✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). 

In this insightful conversation Mia & Lauren Sundstrom, the CEO & COO of The National Institute for Play, unpack the power of play across childhood and adulthood — the science, the healing potential, the impact on learning and the small playful habits that enrich adult life. From Dr. Brown’s legacy to everyday playful moments, this episode explores how play shapes our wellbeing, our classrooms and our lives.

National Institute for Play: https://nifplay.org/

Recess, Stress, and Cortisol Study: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723058/

Chamber of Connection Report: 

https://www.chamberofconnection.org/the-six-points-of-connection-2026

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy 

Gillian and Helena

[email protected]

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). 

In this episode of The Playful Lens, Dr. Rebecca Quinn discusses the critical role of play and movement in child development and education. She emphasises that play is not merely recreational but is essential for regulating a child's nervous system and enhancing learning. Dr. Quinn shares insights on how teachers can implement movement in classrooms, the neuroscience behind why movement aids learning and the importance of creating spaces for movement in schools. She also addresses common concerns from educators about managing movement in the classroom as well as the need for a cultural shift in educational practices to embrace play-based learning. Rebecca concludes with a reminder that movement is essential for learning and therapy, not just an optional activity.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

NCSE Relate Policy - Regulation First: https://www.ncse.ie/school-leaders/resources-for-school-leaders/relate/

We hope you enjoy 

Gillian and Helena

[email protected] 

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). 

This important conversation highlights how principals’ attitudes toward play shape school culture, teacher mindsets and meaningful relationships across the school community. Dr. Siobhán Kennan Fitzgerald reflects on bringing playful pedagogies into her school—embracing outdoor learning, strengthening connections and modelling playfulness as a school leader.

It explores how play supports classroom management and behaviour, confidence and self-expression, while also acknowledging the challenges and rewards of embedding a playful culture. The discussion touches on the healing power of play and the personal experiences that inform a principal’s playful approach.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy 

Gillian and Helena

[email protected]

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). 

In this insightful interview, Dr. Mary O'Kane explores the critical role of play in children's mental health, resilience and development. She discusses the impact of social media, smartphones, overprotective parenting and societal attitudes on play and well-being, offering practical advice for parents, teachers and caregivers.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy 

Gillian and Helena

[email protected] 

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). 

In this episode of The Playful Lens, Angela Cummins, a special education teacher, shares her insights on the importance of play in autism education. With over two decades of experience, Angela discusses her unique teaching environment, the significance of building relationships with students and the role of play in fostering learning and development. She emphasises the need for inclusivity, life skills and the magic moments that occur in the classroom, all while maintaining a playful and engaging atmosphere for her students.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy 

Gillian and Helena

[email protected] 

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). 

In this episode of The Playful Lens, Tracy McElheron shares her extensive experience in early childhood education, emphasising the critical role of play in child development. With over 25 years in the field, Tracy discusses how play has evolved over the years, highlighting three main areas of change: place, time and the nature of toys. She reflects on her own childhood experiences of unstructured play and contrasts them with the more organised and supervised play of today, which she believes limits children's creativity and problem-solving skills. Tracy passionately advocates for the importance of reconnecting with the essence of play, not just for children but for adults as well, as a means to foster relationships and enhance well-being.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy 

Gillian and Helena

[email protected] 

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).

Edel Lawlor shares her journey from a social care practitioner to a play therapist, highlighting the therapeutic power of play and its impact on children's well-being. She outlines how children tell their stories through play and discusses the decline in children's play, the importance of play for parents, and the benefits of play therapy for teenagers and adults with disabilities. Edel also gives advice on how getting back to basics is often what our children really need and how her work has led her to appreciate the life changing power of simple experiences.

Here is a link to Edel's inspirational Ted Talk: Unconditional Kindness Towards Children

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy

Gillian and Helena

[email protected]

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

The episode is an invitation to imagine the impact of the disappearance of play from primary schools, emphasizing the loss of curiosity, belonging, cognitive depth, joy and professional identity. It calls for the protection and promotion of playful pedagogy as a way of deepening learning and creating alive classrooms.

Follow the conversation on Instagram

@the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy,

Gillian and Helena

[email protected]

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing)

In this enlightening episode Siobhán Prendiville, a child and adolescent psychotherapist with a specialisation in play therapy, shares insights on the therapeutic powers of play for everyone and the role of teachers in facilitating and observing children's play. She emphasizes the importance of valuing and understanding the individual experiences of play and highlights the link between play and curriculum objectives. The conversation explores the transformative power of play in education, well-being and personal growth. It emphasizes the experiential nature of play, its therapeutic benefits, and its role in building relationships and regulating emotions. The importance of creating a safe and playful environment is highlighted, along with the value of ongoing learning and embracing change.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy

Gillian and Helena

[email protected]

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨

Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.

Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).

In this enlightening episode of The Playful Lens, Dr. Joanna Fortune returns to discuss the importance of playfulness for adults. The conversation explores how play can enhance relationships, combat burnout and foster creativity. Dr. Fortune emphasises the need for adults to reconnect with their playful selves, offering practical tips and insights on integrating play into everyday life. The episode highlights the significance of play in education, workplace culture and personal relationships, encouraging listeners to embrace playfulness as a vital aspect of their well-being.

Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!

We hope you enjoy

Gillian and Helena

[email protected]