WordPLAY

This is a great opportunity to reflect on how we have responded to similar statements made by our own children or children we work with. A great resource that encourages more inclusive language! ... #inclusion #inclusivelanguage #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

We love how this graphic helps to reframe how our children walk through the world. Gentleness, warmth, and open hearts. Graphic : @kwiens62

Feel good Friday! There is nothing sweeter than watching children play spontaneously and uninterrupted. Barefoot and free. We believe in the Power of Play. ... Happy Friday :) #powerofplay #unstructuredplay #play #freeplay #outdoorplay #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness

We came across this book recently and wanted to share with you because it incorporates everything we love - creativity, imagination, and the great outdoors! Looking to share some magical experiences with your child or the children you work with? Learn how to track dragons, brew magic potions, and capture moon magic...just to name a few of the activities. ... Unleash the wild things! #wildthings #magicaloutdooradventures #imagination #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness

In a world where you can be anything, be kind

Check out our latest article for @activeforlifeca https://activeforlife.com/active-homeschool-family/

Not sure this can be said any better

As we enter this very ambiguous school year, please remember that your childs happiness and well-being is more important than a grade on a report card

Feel good Friday! Do you remember when you were a child taking family vacations that required long car rides? Without tv screens and other electronic devices in the car, how did you pass this time? I remember playing A LOT of Eye Spy, singing and staring out the window at the clouds. ... We were forced to use our imaginations and think of ways to entertain ourselves! This is a picture of my 1 year old on a recent family road trip. She was "preparing for school" like her older siblings. :) Happy Friday! #familyroadtrip #imagination #cloudwatching #preparingforschool #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness

Connection. Connection. Connection.

Have some perceptions of unstructured play? (Pssst....it is SO beneficial for cognitive, emotional, physical and social development of kids!)

#healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment... #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

It is true. Our kids can tell you when they climbed a mountain, jumped in a lake and fell in a mud puddle. What was your best memory as a child?... #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness

What if we all became feeling detectives? What would this look like for yourself? For the kids you connect with?

Hey teachers... This might not be the way you envisioned the start of school, but you totally got this! #teachersofinstagram ... #teacherlife See more

One of the cornerstones of Healthy Play is giving children opportunities to learn and experience empathy and also bring it back to their classrooms, play spaces and programs. As an adult in a child's life, you can role model empathy by making the most of your words and actions. Interested in learning more or booking this PD opportunity for you school? Connect with us - we would love to hear from you!... #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness

This is where were at. Full stop.

As we head back to school...THIS! As people who have worked for over twenty years in sport, recreation and education as teachers and connectors, we cant empathize this statement enough! And once you know this to be true, your whole method of working with children and youth changes. We promise ... How do you create connection with the kids your work with? See more

Were in this together Sending our love to parents and* educators

Our last week of @activeforlife Summer Day Camp at Home we are going Where the Wild Things Are! Week 8: Where the Wild Things Are: https://activeforlife.com/day-camp-at-home-week-8/ We hope you have enjoyed all the summer activities at home! ... #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

Anyone else have an anxious child? I feel like we have climbed a mountain, fallen off, somehow got our wits again...and then kept climbing! Thank goodness for some good reads and our psychologist @fampsychplace who has helped us manage the anxiety monster together...and we are still learning!... Managing anxiety is hard for kids (and parents too!) and we have made sure to keep these strategies on hand to help overcome big feelings. #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness

We hope you can come share in a great afternoon with us and the Healthy Play creator, Spencer Gorin!

We are so excited to be presenting alongside some of the foremost child psychologists and play therapists from across Canada at the 2020 Childrens Mental Health Conference Learn more about the Power of Healthy Play: Supporting Social Emotional Learning on November 20! Register at:... https://instituteofchildpsychologyconference.com/ See more

One of the cornerstones of Healthy Play is positive conflict resolution and how giving children the power to respond and resolve helps build more emotionally intelligent kids. Learn more about Healthy Play by visiting www.wordplaycanada.com/healthyplay! #healthyplaycanada... #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

We love some amazing words on emotional intelligence - so key to the Healthy Play philosophy! #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay... #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

Splish and Splash with @activeforlife Summer Day Camp at Home! Check out all the fun games, activities, arts and crafts, book suggestions and bonus activities with Week 7: Splish, Splash!: https://activeforlife.com/day-camp-at-home-week-7/ #healthyplaycanada... #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

We have partnered with @instituteofchildpsychology to cross-share some of our most popular posts! What a great reminder!

This is key to the Healthy Play philosophy! Ask us how you can bring Healthy Play in to your schools and programs by sending us a message or emailing [email protected]! #healthyplaycanada... #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

We have partnered with @instituteofchildpsychology to cross-share some of our most popular posts! Crying is a vital part of keeping a childs emotional and nervous system in-check and regulated. The hard part for many parents is weathering the storm; crying is often very uncomfortable for parents because they can feel judged or out of control. Often the tears were not allowed in their own childhood, so hearing their childs tears triggers a deep hurt within them.... How do you connect with your child when they are upset!

Let's go Under the Sea @activeforlife Summer Day Camp at Home! Check out all the fun games, activities, arts and crafts, book suggestions and bonus activities with Week 6: Under the Sea: https://activeforlife.com/day-camp-at-home-week-6/ #healthyplaycanada... #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

We are so excited to be partnered with @instituteofchildpsychology to cross-share some of our favourite posts! Every week you can learn more about child development, play and connection!! Stay tuned for more exciting news on our WordPLAY + Institute of Child Psychology collaboration in the coming months!!

LOVE MAPS from @thegottmaninstitute! Such an amazing way to cultivate connection with your own kids or the kids you work with! Why not write these questions down on pieces of paper and put them in a jar for bedtime or even over dinner? ... Make it a point of discussion in your classroom each morning? Carve out some time to sit down together and create your own? #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

A great reminder on ways you can teach consent! #healthyplaycanada #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay... #playingtolearn #childdevelopment #benefitsofplay #parenting #kids #children #education #motherhood #family #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #backtoschool #healthykids #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution #compassion #mindfulness See more

Feeling discouraged lately? Check out this great advice from @wholeheartedschoolcounseling #healthyplaycanada... #wordplaycanada #learningtoplay #childdevelopment #playingtolearn #play #teachers #parents #parenting #kids #healthykids #kids #schools #sportandrecreation #compassionandempathy #conflictresolution See more