The Play Well Podcast

53 - Baltasound Junior High School

Margaret Fordyce (P1–3) and Kerry Nicholson (P6/7) are teachers at Baltasound Junior High School, Britain’s most northerly school. As a Play Pedagogy Award Pilot school, they are exploring ways to embed play into learning, sharing their journey and insights into how play enriches children’s experiences across the primary years.

52 - Sue Atkins

In this episode, our CEO, Mary Ramsay, speaks to Sue Atkins. Sue Atkins is an internationally recognised Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the best-selling books “Parenting Made Easy – How to Raise Happy Children’ & ‘Raising Happy Children for Dummies’ one in the famous black and yellow series, as well as the ‘Can Do Kid’s Journal: Discover your Confidence Superpower’ & ‘The Divorce Journal for Kids’. Sue is the Parenting Expert for Disney Family and regularly appears on the award-winning flagship ITV show ‘This Morning,’ Good Morning Britain, ‘Jeremy Vine on 5 ’ and ‘The Vanessa Feltz Show.’ She is also the parenting expert for numerous BBC Radio Stations around the UK. Sue is also the global spokesperson for World Digital Detox Day and the Host of ‘Navigating the Digital Jungle with Sue Atkins and Friends’ Podcast, Patron for Mama Academy the UK’s Safer Pregnancy Charity, and Trustee of the charity ‘Technology Books for Children.

51 - Dr Myae Han - Early Language and Literacy

In this episode, our former CEO, Marguerite Hunter Blair, speaks to Dr Myae Han. Dr Myae Han is a professor of early childhood education at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on play and early literacy learning, play-based curriculum, professional development for early childhood teachers, and culturally and linguistically diverse children. She is a recipient of the Brian Sutton-Smith Award from The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) (2025), Doctor of Play Award from the International Play Association USA (2024), and the Edgar Klugman Award for Leadership and Research in Play (2020) from the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Play Policy Practice Forum.  Dr. Myae Han served as a past president of The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) (2013-2014), a past Chair of the Early Education/Child Development (EECD) SIG at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) (2020-2022), and a past president of the Literacy Development in Young Children (LDYC) SIG at the International Literacy Association (ILA) (2013-2017). She was the first Asian president in each of these leadership positions

50 - Leanne Sweaton Play Pedagogy

In this episode, our Play Pedagogy Award Officer, Fiona Kirkland speaks to Leanne Sweaton. Leanne is the Principal Teacher in Woodmill and Dunfermline Cluster in Fife supporting schools to close the poverty related attainment gap. She has been teaching for 25 years and began her play journey began back in 2016. Since then, she has revolutionised her practice and have never looked back. She runs the popular Facebook page 'The Play Piece'. Her work has been spotlighted by HMiE and Education Scotland and she has spoken nationally on this topic.

49 - Inclusive Play Equipment

In this episode, our former CEO Marguerite Hunter Blair speaks to Paul Hoenigmann, Managing Director of Inclusive Play. Paul is passionate about widening access to the physical, social, and cognitive development for all children through expanding the provision of welcoming and accessible outdoor play spaces. Our UK-made inclusive equipment supports communities create safe, engaging environments where every child can play, learn, and thrive—regardless of ability. Find out more about inclusive play on our website: https://www.playscotland.org/playful-communities/inclusive-play-design-3/