The Playful Life

14/12/2025

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10/12/2025

Out of office today ✨

I will be spending today decorating and celebrating with my daughter and her friends as they graduate from primary school 🎉🎉🎉

I will answer any emails and calls tomorrow!

Happy Thursday everyone!

10/12/2025

I think this is a wonderful explanation of why we can't simply demonize anything screen related. There is so much to unpack when we think of the changes in childhood over the past 30 yrs... And guess what!? There is more to it than just increased screen time.

09/12/2025

In the craziness of end of year fun, I missed The Playful Life's birthday back in November!!

Thank you to all the amazing families I have been privileged enough to walk beside over the last 12 months. The Playful Life wouldn't still exist if it wasn't for your trust in me.

Thank you to all of the early childhood centres who invited me to share new ideas, theories and skills with your team.

Here is to the next 12 months!! And I will try not to forget the next birthday!

12/11/2025

If you are an early childhood educator looking for your happy place, take a look at this beautiful space 😍

We’re looking for people who are Diploma qualified and above, available 4–5 days a week, between 7am and 4pm. Although we do take a month off over Christmas, we are open the other 48 weeks of the year, except for public holidays.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about risky play, trust children, believe in child-directed play, and see the beauty in nature. We’re trying to change the way things are done in our industry, for children, families, and educators.

Are you? 💚

If so, send us an email telling us about you and your philosophy, we’d love to meet you! We’re hiring for philosophy, not positions, because we work as a collaborative team regardless of background. However, pay will be based on your qualifications and experience.

If you’re interested email Amanda at hello@littlewildlings.au

07/11/2025

Over many years I have seen the positive impact Early Childhood Development Programs in our area have had on children with developmental differences and disabilities.

They do so much to bridge the gap between early learning centres, home and formal schooling and for many children they are the difference between a positive schooling experience and a life-changing, negative transition.

Are they perfect and do they work for every child? No.

Does our entire schooling system need to be rebuilt from the bottom up? Yes.

But right now, ECDPs are vital!

We need to ensure children are not missing out!!

03/11/2025

I had a wonderful morning visiting Hannah and her team at Norman Park Community Kindergarten 🥰

My heart was so full after seeing the beautiful, natural spaces the children had access to all day 🌞🌳

I love connecting with others who put children's agency and choice over control and obedience.

Children enjoying the journey that is childhood 🧡💛💚

23/10/2025

When a quick "end of the day" walk by the water turns into windy chaos 😂

We all know how hyped children get with windy weather 💨

Good luck 😂😂

19/10/2025

I am so excited to be presenting a break out session at the Planning For Play conference next year!

If you haven't put this in your diary now is the time! It will be a fabulous day of professional learning 💚💚

Happy Monday and yay to our third speaker announcement for our 2026 installment of Planning For Play : Play & The Mind!

Only a few Super Early Bird Tickets are remaining so do not miss out!

Erin is a registered play therapist, teacher and psychotherapist with 25 years’ experience in early childhood. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and a Master of Child Play Therapy. Erin specialises in child-centered play therapy and filial therapy, with a focus on attachment, trauma-informed care, therapeutic play, and neuroaffirming practices. She is passionate about equipping educators and caregivers with practical strategies to support holistic development and connections. Her work is grounded in unconditional positive regard and the belief that children thrive when they are seen, safe, and supported. Erin runs "The Playful Life" in Brisbane, QLD and specialises in supporting children between birth and 7 years and their families and support systems.

Erin's session: Play and Mental Health in Education: Beyond Learning to Wellbeing

Play is more than a vehicle for learning — it is the child’s first language of expression. Within play, children reveal their thoughts, emotions, and experiences long before they can verbalise them.

This session invites educators to look beyond "behaviour" and discover the messages within children’s play. By understanding play through a therapeutic and developmental lens, educators can better support mental wellbeing, ensure children feel seen and valued, and foster genuine, nurturing connections in early childhood, school, and OSHC environments.

Participants will explore how play acts as an outlet for emotional processing, how themes and patterns in play communicate inner experiences, and how small shifts in adult perspective can transform both the child’s wellbeing and the educator’s sense of connection and effectiveness.

Super Early Bird Tickets are still available although in limited numbers and can be purchased here: https://www.trybooking.com/DETAW

13/10/2025

Today I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with part of the Frankie's Clubhouse team about the importance of supporting children before, during and after medical experiences.

Frankie's Clubhouse has a range of resources and books, all available for FREE to support our little ones!

Check them out at:

Frankie stories help children and families cope with the stress or trauma of an illness, injury, hospital admissions or medical procedures.