In our 10th episode of Play it Forward, Lukas chats to behavioural expert and counsellor, Jason Gibson. Originally from Florida, Jason is a father of four and based in Nashville where he is director of the BabbCenter, providing guidance to families from a faith-based perspective.

Jason has worked with schools and treatments facilities across the US supporting children with social, emotional and behavioural issues and has a few degrees under his belt!

Lukas and Jason discuss how we can maximise our involvement in children’s lives by equipping ourselves with the tools for children to feel fulfilled and thrive. Jason believes in encouraging parents, stepping back and identifying problems, not dropping shame bombs, and speaking truth into children’s hearts.

https://parenttv.com/experts/jason-gibson/

https://www.parentingandtechnology.com/

https://www.babbcenter.org/

https://www.facebook.com/lunchwithjason/

In Episode 9 of Play it Forward, Lukas welcomes parenting author and resilience expert Dr Justin Coulson onto the Wearthy Podcast.

In light of the COVID-19 situation, Lukas and Justin discuss home teaching with love, lowering expectation and our role as leaders in the home to model positive, compassionate behaviour.

With a huge emphasis on looking forward and focusing on the things we can control, Justin offers insight and advice to parents during these difficult times and how we can support our children to grow through resilience.

“It’s the connection that counts, it doesn’t have to be in person.”

https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/podcasts/

https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/product/9-ways-to-a-resilient-child/

The Brain That Changes Itself - http://www.normandoidge.com/?page_id=1259

Bunker down with Justin & Kylie - https://www.facebook.com/groups/210869850144124/

In Episode 8 of Play it Forward, Lukas reconnects with the ultimate outdoor advocate Cath Prisk who he met at the Children & Nature Network Conference in California 2019. Cath is based in Hackney, East London and has lived many lives while making the outdoors easy for children, families and communities. Starting her career as a teacher, Cath is now the Founder and Director of Outdoor People and has an impressive and extensive backlog of experience across the play sector.

Lukas and Cath chat about our generation of adults being the most conscious of the vulnerability of children playing outside. They discuss the fear that leads to keeping children indoors; traffic, predators, weather - all factors that cross culturally over the world. They also talk about the challenges of access to outdoor spaces, facilitating a world where we expect children to play outdoors and that we need to think globally and act locally.

“A school is not 4 walls – a school is a teacher and a community.” Cath Prisk

https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/

https://outdoorclassroomday.com/

https://playingout.net/housing-design-play-making-links/

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/lsdc_-_sowing_the_seeds_-_full_report_2011.pdf

https://brussonilab.ca/

In episode 7 of Play it Forward, Lukas goes deep into the world of play with Marcus Veerman, the CEO & Founder of non-profit organisation Playground Ideas and developer of mobile play kart, Nudel Kart. Marcus has a non-profit background working with refugees, helping children across the globe thrive in play environments that focus on well-being. Lukas and Marcus discuss a range of topics including the evolution of education, the diversity of play-based learning and the benefits of involving children in the creation of play spaces.

“The playground needs to be as complex as the children.” – Marcus Veerman

https://playgroundideas.org/

https://playgroundideas.org/build-playground/nudel-kart/buy-nudel-kart/

https://www.nudelkart.com/

https://www.facebook.com/playgroundideas

https://www.instagram.com/playgroundideas/

In episode 6 of Play it Forward, we hear insightful and supportive knowledge from play therapist Aideen McCartney. Based in the UK but raised in Australia and New Zealand, Aideen’s experience working with a diverse range of children who face different adversities and challenges make her one of the best in her field. Lukas and Aideen chat about the value of strengthening relationships with children, being with children in a present and engaged way and really tuning into our children’s needs.

Check out her amazing resources below:

Website: www.playfulpathways.co.uk

Youtube: www.youtube.com/playfulpathways

In Episode 5 of Play it Forward, Lukas welcomes Occupational Therapist and Founder of Jump Up for Kids, Madeline Avci. They delve into topics such as: play, the occupation of childhood, the value of making time for outdoor play, the detriment of putting children into curriculum based education too soon, and the discredit of play.

Madeline’s online presence:

Website: https://www.jumpupforkids.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumpupforkids/

Lukas’s work:

www.wearthy.co

www.theoutdooreducator.com

In episode 4 of Play it Forward, Lukas chats with his friend the Queen of Common Sense and Parenting Expert Maggie Dent. They discuss the counter-revolution of play, the unfortunate conscious shift of eliminating risk in play, and our role in supporting children through prioritising play and movement in early childhood. Maggie is one of the inspiring factors behind Lukas’s mission in changing the mindset of play.

Website: https://www.maggiedent.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaggieDentAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiedentauthor/

Instagram:

Wearthy.co

Episode 3 of Play it Forward. Lukas chats to Lucy Cook, Co-Founder of Amaze Education. A Mother, Business Owner and Teacher with a Masters of Education.

Lucy discusses what it's like to be a mother of children with Asperges. She dives into the change of lifestyle, along with the challenges.

She discusses topics including, risk management, utilising nature and the power of routine and ritual. She also shares her journey of rapid and organic growth within the early education sector.

Website:

amazeeducation.com.au

Facebook:

Amaze Education

Instagram:

@wearthy.co

Episode 2 of Play it Forward. Lukas chats to Angus, Program Manager the Outsiders.

They discuss the risk paradox, loose play, boredom and anxiety, gender roles, rough and tumble play, diversity among children and playing with fire.

Website:

Theoutsidersplayadovocates.com

Facebook:

Outsiders: Play Advocates

The Land

Instagram:

@wearthy.co

Led by international keynote speaker, educator and advocate of play; Lukas Ritson, Play it Forward is an educational podcast about the importance of play.

With the increase of technological advancement, it has never been harder to get kids playing outside. But at what cost.

Lucas interviews leading educators and industry experts in children’s education to chat about how the next generation is being formed by play (and a lack of play.)

Play It Forward is full of practical takeaways for parents and early education practitioners to build environments that make children feel supported, challenged, connected and confident.