The Playful Lens

What Are Playful Pedagogies? with Fiona Kirkland from Play Scotland

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨ Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play. Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).  In this insightful interview, Fiona Kirkland from Play Scotland shares the importance of play in children's learning, the legal rights to play and how to integrate playful pedagogy into schools. Discover practical strategies, affordances, the play cycle and the transformative power of play for educators and children alike. Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen! We hope you enjoy  Gillian and Helena the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com [the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com]  #podcast #anewperspective #themagicofmovement #playpedagogy #playscotland  https://www.playscotland.org/ [https://www.playscotland.org/]  file:///Users/gilliancorbally/Desktop/Scotlands%20Play%20Vision%20Statement%20and%20Action%20Plan%202025-2030.pdf  https://education.gov.scot/media/3bjpr3wa/realisingtheambition.pdf [https://education.gov.scot/media/3bjpr3wa/realisingtheambition.pdf]  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qfqjy4IHr0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qfqjy4IHr0]  https://www.playcycle.co.uk/ [https://www.playcycle.co.uk/]

The Creative Magic of Loose Parts Play with Rooted in Play

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨ Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play. Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).  In this episode of The Playful Lens, Maggie Wilman & Ashli Givens from Rooted in Play, join Gillian & Helena to chat about the creative magic of loose parts play. Rooted in Play is a non profit organisation based in Tampa, Florida. It has simple goals- protect child led play and help everyone to see the value in it! This conversation explores the significance of loose parts, challenges with organised sports, the importance of observing play and the play ecosystem. You can find out more about Rooted In Play on rootedinplay.org [http://rootedinplay.org] Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen! We hope you enjoy  Gillian and Helena   the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com

Embracing Diversity in Play with Amy Collins

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨ Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play. Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).  In this episode of The Playful Lens, Amy Collins, Speech and Language Therapist, joins Gillian and Helena and delves into the transformative power of play in supporting neurodivergent children. Through insightful discussions, they uncover how playful interactions not only foster connection and regulation but also allow children to express themselves genuinely within their unique worlds. This episode offers valuable perspectives on embracing diversity in play and understanding its critical role in nurturing a child's development and well-being. You can find Amy on Instagram @amycslt  Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen! We hope you enjoy  Gillian and Helena the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com [the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com]

Why Play Matters at Every Age: The Legacy of Dr. Stuart Brown with Mia & Lauren Sundstrom

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨ Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play. Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).  In this insightful conversation Mia & Lauren Sundstrom, the CEO & COO of The National Institute for Play, unpack the power of play across childhood and adulthood — the science, the healing potential, the impact on learning and the small playful habits that enrich adult life. From Dr. Brown’s legacy to everyday playful moments, this episode explores how play shapes our wellbeing, our classrooms and our lives. National Institute for Play: https://nifplay.org/ [https://nifplay.org/] Recess, Stress, and Cortisol Study:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723058/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723058/] Chamber of Connection Report:  https://www.chamberofconnection.org/the-six-points-of-connection-2026 [https://www.chamberofconnection.org/the-six-points-of-connection-2026] Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen! We hope you enjoy  Gillian and Helena the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com

How Rhythmic Movement Can Enhance Learning and Reduce Anxiety in Children with Dr. Rebecca Quinn

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨ Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play. Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).  In this episode of The Playful Lens, Dr. Rebecca Quinn discusses the critical role of play and movement in child development and education. She emphasises that play is not merely recreational but is essential for regulating a child's nervous system and enhancing learning. Dr. Quinn shares insights on how teachers can implement movement in classrooms, the neuroscience behind why movement aids learning and the importance of creating spaces for movement in schools. She also addresses common concerns from educators about managing movement in the classroom as well as the need for a cultural shift in educational practices to embrace play-based learning. Rebecca concludes with a reminder that movement is essential for learning and therapy, not just an optional activity. Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen! NCSE Relate Policy - Regulation First: https://www.ncse.ie/school-leaders/resources-for-school-leaders/relate/ [https://www.ncse.ie/school-leaders/resources-for-school-leaders/relate/] We hope you enjoy  Gillian and Helena the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com [the.playful.lens.podcast@gmail.com]