The Playful Lens

• Episode 9-Anchoring Play, Key Insights from The Playful Lens

  ✨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.In this solo episode of The Playful Lens, we pause to reflect on the powerful insights shared by our guests so far. From the role of play in the new primary curriculum to practical classroom strategies, parental engagement, and the link between play and wellbeing, this 15-minute recap distils key messages for teachers, parents, and school leaders. Tune in for inspiration and actionable ideas to champion play as a core pedagogy.Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).In this episode of The Playful Lens podcast, Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoyGillian and [email protected]

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• Transforming Childhood through Outdoor Play with Kate Maher

  ✨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 podcast, Kate Maher, founder of Dúlra Cill Dara (@dulra_cill_dara) discusses the importance of outdoor play and the forest school ethos in childhood development. She shares her journey in establishing Dúlra Cill Dara, the benefits of nature-based education and the challenges faced by modern parents and educators. The conversation highlights the need for unstructured play, risk-taking and the role of language and folklore in connecting children with their environment. Kate emphasises the importance of creating safe spaces for children to explore and learn and her vision for equitable access to nature for all children.www.dulracilldara.ieFollow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and [email protected]

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• Taking Time to Slow Down with Dr. Clara Fiorentini

  ✨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, Dr. Clara Fiorentini (@claramariafiorentini) discusses her journey in literacy education, emphasising the importance of play in early literacy development. She looks at the current rush to teach phonics in early childhood education and advocates for a whole school approach that values language development over immediate reading skills. Clara highlights the need for cultural shifts in how literacy is perceived and taught, encouraging educators to slow down and focus on the process of learning rather than just the end product. She also addresses the challenges of initiative overload and teacher burnout, urging teachers to reflect on their practices and prioritise what truly benefits their students.Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and [email protected]

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• From Worksheets to Wellbeing and Wonder: Q&A with Gillian and Helena

  ✨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, we answer questions asked by other teachers. We discuss the significance of play in education, particularly focusing on its impact on teacher wellbeing and children's engagement. We explore the misconceptions surrounding play and learning, emphasising that play is not just for children but is essential for teachers as well. The conversation highlights practical strategies for incorporating play into the classroom, even in schools where it is not part of the culture. We also address concerns about maintaining control and structure while being playful in the classroom, ultimately advocating for a shift in mindset towards a more playful and engaging learning environment.Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and [email protected]

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• Play-Based Learning and Parental Involvement with Michelle Mannix

  ✨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 podcast, Michelle Mannix (@aistearmuinteoir) shares her extensive experience in teaching and her research on parental involvement in play-based learning. She discusses the importance of play in education, the challenges of changing perceptions among parents and the benefits of engaging parents in the learning process. Michelle reflects on her journey, the insights gained from her thesis and the practical applications of her research in the classroom. The conversation emphasises the need for a shift in mindset regarding play and learning, advocating for a more integrated approach that values both process and product in education.Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and Helena

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