Little Life Warriors Play Therapy

10/08/2026

The Power of Play

Over the weekend we kicked off our educator training journey with the team at Goodstart Bundaberg Takalvan Street, beginning with one of my favourite topics: The Power of Play.

Before training even began, each educator completed an individual reflection on their current practice.

This gave us a starting point.

Not just for professional development, but for genuine critical reflection and Quality Improvement Planning.

Today we explored play beyond “children having fun.”

We looked at what is happening underneath play:

• Connection and relationships
• Regulation and co-regulation
• Communication without needing words
• Social and emotional development
• Problem solving and flexible thinking
• Confidence, agency and identity
• Processing experiences and making sense of the world

And we started asking some bigger questions.

Do our environments truly protect children’s right to play?

When do adults support play, and when might we unintentionally interrupt it?

Are we recognising the learning happening within play?

Do all children have opportunities to play in ways that work for their brain?

This is where critical reflection becomes part of quality improvement.

The educators’ pre-training reflections give us a snapshot of where we are starting. As we work through each training topic, we can revisit those reflections, challenge our thinking, recognise strengths and identify areas for growth.

Those discoveries can then become meaningful goals and actions within the service’s Quality Improvement Plan.

Not professional development that gets filed away.

Professional development that changes what children experience.

And we’re only at the beginning.

Thank you Goodstart Takalvan Street for jumping into our first session with curiosity, reflection and plenty of PLAY.

Want to bring Little Life Warriors educator training to your team?

Training can be tailored to your service, your educators and the areas you want to strengthen within your QIP.

Book educator training for your team through Little Life Warriors:

www.littlelifewarriors.com.au

05/08/2026

3 WEEKS TO GO! 🎉 Please share…

03/08/2026

For 40 years, Child Protection Week has encouraged communities to stand together for children.

This September, join us in Bundaberg as we celebrate, connect and remind ourselves that protecting children really is everybody’s business. 💙🌈

Save the dates, share this post with your family and friends, and come along to support Child Protection Week.

Together, we all have a part to play in creating safe, connected and thriving communities.

29/07/2026

Celebrating our Little Life Warriors community

There are some pretty special things happening within our community, and this is another one worth celebrating.

One of our amazing parents has stepped outside her comfort zone and written and published her very first book, under the pen name Jane Gardner.

Dark Encounters is Book 1 in A Dark Series, following Julie and the question of whether her magic will overwhelm her or save her.

Writing a book takes an idea and turns it into something real. Publishing it and putting your work out into the world takes another level of courage.

We love seeing the people within our Little Life Warriors community pursue their own goals, challenge themselves and show their children what it looks like to give something a go.

Congratulations, Jane, on becoming a published author. What an achievement, and hopefully Book 1 is just the beginning.

Alison🌈

27/07/2026

Celebrating our Little Life Warriors community

One of the things we love most about our community is seeing our families grow, find their voice and step into something new.

One of our amazing mums has stepped right outside her comfort zone and created these beautiful conversation cards through her page, My Story to Tell.

Born from her own experiences of adversity, My Story to Tell is about creating space for real conversations, sharing our stories and inspiring others to live authentically.

We love seeing the courage it takes to turn your own experiences into something that may help someone else feel seen, connected or understood.

Head over to My Story To Tell check out the conversation cards and support one of our own Little Life Warriors families.

Every person has a story to tell. Sometimes we just need the right question to help us begin.

26/07/2026

This week at Standing Strong, we’re exploring Dealing with Sadness.

If you’ve seen Disney Pixar’s Inside Out, you’ll know Sadness has an important role to play.

We don’t need to push sadness away or rush children to feel happy again. Sadness helps us recognise when something hurts, when we need comfort, and when we need connection with someone who cares.

This week, our Standing Strong kids will explore:

• What sadness can feel like in our bodies
• How we can express sadness safely
• What can help when we’re having a hard day
• How to ask for comfort, connection or support
• Why every feeling deserves space

Because just like a rainbow, we need both the sunshine and the rain.

Our goal isn’t to raise children who are happy all the time.

It’s to help children know that when the rain comes, they have the skills, people and support to move through it, and that the sunshine will come again.

Sometimes the rain is part of the rainbow.

Alison

In this video, we delve deep into the character of Sadness from Pix...

26/07/2026

We have copies in Little Life Warriors HQ for anyone who would like to enter :-)

🎨🌈 2026 Bundaberg Child Protection Week Colouring In Competition is HERE! 🌈🎨

Calling all our little artists across the Bundaberg Region! 🖍️✨

It’s time to get creative for Child Protection Week 2026. With great prizes up for grabs in every age group, now’s the perfect chance to show off your colouring skills!

🏆 Age Categories:
🧸 0–3 years
🎈 4–6 years
🌟 7–9 years
🎨 10–12 years

📅 Entries close: Friday, 4 September 2026 (close of business).

📍 Entries can be placed in the specially marked boxes at:
• Bundaberg Child Safety (Claude Wharton Building, 44A Quay Street)
• Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
• Bundaberg Regional Council Community Services Office (across from BRC)

📮 Or post to:
CP Week Colouring In Competition
PO Box 1047
Bundaberg QLD 4670

🎉 Winners will be announced during Child Protection Week and their amazing artwork will be displayed at Rainbow Day at the Bundaberg PCYC!

📚 Prizes have been proudly purchased by CPWAG from Dymocks Bookstore Bundaberg.

📩 Need a copy of the colouring-in sheet? Simply send us a PM, and we’ll email it to you!

Please note: The competition is open to children in the Bundaberg Region only.

Let’s celebrate creativity while helping raise awareness for Child Protection Week. We can’t wait to see your colourful masterpieces! 💙💛💚

22/07/2026

Last night I had the pleasure of delivering our online educator training, All Brains Matter: An Inclusion Journey, with the wonderful team from Growing Tree Kangaroo Point.

Together we explored practical ways to create environments where every child feels safe, seen and supported, while celebrating the many different ways children learn, think and experience the world.

Did you know our educator training packages can be delivered online? It means your whole team can join from your service, with no travel required, making professional learning accessible no matter where you’re located.

Thank you to the Growing Tree Kangaroo Point team for your engagement, thoughtful discussions and commitment to inclusive practice.

21/07/2026

Looking for practical ways to support your autistic child at home?
The Positive Learning Centre Bundaberg is hosting a free parent workshop designed to share simple, practical strategies that can make everyday life a little easier for both children and families.
Whether your child has recently been diagnosed, you're waiting for assessments, or you're simply looking for new ideas to support their development, this workshop offers a great opportunity to learn, connect, and ask questions.
Details: • Wednesday 29 July • 9:30 am to 11:00 am • Positive Learning Centre Bundaberg Gate 6, Woondooma Street (opposite the Library) • Free to attend • Suitable for families of children up to 12 years of age • Child minding is not available
To register, email: [email protected] or [email protected]
If you know a parent, grandparent or carer who may benefit, please share this opportunity with them. Supporting children starts with supporting the adults who walk alongside them every day.

21/07/2026

There is something special about a room full of educators who are ready to learn, reflect and grow together.

A big thank you to the amazing team at Kids & Co. Moore Park for welcoming Little Life Warriors to explore The Power of Play. We spent the session unpacking why play is far more than fun. It is how children communicate, build relationships, process big emotions and make sense of their world.

One of my favourite conversations was around something so simple. We often expect children to sit cross-legged on the mat to show they are listening. Yet, as educators, we found ourselves sitting on chairs, stretching out on the floor, leaning against walls and changing positions throughout the session. Everyone was still engaged, still learning and still contributing.

It sparked an important question. If adults can stay focused while moving their bodies in ways that help them feel comfortable, why do we expect something different from children?

Sometimes the smallest moments challenge the biggest assumptions.

Thank you for your enthusiasm, your openness to reflecting on practice, and your commitment to creating environments where every child can thrive.

Alison