The Playful Life

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.

08/10/2025

Tonight I spent my evening working with a group of educators from Shapes Early Learning Upper Mt Gravatt.

Professional development with early childhood professionals is one of my favourite parts of my job, but some sessions are even more heart-filling for one big reason...

The director is not only attending and involved in the workshop, but they are passionately supportive of the work we are doing 💚

That was the case tonight 🥰 Thank you Kayla for your dedication to children's wellbeing!

08/10/2025

On top of my regular play sessions today, I got to spend some time supporting the amazing educators at Mother Duck Childcare Wynnum 🥰

This team are AMAZING and are always ready to try out new strategies and look at life with a new perspective ✨

A HUGE added bonus is getting to spend time with Nala 🐾 such a fluffy little baby and the highlight of the children's day!

07/10/2025

I cannot believe it we are now in the last term of 2025!!!

I am down to my final two spaces for professional development for early childhood settings (LDC or Kindy) and have just opened my books for 2026!

If you, or the centre/kindy/OSHC that your child attends is looking for some support to support ALL the little people in their community, please reach out!

Now I just need to remember to actually take photos during PD so that I can share the fun on Facebook!

07/10/2025

Such a wonderful article discussing the beauty of Play Therapy 😊

Thank you to the beautiful Kristen at Play Plus Therapy for sharing so eloquently!

Feel free to share this article far and wide!

Play Therapy: Helping little hearts heal through play 🧩

Curious about play therapy? This powerful approach is growing fast as more parents discover the key to children’s wellbeing may lie in the playroom.



LEARN MORE: https://kidsonthecoast.com.au/health-wellbeing/play-therapy-helping-little-hearts-heal-through-play/

20/09/2025

A morning of professional learning 💚

We are covering some heavy and confronting topics, but learning so much and building my capacity as a play therapist.

18/09/2025

Highlight of my Day... Possiblly month 😂

When children finish up with me, I always let them plan a little celebration with a treat. Today the request was fabulous!

Japanese katsu curry!!!! So after playing, we settled into a cosy lunch together 😍😍

17/09/2025

Another fabulous FREE school holiday activity!

🤸 Bookings

https://events.humanitix.com/spring-holiday-play-at-freedom-fortress-yarrabilba-s-community-backyard

17/09/2025

I know so many of you out there are feeling the term 3 exhaustion 😩🥱🫩

Take Maggie Dent's advice and find some connection time 😍

In my house it was a few games of Uno before bed 🛏️💚

Only two days to go!!!!

16/09/2025

I've just reached 300 followers! Thank you for supporting my little business and hopefully I'll start sharing a little bit more 🙏🤗🎉