leading_with_love_play_therapy

Reposting Charlie Mackesy Every word in Charlie’s book The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse touches my soul. Be patient with yourselves. We are in a challenging and unpredictable time. Be kind and gentle with yourself and others. Some days will be easier, while others will be more trying. Take a moment. Pause. Breathe. Take care of yourself. Reach out when you feel the weight is getting too heavy. We will get through this together. ... #playtherapy #play #learn #grow #love #therapy #leadwithlove #earlychildhoodmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #allfeelingsmatter #compassion #connection #creativity #curiosity #courage #care #kindness #support #reachout #takecare #gentle #patient #covid #pandemic #staysafe #family #friends #socialsupport #parenting #pandemicparenting

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct. Carl Jung #playtherapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #play #learn #grow #love #leadingwithlove #mentalhealthmatters #allfeelingsmatter #explore #emotions #mindfulness #earlychildhooddevelopment #family #compassion #connection #curiosity #creativity #courage #heal #therapy #empathy #warmth #structure #discover #resilient #exposure #opportunity #playisablessing

One of many quotes I will be sharing from the transformational guide The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. Life is a journey. Live in the moment. Notice your thoughts and emotions, and let them go. Let them pass by you like clouds from a storm. Accept them. Observe them. But remember - they are not who you are. #peace #consciousness #seatofawareness #freedom #love #learn #grow #play #family #allfeelingsmatter #heal #theuntetheredsoul #lifeisajourney #family #letgo #control #theself #therapy #help #courage #compassion #connection #curiosity #creativity #findyourpath #liveyourlife #kindness #vulnerable #honest #support #staysafe

Shout out to Murphy-Burke Designs for making this beautiful sweater for me it’s so cozy! #kindness #love #compassion #counsellingpsychology #macp #therapy #helper #counselling #supportlocal #playtherapy #play #learn #grow #community #village #leadwithlove #empathy #understanding #unconditionalpositiveregard #earlychildhooddevelopment #mentalhealth #allfeelingsmatter #laugh #cozy #sweaterweather #selfie

FRIDAY FEELS Repost Dinosaur #love #learn #grow #life #family #grief #loss #courage #compassion #curiosity #connection #support #psychosocialsupport #honour #cherish #therapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #allfeelingsmatter #leadwithlove #covid #pandemic #staysafe #care #kindness #gentle #friends #reachout #honest #vulnerable

Friday Feels LET’S TALK... MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS! Musical instruments, similar to singing, offer children a creative medium to express themselves. They explore patterns in songs, develop rhythm, are more attuned to musical sounds and enhance their hand-eye coordination skills. Research has shown that music supports positive emotions, a sense of accomplishment and an outlet for children to safely express all their feelings. As a family, you can bond through musical instrum...ents by playing as a group. This supports positive family relationships and attachment. Children start exploring instruments at a young age and expand their musical repertoire as they grow. Additionally, like singing, children can embrace pretend play through musical instruments. They can try out new roles and pretend to be their favourite musician. This helps them explore who they are and learn more about themselves. They may discover their love for music and open a new door of opportunities. Musical instruments can include (but are not limited to) drums, guitars, flutes, violins, maracas, trumpets and many more! Additionally, you can create your own musical instruments. Egg shakers can be made with a plastic container and dry noodles or rice or beans. Drums can be pots and pans from your kitchen. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD’S FAVOURITE INSTRUMENT? #playtherapy #therapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #play #learn #grow #heal #earlychildhooddevelopment #compassion #connection #courage #curiosity #love #leadingwithlove #build #selfconfidence #selfesteem #selfexpression #earlychildhoodmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #healing #support #allfeelingsmatter #instruments #imagination #family #express #music #covid #therapeuticpowersofplay

WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY As wholehearted parents, it’s our responsibility to give our children space to fall down and get back up. They need to know that we believe in them and they have the ability to problem solve, learn and grow. It’s tough - our instincts tell us to jump in and help them every time. Children want responsibility and independence, and they need to know their adults believe in them. It’s so important that they are given the space to take risks and learn ...from them - so the next time, they try something different to help them be successful. If they reach to you for comfort and support, be there for them. Allow them to come to you and be mindful of their unique signals that say I need you. They will learn their independence AND that they have a conscious, mindful, loving parent. #play #learn #grow #playtherapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #therapy #connection #compassion #curiosity #courage #creativity #empathy #understanding #family #resilience #together #covid #pandemic #wholehearted #parenting #mentalhealth #allfeelingsmatter #parenting #wholeheartedparenting #earlychildhooddevelopment #present #love #leadwithlove #takerisks #space #independent

WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY When Vision spoke these words, we all felt it so deeply. Be open and honest with your children about loss and grief (from a developmentally appropriate lens). They need to know it’s normal to feel all kinds of emotions and to express their feelings safely. Model this to them. Be vulnerable. This week, my family lost a special human. My grandpa fought until his last breath to be on this earth with his loved ones. He passed surrounded by his loving... daughters in his home on Monday. His memory will remain with us in our hearts. We love you Poppa #love #learn #grow #life #family #grief #loss #courage #compassion #curiosity #connection #support #psychosocialsupport #honour #cherish #therapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #allfeelingsmatter #leadwithlove #covid #pandemic #staysafe #care #kindness #gentle #friends #reachout #honest #vulnerable

When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero. - Fred Rogers #playtherapy #therapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #play #learn #grow #heal #earlychildhooddevelopment #compassion #connection #courage #curiosity #love #leadingwithlove #superhero #selfconfidence #selfesteem #selfexpression #earlychildhoodmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #healing #support #allfeelingsmatter #imagination #family #express #covid #therapeuticpowersofplay #puppets #magic

HAPPY NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY #play #learn #grow #heal #playtherapy #playisforeveryone #playbasedlearning #playisthelanguageofchildren #compassion #connection #curiosity #creativity #courage #family #love #leadwithlove #ottawa #canada #covid #courage #resilience #mentalhealthmatters #selfcare #allfeelingsmatter #toys #support #siblings #nationalsiblingsday #2021 #kids

Friday Feels LET’S TALK... SINGING! Singing offers children a creative medium to express themselves. Research has shown that singing has many benefits such as stress reduction, increased self-esteem and increased happiness. Furthermore, children explore patterns in songs that may assist with learning new skills or transitions, for example. As a family, you can bond through song. Share your love for music, dance along and just have fun!... Additionally, children can embrace pretend play through song. They can try out a new role and pretend to be their favourite singer. This helps them explore who they are and learn more about themselves. They may discover their love for music and open a new door of opportunities. Next time a song comes on, turn it up and sing along! #playtherapy #therapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #play #learn #grow #heal #earlychildhooddevelopment #compassion #connection #courage #curiosity #love #leadingwithlove #build #selfconfidence #selfesteem #selfexpression #earlychildhoodmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #healing #support #allfeelingsmatter #singing #imagination #family #express #music #covid #therapeuticpowersofplay

WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY In order for our connection and our relationship with our children to grow, we must focus on our present moment and avoid revisiting the past. By continuously pointing out challenging moments of the past, we bring shame and guilt into the relationship and shake the trusting bond between parent and child. This applies to ALL our relationships. Focus on what’s happening in the here-and-now. Grow and heal together. Continue to build a strong, positi...ve relationship so your children feel a sense of belonging, and know they are loved and appreciated. In doing so, they will take this perspective with them and implement it in their future relationships. Let the past go and grow from it - together. #play #learn #grow #playtherapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #therapy #connection #compassion #curiosity #courage #creativity #empathy #understanding #family #resilience #together #covid #pandemic #wholehearted #parenting #mentalhealth #selfcare #allfeelingsmatter #parenting #wholeheartedparenting #vulnerability #earlychildhooddevelopment #present #positiveparenting #love #leadwithlove

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! #learn #play #grow #playtherapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #family #playisforeveryone #happyeaster #love #leadwithlove #connection #compassion #curiosity #creativity #courage #holiday #canada #ottawa #easterbunny #covid #resilience #mentalhealth #allfeelingsmatter #selfcare #selflove #awareness #reflection #fun

Play-based activities can heal the mind, body and soul. In fact, research has shown that play-based activities can support counsellor empathy, compassion and acceptance towards clients. This, in turn, strengthens the therapeutic alliance and supports clients’ therapeutic progress. Play-based activities are great opportunities for self-care.... Here, you can see me playing Battleship with my partner-in-crime, shooting a rifle at the shooting range and playing in a forest fort with my dog Kingston. WHAT PLAY-BASED ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENGAGE IN? #play #learn #grow #heal #playtherapy #playisforeveryone #playbasedlearning #playisthelanguageofchildren #compassion #connection #curiosity #creativity #nature #fun #games #boardgames #family #love #leadwithlove #ottawa #canada #covid #courage #resilience #mentalhealthmatters #selfcare #allfeelingsmatter #toys #support #courage

FRIDAY FEELS #playtherapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #earlychildhooddevelopment #learn #play #grow #autism #asd #worldautismawarenessday #teach #thinkinpictures #inclusion #mentalhealth #earlychildhoodmentalhealth #allfeelingsmatter #compassion #curiosity #creativity #connection #awareness #love #leadwithlove #leadingwithlove #family #diversity #ottawa #canada #selflove #selfesteem #selfconfidence

WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY Boundaries are so important but can also be tricky. Teaching your children to set boundaries and respect them is essential. This demonstrates self-respect, self-compassion and self-love. Model how to communicate your boundaries respectfully and what you do when your boundaries are not honoured. Be vulnerable and honest with your children around your boundaries so they may do the same with theirs in the future. ... WHAT BOUNDARIES DO YOU HAVE? #play #learn #grow #playtherapy #playisthelanguageofchildren #therapy #connection #compassion #curiosity #courage #creativity #empathy #understanding #family #resilience #together #reachout #unpredictable #covid #pandemic #wholehearted #parenting #mentalhealth #selfcare #boundaries #allfeelingsmatter #emotionalintelligence #parenting #wholeheartedparenting #vulnerability #earlychildhooddevelopment