Play Happens Podcast

What happens when your child is old enough for school… but you choose to give them another year of play? In this episode, I tackle the idea that children might become “bored” if they stay in a play-based kindergarten program for an extra year - and ask whether we’ve misunderstood what play actually offers older children. With a personal perspective as a mum of a February baby, I explore the Januar...

Why can children spend 40 minutes completely absorbed in figuring something out when they're playing, but struggle to concentrate for five minutes when we're trying to teach them? In this episode, I look at what happens in the brain during play and why things like attention, motivation, curiosity, experimentation and feedback are so closely connected to learning. Because perhaps play isn&#...

I'm pretty good at letting my kids play. Build a cubby in the lounge room? Sure. Use the cushions? Go for it. Turn the couch into an imaginary world? Apparently that's fine too… because it's been there for two days and I still can't sit on it. But drawing on the walls? Nope. Cutting the blinds? Absolutely not. Texta all over your body? We need to have a chat. So where's the lin...

Is there actually a correct way to use a playground? In this episode, I explore what children are really learning when they climb, balance, experiment and navigate a playground - and why our role isn't always to tell them what to do. We look at the difference between genuine safety, social responsibility and adult discomfort, and how stepping back can give children more opportunities to practi...

Why do children seem perfectly content… until the second you sit down? In this episode, I unpack why children are so quick to notice when the pattern of our attention changes, what those constant little check-ins have to do with play and independence, and how we can respond without feeling like we need to be available every second of the day. Because yes, you really are allowed to sit down. ✨ Pla...

What if parenting going backwards is actually a good thing? After years of adding more to childhood - more activities, more learning, more experiences and more structure - are we starting to remember the value of something much simpler? In the first episode of Season 3, I explore why the return to slower childhoods, boredom, independent play and unstructured time might actually be a really positiv...

As we wrap up Season 2 of Play Happens Podcast , this episode is a love letter to childhood. Before they grow up, before the cardboard boxes stop becoming spaceships and the puddles lose their magic, let's pause and remember why play matters. Not because it prepares children for life, but because it is childhood. This is a gentle reminder to slow down, protect play and savour the ordinary mome...

Do you ever lie awake wondering if you're getting parenting "right"? In this episode, I explore the constant self-questioning so many parents experience - from screen time and boundaries to play, boredom and comparison. Discover why the fact that you're asking these questions might actually be a sign you're doing a better job than you think, and how to find a balance between...

Having a newborn and a toddler means juggling two very different stages of development and it can feel impossible to meet both of their needs. In this episode, I share what I learnt during our "two under two" months, how letting go of expectations made the transition easier, and practical ways to support play for both children without adding more pressure to your day. Because play doesn&...

Independent play isn't something children either can or can't do - it's a skill that develops over time. In this episode, we're unpacking why children often ask adults to play, what's really behind those constant requests for our attention and practical, realistic ways to gently build confidence in independent play. If you've ever wished for ten uninterrupted minutes to dri...

Siblings fighting again? You're not alone. In this episode of Play Happens Podcast , I’m talking about why sibling conflict is a normal part of childhood and what our role as parents really is. From arguments over toys to physical disagreements, we'll explore what's happening developmentally, when to step in, when to step back and how to support strong sibling relationships without bec...

✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate. Follow Jess on Instagram: ⁠@playhappensau⁠ 🎧 Follow Play Happens Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 💌 Share this with someone who dreads leaving the house once winter arrives but wants simple ways to keep outdoor play part of family life. Have a que...

Are we pushing academics too early? In this episode, I unpack the growing pressure for children to read, write, and count before they even start school and why play may actually be the most important preparation for learning and for life. I explore: the difference between academic readiness and true school readiness why teachers are seeing more gaps in resilience, confidence and emotional regulati...

Can children still experience rich, meaningful play in small homes and crowded classrooms? Absolutely! In today’s episode, I’m answering a question from a teacher who wants to include more play in her classroom but worries there simply isn’t enough space. We unpack how open-ended play can thrive without giant playrooms, expensive resources or Pinterest-perfect setups. From masking tape obstacle co...

Are we accidentally protecting kids from the very experiences that help them build resilience? In this episode, I explore why children need opportunities to experience manageable discomfort - things like boredom, frustration, disappointment, failure and hearing “no” - and how play becomes one of the safest and most powerful ways for children to practise coping with hard feelings. This isn’t about...

Why does your child suddenly become obsessed with playing doctors, dentists, schools or dramatic rescue missions after an experience? In this episode, I explore how children use play to process ideas, emotions, fears and everyday experiences. From dentist role play to practical ways parents can support processing play without overcomplicating it, this episode is full of relatable insights and real...

Are activities and play actually the same thing? In this episode of The Play Happens Podcast , I explore the growing confusion between adult-led activities and true child-led play and why the difference matters more than ever. From sensory bins to curated learning setups, childhood has become increasingly structured and adult-directed. But what happens when activities begin replacing genuine play?...

This week we’re diving into one of the biggest parenting and early childhood topics out there: sharing. Why is sharing SO hard for young children? Are toddlers actually capable of understanding it yet? And what are we really asking of children when we expect them to hand over toys on demand? In this slightly longer episode, we unpack why sharing isn’t developmentally expected in the early years, t...

Rough and tumble play - is it too much… or actually exactly what kids need? In this episode, I’m responding to a question I get all the time: “Is it okay that my kids are always wrestling?” We unpack what rough and tumble play really is, why it matters for social development and how to support it safely - without shutting it down. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator,...

Where have all the children gone? In this episode, I explore the disappearance of neighbourhood play, why it matters for kids’ independence and social skills, and how parents can help bring it back - safely, creatively and with a little bit of courage. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate. Foll...

Social play isn’t always calm, kind, or easy to watch… but it’s where some of the most important learning happens. In this episode, I explore why child-led social play matters, what it actually looks like and why stepping back as adults can be one of the most powerful things we do. If you’ve ever felt the urge to jump in and fix things for your child… this one’s for you. ✨ Play Happens is hosted...

Bedtime can feel like the longest part of the day - especially when you’re already running on empty. In this episode, I explore why bedtime is such a big transition, and how play, routine and realistic expectations can support both children and parents. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate play advocate. Fol...

Why do simple moments like leaving the house, turning off screens or getting dressed feel so hard? In this episode, I unpack what’s really going on during transitions and how play can help reduce resistance, support regulation and make everyday routines feel smoother. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Education and passionate pla...

Setting boundaries around screens can feel impossible - especially when parents are exhausted. In this episode of Play Happens Podcast , I bring the conversation into real family life, exploring how to make intentional choices around technology without guilt. From algorithm-driven platforms to everyday survival moments, this episode offers practical ways to protect play while still honouring the r...

Technology is everywhere and parenting in a digital world can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Play Happens Podcast , I explore how different types of technology interact with children’s developing brains, what current research is showing and why play is such a critical protective factor. This episode isn’t about rules or guilt - it’s about awareness, balance and understanding what children n...