Playful Minds

15/10/2025

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DRAMATHERAPY WEEK:// Celebrating being part of this amazing community and all the creative doors that have opened…

07/05/2024

THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG:// I stumbled across this wonderful documentary on abc iview. Highly recommend you check it out…beautiful story about the potential of drama and performance in these young people’s lives.

A heart-warming documentary following a group of neurodivergent teenagers as they prepare for their first high school musical, confronting their challenges and dreams.

16/05/2022

SINGING FROM THE SAME SONG BOOK:// yep…this is my whole ethos in the work I do. I am also reading Mona’s book and it (along with her previous book) are always at the top of my list to recommend to parents (and myself☺️)

Play is the ultimate developmental booster. It supports imagination, emotional literacy, problem solving and even cognitive growth! When we play, the goal isn’t to teach the child concrete concepts but to let the child explore their pretend world. That’s where the magic happens. I share about how to use play for specific parenting challenges here. https://monadelahooke.com/brain-body-parenting/

12/05/2022

ART THERAPY AT BEAR COTTAGE:// my friend and colleague Judy King showcasing her amazing work at Bear Cottage. I have been lucky enough to witness Judy in action over the years and I can only imagine how rich and important this Grandparents Program is for its participants.

More than 20 years ago, a facility called Bear Cottage was set up as a hospice for sick children allowing their families to stay with them in a non-medical environment.

04/05/2022

SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY ISNT ALWAYS THE ANSWER:// we have so much to learn from our First Nations People. This article resonates a lot with me and how far I believe mental health services have to go in terms of really meeting community needs.

To find true healing for her depression and anxiety, Portia Walker-Fernando has moved away from conventional Western support systems, instead leaning on methods her people have used for thousands of years.

29/04/2022

READY TO BINGE WATCH THIS:// Arts as prescription…imagine that? Will be very very keen to watch this program.

26/04/2022

FUNDRAISING TRAINING EVENT:// For those who are looking for some professional development, I’m proud to support this upcoming Ukrainian Fundraising PD Event: Supporting Children, Families and Communities through Trauma. On Saturday 14th May, 6-9pm AEST, you can participate in a live, on-line training event with four international guest presenters sharing creative methods to support those with trauma. Be in the running for over $1000 in prize giveaways of books, puppets and online training. This event will be recorded for those unable to attend live. This will be a valuable 3 hours of PD and a great cause to support! Find out more and register here

Stories engage specific parts of the brain that light up during storytelling. This presentation illustrates the importance of storytelling especially in time of crisis, and gives ideas for everyone to tap into their memories and share their experiences.  We may be telling the tale of what happened ...

24/02/2022

THANKS MELBOURNE UNI:// I got on a plane🥳, I travelled interstate 🥳, I sat in a room with real people 🥳. I have just spent this week teaching, playing, creating, moving, imagining with a group of Dramatherapy trainees at Melbourne University. To be in a room with real people! I have come away completely excited about the future of Dramatherapy in this country. Sitting with my soon to be peers…my profession is about to more than double in this country. How amazing is that! It was such a pleasure to be a small part of your Dramatherapy training journey.

16/02/2022

IMAGINE:// just imagine a child being able to access a range of mental health supports in school. Talk therapy isn’t always the right fit particularly for those children who are often labelled as having difficult behaviour. Look what’s happening in schools in the UK…

'Emotional wellbeing is critical,' says head of the special educational school

08/02/2022

ONLINE TRAINING:// Kids are back at school (for now😉) and so we can finally breathe and look ahead…next week I am running this training for anyone who works with groups and can’t stand the dreaded “icebreaker”

01/02/2022

BACK TO SCHOOL:// this article explores why drama is the most important subject at school☺️.

As students return to school, drama offers space to reconnect, but it’s also where vital life skills are learned.

28/01/2022

AGAIN AGAIN:// so looking forward to offering this again!

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, sorry everyone.

ATTENTION WOMEN FROM MIGRANT & REFUGEE BACKGROUNDS! We have exciting news! We are running another FREE Playful Communications Workshop with Playful Minds, face to face, on Thursday 17th February, from 9.30am - 2.30pm, at the Metro Assist office in Campsie. The last 5 workshops booked out quickly, so make sure you don't miss out! Registration IS essential, if you want to join, please email: skillmeproject@metroassist.org.au or phone 0423 081 951 or 9879 3744. A free lunch will be provided. This workshop will:

- Build your confidence to secure that dream job!
- Increase your communication skills!