Play It ForWords Therapy

10/03/2026

When a child hits, the priority is not to “win” the moment. It is to keep everyone safe, hold the boundary and help the child regain control.

Hitting can happen when a child is overwhelmed, frustrated, angry or simply does not yet have the skills to communicate what is happening inside them. That does not mean we ignore the behaviour or allow someone to be hurt.

We can be very clear:

“I will not let you hit.”

And still recognise that the child may need our help to regulate before they can listen, reflect or learn.

Once calm has returned, that is the time to reinforce the boundary, explore what happened and practise safer alternatives for next time.

Understanding the behaviour is not the same as excusing it. We can support the child AND keep firm boundaries around safety.

Save this post for the moments when you need it.

08/22/2026

07/25/2026

Yes, there will always be coffee in my waiting room for you . But when you travel next door from Play it ForWords Therapy to Catfight Coffee, not only will you get much better coffee and vibe, but you’ll be supporting a business who directly supports kids with special needs. That’s a win/win! 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

07/24/2026

Children who are overscheduled often have fewer opportunities for unstructured play, which is essential for developing creativity, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills. Constant activities can increase stress, fatigue, and anxiety while reducing time for rest. Take advantage of summertime to help your child recoup, relax, and reset !

Here's my somewhat unpopular opinion about caring for kids during the summer months: they need as much time as possible to be unhurried and gloriously unstructured.

Those slightly boring, self-directed hours, the ones that can feel almost lazy, are where so much real development happens. Kids are using their imaginations, problem-solving, learning resilience, and finding ways to be calm. In fact, researchers are now linking the loss of this kind of free time to rising anxiety in children.

Our kids need days that are unscheduled. They need to lose track of time.

So this summer, whatever yours looks like, give them, and yourself, permission to simply be. ❤️

Check out the article for my full thoughts: https://tinyurl.com/33ucjpn

07/18/2026

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07/08/2026

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06/29/2026

Play therapy works ! 💥

Play therapy gives children a safe, developmentally appropriate way to express what they may not yet have the words to say.
Through play, children can explore big feelings, process hard experiences, build coping skills, strengthen confidence, and practice new ways of relating to themselves and others.
Play therapy can support children navigating anxiety, stress, ADHD, emotional regulation struggles, family changes, social difficulties, trauma, grief, and more.
At Integrated Play Connections, we believe healing begins when children feel safe, seen, accepted, and supported.
Now accepting play therapy clients in Manassas, VA.
https://www.integratedplayconnections.com/clinical-services

06/25/2026

Play therapy can help kids develop self-regulation by providing a safe and supportive environment to identify, express, and manage their emotions. It allows them to practice coping skills, problem-solving, and emotional control in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Over time, these experiences strengthen a child’s ability to manage frustration, and respond to situations with greater flexibility and self-control. If you think your child could benefit from improved self regulation skills, let’s talk !

One of the biggest myths about children is that they should simply “learn to control themselves.” But emotional regulation isn’t something children are born knowing how to do. It’s a skill that develops gradually as the brain grows, with the support of calm, connected adults.

When we understand how the developing brain works, challenging behaviour starts to make more sense. Instead of asking, “Why won’t they behave?” we begin asking, “What skills are still developing, and how can I help?” That shift changes everything—for children and for the adults supporting them.

This visual explains why emotional regulation takes time, why co-regulation matters so much, and how supportive relationships literally help build the brain.

To download our Bitesize Guide tk Emotional Regulation, see the instructions on the image.

If this helped you understand your child a little better, please consider sharing it with someone else who may need this reminder today.

05/14/2026

A lot of children aren’t being oppositional when they don’t respond straight away.

They’re still processing.

To follow an instruction, a child has to:
• Hear the words
• Process the language
• Hold the information in working memory
• Shift attention
• Organise their body to act

If they’re tired, distracted, anxious, sensory overloaded, or already focused on something else, that processing chain slows down.

What looks like “not listening” is often a lag between hearing and action.

Instead of repeating louder, try:
Pause.
Wait 5–10 seconds.
Then check, "did you hear me? Or do you need me to say it again"

That small shift can reduce stress for both of you.
Have you noticed your child needs extra processing time?

More evidence-based parenting support in Guidance from The Therapist Parent at www.thetherapistparent.com⁠�.