We’ve reached the end of Season One of Play Happens Podcast!

In this episode, I reflect on what it means to protect play - for children and for ourselves. From messy moments to quiet creativity, from letting go of control to guarding time for imagination, this finale brings together the big lessons of the season.

You’ll also hear a bit of the behind-the-scenes journey of starting the podcast - how it began as one small idea and the hope that it’s made a difference in how we see play.

Connect with Jess on Instagram → @playhappensau

Share your Season 2 ideas, reflections, or play stories!

Play Happens Podcast - where play isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental.

Play is how families bond, build trust and rediscover joy together. In this episode, I explore how shared play strengthens relationships, lowers stress and helps families reconnect in simple, meaningful ways.

✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt — Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate.

Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

🎧 Subscribe or Follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

💌 Share this episode with a fellow parent who might need a reminder that connection doesn’t come from perfection - it comes from play.

Play isn’t just for kids - adults need it too!
In this episode, I explore why play is essential for grown-ups - not just for fun, but for connection, creativity and mental health. From laughter to letting go of the to-do list, this episode is your reminder to make room for joy again.

✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate.

📲 Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

🎧 Subscribe or Follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

💌 Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher or carer who might need a reminder that play isn’t a luxury - it’s a life essential.

When kids play outside, they’re not just getting fresh air, they’re learning, growing and recalibrating.
In this episode, I explore how nature invites imagination, builds courage, restores balance and connects us - both children and adults - in ways no classroom or screen can.

✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education, and passionate play advocate.

Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

🎧 Subscribe or Follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

💌 Share this episode with a parent, teacher or carer who might need a reminder that sometimes, the best kind of classroom has no walls!

Play begins earlier than you might think - long before a baby takes their first steps. From womb kicks to toddler towers, imaginary worlds to tween adventures, play constantly evolves as children grow. In this episode, I explore how play shifts across the stages of childhood and what stays the same: curiosity, connection and creativity.

Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate.

✨ Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

🎧 Subscribe or follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

💌 Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or carer who might need a reminder that play doesn’t disappear as kids grow - it just changes shape.

Conflict isn’t always a bad thing - especially in play.
In this episode of Play Happens, I explore how well-meaning adult intervention can sometimes get in the way of one of the most powerful learning opportunities children have: navigating social conflict.

Learn when to step in, when to step back and how to support children as they build empathy, resilience and problem-solving skills - one playground disagreement at a time.

✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt — Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education, and passionate play advocate.

💌 Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or carer who might need a reminder that not every problem is ours to fix.

🎧 Follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

📸 Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

What happens when a toddler, a four year old and a fourth grader all play together? Chaos? Maybe. Magic? Definitely.

When kids of different ages play together, the results are unpredictable and powerful. In this episode, I will look at how multi-age play builds leadership, empathy, creativity and teamwork. I’ll also share some simple ways parents and educators can encourage it. 

Play Happens is hosted by Jessica, a Primary Educator with a Masters in Special and Inclusive Education and a passionate advocate for the power of play.

✨ Let’s connect:

• Instagram: @playhappensau
• Share this episode with a parent, teacher or carer who believes in the power of play across generations.

🎧 And remember - sometimes the best kind of learning looks a whole lot like play.

Sibling play isn’t always calm - it’s loud, messy and sometimes full of arguments. But behind the chaos lies powerful learning. In this episode, I explore how sibling play builds empathy, problem-solving, conflict resolution and lifelong bonds. We’ll look at how parents can support it without stepping in every two seconds.

Play Happens is hosted by Jessica, a Primary Educator with a Masters in Special and Inclusive Education and a passionate advocate for the power of play.

✨ Let’s connect:

• Instagram: @playhappensau
• Share this episode with a parent, carer or educator who needs a fresh perspective on sibling squabbles.

🎧 And remember - sometimes the best kind of learning looks a whole lot like play.

What kind of spaces invite play and which quietly shut it down? In this episode, I explore how our homes and classrooms can be reimagined to encourage curiosity, creativity and independence. From making materials accessible to striking a balance between order and freedom, this episode is full of practical ideas to help play flourish.

Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate.

✨ Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

🎧 Subscribe or Follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

💌 Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or carer who might need a reminder that sometimes the best spaces for learning are the ones that invite a little mess and a lot of imagination.

Is your recycling bin the best toy store in the house? In this episode, I explore the magic of loose parts play and how open-ended materials like boxes, sticks and bottle caps spark creativity, problem-solving and resilience in ways no store-bought toy can match.

Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt — Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate.

✨ Follow Jess on Instagram: @playhappensau

🎧 Subscribe or Follow Play Happens wherever you listen to podcasts.

💌 Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher or carer who might need a reminder that play really is fundamental.