The Playful Life

12/11/2025

If you are an early childhood educator looking for your happy place, take a look at this beautiful space 😍

We’re looking for people who are Diploma qualified and above, available 4–5 days a week, between 7am and 4pm. Although we do take a month off over Christmas, we are open the other 48 weeks of the year, except for public holidays.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about risky play, trust children, believe in child-directed play, and see the beauty in nature. We’re trying to change the way things are done in our industry, for children, families, and educators.

Are you? 💚

If so, send us an email telling us about you and your philosophy, we’d love to meet you! We’re hiring for philosophy, not positions, because we work as a collaborative team regardless of background. However, pay will be based on your qualifications and experience.

If you’re interested email Amanda at hello@littlewildlings.au

07/11/2025

Over many years I have seen the positive impact Early Childhood Development Programs in our area have had on children with developmental differences and disabilities.

They do so much to bridge the gap between early learning centres, home and formal schooling and for many children they are the difference between a positive schooling experience and a life-changing, negative transition.

Are they perfect and do they work for every child? No.

Does our entire schooling system need to be rebuilt from the bottom up? Yes.

But right now, ECDPs are vital!

We need to ensure children are not missing out!!

03/11/2025

I had a wonderful morning visiting Hannah and her team at Norman Park Community Kindergarten 🥰

My heart was so full after seeing the beautiful, natural spaces the children had access to all day 🌞🌳

I love connecting with others who put children's agency and choice over control and obedience.

Children enjoying the journey that is childhood 🧡💛💚

23/10/2025

When a quick "end of the day" walk by the water turns into windy chaos 😂

We all know how hyped children get with windy weather 💨

Good luck 😂😂

19/10/2025

I am so excited to be presenting a break out session at the Planning For Play conference next year!

If you haven't put this in your diary now is the time! It will be a fabulous day of professional learning 💚💚

Happy Monday and yay to our third speaker announcement for our 2026 installment of Planning For Play : Play & The Mind!

Only a few Super Early Bird Tickets are remaining so do not miss out!

Erin is a registered play therapist, teacher and psychotherapist with 25 years’ experience in early childhood. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and a Master of Child Play Therapy. Erin specialises in child-centered play therapy and filial therapy, with a focus on attachment, trauma-informed care, therapeutic play, and neuroaffirming practices. She is passionate about equipping educators and caregivers with practical strategies to support holistic development and connections. Her work is grounded in unconditional positive regard and the belief that children thrive when they are seen, safe, and supported. Erin runs "The Playful Life" in Brisbane, QLD and specialises in supporting children between birth and 7 years and their families and support systems.

Erin's session: Play and Mental Health in Education: Beyond Learning to Wellbeing

Play is more than a vehicle for learning — it is the child’s first language of expression. Within play, children reveal their thoughts, emotions, and experiences long before they can verbalise them.

This session invites educators to look beyond "behaviour" and discover the messages within children’s play. By understanding play through a therapeutic and developmental lens, educators can better support mental wellbeing, ensure children feel seen and valued, and foster genuine, nurturing connections in early childhood, school, and OSHC environments.

Participants will explore how play acts as an outlet for emotional processing, how themes and patterns in play communicate inner experiences, and how small shifts in adult perspective can transform both the child’s wellbeing and the educator’s sense of connection and effectiveness.

Super Early Bird Tickets are still available although in limited numbers and can be purchased here: https://www.trybooking.com/DETAW

13/10/2025

Today I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with part of the Frankie's Clubhouse team about the importance of supporting children before, during and after medical experiences.

Frankie's Clubhouse has a range of resources and books, all available for FREE to support our little ones!

Check them out at:

Frankie stories help children and families cope with the stress or trauma of an illness, injury, hospital admissions or medical procedures.

08/10/2025

Tonight I spent my evening working with a group of educators from Shapes Early Learning Upper Mt Gravatt.

Professional development with early childhood professionals is one of my favourite parts of my job, but some sessions are even more heart-filling for one big reason...

The director is not only attending and involved in the workshop, but they are passionately supportive of the work we are doing 💚

That was the case tonight 🥰 Thank you Kayla for your dedication to children's wellbeing!

08/10/2025

On top of my regular play sessions today, I got to spend some time supporting the amazing educators at Mother Duck Childcare Wynnum 🥰

This team are AMAZING and are always ready to try out new strategies and look at life with a new perspective ✨

A HUGE added bonus is getting to spend time with Nala 🐾 such a fluffy little baby and the highlight of the children's day!

07/10/2025

I cannot believe it we are now in the last term of 2025!!!

I am down to my final two spaces for professional development for early childhood settings (LDC or Kindy) and have just opened my books for 2026!

If you, or the centre/kindy/OSHC that your child attends is looking for some support to support ALL the little people in their community, please reach out!

Now I just need to remember to actually take photos during PD so that I can share the fun on Facebook!

07/10/2025

Such a wonderful article discussing the beauty of Play Therapy 😊

Thank you to the beautiful Kristen at Play Plus Therapy for sharing so eloquently!

Feel free to share this article far and wide!

Play Therapy: Helping little hearts heal through play 🧩

Curious about play therapy? This powerful approach is growing fast as more parents discover the key to children’s wellbeing may lie in the playroom.



LEARN MORE: https://kidsonthecoast.com.au/health-wellbeing/play-therapy-helping-little-hearts-heal-through-play/