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Dressing seems straightforward to us as adults, but for children, it's a complex developmental challenge requiring numerous hidden skills. This episode dives into the foundations of early dressing independence, revealing why undressing naturally comes before dressing and how seemingly simple tasks like putting on a t-shirt involve intricate motor planning, body awareness, and cognitive sequencing.

We dive into the underlying skills needed to engage in dressing tasks and some of the many reason it can be frustrating for both children and parents! 
Throughout this conversation, I share practical strategies you can implement immediately, including how to choose the right time to practice, why loose-fitting clothes make learning easier, the power of backwards and forwards chaining techniques,  the role of problem solving within dressing! 

The most powerful takeaway? Independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. It means supporting children to do as much as they can with the least amount of help, recognising their unique capabilities, and celebrating each step toward self-care mastery. Whether you're a parent frustrated with morning routines or a teacher supporting classroom independence, these foundational principles will transform how you approach dressing skills with the children in your life.

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This final episode of our play season explores how playful moments build the persistence skills children need throughout life. When children engage in play, they're not just having fun; they're developing the ability to notice problems, try different solutions, and maintain emotional regulation through challenges.

Join me as we dive into the intricacies of how we can support the children in our lives to develop their persistence within play. From noticing the problem, trialling some solutions, seeking help from adults to maintaining their regulation and using adults for co-regulation throughout! 

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, this episode offers practical strategies for fostering persistence through everyday play. By embracing these approaches, you'll help the children in your life develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong belief that they can overcome challenges.

What persistence skills have you noticed developing through play? Share your experiences and join the conversation!

Don't forget to share the podcast around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Cooperative play marks a change within play where children begin working together to achieve shared goals. Whether building a tower, creating a fort, or solving an imaginary problem, this collaborative play helps children build so many skills within a fun, playful environment!

When you watch children negotiate who gets which role in their pretend restaurant or see them problem-solve together to build the perfect blanket fort, you're witnessing the emergence of teamwork, communication, and  regulation in real-time. 

When children step into different roles within dramatic pretend play, they're building so many skills from perspective taking to problem solving, and sequencing skills. Being playful allows children to build these critical thinking skills in a low pressure environment where their creativity can be set free! 

As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Symbolic play marks a fun milestone where children begin using objects to represent something entirely different. That wooden block becomes a phone, a spoon transforms into a microphone, and suddenly teddy bears need proper bedtime routines. This isn't just adorable behaviour – it's your child building new play skills, problem-solving, and creativity!

We also dive into associative play - as children begin engaging with peers around common activities without formal organisation. Children at the playground following each other, sharing equipment, or dancing together with shared joy. While they're not yet cooperatively working toward shared goals, they're developing the social awareness and skills that will support more complex interactions as they continue to grow and develop. 

We discuss strategies to support these play stages you can begin to practice at home. Most importantly focusing on how we can follow your child's lead and gently extend their play interactions and scenarios. 

These seemingly simple play interactions lay the groundwork for abstract thinking, problem-solving, and social skills that will benefit your child throughout their lifetime. Next week, we'll explore the next developmental stage: cooperative play and socio-dramatic play, where pretend play becomes even more complex and socially interconnected. Join us as we continue unraveling the fascinating world of children's play development!

As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Functional play is the gateway into our children exploring toys, objects for their intended purpose. This developmental milestone opens doors to deeper learning, independence, and confidence as children figure out that spoons are for eating, blocks are for building, and crayons can create beautiful marks on paper.

In this episode we dive into how to find playful moments throughout your entire day. From morning routines to bath time, cooking to cleaning up, every interaction becomes an opportunity to build these skills. The beauty lies in seeing how naturally children learn when we model without demanding, when we create environments that support their unique needs, and when we celebrate their discoveries.

The episode explores practical strategies like using your affect and body language to engage attention, modelling without expectation, and giving children space to problem-solve. These approaches honour the child's natural learning process while supporting their development. Listen to discover how small moments of playfulness can transform your child's development journey while bringing more joy and connection to your daily interactions.

As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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The journey from solitary to social play isn't a single leap but rather a fascinating progression through various stages. In this  episode, we explore the often misunderstood phases of onlooker and parallel play.

When your child seems to be "just watching" other kids at the park or following you around the house observing your activities, they're engaged in powerful learning. Far from passive, this observation phase is when children collect ideas they'll later reproduce in their own play.

As development progresses, children move into parallel play—that magical stage where they play alongside others without direct interaction. This seemingly simple arrangement helps develop early boundary understanding, regulation skills, and social awareness.

For parents and caregivers, supporting these developmental stages doesn't require elaborate interventions but rather thoughtful presence. We discuss practical approaches like using open-ended toys (blocks, cars, balls), creating opportunities for observation, and following your child's lead rather than forcing predetermined activities. 

Whether you're a parent seeking to understand your child's development or a professional supporting children's growth, this episode provides both theoretical understanding and practical strategies to nurture these essential play stages, creating a strong foundation for more complex social interactions to come

As always, please do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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This episode explores the building blocks of play our solitary and sensorimotor for children. We discuss the importance of these play types in fostering skills, encourage active engagement, and present practical strategies for parents to support their child's playful learning journey. We promise you'll walk away with practical tips to enrich playtime and foster those crucial early skills. Our episode gives you an insight into the incredible journey of how infants learn about their bodies and surroundings through play!

From tummy time to using nursery rhymes as interactive tools, we offer creative ways to turn daily routines into enjoyable learning moments. Our goal is to empower parents and educators to nurture early development through purposeful play, establishing a strong foundation for future growth.

We share the magic of playful interaction with simple games that unleash joy for everyone. Discover the art of being an engaging presence and how spontaneous play can lead to rich, memorable experiences. Join us and learn how to make playtime an enriching and rewarding journey for everyone involved.

If you have any questions or want more ideas for play, just send me a message over Instagram or Facebook!

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This episode explores the vital role of play for children and adults, unpacking its significance in learning and emotional well-being. We discuss the different stages of play, types of interaction, and the importance of fostering a playful environment for growth and development.

Join me to learn more about:
• Understanding the value of play for both children and adults 
• Unearthing personal experiences with play and its impact 
• Defining play and its implications for learning and growth 
• Stages of social play - solitary, parallel, associative, and cooperative 
• The difference between joint attention and shared attention 
• Strategies for encouraging playful interaction with children 
• The importance of following a child's lead in play 
• Encouraging trust in one's playful instincts 

As always, please, please, do share it around with anyone that you think could benefit from it.

Follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Discover how to use regulation to support a child's persistence to tricky activities! In this week's episode you'll gain insights into maintaining calm and teaching resilience to young children, turning challenges into growth opportunities. 

Wed discuss how to recognize and support stressors that affect task execution, and how assuming competence and breaking down tasks can lead to successful learning experiences. Proactive regulation strategies, such as validating and anticipating challenges, are highlighted to help develop resilience and independence in children.

As the holiday season approaches, stay tuned for tips and strategies tailored for children with additional needs, ensuring an enjoyable and minimal stress experience for everyone. Join us for this essential conversation and prepare for a joyful holiday season!

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In this weeks episode we discover strategies for develop self-regulation skills in children  We dive into activities to create an emotional toolkit tailored for kids, guiding them to acknowledge and manage their feelings. You'll gain insights into personal regulation strategies that empower you to model emotional resilience, and in turn, teach these vital skills to your children, nurturing confidence and self-awareness.

Journey with us through the captivating world of shared problem-solving experiences, where children learn to tackle challenges creatively and collaboratively. Delve into the concept of "playful obstruction," a technique that encourages adaptability and problem-solving through deliberate, fun challenges. Whether it's a game with building blocks or guiding kids through daily tasks like getting dressed, we emphasize the power of celebrating successes and using playful elements to foster resilience and build essential neural pathways for self-regulation.

Get ready for an episode filled with valuable strategies to help your children navigate their emotional worlds with increasing confidence. 

Follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights! Don't forget to rate and review! 

DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.