Kamini Verma, LCSW: Child and Adolescent Therapist and Clinical Supervisor

04/09/2026

Some children laugh when they are nervous. Not because something is funny, but because they feel overwhelmed, anxious or embarrassed.

It can happen at the worst times - when they are told off, when something goes wrong, or when they feel under pressure. To adults, it can look rude or disrespectful. But it is often the opposite. It is a stress response. The body is trying to cope.

Behind that laughter, you might see a child avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, going quiet afterwards or struggling to explain how they feel. Many children do not have the words for big emotions, so their body reacts instead.

If we respond with anger or punishment, the child learns that their feelings are wrong. If we stay calm and recognise what is really happening, we give them safety and support.

Not all behaviour is what it looks like on the surface. Sometimes laughter is not about humour at all - it is about anxiety.

Free WHY CHILDREN LAUGH WHEN NERVOUS

LIKE the photo and comment "CHILDREN" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

04/03/2026

The relationship isn’t just part of the work.
It is the work.
When we begin to look at Child-Centered Play Therapy through a neurobiological lens, something really important becomes clearer:
children aren’t just “playing things out”… they are organizing their nervous systems in the presence of a safe, attuned relationship.
Our newest blog explores how early relational experiences shape the brain, and how healing happens through patterns of connection, not correction.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering:
What is actually happening in the child’s brain during play therapy?
Why does relationship matter so much?
How does this connect to regulation and behavior?
This is for you.

Read the blog: Using a Neurobiological Lens in Child-Centered Play Therapy
https://www.integratedplayconnections.com/blog/using-a-neurobiological-lens-in-child-centered-play-therapy

And if you’re wanting to go deeper into this work with us…
We’re hosting a live, in-person training:
Exploring the Intersection of Neurobiology and Child-Centered Play Therapy
9119 Church St, Manassas, VA
April 8 | 10 AM – 3 PM

We’ll be exploring how neurobiology shows up in the playroom, not as a technique to apply, but as a lens to deepen our understanding of the child, the relationship, and the healing process.

03/12/2026

When children believe mistakes will be met with anger or shame, their first instinct is to hide them.

To avoid the conversation.
To protect themselves from disappointment.
To tell only part of the truth.

But mistakes are not interruptions to learning.
They are the process itself.

When children know they can bring their missteps into the open without fear, something important changes.
Curiosity replaces defensiveness.
Reflection replaces avoidance.

And the focus shifts from “How do I stay out of trouble?” to “What can I learn from this?”

That is where real growth begins. ❤️

Quote Credit: ❣️

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02/12/2026

Parenting in Process 💕

02/05/2026

02/02/2026

01/27/2026

https://lataco.com/kids-ice-talking-points

MNAPT is committed to sharing resources to parents, teachers, therapists, daycare providers, etc. Children ask questions about what is happening at their schools, neighborhoods, what their friends are talking about. Here are some resources to help with current event conversations.

**Commenting will be turned off and previous comments deleted as this is not a place for discussion on these topics. It is a place for resources. If you have an additional resource you would like shared or have questions for MNAPT, please send us an email us at [email protected].

Resource from https://www.childnet.org/immigration-resources?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPTLtxjbGNrA9Mu2GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHnFSQChsLTPKvaQ-ByzK2OCZ-XL5-Uxm1G1o6uC2wOYxCSiG3xkTkj3as7I7_aem_8-4t5dC79dBOgfhdOIIfKQ

Social Story for kids age 3-5 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vqYgjaMjKY3bWkMAHv6R3bUFq8jJSpAl/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawPTTS5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4TllES1ZCc3hIYUZMVnA5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtBg9OzqL2XgFggFHz4YLEJmUyg7Bp-CmbWZFFrYCdcSWn2YUEeeCyASi7dh_aem_4Ue0m5eWvDaqxUI7hhdPig
Supporting Children who have witness ICE or Police Violence https://www.instagram.com/p/DTTTmJWknvS/?igsh=MWFsYmxwejFod240OQ%3D%3D&fbclid=IwY2xjawPTZzxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJRmtvakFGSTFDdGdZOFNDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq-mJ2ls8isASIqc65kWRE8apsd5mwOilL_RlqN490ISRXleB682iJxMcriF_aem_V7XQegNysQTFEiELdrytEQ

01/15/2026

A Great Opportunity for Middle Schoolers in Georgetown.

12/22/2025

Institute of Child Psychology 💔

11/24/2025

Many children struggle with eating at times, but ARFID is something very different.

It’s not fussy eating and it’s not about body image — it’s a fear-based, sensory-driven eating difficulty that can impact a child’s health, growth, and confidence.

Understanding ARFID helps us respond with support rather than pressure, and gives children the safety they need to rebuild trust in food.