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Therapod Podcast
Therapod Podcast episodes
- The Power of Child-Led Play
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In this episode of Therapod Podcast’s inclusive education series, co-host Karolina speaks with Aby, founder of Play Connects, a social enterprise in Singapore, and a play advocate with more than 25 years at Playright Hong Kong. Abby shares how becoming a parent shaped her mission to help adults see the world through children’s eyes.
They discuss:
- Why child-led play supports confidence, problem-solving and social-emotional development
- Why every child, regardless of ability, has a right to play
- The shift from directing play to being a supportive parent
- Three practical reminders: step back and observe, offer open-ended materials, be a guest in their play
- Starting with 20 minutes a week of child-chosen play, with no phones or computers
- Why everyday items are enough, with no expensive toys needed
- How consistency builds emotional safety and trust
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, therapist or school leader, this episode offers simple, practical ideas to apply at home and in everyday practice.
Therapod Podcast is sponsored by Therapeutics, a digital platform offering easy-to-understand, video-based therapeutic strategies for children with additional needs. Learn more at therapeutics.io.
If something in this episode stays with you, contact your GP as your first port of call, and reach out to family and friends.
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Short version
27 min - Bridges and Barriers to Education : Get to know your host!
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Therapod’s new inclusive education series begins. Banu Balaji welcomes co-host Karolina, an inclusion specialist in Singapore, to talk about strengths-based inclusion, the power of play, and why small adaptations and curious teachers make the biggest difference.
Keywords: inclusive education, inclusion specialist, early years, play-based learning, neurodivergent children, occupational therapy, special educational needs, teacher collaboration, emotional regulation, executive function, preschool inclusion, Therapod Podcast
28 min - 41 min
- 42 min
- 32 min
- 47 min
- 41 min
- 51 min
- 1 hr 3 min
- 46 min
About Therapod Podcast
From the publisher's feed
The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist. Joining us as Co-host this season we have…
Georgie Cooney, dedicated teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with years of experience supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties.
This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They bring their years of training and experience to the table in a way that makes it accessible and meaningful.
The emphasis is on the importance of parents providing timely support and help when needed and aim to reduce overwhelm and bring joy to parenting. The podcast delves into the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the impact of changing environments on children, the significance of play in learning and development, and the value of balancing structured activities with free play. Through their discussions, therapod highlights the importance of understanding individual needs, fostering positive relationships, and supporting children's growth and well-being in today's complex world.