Philippa's guest for this episode is Venny, who shares her experience as a foster carer and how important play is when fostering. She also has stepchildren, birth children, and a huge amount of, grandchildren, at least two football teams worth of grandchildren, along with, her husband, Brian, and they've been foster carers for 13 years. She shares how she has noticed the huge role play has in fostering, especially when caring for children who've maybe experienced trauma or adversity. Sometimes they can get some muddles and can be quite fizzy and have quite a difficult time expressing their feelings or thoughts and play can really help them to come through some of that and remain connected and together even if they can't work out the muddles.

But play can keep them as a family that connected, and keep them moving forward. 

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

In this week’s episode, part two of our Rupture and Repair series, we ponder how play and playfulness can be a key role in the process of repair. We explore why rupture and repair are essential, not just for child development, but also for building strong relationships. The ability to repair is something that starts with adults modeling the process, as children need to experience and understand it before they can fully grasp the concept themselves. We also reflect on the nuances of saying sorry—does reconnection always need words? Is acknowledging a rupture essential for healing, or is there another way to mend? Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the complexities of parent-child connection and the importance of repair.

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

 This week our guest is Hilary Kennedy. She is a leading developer of video interaction guidance called VIG in the UK, an educational psychologist and an honorary research associate at the University College of London. She has co-edited 2 books. 

Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) is an intervention which builds positive relationships through filming and feedback sessions. It is a strengths-based, brief intervention that promotes attunement, sensitivity, and mentalization in relationships. The principles and practice can be used to work within any relationship.

https://www.videointeractionguidance.net/what-is-vig

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/video-interaction-guidance-a-relationship-based-intervention-to-promote-attunement-empathy-and-wellbeing-miriam-landor/4731563?ean=9781849051804

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

 This week, we are exploring how play relates to the concepts of rupture and repair within relationships, particularly focusing on the bond between an adult and a child. When we refer to rupture, we mean a moment of disconnection in the relationship, which can manifest differently depending on the child's age, whether they are a baby or a toddler.

We will also discuss the distinction between guilt and shame, emphasizing how harmful shame can be for a child. Additionally, we will highlight the importance of parental support, or scaffolding, when children and young people experience intense and overwhelming emotions.

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

This week, we will ponder the feelings of guilt experienced by parents, caregivers, grandparents, and adults. A listener's question about the lack of joy some parents feel when it comes to playing with their children, whether they do not have the time to play, or whether they feel unable to engage in play at all prompted this topic. This guilt can be quite significant.

In a previous episode, we explored the difference between expectations and actual milestones, discussing how we often measure children against certain standards. This leads us to consider are there similiar expectations surrounding parenting as well, particularly regarding how and when we should play with our children. There is a societal pressure to ensure that our children are intelligent, sociable, and fit the mold of what society deems appropriate, alongside the expectations of what parenting should entail. 

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

Julie and Philippa ponder when the play becomes frightening. They consider the role of rough-and-tumble play, how it can be part of childhood, and when it becomes frightening for children and young people. 
With technology ever present in our daily lives we ponder video games and how they can be frightening. Ending the episode pondering word play and the attunement and development that is required to help make this type of play fun rather than hurtful.

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

Julie and Philippa ponder when play doesn't appear to be within the expected typical development. Considering neurodiversity and their experience of working with children and families. Pondering why play might appear to be delayed or is delayed, thinking about how we can be alongside a child in play and how we communicate, especially non-verbally. 
Philippa does have a little rant. 

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

This week Julie and Philippa ponder when children and young people ‘regress’ in play, thinking about how this can ‘fill in early life gaps’. Pondering how important a playful nappy change can be to a baby and toddler. How unpredictable, inconsistent parenting can impact a child or young person and how they have a sense of the rhythm of life and how can play support the development of this. Pondering co-regulation and regulation, and how important regulation is to experience from the outside in first. Bruce Perry’s regulate, relate, Reason is reference by Julie and Philippa. 

Sarah Lloyd’s Building Under developed Sensory Systems work is referenced in relation to how babies develop from in utero. 

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

In this episode, Julie and Philippa ponder how pets and animals can at times help children, young people and adults. Whether this is in everyday life, therapy or their own homes. While also acknowledging that pets and animals can be unpredictable and even scary. 
They think about how this unpredictability can in itself be therapeutic and validating. Sharing their own experiences of pets and how they have been important in communicating with children and how they attune to the emotions and states of those around them.  

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree

Julie and Philippa ponder can play help us find our way back to safety if we are feeling unsafe. Do we need to be safe to play? They ponder relational, physical and psychological safety in play.
They wander their way through play and safety in the therapy room, in families, with toddlers, adolescents and older people. 

Send us a text

Pondering Play and Therapy | Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree