The Play Based Learning Podcast

EP 68: Healing Through Play as an Adult with Kara Latta

Kara is a Play and Mindset Coach and your partner-in-fun on the path to healing perfectionism and rekindling your playful, creative spirit. Kara’s message is that play is anything but fluffy; it’s the secret sauce to more health, confidence, creativity, and joy (science says so too!). It's also a powerful healing tool to help us release perfectionism and connect with our inner child.
Key Takeaways: 
The Importance of Play in Adulthood: Play is essential not just for children but also for adults. It helps in reconnecting with our inner child, alleviating stress, and fostering creativity.
Healing Through Play: Engaging in playful activities can be a healing process, especially for those who have experienced trauma or high levels of stress. Play can help in processing emotions and releasing tension.
Barriers to Play: Many adults struggle with incorporating play into their lives due to societal expectations, self-imposed limitations, or the belief that play is not a productive use of time.
Practical Tips for Embracing Play: Simple strategies like setting aside time for spontaneous activities, being open to new experiences, and allowing oneself to be imperfect can help adults invite more play into their lives.
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Kara Here: @theplayfulwarrior
Discover your playful personality here: Take the Quiz

EP 67: Unlocking the Secrets of Children's Play with Anande Ferreira

Anande Ferreira is a mama and pediatric occupational therapist with a special interest in playfulness and sensory integration. She has over 10 years experience supporting children and their families. Upon completion of her Masters degree focused on playfulness, she presented her research at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress and has published in the Occupational Therapy International Journal. On this podcast Her and Kristen talk about what play looks like and what people's expectations are of play. 
Key Takeaways: 
Misconception of Play: Play can look different for everyone and sometimes caregivers think it should look a certain way with children. This can sometimes create concerns that may not need to be concerns.
Play in Diverse Settings: Integrating play in various settings, including structured and unstructured environments, supports different aspects of development and learning.
Role of Adults: Adults should facilitate and support play without overly directing it, allowing children the freedom to guide their own play experiences and creativity.
Play and Emotional Health: Play provides a safe space for children to manage their emotions, build resilience, and develop coping strategies in a non-threatening way.
Do you find yourself wondering what play really looks like? Then this episode is for you. 
 
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Anande here: @playmoreot
Find Anande’s course here: Making sense of It
Find Anande’s Book here: Born to Play

EP 66: Understanding Autism in Early Childhood Education with Beth Duttera

Beth Duttera from Aut2ask, an autistic woman-led initiative uplifting autistic voices. Her support survey has over 2k voices from the autism community (inc educators!) speaking on how the current system and supports are failing us all. Listen as Kristen asks questions about autism to help others have a better understanding. 
Key Takeaways: 
Teacher Training Deficit: Kristen and Beth talk about how many teachers lack formal training about autism, hindering their ability to support autistic students.
Diagnostic Challenges: They talk about how teachers struggle to discuss developmental issues with parents due to a lack of diagnostic authority and parental awareness.
Harm of Masking: Beth and Kristen discuss how forcing autistic children to mask behaviors like avoiding eye contact or stimming can be damaging.
Inclusive Education Need: They advocate how more inclusive practices and better support systems are essential for accommodating all students.
Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges stigmas and highlights the beauty of neurodiversity in education.
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Beth Here: @aut2ask
Take Beth’s Data Survey: Survey Link

EP 65: Boredom and Play with Deborah MacNamara

Deborah MacNamara is a counselor, on Faculty at the Neufeld Institute and author of Rest Play Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one), and Nourish: Connection, Food, and Caring for our Kids (and everyone else we love). Join Deborah and I as we tackle all things boredom. 
Key Takeaways: 
Boredom Boosts Creativity: Boredom fosters creativity and self-initiated play in children, encouraging imagination.
Parental and Educator Roles: Parents and educators should guide children through boredom, supporting their independence and self-entertainment.
Imaginative Play Benefits: Encouraging imaginative play with simple toys or self-created games enhances creativity and expression.
Balancing Screen Time: Limiting screen time and promoting physical and imaginative play is crucial for children's development.
I’m sure at some point in your life you have heard the words “I’m Bored!”. This podcast will cover the ins and outs of boredom and why it can actually be a good thing! 
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Deborah here:  @drdeborahmacnamara or at macnamara.com
Find Deborah’s books here: Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One) and Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love)
Find Deborah's Freebie here: infographic on how you can play out frustration

EP 64: Building Equitable and Inclusive Early Childhood Environments with Alicia Highland

Alicia Highland and I talk about ways to make environments more inclusive and also touch on what that can look like in nature based settings. Alicia completed her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, with specializations in Environmental Education and Nonprofit Management, and a Master's in Elementary Education. Now that she is taking a break from the classroom to raise her two littles, Alicia is focusing her energies into creating a nature-based education community online and in her hometown.
Key Takeaways: 
Equity and Inclusion: Alicia and Kristen talk about how to create environments where all children feel safe and have equal access to opportunities by addressing systemic barriers and ensuring inclusion.
Challenges: They talk about how early childhood education faces issues like low wages, lack of funding, and insufficient support, which hinder creating equitable educational spaces.
Nature-Based Education: Kristen and Alicia cover ways to also help make nature-based education accessible to all children.
Actionable Steps: They talk about how educators should educate themselves, use toolkits, have courageous conversations, and be open to feedback to create inclusive learning environments.
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Alicia here: @tinygreenlearning or at www.tiny-green-learning.com
Find the implicit bias test: Project Implicit
Find the NAEYC toolkit here: Guide

EP 63: Behaviors When There is an Absence of Play with Prerna Richards

Listen as Prerna and I pick up from where we left off from after our last episode together (Episode 56). We talk about what happens when there is an absence of play and how it can affect behaviors in different ways. 
Key Takeaways: 
Stress and Escalation of Behaviors: Kristen and Prerna talk about how the absence of play increases stress for both children and adults, leading to heightened and disruptive behaviors. Play is a natural way for children to process their emotions and reduce stress.
Connection and Regulation: They talk about how crucial it is to build connections and help children regulate their emotions through play.
Role of Educators: Prerna and Kristen give advice to educators about how to be present and respectful of children's play, waiting for invitations to join rather than controlling or directing it.
Adjusting Schedules: Learn how some small changes to schedules, such as adding more outdoor playtime, can significantly reduce stress and improve behavior. 
If you are struggling with different behaviors with children, this episode will give you lots of insights that can help you shift your mindset and make changes to set children up for success.
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Prerna here: @togetherwegrow.online or at togetherwegrow.online.com
Also find Prerna on: Linkedin, Facebook, or YouTube 
Listen to the other episode with Prerna here: Episode 56

EP 62: Exploring Reggio Emilia Approach with Jayda Rivera

Join me as I learn a little more on what the Reggio Emilia Approach looks like with Jayda Rivera, the visionary behind Reggio Roots. With her work at a Playschool inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, she aspires to nurture, develop, and guide individuals and educators who share her ideologies. 
Key Takeaways: 
Understanding the Reggio Emilia Approach: Jayda talks with Kristen about how the Reggio Emilia approach emphasizes the image of the child as an active participant in their own learning. It is child-led, similar to Montessori and play-based learning, focusing on the natural development and expression of children.
Environment as an Extension of Home: They talk about how in Reggio Emilia-inspired schools, the environment is designed to feel like a second home. Learn some ways to incorporate things into your space that make it feel cozy.
Importance of Observation: Jayda highlights the significance of constantly observing and taking notes on children's behavior and interactions. This helps educators understand each child deeply and tailor the learning environment and activities to their needs and interests.
Holistic Child Expression: Jayda and Kristen talk about the idea of the "hundred languages of children" suggesting that children have numerous ways to express themselves beyond verbal communication. Educators should provide various outlets for expression, including art, music, movement, and play.
If you aren’t familiar with or have ever been interested in learning more about the Reggio Emilia Approach, this is a great episode to get more info! 
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Jayda here: @reggio_roots

EP 61: Play Based Learning for School Age Children with Mariana Carazo

In this episode, I am talking with Mariana Carazo, a Columbia University graduate with a Master's in Curriculum and Teaching and over 20 years in education. Currently, she pioneers a play-based homeschooling approach for her children, embodying her belief in reimagining education. Mariana actively advocates for play as a transformative tool in 21st-century education, both at home and in traditional schooling environments. 
Key Takeaways: 
The Importance of Play in Learning: Kristen and Mariana emphasize that play is essential for children's cognitive development, mental health, and executive functioning. 
Flexible and Meaningful Learning Environments: Mariana talks with Kristen about highlighting the benefits of open-ended play spaces and flexible seating arrangements. These setups allow children to move, choose their seating, and engage with learning materials in a way that suits their individual needs and preferences.
Real-World Applications of Learning: They talk about how teaching with a purpose is central to Mariana's approach. She ensures that what children learn is connected to real-life applications, making education more relevant and engaging.
Mixed-Age Group Benefits: Mariana and Kristen know the power of mixed-age groups. Older children help younger ones, and all students benefit from the diverse range of skills and perspectives within the group.
Have you been toying with the idea of homeschooling or looking into other options besides traditional schooling? Or maybe you are in a traditional school setting and looking to make some adjustments? This episode will give you lots of great info and give you ideas on how to create a more playful space for school age children. 
Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com
Find Mariana here: @developingminds or at developingmindsus.com
Link about Flexible seating here: flexible classroom