Play Happens Podcast

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

✨ 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...

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...

<p>Are activities and play actually the same thing?</p><p>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...

<p>This week we’re diving into one of the biggest parenting and early childhood topics out there: sharing.</p><p>Why is sharing SO hard for young children? Are toddlers actually capable of understanding it yet? And what...

<p>Rough and tumble play - is it too much… or actually exactly what kids need?</p><p>In this episode, I’m responding to a question I get all the time:<br>“Is it okay that my kids are always wrestling?”</p><p>We unpack...

<p>Where have all the children gone?</p><p>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...

<p>Social play isn’t always calm, kind, or easy to watch…<br>but it’s where some of the most important learning happens.</p><p>In this episode, I explore why child-led social play matters, what it actually looks like...

<p>Bedtime can feel like the longest part of the day - especially when you’re already running on empty.</p><p>In this episode, I explore why bedtime is such a big transition, and how play, routine and realistic...

<p>Why do simple moments like leaving the house, turning off screens or getting dressed feel so hard?</p><p>In this episode, I unpack what’s really going on during transitions and how play can help reduce resistance...