Inspiring Play

13/02/2026

Is Your Child Struggling With Big Feelings?

Frequent meltdowns
Anxiety or worries
Difficulty at school
Low confidence
Big reactions to small problems

I need you to know that these aren’t signs of a “difficult child.” They’re signs a child needs support.

Play therapy helps children:

✔ Understand and regulate emotions
✔ Build resilience and confidence
✔ Strengthen problem-solving skills
✔ Feel safe, seen and understood
✔ Nurture meaningful relationships

Using child-centred play therapy, emotional coaching, and evidence-based approaches, I work alongside children and parents to create meaningful change, gently and respectfully.

Early support makes a lifelong difference!

📍 Serving families on the Sunshine Coast
📞 Book a free parent consultation today
👉 www.inspiringplay.com.au

27/01/2026

Holding Space for New Beginnings

Today is a big day in our house. My youngest daughter started high school this morning. Even though she’s capable and excited, there were still those familiar feelings including nerves, worry, a fluttery tummy, lots of what ifs.

As I dropped her off, I found myself thinking about so many of the children and families I work with, little ones starting prep or kindy and those moving schools.

It’s reminded me how big school transitions are, especially for our youngest children starting prep or kindy.
For little ones, starting school holds so much:

- new routines and rules
- new teachers and faces
- new friendships
- new buildings, sounds, shoes and uniforms.

Many children work incredibly hard to hold it together at school. They want to do the right thing. They try their very best all day long. This takes so much energy for their little bodies. And then they come home.

If your child falls apart after school; tears, meltdowns, clinginess, irritability, or shutting down, please know this isn’t bad behaviour or regression. It’s a sign your child feels safe enough with you to finally let go.

A few gentle ways to support your prep or kindy child in these early weeks:

Lower expectations after School
This isn’t the time for errands, questions, or extra demands. Simple and calm helps their nervous system settle.

Connection before conversation
A snack, a cuddle, quiet time, or a few minutes of child-led play can make a big difference.

Name feelings without trying to fix them
- “You worked really hard today.”
- “It makes sense you feel so tired now.”
- “I’m so proud of how hard you tried today.”

Remember behaviour is communication
Big feelings can mean your child is adjusting to change not failing.

Starting prep or kindy isn’t about children being brave all the time.
It’s about having safe, steady and predictable places to land.

And to you, as parents; you don’t need to get this perfect either. Your grounded presence, patience, and connection are already doing important work.

Enjoy this special time, your child will be in high school too before you know it!!

Take care,

Em

26/01/2026

Tomorrow’s a big day. And not just for your child.

The first day of school can stir up excitement, nerves, tears, pride… sometimes all before 9am.�Please know, your child doesn’t need you to make the feelings go away.�They need you to tune in and connect.

Here are a few ways to support your child tomorrow:

💛 Notice the feeling before the behaviour�Clingy, quiet, wiggly, teary, angry? These are often signals, not problems.
Pause and wonder: “What might my child be feeling right now?”

💛 Name it to tame it�Simple, calm language helps nervous systems settle:
“It looks like you’re feeling a bit worried about the new classroom.”�When children feel understood, their feelings soften.

💛 Validate without fixing�You don’t need to rush to reassurance or problem-solve (like most of us parents want to naturally do. Try to fight the urge).�Instead try:
“That makes sense. New things can feel hard.”�Validation helps build emotional safety and resilience.

💛 Hold your confidence for them�Children borrow our groundedness. Even if you feel emotional inside, offering steady belief like,
“I know you can handle this, and I’ll be here after”�gives them a powerful inner message: I can do this.

💛 Reconnect after school�Later, make space for feelings, the big or the small. Connection comes before questions, advice, or lessons.

Tomorrow isn’t about a perfect drop-off.�It’s about connection, emotional safety, and being their safe base as they step into something new.
If you’d like more support in building your child’s emotional skills using evidence-based approaches like Tuning in to Kids® and child-centred play, I’d love to support you.
�Link in bio to learn more or book a session.

You’ve got this. And so do they. I believe in you!

Em x

28/11/2024

Please take a moment to sign the petition below.

In Australia, people with disabilities use their NDIS funding to access Creative and Experiential Therapies that they choose themselves, because it helps them to live well, stay strong, active and healthy.

Creative and Experiential Therapies include therapies that use more than verbal approaches to engage people:

Creative Arts Therapy
Music Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy
Drama Therapy
Art Therapy
Play Therapy

Creative and Experiential Therapies are evidence-based approaches that:

improve quality of life and independent living,
keep people active in their body,
help people regulate emotions,
engage people in their communities,
strengthen relational and communication skills,
and provide a safe place where people can be free to be themselves.

Creative and Experiential Therapists have tertiary degrees and are members of professional associations. They are recognised members of Australia's Allied Health Work Force along with physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.

Allied Health Services provided by registered Creative and Experiential Therapists for NDIS participants should be distinct from the services provided by support workers. Creative and Experiential Therapists should classified under capacity building along with other Allied Health therapies, and paid at the same rate as other Allied Health Professionals.

Creative and Experiential Therapies belong in the NDIS.

Creative and Experiential Therapies Belong in the NDIS