Bright Side Play Therapy

12/29/2025

This image comes from an MRI study of preschoolers (Hutton et al., JAMA Pediatrics, 2020). It shows how screen use is linked to the wiring of the developing brain.

The top row (blue) highlights where more screen time is tied to weaker white matter organization. White matter is the brain’s wiring system that connects regions so they can work efficiently.

The bottom row (red) shows where heavier screen use is linked to weaker insulation on those connections. Insulation, or myelin, helps brain signals travel quickly, like the protective coating on an electrical wire.

Why does this matter? These highlighted areas include pathways for language, early literacy, and self-regulation. Children with higher screen scores also performed lower on language and literacy tests.

This is not a before and after of one child. It is a group-level finding. The message is clear. In the early years the brain is wiring for life. The more time children spend with people, play, movement, and books, the stronger these foundational circuits become.

12/29/2025

12/29/2025

"Today I did...."

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

12/25/2025

🌟✨ Happy Holidays from all of us at the Institute of Child Psychology! 🎉❤️ Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful season filled with laughter, love, and connection. Thank you for being part of our community! 🎄

12/23/2025

From Balanced & Barefoot to TimberNook -- Why Outdoor Play is Essential

Angela Hanscom joins Julianne from My Outdoorsy Mom to talk about how child-led play in nature is the key to healthy development -- and how we’ve lost touch with it in our modern world. We discuss sensory integration, the neuroscience behind outdoor play, and what it looks like to rebuild childhood from the ground up (literally).

Listen to Episode 25 here:
https://www.myoutdoorsymom.com/blog-1/from-balanced-and-barefoot-to-timbernook-why-outdoor-play-is-essential-with-angela-hanscom

12/22/2025

Babies are born with brains wired for connection, not independence. When infants are held frequently during sleep, their developing nervous system learns that it is safe to relax. This simple act has profound effects on stress regulation throughout life. Parents rarely hear how powerful consistent holding can be for mental health development.

Neuroscience shows that regular physical closeness strengthens prefrontal-amygdala pathways. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive function, reasoning, and calming emotional responses. The amygdala senses threat and activates stress reactions. When these regions communicate efficiently, the brain can self-soothe and reduce overreaction to future stressors.

This is not creating dependence or weakness. On the contrary, it builds resilience. Children who experience consistent safety signals from caregivers learn that stress is manageable. Their nervous system practices regulation in real time. This early training reduces the risk of anxiety, mood disorders, and behavioral struggles later in life.

The timing and consistency matter. Nighttime holding is especially effective because sleep is a sensitive period for neural development. During quiet moments in caregivers’ arms, infants’ stress hormones drop, heart rate stabilizes, and sleep cycles consolidate. Each session reinforces pathways that support calmness and focus long after infancy.

Parents do not need to worry about “spoiling” babies. They are teaching the most essential life skill: emotional regulation. Small, repeated actions now create a foundation for a child’s mental health, stress resilience, and emotional intelligence. What may feel like a temporary closeness is actually a lifelong protective factor for the brain.

12/22/2025

DIY Flexible Seating Ideas --->> https://www.theottoolbox.com/diy-flexible-seating-ideas/

12/20/2025

In Finland, children spend more time playing in natural environments than on padded playgrounds. What looks like messy outdoor fun is actually backed by cutting-edge science. A multi-million-dollar study revealed that kids exposed to forest biodiversity develop stronger, more resilient immune systems.

Regular contact with soil, plants, and natural microorganisms introduces children to harmless bacteria that train the immune system to respond appropriately. This reduces the likelihood of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune issues later in life. Nature isn’t just a playground; it’s a living classroom for health.

Beyond immunity, outdoor play in diverse ecosystems supports motor skills, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Kids climbing trees, exploring streams, or digging in mud learn risk assessment, coordination, and resilience while developing curiosity and confidence.

Parents and educators often prioritize cleanliness and safety over exposure to microbes, but Finnish schools demonstrate a different approach. By allowing children to interact with the natural world, they foster both physical and mental robustness without expensive equipment or technology.

This isn’t just an education policy; it’s a blueprint for lifelong health. The immune and nervous systems develop in tandem, and early exposure to forest environments gives children a head start on building resilience that lasts well into adulthood.

12/19/2025

Terrific ideas for school and home!