundation for learning and growth.

Co-regulation is the process where we help our children manage their emotions through our attuned, caring presence. It’s not about forcing children to “behave” but about tuning in, empathising, holding boundaries and gently guiding their emotional experience. When kids feel co-regulated, they develop inner calm and resilience over time.

Why does this work better than just teaching skills? Because:

* Children’s brains aren’t fully developed yet. Skills like impulse control or problem-solving depend on feeling safe first.
* Without safety, tools feel overwhelming. A child who feels anxious or disconnected won’t be able to focus on new skills or have the capacity to access tools when needed.
* Co-regulation builds emotional intelligence. It helps children recognise and manage feelings rather than just suppressing them.
* It strengthens your relationship. This bond becomes a secure base from which your child can confidently explore the world.

In my work with families, I have witnessed how shifting the focus from ‘fixing behaviour’ to nurturing connection transforms the way children engage with their world, fostering regulation, trust, safety, and growth.

If you want to learn how to nurture this safety and support co-regulation with your child, I’d love to help. Together, we can build a foundation that empowers your child for life.

Feeling very grateful to be here in Melbourne for the International Children’s Trauma Conference.

I’ve been inspired and moved by the deep knowledge of incredible leaders in the field such as Dan Siegel, Deb Dana, Paul Gilbert and equally by the powerful voices of young people courageously sharing their lived experience of trauma. Their stories remind us why this work matters so much: every child deserves to be seen, heard and supported with compassion. 🤍

Day 20: Wonder, Connect, and Play

As we wrap up 20 Ways in 20 Days, I want to pause and thank you for following along — for leaning in with curiosity, and for showing up for your children and yourselves in thoughtful, brave ways.

These past 20 days have been about more than strategies and tools. They’ve been about practising a way of being with our children;

Wonder — Let’s get curious! 
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong?”, we’ve practised wondering, “What’s going on for my child?” This shift opens the door to empathy, understanding, and compassion. It reminds us that every child is doing their best with the tools they have.

Connection — Nurturing our attachment to our child
 When children feel safe and understood, their nervous systems settle. An attuned presence or the words “I’m right here” can be more regulating than any strategy. Attachment is the secure base from which children grow, explore, and return when they’re overwhelmed.

Boundaries with care — creating safety with loving limits
 Clear, confident limits don’t shut feelings down; they hold children safely while emotions move through. Boundaries teach: “I can handle your big feelings. You’re safe with me.” This is co-regulation in practice, lending our calm until our children discover their own.

Playfulness — A safe way to explore feelings
 Play is children’s first language. Through dance, games, art, and imagination, they learn to process feelings, experiment with resilience, and reconnect with joy. Play is also validation: “Your inner world matters enough to be expressed, explored, and witnessed.”

Parenting is tricky. We get it right sometimes, we get it wrong often, and then we repair and try again. What matters most is showing up with curiosity, connection, boundaries, and love.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I hope these 20 playful, practical tools have given you ways to connect more deeply, support regulation, and nurture your child’s heart and mind through play.

Here’s to more curiosity. More connection. More play!

🍽 Day 19: The Comfort Menu 🤍
 
When your child is calm, create a menu to support them when they’re not.

Just like a restaurant menu helps you choose when you’re hungry, a Comfort Menu helps your child choose when they’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or sad. In those big-feeling moments, their thinking brain is often “offline”, making it hard to remember what might help them feel safe again.

How to create it:
 1. Start in a calm moment — maybe after school, on a weekend morning, or during playtime. 
2. Brainstorm together:
 Comfort Items — favourite stuffed animal, weighted blanket, cosy hoodie. Soothing Sounds — soft music, favourite songs, nature sounds. Comfort Words — phrases that help (“You’re safe,” “I’m right here,” “We can get through this together”). Regulating Activities — playdough, running in the yard, building Lego, swinging, jumping, drawing. Body Calms — deep breathing, stretching, sipping warm cocoa or water.

3. Make it visual: Draw pictures, take photos of the items, or make a colourful chart together.
4. Put it somewhere visible: On the fridge, next to their bed, or in a special cubby.

Why it works:
* Builds self-awareness — your child learns to recognise what helps them feel better.
* Strengthens co-regulation — you’re saying, “I’ll be here to help you use these tools.”
* Encourages independence — over time, children may start choosing comfort tools on their own.
* Normalises emotional ups and downs — kids see that everyone sometimes needs comfort and support, and that’s okay.

Tip:  Practice choosing from the Comfort Menu in small, everyday ways, not just during meltdowns. You might ask;
 “You look a little tired after school. Do you want to choose something from your Comfort Menu?” 
This helps the menu feel familiar and safe before it’s needed in a bigger moment.

Day 18: Feelings Soup 🥣

Sometimes, kids think they should only feel one thing at a time; happy, sad, excited, nervous or angry. But just like soup, our feelings often come as a mix of flavours.

How to play:
Grab a pot or bowl (real or pretend), a spoon, and anything you can use as “ingredients”. For example, play food, pompoms, scraps of coloured paper, or even water with food colouring.

You might ask; “Let’s make a Feelings Soup! What feelings do you have in your soup today?”

Offer prompts to help your child think of a variety:

🥕 Joy
🍅 Frustration
🌶️ Jealousy
🥬 Love
🧄 Sadness
🍋 Worry
🍫 Excitement

As your child chooses, stir it all together. You might reflect:

“Wow, this soup is full of flavours, just like you. All these feelings can live together inside you, all at once.”

Why it works:

• Normalises mixed emotions — kids learn they can feel happy and sad or excited and nervous at the same time.
• Builds emotional literacy — naming a variety of feelings grows vocabulary and self-awareness.
• Promotes acceptance — helps children see every feeling as a valid part of themselves, not something to push away.
• Encourages symbolic expression — using pretend play to represent feelings makes them easier to talk about.

Tip:

Model your own “Feelings Soup.” For example:
“My soup has excitement about our weekend, tiredness from our busy day, and love from spending time with you.”

When kids see us honour all feelings, they learn that emotional complexity is safe and natural, and that no feeling is “too much” for connection. 🤍

Day 17: The Feelings Detective Game

Big feelings can feel scary for kids, and for us. But when we get curious about them instead of rushing to “fix” them, we teach children that emotions are safe to explore. One playful way to do this is by becoming a Feelings Detective during storytime or family movie night.

How to play:
 Put on your imaginary detective hats and investigate the characters’ feelings together. Pause at key moments and wonder aloud:

Ask gentle, curious questions like:
 “What do you think this character might be feeling right now?”
“What clues do you see on their face or in their body that tell us that?”
“Do you think they feel one feeling or maybe a mix of feelings?”
“What do you think they wish would happen next?”
“If that feeling could talk, what would it say?”

Why it works:
 - Encourages emotional awareness — kids practise noticing feelings in others, which helps them notice their own. - Nurtures empathy — by stepping into a character’s shoes, children learn to see different perspectives. - Builds resilience — feelings become clues, not threats, both in stories and in real life.
- Nurtures children’s self-awareness - children start to make links to their own feelings and experiences.  
Parent tip: Model your own detective work: 
“When that character felt left out, I noticed my stomach felt a bit tight too. I remember feeling like that when…”

When we explore feelings like detectives, we shift from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s this telling us?” and that’s where deep emotional growth begins.

Day 16: Stretch, Breathe, Grow — Yoga for Big Feelings 
Yoga isn’t just for adults, it’s for kids too. For little ones, it’s less about perfect poses and more about tuning in to their bodies, steadying their breath, and finding calm in the chaos.

Why yoga helps with emotional development: 🫁 Regulates the nervous system — slow, deep breaths activate the body’s calming response 🧠 Builds body awareness — noticing where feelings live inside 💪 Encourages self-regulation — helping kids shift from “too much” energy to balance 💛 Boosts emotional literacy — moving in ways that connect mind, body, and emotions

Simple ways to start: 🌳 Tree pose — balance and focus 🐱Cat stretch — release tension 🦋 Butterfly pose — calm before bed 🕊 Child’s pose — rest and feel safe 🌬 Balloon breathing — inhale arms up, exhale arms down

Make it playful: Pretend to be animals — cobra, frog, downward dog Pair poses with feelings or stories — “Let’s do mountain pose to feel strong”
For an easy start at home, try Cosmic Kids Yoga, free, story-based yoga adventures that kids love.

Just a few minutes a day makes a difference. It’s not about perfect poses; it’s about offering your child a safe space to move, breathe, and listen to themselves.

Day 15: The “Squiggly Life” - My Feelings Journal

“I want kids to know that life is not a straight line — it’s squiggly with lots of ups and downs. You will have times when you’re successful and up, and times when you fail. Keep in mind that even though adults look competent, their lives are squiggly lines too. Learn how to deal with the squiggles.” – Dr Madeline Levine

I couldn’t live this quote more. How about keeping a Squiggle Journal with your child? A special journal where you and your child draw your feelings each day. It need not take long, only a couple of minutes. It might be:
 🎨 Scribbles for frustration 🎨 Swirls for excitement 🎨 Clouds for worry 🎨 Zig-zags for mixed emotions 🎨 Or even literal pictures of things that happened

Some days your page will look bright and colourful. Other days it may be messy, grey, or full of loops and tangles, and that’s okay. That’s life, beautiful and messy!!

Wonder together:
* “What do you think today’s lines say about your day?”
* “Did today feel more like a mountain climb or a calm lake?”
* And if they don’t want to talk about their drawing, that’s perfectly okay. Maybe you can chat about yours if you feel brave enough to do so!

Why it works:
* Gives children a safe, visual way to express feelings without needing words
* Builds emotional awareness and body-mind connection
* Normalises life’s ups and downs as part of everyone’s story
* Helps kids practise naming and noticing, which are two key emotional regulation skills.

Keep your own squiggly drawings in the journal too, it shows your child that you have feelings and “squiggles” just like they do. 🖍️❤️

Day 14: Baby, Let’s Get Messy 
When children squish play dough, dance in the rain, sift sand through their fingers, or stomp in a mud puddle, they’re doing important work for their brain, body, and emotional development.

Here’s why sensory play matters:
* Regulation: Different textures and sensations can calm or energise the nervous system.
* Body awareness: Feeling different materials helps kids connect with their bodies and notice internal signals.
* Emotional expression: Sometimes feelings show up in hands before words, pounding dough or splashing water can be a safe outlet.
* Mind–body connection: Engaging multiple senses grounds kids in the present moment, a key part of self-regulation.

Messy play ideas to try:
* 🏖 Beach day: Digging, sifting, and building with sand.
* 🪱 Mud kitchen: Buckets, spoons, and glorious mud pies.
* 🎨 Finger painting: Thick paints, bold colours.
* 🧼 Soapy water play: Sponges, bubbles, and pouring.
* 🪵 Nature tray: Leaves, sticks, pinecones, petals.
* 🌀 Slime: Gooey, sticky, squishy fun.
* 🍞 Play dough bakery: Rolling pins, cutters, pretend baking.
 Messy play is not just for toddlers. School-aged kids (and even teens!) benefit from sensory input. It’s a reset button for the nervous system, especially after a stressful day.

Set up a “yes space” where it’s okay to get messy; a tarp in the backyard, a big tray indoors, or a trip to the park.

Today’s invitation: Roll up your sleeves, join in, and notice how the sensory experience feels for you, too. Ask your child:
 💬 “How does this feel in your hands?” 💬 “What does your body feel like when you’re doing this?”

When we engage our senses together, we’re not just making mess, we’re building emotional awareness, nurturing connection, and joy.

Day 13: The Robot & Jellyfish Game 🤖🪼 
The Robot & Jellyfish Game is a simple and playful way to notice what’s happening in children’s bodies and to practice moving from tension to release. 
How to play: 1️⃣ Lie strong like a robot 🤖: “Lie on your back and make your whole body stiff, tight, and strong! Squeeze your arms, legs, even your face. Hold it… freeze!” (Hold for 3–5 seconds.)
2️⃣ Now Melt like a jellyfish 🪼: “Now let everything go… your arms sink, your legs go floppy, your face softens. You’re loose and wiggly, drifting in the water.”
3️⃣ Repeat 3–4 times, noticing how your body feels each time.

Playful prompts to wonder together: 💭 “What did Robot Body feel like?” 💭 “What did Jellyfish Body feel like?” 💭 “Which one does your body like best right now?” 💭 “Where in your body can you feel the change?”

Why it works:
- Nurtures co-regulation in a concrete, sensory way Children can feel the difference between stress/tension and calm/relaxation in their own bodies, making it easier to recognise and respond to those states in daily life.
- Builds proprioception Tensing muscles gives the joints and muscles “feedback” about where the body is in space, which can be regulating for children, especially those with sensory sensitivities.
- Increases emotional flexibility Moving between “robot” and “jellyfish” mimics moving between “activated” and “calm” emotional states, a skill they can use for life.
- Encourages mindfulness It brings a child’s full attention to their body in the present moment — a building block for mindfulness practices later on.
 Use this at transitions (after school, before bed, before homework) or as a playful reset when everyone’s feeling wound up. Practice when calm so your child can call on it more easily during big feelings.

This game is especially loved by younger children because the imagery is fun and it sneaks in valuable self-regulation practice without it feeling like a “lesson.”

Day 13: Borrowing Your Calm

Children’s nervous systems are still under construction.
When they’re overwhelmed, their brain’s “thinking” part (prefrontal cortex) temporarily goes offline, leaving the “feeling” part (amygdala) running the show.

In those moments, they literally can’t “calm down” on their own. They borrow regulation (co-regulate) from us, from our voice, our body language, our presence.

It’s certainly not about being perfectly calm all the time (you’re only human!), but about providing enough steadiness so their nervous system can start to match yours.

Some tools to try:

Pause and ground yourself first
• Plant your feet, take 1–2 slow breaths
• Drop your shoulders

Get low & soften your body
• Kneel or crouch so you’re on their level
• Keep your movements slow and open

Use a calm, steady voice
• Lower your volume and slow your pace
• Avoid rapid instructions. Remember less is more

Offer safe, simple connection
• “I’m here. You’re safe.”
• “Your body is having big feelings. I’ve got you.”

Hold space, don’t problem solve (just yet)
• Let the wave pass before problem-solving
• Once calm returns, you can reflect and repair

Reminder
You don’t need to “fix” the big feelings in the moment.
Your job is to be the anchor, the calm harbour they can return to when their storm feels too big.

Try this today
Next time your child’s behaviour spikes, notice your body first. Slow your breathing. Drop your shoulders. Get on their level. Offer your steady presence. And of course, hold fair and loving boundaries where needed!

See if they start to borrow your calm. 🤍✨

🌸 Day 11: Smell the Flower, Blow the Candle 🕯️
 Sometimes the simplest tools are the most powerful.
 No props, no prep, just two fingers and your imagination.

Here’s how: 1. Hold up your right index finger: “Let’s smell this beautiful flower…” (slow, gentle inhale through the nose)
 2. Hold up your left index finger like a candle: “Now blow out the candle…” 🕯️ (slow, steady exhale through the mouth)

Repeat a few times together. Go slowly, keep it playful. And remember, this is best practised in the calm and connected moments.

Add curiosity: After a few rounds, you might gently ask: 💭 “I wonder how your body feels now?” 💭 “What about your brain, does it feel busy or a bit calmer?” 💭 “Where do you feel that calm feeling?” 
These gentle questions help your child notice and name the changes happening inside them, building self-awareness and a positive connection to calming strategies.

Here are some times when you might practice it:
 🌙 At bedtime 🌅 When waking in the morning 🛁 In the bath 🚗 Before getting out of the car 

Why it works: Breathing in slowly through the nose and out through the mouth helps activate the body’s calming system. You’re showing your child how to slow their breathing in a way they can copy and remember. Over time, you’re building their “breathing muscles”, so the skill is ready when big feelings arrive.

Practice when everyone’s calm. Skills stick best when they’re woven into daily life, not just during meltdowns or big feelings! And don’t worry about “perfect breaths”, your playful presence is what helps the most.

Day 10: Sweet & Sour — A Connecting Game 🍯 🍋
 
Looking for a simple way to connect with your child and support their emotional development?
 Try the Sweet & Sour Game — a gentle, reflective ritual.

Here’s how to play:
 At dinner, bedtime, or any calm moment, take turns sharing:
 1 Sweet: Something good or enjoyable from your day.
 1 Sour: Something hard, disappointing or tricky.

You might say:
 💬 “Let’s play sweet and sour! What was your sweet today? What was your sour?” 
Then go one step deeper...
 💬 “How did that make you feel?” 💬 “Where did you feel that in your body?”

You’re helping your child:
 🧠 Identify feelings 🫀 Tune into their body’s signals 💬 Develop emotional language 💗 Practise gratitude 🪞 Build empathy (as they hear your sweet and sour, too)

Variations to try: 
Add a “surprise” moment, something unexpected that happened. Ask: “If your feeling had a colour or animal, what would it be?” Play it as a family, everyone gets a turn (yes, you too!).

Why it works:
 The Sweet & Sour game builds emotional intelligence in a playful, safe way. It makes space for all feelings, the joyful and the uncomfortable, without pressure or fixing. And it gently teaches children to reflect, express, and empathise… all while feeling deeply connected to you.

Today’s gentle invitation: Try Sweet & Sour tonight. Keep it light, curious and open-hearted. No need to solve or explain away their sour. Just listen. Hold space. Connect and share.

Day 9: Feelings Freeze Dance
 Helping big feelings move, through music and play.

Need to shake off the day (and sneak in some emotional learning too)? 
Try the Feelings Freeze Dance, a playful way to explore feelings through movement.

Here’s how to play:
 Turn on your child’s favourite music When the music stops, call out an emotion and FREEZE like…

- “You’re scared!”
- “You’re angry!”
- “You’re excited!”
- “You’re sad!”
- “You’re peaceful.”

Let them act it out with their whole body; silly faces, big poses, tiny movements… anything goes.

Then, gently wonder together: 💬 “What did ‘angry’ feel like in your body?” 💬 “Did any feelings feel easy or hard to show?”

Why it works: Children process feelings through their bodies before they can always name them. This kind of movement-based play helps release emotional energy and nurtures emotional awareness, all while having fun.
It’s creativity, curiostiy and connection… all rolled into one dance party.

Parent tip: You don’t need to overanalyse or get it “right.” Just play alongside them and stay curious. Your presence is the most powerful part. And if dancing is not your (or your child’s) thing, that’s okay! Please don’t t force it. This should be fun and joyful.

Day 8: The “Worry Pet”  
Got a little one who holds their worries inside?
 Today, we’re going to give those worries a safe place to go.

Here’s how:
 Invite your child to create their very own Worry Pet. It can be made from pipe cleaners, pom-poms, playdough, fabric scraps, whatever you have on hand.
 This isn’t about crafting perfection; it’s about giving their feelings a home outside their body.

You might say: “Sometimes worries feel too big inside us. Let’s make a special Worry Pet to hold those feelings for you.”

Once it’s made, your child can: 🐛 Hold it when they feel anxious or overwhelmed 🐛 Whisper their worries to it (no judgment, no fixing) 🐛 Tuck it into their pocket, backpack, or pillow as a little “worry buddy”

Why this works:
 Young children often don’t have the words, or the cognitive development, to process their worries logically. By externalising the worry into a playful, tangible object, we’re giving them a safe “container” for big feelings. 
This small act of creating distance gives them a sense of control.

It says:
 - “Your feelings are safe here.” - “You are not alone with them.” - “We can hold them together.”
 Try making a Worry Pet with your child. Notice how it feels for them to “place” their worries somewhere safe. And remember, the goal isn’t to erase the worry, but to hold it with care.

Day 7: The Secret Weapon

Here’s something I want you to hear, especially if you’re reading this while juggling a thousand things, wondering how on earth you’re meant to find time for another thing:

You are your child’s greatest regulation tool.
Not because you’re perfect.
Not because you’re calm all the time.
But because you are you.

Our children are constantly tuning into us.
Noticing our tone.
Our body language.
The energy we carry.

Their nervous systems are still learning how to regulate, and often, they borrow from ours to figure out how.

But let’s be honest.
As a mum, I know just how impossibly hard it can feel to find even five quiet minutes.
And I want you to know:

Trust me, you do not need another unrealistic “self-care” list. I get it!!

What you do need is compassion for yourself.
Grace for your own humanness.
Moments, tiny, stolen moments, to tune into you.

Because when you tend to your own nervous system, even in small, imperfect ways, you’re also supporting your child’s.

So today, here’s a gentle, no-pressure list of ways you might anchor yourself, not in a big, perfect ritual, but in little everyday moments:

☕ Smell your coffee before the first sip. Really smell it.
🌞 Stand in the sun and let it warm your skin.
🌬️ Place your hand on your heart and take 5 slow breaths.
🛏️ Lie in bed for five extra minutes and think of 3 things you’re grateful for.
🚿 Feel the warm water on your skin in the shower, let it feel good.
🛋️ Put your feet up. Rest them. No guilt. Just five minutes.
🍽️ Sit down to eat lunch. Not standing. Not rushing. Just sitting. Eating.
🧼 Feel the warmth of the dishwater on your hands.
💃 Dance to your favourite song.
💌 Read that junk mail that’s been there for weeks, guilt-free.
🍫 Savour that piece of chocolate slowly.
🌿 Take off your shoes and stand on the grass.
📺 Watch that funny episode of Modern Family that you love so much, and laugh!

✨ You don’t need a perfect self-regulation practice.
✨ You need small, human moments of connection, to yourself.

Because when you tend to you, you are also tending to them.

You are human. Remember you matter too.

Take care 🤍✨

Day 6: The Weather Report - Feelings Forecast

“What’s your weather like inside today?”

Here’s a playful way to help your child tune into their feelings, without needing big explanations or tricky conversations.

Try this at breakfast, on the school run, or snuggled up at bedtime:

“Let’s do a Feelings Forecast! What’s your weather like inside today?”

☀️ Sunny could be Happy 🌧️ Rainy might be Sad 🌪️ Cyclone could be Angry 🌤️ Partly cloudy might mean mixed feelings

Let your child pick their weather. There are no right or wrong answers. And don’t forget to share yours too! You might be “partly cloudy with a chance of cuddles.” Or maybe “a little windy, but calming down soon.”

Why it works:
 Children often feel big things, but don’t yet have the words to explain them. Using metaphors like weather helps them externalise their feelings safely with no shame, no pressure. It’s playful. Light. And yet so powerful for building emotional awareness and their feeelings vocabulary.

Plus, when you share your forecast too, it models that feelings are normal, safe, and always welcome in your relationship.

Today’s gentle invitation:
 Ask your family for their Feelings Forecast. See what comes up. You might be surprised at the little moments of connection it creates.

Day 5: Draw Your Feelings
 When kids have big feelings, they need a safe way to explore, express and for that emotional energy to move. Not to be fixed. Not to be silenced. But to be expressed.

Here’s a simple activity you can try with your little ones today:
 “Draw Your Feelings!”

As a way to develop your child’s emoitonal awareness, you might ask;
 - “Let’s draw what mad/sad/worried feels like.” It could be colours, shapes, wild scribbles, anything at all. There’s no right way for feelings to look.

You might offer a choice:
 “Would you like to tear it, rip it, scrunch it, treat them kindly, fold them up neatly or throw it like a snowball?”
This isn’t about “getting rid” of feelings. It’s about becoming curious about all those big feelings through play, through art, through movement.

Why it works:
 Many young children don’t have the words to express their inner world. Creative expression and release like this helps children externalise what’s inside, in a way that feels safe and manageable.
 Let your child lead this process. If they don’t want to tear it up or throw them away? That’s okay. The act of creating is regulating in itself.
This is how we teach emotional awareness and emotional regulation, not by stopping feelings, but by making space for them to be recognised, felt and expressed.

The Cosy Cubby: A Safe Space to Just Be

What if your child had a space that felt like a warm hug? A space that feels soft, safe, and theirs. A place they want to go, not because they’re told to, but because it feels good to be there.
That’s the idea behind the Cosy Cubby. It’s not a place to be sent when emotions are big. It’s a place to choose when their body and heart need a little extra care. A place that feels safe, warm and comforting.

Here’s how you might create one together:

🧸 Favourite sensory toys or soft textures 📚 Treasured books  🎶 Gentle music or calming sounds ✨ Fairy lights or soft lighting for extra magic 🛋️ Comfy pillows and blankets to curl up in

Why it Matters:

When emotions feel overwhelming, children need safe spaces that invite them to soothe, not spaces that isolate them.

A Cosy Cubby becomes a gentle reminder: - “It’s okay to need a break.” - “You are safe here.” 
When you build it together, you’re giving your child a sense of ownership and choice, which helps them feel even more secure.

It’s a Space to Just Be

No expectations. No fixing. Sometimes it’s simply about sitting in the cubby with them (if that feels comfortable for them), sharing the quiet.
It’s their safe space to return to, whenever they need it. A space they love to be.

Day 3: Feelings Charades – Building Emotional Awareness Through Play
 Here’s something I say to parents all the time: 
Kids can’t regulate what they can’t name.

And sometimes? 
Talking about feelings can feel too hard or too abstract, especially for young children who experience emotions through their bodies first.

That’s where Feelings Charades comes in.

This is a playful, low-pressure way to help kids build emotional awareness and learn to co-regulate with you at the same time.

Here’s how it works:

Take turns acting out feelings using your body, facial expressions, and movement. Invite your child to guess the feeling, then switch roles.

Try: 😡 Angry stomps 😨 Nervous wiggles 😴 Tired yawns 🤩 Excited hops 😢 Sad slumps 😤 Frustrated flops

Then reflect, gently and curiously:
 💬 “Have you felt like that before?” 💬 “Where did you feel it in your body?”

Every time you play like this, you’re sending your child a powerful message: ✨ “Your feelings make sense. I’m here with you. We can figure them out together.”

It’s not about getting the feeling “right.” It’s about building a shared language, one your child can use when words feel too hard and emotions feel too big.

So whether they’re hopping with excitement or flopping with frustration, your presence is the regulation tool they need most.

You’re not just playing charades:
 💛 You’re strengthening connection 💛 Building emotional awareness 💛 And helping your child feel safe in their inner world.

Day 2: A Simple, Soothing Tool: The Calming Bottle

Children’s thoughts and feelings can often feel just like a shaken snow dome; swirling, busy, hard to settle. One way we can support them to find calm in their bodies and minds is by creating a calming bottle together.

This simple sensory tool invites children to explore how their inner world feels, and to practise calming their nervous systems in a playful, nurturing way.

Why it helps:

- It introduces mindful breathing in a visual, accessible way
- It strengthens body awareness and emotional regulation
- It offers a strategy children can come back to again and again

How to use it:

I like to start by encouraging the children to create their own bottle or snow dome, filled with water, glitter, and a few drops of food colouring. We gently shake it up and say something like:

“Sometimes our feelings and thoughts swirl around like this glitter… fast, busy, hard to keep track of. But watch what happens when we give it time…it all settles, just like our minds and bodies can.”

Then I invite the children to watch the glitter together, and I guide them through slow, mindful breaths; in through the nose, and out through the mouth.

If little ones become distracted, I gently remind them to bring their eyes back to the swirling glitter, to follow it as it slows… and to let their breathing slow, too.

What you’ll need:
• An upcycled water bottle
• Water, glitter, glue (to slow the swirl), food colouring
• A quiet, inviting space for breathing and watching

This simple tool doesn’t just calm, it teaches our children that feelings come and go, that their bodies can find stillness, and that they have the power to guide themselves back to calm.

Day 1:

“Belly Breathing”

Helping Young Children Practice Calm
 Children thrive when they’re offered simple tools for self-regulation, not to control or stop their feelings, but to support them through those feelings with safety and presence.

Breathing is one of those tools.

It’s something we can model, invite, and gently practise alongside our child, without pressure or expectation, and certainly not just in moments of emotional intensity.

One way to introduce this is through “Belly Breathing”

Invite your child to lie down and place a favourite soft toy on their tummy. - Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of five - Breathe out gently for a count of five
 Let your child watch the toy rise and fall as you breathe together. There’s no need to correct or coach, just allow them to notice and explore.

This kind of breath, slow, intentional, mirrors something called the physiological sigh (which adds an extra breath on the inhale), and helps settle the nervous system. It’s how our bodies naturally reset. A long exhale sends a message: “I”m safe now. I can relax.”

But here’s what’s most important:
 We don’t wait for a meltdown to introduce this. We offer it during the quiet, connected moments, before bed, upon waking, or whenever it feels right. That’s how children build comfort with the practice. That’s how they begin to make it their own.

Just like any new skill, it takes time. Like learning to ride a bike, breathing to calm the body is a skill developed over time.

And when we return to it, again and again, we’re not just teaching them how to breathe. You’re helping your child build inner safety, body awareness, and a tool they can carry into big feelings, and beyond.

You might try this tonight. No pressure. No goal. Just breathing together.

Let me know how it goes!

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Inspiring Play is dedicated to fostering an environment that celebrates and respects the diversity of all individuals and families.

We believe that every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, or religion deserves equal access to quality care and support.

inspiring play

Sunshine Coast Play Therapy & Early Intervention

Nurturing Children’s Hearts and Minds Through Play

Our Paediatric Therapy Services

Play Therapy

Parent Programs

Early Childhood Consultancy

Autism & ADHD

Anxiety & Wellbeing

Who Does Play Therapy Support?

Play Therapy can be beneficial for supporting children with:

Play Therapy on the Sunshine Coast

About Us

Meet our Play Therapist - Emma

Kind Words

Keep up with us on Instagram @inspiring.play

​

Let's Connect!

Explore

Play Therapy Centre Location

Affiliations

Welcome

Inspiring Play is dedicated to fostering an environment that celebrates and respects the diversity of all individuals and families.

We believe that every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, or religion deserves equal access to quality care and support.

Nurturing Children’s Hearts and
Minds Through Play

Play
Therapy

Parent
Programs

Autism &
ADHD

Anxiety &
Wellbeing