Play therapy Pretoria

12/02/2026

More common than what you might think

🦷 Understanding & Managing Biting in Early Years

Biting can be a common phase in early childhood, especially for toddlers who are still learning how to communicate big feelings. This visual guide shares practical, gentle strategies to support children in a positive and developmentally appropriate way.

✨ Stay calm and firm
✨ Use positive reinforcement
✨ Offer a teething toy when needed
✨ Teach words to express feelings
✨ Redirect attention
✨ Set clear, consistent boundaries

Instead of punishment, we focus on guidance, emotional literacy, and consistency. When adults respond calmly and model the right behaviour, children gradually learn safer ways to express frustration, excitement, or overwhelm.

Supporting children through challenging behaviours is part of creating a nurturing, secure environment where they feel understood, not shamed.

09/02/2026

04/02/2026

A common question we hear is:
How long should sensory play be? 🤔

The short answer?
As long as it’s working.

Some days it might be 20 minutes.
Other days it might be 5 minutes.

And 5 minutes still counts.

Sensory play isn’t about the clock.
It’s about the moment.
The regulation.
The connection.

When a child feels safe, curious, or calm,
that’s the magic of sensory play. ⭐

What does sensory play time look like for your child or your students?

03/02/2026

Human indeed!

02/02/2026

Connection is what makes the world go around

27/01/2026

SO excited to branch put toe Hoedspruit!

26/01/2026

If they could indeed.

If children could do better, they would.

What often gets labelled as “defiance,” “laziness,” or “not caring” is usually a gap in skills — not a lack of willingness.

Skills like emotional regulation, impulse control, flexibility, and problem-solving develop over time.
They’re shaped by brain development, nervous system capacity, and lived experience.

When we respond to behaviour as a skill gap rather than a character flaw, our focus shifts:
from punishment → support
from control → connection
from “what’s wrong with my child?” → “what does their brain need right now?”

This doesn’t remove boundaries.
It changes how we hold them.

Save this as a reminder for the hard moments.

21/01/2026

The magic of play indeed!

If the child is leading, imagining, changing, and exploring...it’s open-ended play.✨

Children may explore loose parts, sensory trays, blocks and construction materials, natural items, pretend play props, or art materials without templates. In open-ended play, the adult’s role is intentional but minimal. Adults create thoughtful invitations to play, observe without directing, and support children through open-ended questions rather than instructions. Time and repetition are valued, allowing children to revisit ideas and deepen their learning.

Adults trust the child’s ideas and choices, knowing that meaningful learning happens when children lead.❤

21/01/2026

Crucial for academic mastery

What's behind executive function in the classroom…https://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-07-8-executive-functioning-skills-child-cant-complete-tasks-stay-organized-school/

12/11/2025

24/10/2025

💛 credit: