In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker shift the spotlight to one of the most common—yet frequently misunderstood—experiences in childhood: Anxiety.

While anxiety is a universal human emotion, it wears many different "masks" in the playroom and at home. This episode explores the nuance of the anxious child, moving beyond the stereotype of the "worried kid" to look at the physiological and developmental realities of a child in a state of alarm.

The Developmental Spectrum of Anxiety

The hosts break down how anxiety evolves as a child grows. Understanding these developmental markers helps parents and therapists distinguish between "typical" growth-related fears and anxiety that requires therapeutic intervention.

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we delve deeper into ADHD and CCPT with expert Amy Work. Amy examines how ADHD can show up in the playroom, the symptoms and characteristics of ADHD, and how to support children and parents using CCPT. It is important to remember that there is no "hard and fast" rule- that with CCPT and children, there is always fluidity- so these are things to look for and examine!

How do CCPT therapists support regulation, attention, and emotional growth without turning therapy into behavior management?

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re joined by ADHD expert and Child-Centered Play Therapy clinician Amy Work for a rich, practice-informed conversation on how CCPT aligns naturally with the nervous system needs of children who present with or are diagnosed with ADHD.

Together, we explore:

✔️ How ADHD shows up in play, relationships, and regulation

✔️ What therapists often misinterpret as “noncompliance” or “disruption” in the playroom

✔️ How CCPT supports impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning through safety and relationship

✔️ Practical ways Amy structures the playroom while preserving child-led fidelity

✔️ How to partner with parents when ADHD is part of the clinical picture

✔️ Common pitfalls clinicians encounter when working with highly active, sensory-seeking, or impulsive children

Whether you’re a play therapist, parent, educator, or mental health professional, this episode offers grounded clinical insight and real-world application for supporting neurodivergent children in ways that build long-term resilience — not just short-term compliance.

🎧 Tune in, follow Playful Beginnings, and join us as we continue bridging development, neuroscience, and the healing power of play.

ADHD is often treated as a compliance problem rather than a nervous system and executive functioning difference.

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we examine: • Core ADHD symptom presentation across development • Regulation, impulse control, working memory, and emotional modulation • Why behavior-based interventions alone frequently plateau • How Child-Centered Play Therapy supports intrinsic regulation, agency, and attachment security • Clinical implications for treatment planning and parent consultation

This episode is ideal for play therapists, clinicians, educators, and supervisors seeking developmentally responsive, evidence-aligned intervention strategies.

🎧 Now streaming. Follow Playful Beginnings for clinically grounded conversations that elevate the field.

#PlayTherapy #ADHDTreatment #ClinicalSupervision #ChildPsychotherapy #DevelopmentalNeuroscience #MentalHealthProfessionals

Are you missing the subtle signs of ADHD in your home or classroom?

ADHD is often misunderstood- we hear about it all the time, but what is it actually?

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Kristie and Maggie delve into what ADHD looks like in children. It's more than just "can't sit still." And often, boys and girls demonstrate ADHD differently.

Tune in as we outline the core symptoms you may be overlooking. This episode is great for parents, teachers, and play therapists. Understand the why behind the wiring, and change the how of your response.

Tune in for future episodes on strategies to support children with ADHD

Parents often ask: “What does this diagnosis actually mean for my child?”

Play therapists often ask: “How do I explain diagnosis without labeling, limiting, or pathologizing the child?”

In this episode, we explore: • What diagnosis is (and isn’t) in child mental health • How CCPT conceptualizes the whole child beyond symptoms • How therapists can guide parents into developmentally informed conversations • How parents can collaborate effectively with their child’s therapist

If you care about ethical, developmentally grounded practice — this episode belongs in your queue.

Follow for research-informed play therapy education and parent support.

When we talk about diagnosis in children, it’s easy to feel like we’re "boxing them in." But at PlayTherapySpace, we view diagnosis through a different lens: The Child-Centered Perspective.

A diagnosis isn’t a definition of who the child is—it’s a guide to how they experience the world. 🌍❤️

Why it matters:

• It validates their struggle: It tells the child, "There is a reason why this feels hard for you, and it’s not your fault."
• It’s a roadmap for support: It helps us stop asking "Why are they doing this?" and start asking "What do they need right now?"
• It builds a bridge: It helps parents, teachers, and therapists speak the same language to support the child's unique nervous system.Want to dive deeper into the world of child-centered therapy? 🎧 Tune into our latest podcast episode: "Beyond the Label: Seeing the Child Behind the Diagnosis." 🔗 [Link in Bio to Listen & Follow!]

#PlayTherapy #ChildMentalHealth #NeuroAffirming #ParentingTips #PlayTherapySpace #UnderstandingDiagnosis #ChildPsychology

🧠✨ New Episode of Playful Beginnings ✨🧠

Executive Functioning Meets Child-Centered Play Therapy

Ever been asked, “But how does play therapy help with executive functioning?” This episode is for you.

In our newest Playful Beginnings conversation, we break down how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) directly supports the development of executive functioning—without worksheets, rewards, or constant correction.

We explore: • Why executive functioning is developmental, not motivational • How CCPT supports impulse control, flexibility, emotional regulation, and problem-solving • The role of co-regulation and relationship in building brain-based skills • How play therapists can clearly and confidently explain this work to parents and teachers

This episode is especially helpful for play therapists who want language that bridges neuroscience, development, and play therapy—so families and schools truly understand the why behind the work.

🎧 Listen now and follow Playful Beginnings for thoughtful, research-informed conversations that honor children’s development and capacity for growth.

#PlayfulBeginnings #PlayTherapy #ExecutiveFunctioning #ChildCenteredPlayTherapy #Neurodevelopment #TherapistEducation #PlayIsDevelopment

Executive Functioning Isn’t About “Trying Harder.” It’s About Development.

When children struggle with planning, impulse control, emotional regulation, or task completion, it’s easy to assume they’re being unmotivated or defiant. But executive functioning isn’t a skill children decide to use — it’s a set of brain-based capacities that develop over time and through relationships.

From a developmental and child-centered lens, executive functioning grows through: • Co-regulation before self-regulation • Safe, attuned relationships • Play that allows for problem-solving, flexibility, and emotional expression • Adults who scaffold rather than control

When we expect executive functioning beyond a child’s developmental capacity, we create shame instead of skill. When we support it through connection, safety, and play, growth follows naturally.

At Play Therapy Space, we view executive functioning not as a deficit to fix, but as a developmental process to nurture.

✨ Regulation comes before reasoning. ✨ Relationship comes before expectation. ✨ Development always comes before demand.

#PlayTherapy #ExecutiveFunctioning #ChildDevelopment #Neurodevelopment #ChildCenteredPlayTherapy #ParentSupport #TherapistLife #PlayIsLearning #DevelopmentNotDiscipline

✨ New Episode of Playful Beginnings ✨

How Children Experience the Holidays — and How Adults Can Support Them

The holidays can be magical… and overwhelming. For children, big changes in routine, emotions, expectations, and stimulation can show up as joy and struggle.

In this episode, we explore: 🎄 Why even “happy” holidays can be hard for kids 🎄 How children communicate overwhelm through behavior 🎄 What parents, teachers, and play therapists can do to support regulation and connection 🎄 How a child-centered play therapy lens helps us respond with empathy instead of urgency

If you’ve ever wondered “Why is this so hard for my child right now?”—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen in, share with a fellow caregiver or educator, and follow along for more child-centered insights that support real-life moments.