Best Learningthroughplay Podcasts (2026)

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Why Wiggling Matters: The Science of Play, Balance & Learning 15:29

Play Pause

10d ago15:29

15:29

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch author of Happy Children Play and General Manager of Edx Education UK explores why movement-based play is not just enjoyable for children, but essential for their learning, wellbeing, and development. We take a closer look at two powerful sensory systems that underpin all lea…

1
Play Bridges Minds, Voices & Hearts: Autism, Early Years & the Power of Play 10:29

3M ago10:29

10:29

In this heartwarming and practical episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch, General Manager of Edx Education UK and author of Happy Children Play, early years inclusion specialist and advocate for neurodivergent children. Explore how play bridges communication, confidence, and connection for children with Autism Spectrum D…

1
Supporting Every Mind, Inclusive Learning for Neurodivergent Children 10:29

3M ago10:29

10:29

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch, Author of Happy Children Play and General Manager UK at Edx Education, explores how we can make classrooms more inclusive for neurodivergent children including those with Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, Dyspraxia, and other diverse learning profiles. Heather shares practical strategies…

1
The Secret to Raising Creative, Confident Thinkers 9:00

4M ago9:00

9:00

As parents and caregivers, we all want children who can think for themselves creative, confident, and resilient problem-solvers. But how do we nurture these skills from an early age? In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch author of Happy Children Play and General Manager of Edx Education UK shares the secret: open…

1
Beyond Movement, Supporting Children with Dyspraxia Through Play 8:32

4M ago8:32

8:32

Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is often misunderstood as just a movement difficulty but it’s so much more. It can affect a child’s ability to organise, concentrate, write, plan, and even express their ideas clearly. These challenges can make everyday school life and home routines more stressful, impacting confid…

1
Sensory Play for Neurodivergent Children with Edx Education 8:14

5M ago8:14

8:14

At Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, we believe play isn’t just fun it’s essential, especially for neurodivergent children. In this episode, we explore why sensory play is a powerful, therapeutic tool for children with autism, ADHD, and other additional needs. From calming water trays to creative sand play, these simple setups help regulate …

1
Transitioning Back to School with Confidence with Edx Education 11:58

6M ago11:58

11:58

As the holiday season wraps up, how can we help young children return to school feeling confident, curious, and ready to learn? In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, host Heather Welch and education experts explore the importance of play in easing children through transitions whether it's starting a new school or moving up a y…

1
Build, Learn, Play & Grow: Developing Thinking Skills Through Construction Play 5:01

7M ago5:01

5:01

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, discuss into the world of construction play and how it sparks powerful thinking skills in young children. From building towers with Linking Cubes to exploring possibilities with MyGears® and Rainbow Pebbles®, we explore how handson play builds more than just structures it builds minds. Dis…

1
Think Outside the Toy Box: Nurturing Young Minds Through Playful Thinking 4:58

7M ago4:58

4:58

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch explores the importance of teaching children how to think creatively, critically, and independently through the power of play. Drawing from our latest blogs, we unpack the three key types of thinking: convergent, divergent, and lateral, and how toys like Rainbow Pebbles®, Lin…

1
STEAM unlocks playful learning 5:28

8M ago5:28

5:28

Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, the podcast where we dive into the wonderful world of play based learning and explore how it shapes confident, creative, and curious learners. In this episode, we’re focusing on the importance of STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics and how integrating these subjects through play in…

1
Play unlocks neurodivergent children's potential 5:32

8M ago5:32

5:32

Discover how Play unlocks neurodivergent children's potential in the latest episode of the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast, This engaging and heartwarming episode dives into the powerful role of play in supporting neurodivergent children—including those with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, and other learning differences. Play isn’t just fu…

1
Toy Safety 101: CE, UKCA, and What Every Parent Needs to Know buying online 4:48

9M ago4:48

4:48

In this must-listen episode, the Edx Education hosts discuss safety in toys looking atinto the critical topic of toy safety, breaking down the key differences between the CE (European Conformity) mark and the similar markings The hosts highlight the risks of buying uncertified, cheap toys from online marketplaces and offer tips on identifying trust…

1
How phonics can support children with dyslexia 18:39

1y ago18:39

18:39

As you may know, Lovevery now offers The Reading Skills Set. It's a phonics-based program that makes reading fun, motivating your child to read through play. It covers skills from pre-K through Second grade. In this episode, My New Life host Jessica Rolph talks with Sprout Labs CEO Carla Small about the neuroscience behind dyslexia, and why it has …

1
Play Your Way to Wellness: Boosting Kids' Mental and Physical Health 15:19

1y ago15:19

15:19

We explore the vital connection between children's physical and mental health and the pivotal role that play has in nurturing both. Edx Education hosts highlight the importance of supporting well-being through play-based learning, delving into key concepts like risk assessment, resilience, and self-regulation. We'll share practical strategies for c…

1
Nurturing Children's Well-Being Through Play with Edx Education 24:03

1y ago24:03

24:03

Tune in to the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast as Edx Education discusses the powerful connection between play and a child’s mental and physical health. In this episode, she unpacks how play fosters resilience, helps children manage stress, and builds essential social and emotional skills. Discover how creating a safe, supportive en…

1
From Hangry to Happy: Helping Children Manage Their Emotions 23:01

1y ago23:01

23:01

Edx Education experts discuss the importance of self-regulation for children in the early years, focusing on how it affects their social and emotional development, learning, and ability to make friends. The hosts argues that understanding the five domains of self-regulation – biological, emotional, cognitive, social, and pro-social – can help paren…

1
Mindfulness and our Children, Happy, Healthy Minds 33:50

1y ago33:50

33:50

What are the benefits of mindfulness for children, explores practical ways to incorporate mindfulness into everyday family life. The Edx Education hosts emphasizes the importance of helping children understand and manage their emotions, particularly in challenging situations. She then provides a range of exercises and activities that parents and ca…

1
Importance of Role Playing in Early Childhood and All Ages 11:25

1y ago11:25

11:25

Play, Learn, and Create podcast explores the value of children's play, specifically highlighting the importance of role-playing for their development. The Edx Education hosts discusses different types of role-playing: real-life situations, occupational role-playing, and fantasy role-playing. Each of these forms of play offers unique opportunities f…

1
Caregivers as First Teachers - Play in Child Development 9:50

1y ago9:50

9:50

Welcome to another enriching episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education. In today’s episode, we discuss the vital role caregivers play in a child’s development and how fostering a playful environment can transform everyday moments into powerful learning experiences. At Edx Education, we believe that caregivers are a child’s first and most i…

1
The Power of Play, Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs through Inclusive Play 11:03

1y ago11:03

11:03

In Series 3, Episode 6 of the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast, hosts Edx Education experts sit down to discuss Heather’s insights from her book, Happy Children Play. This episode focuses on the importance of play for children with special educational needs (SEN), covering a range of conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD),…

1
Teaching toddlers to read 27:02

1y ago27:02

27:02

This bonus episode features an interview with Spencer Russell, the dad behind Toddlers Can Read. Spencer struggled to learn to read as a kid, so when it came time to choose a career, he set out to help others avoid the same experience and took a job with Teach for America, continuing as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher in Houston, Texas. When…

1
Teaching Children to Think: Nurturing Critical and Creative Minds 16:21

1y ago16:21

16:21

In this episode 5 of series 3 Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, we dive into one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of early childhood education—teaching children to think. Our Edx Education hosts explore how critical and creative thinking are essential skills that lay the foundation for future success. Too often, traditional educa…

1
Happy Children Play, Social and Emotional Learning 7:55

1y ago7:55

7:55

In this exciting episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, we discuss into the powerful role of play in developing essential social and emotional learning (SEL) skills in young children. As parents and caregivers, we all want our kids to be happy, resilient, and confident. But did you know that play is one of the most effective tools to h…

1
Stages of Play: Nurturing Child Development Through Playtime Adventures with Edx Education 8:45

1+ y ago8:45

8:45

"Play, Learn and Create" explores the different stages of play that children go through as they develop. Edx Education experts highlights the work of sociologist Mildred Parten who identified six stages of play: unoccupied play, solitary play, onlooker play, parallel play, associative play, and cooperative play. Welch explains that while children m…

1
Developing Social and Emotional Superpowers for Children Through Play 7:27

1+ y ago7:27

7:27

In this exciting episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, explores the powerful role that social and emotional learning (SEL) plays in early childhood and how play-based learning can help children build essential life skills. Welch breaks down the five key SEL areas—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, …

1
Unlocking the Power of Play: How It Shapes Your Child's Future with Edx Education 8:42

1+ y ago8:42

8:42

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, discussing the Play Value, Childhood Development, free play and learning through play experts gather to discuss the incredible value of play in children's development, highlighting insights. Heather Welch passionately advocates for play as an essential tool for learning, especially during …

1
Montessori math 23:26

1+ y ago23:26

23:26

Math is all around us. When it comes to teaching it, the challenge lies not in creating the opportunities, but in recognizing them. Counting grapes while they disappear is a fun one! Around the age of 4, a child's mathematical knowledge takes a big leap forward. They go from counting and recognizing numbers, to understanding 1:1 correspondence and …

1
Montessori handwriting 22:07

1+ y ago22:07

22:07

The Montessori method is rooted in the idea that children can—and should—be empowered to do things on their own. On this episode of My New Life, we consider handwriting through a Montessori lens. But how much independence can we truly expect from a child who is forming words on paper for the first time? You may be surprised to learn that a toddler …

1
Montessori literacy 22:01

1+ y ago22:01

22:01

Even if your 3-year-old can recite their ABCs like a pro, they'll need to learn that spoken words are made up of individual sounds to succeed at reading. Hands-on activities that build this kind of phonemic awareness — and reinforce the connection between letter sounds and letter shapes — are the best way to teach them what they need to know. As wi…

1
Ready, Set, Play, Building School Readiness Through Fun 18:26

1+ y ago18:26

18:26

Join the Edx Education hosts in this insightful episode as they explore the vital connection between children’s physical and mental health, highlighting how play is key to school readiness. They discuss the benefits of play-based learning in building resilience, encouraging risk assessment, and fostering self-regulation. Packed with practical strat…

1
Executive function: Empathy 26:13

2y ago26:13

26:13

Empathy can be a puzzling concept for a young child. They often need adults to model it for them. When reading stories or playing with the wooden peg people together, ask your child: "How do you think that person is feeling right now? How can you tell? How would you feel in his place?" Encourage your child to notice the clues in their environment a…

1
Executive function: Flexible thinking 24:13

2y ago24:13

24:13

Have you ever played "hot/cold" with your child? It's good for a laugh, particularly when a child can't find something in plain sight. But it's also great at teaching young children flexible thinking, or the ability to adapt to change. As they are searching for the lost item, they are listening to directions and staying flexible when they have to c…

1
Executive function: Managing frustration 25:22

2y ago25:22

25:22

Success in life — that looks different for everyone. But skills like persistence, managing frustration and emotional regulation tend to scaffold that success, no matter what the end result looks like. These skills are all part of what scientists call executive function, something we're focusing on this season. We like to talk about executive functi…

1
Executive function: Thinking ahead 23:54

2y ago23:54

23:54

Executive functioning skills are important, because they help us achieve our goals. Children with strong executive functioning skills have the focus, patience, flexibility and resilience to succeed in—and out—of school. While children continue to develop these skills into adolescence, research shows they surge at 4 years old. And they can be really…

1
When parenting feels unequal 24:32

2y ago24:32

24:32

Our guest today is a mother of four children, ages 5 to 17. She knows well how the demands of parenting can run you into the ground. She made the choice to step off the "struggle bus of overwhelm" — as she calls it — but it was a move that took time, and conscious effort. The secret? Establishing clear boundaries. And choosing not to identify with …

1
Helping children deal with change 21:15

2y ago21:15

21:15

Why can change be so unsettling for our toddlers? I mean, change up the snack crackers and you may have a major crisis on your hands. On this episode of My New Life, Jessical Rolph hosts Lael Stone, author of "Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children". Never is our resilience put to the test more so than in the face of change. If you and your f…

1
Managing expectations as a mother 23:26

2y ago23:26

23:26

For the most part, limits provide a framework that helps everyone move through the day more fluidly, and with less friction. But on this episode of My New Life, we discuss limiting beliefs — beliefs that interfere with our own wellbeing and that of our family. A big one is the notion that we can "have it all". For parents who work outside the home,…

1
Expert in neurodiversity Dr. Billy on emotional regulation 26:37

2y ago26:37

26:37

We welcome Dr. Billy Garvey to this episode of My New Life. He runs a clinic in Melbourne, Australia, that helps parents focus on their children's strengths, and move through some of their challenges. The clinic has a 3-year waitlist and after listening to this episode, you'll understand why: Dr. Billy is really good at helping caregivers and child…

1
Helping siblings with boundaries 22:54

2y ago22:54

22:54

Bickering, fighting, jealousy, constant comparison and competition — sibling rivalry can be exhausting. Here to help us reduce the conflict between our children is parent educator, Kristin Mariella. Her approach is to hold the limits, while welcoming the waves of emotion. You can find more from Kristin Mariella @respectfulmom. Takeaways: Hold your …

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Behavior is a smoke alarm 31:58

2y ago31:58

31:58

There are lots of parenting experts talking about choosing connection over discipline, but today's guest on My New Life has a fresh take on limit-setting: She compares bad behavior to a smoke alarm going off. Punishment is like taking a hose and pointing it at the alarm. If the pressure is great enough, the alarm will stop. But we still don't know …

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What you should know about men's and women's fertility 23:20

2+ y ago23:20

23:20

When it comes to starting or growing a family, many of us come face-to-face with a painful reality: Infertility. Even if you had an easy time conceiving, it doesn't guarantee subsequent pregnancies will be just as easy. Problems in men's bodies are the cause of around half of all infertility. Does that statistic shock you? That could be because wom…

1
Benefits of play with Special Education Needs (SEN) 13:36

2+ y ago13:36

13:36

Join Heather Welch chatting about Benefits of play with Special Education Needs (SEN) Looking at Children and the benefits of play with Autism, ADHD, self regulations and understanding the different domains to creating an inclusive classroom or home environment for everyone. Highlights of the show; (02:53) Repetitive tasks (04:20) Focus on their st…

1
Play ideas for children in the holidays 16:31

2+ y ago16:31

16:31

Join Heather Welch chatting about Play ideas for children in the holidays Let's discuss many different types of play from sensory, construction, Role, Active, Music, Mindfulness and self-regulation play. You may have minimal equipment to play at home or in the classroom, however let's make it fun, engaging and play together! Highlights of the show;…

1
Emotional Wellness, social and emotional learning with Talia Filippelli, Starr Therapy 33:38

2+ y ago33:38

33:38

Join Heather Welch, Edx Education in conversation with award winning therapist - Talia Filippelli, Founder of Starr Therapy, discussing Emotional Wellness, social and emotional learning, trends in the USA for children, an exciting project with The Genius of Play ideas for promoting wellness/mindfulness at home or in a classroom. Highlights: (03:29)…

1
Why Play Is Important In Children For Their Physical And Mental Health 13:46

2+ y ago13:46

13:46

Join Heather Welch chatting about The relationship between physical and mental health for a child’s holistic development through play or 'Why Play is important in children for their Physical and Mental health'. When all three factors ;'mental health, physical health and well-being'; are balanced, this enables children to grow and develop in line wi…

1
Self Regulation, Play and children in the Early Years 14:03

3y ago14:03

14:03

Self-regulation refers to a child’s ability to consciously control their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It begins to develop in toddlers and continues into adulthood. In this episode, Heather Welch, Edx Education discusses, self regulation, play and children in the early years. Here are the highlights: (01:19) How does self-regulation affec…

1
Children, Play & Mindfulness with Edx Education 14:22

3y ago14:22

14:22

Join Heather Welch, Edx Education chatting about play, learning and mindfulness. In this episode, we’re going to discuss the benefits of mindfulness with children and understanding their emotions. Being aware of our emotions and understanding that they manifest in our body isn't something that comes naturally to all of us, especially our children. …

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Benefits of Calm Play Ideas with Edx Education 13:38

3y ago13:38

13:38

We often as caregivers find we have rowdy children and the best way to calm them down, is for them to run all their energy off. Join Heather Welch in this episode, we look at the benefits of calm play opposed to running around, jumping up and down or chasing dogs. Sometimes, there are moments when children need to just settle down, but how we we ac…

1
Role-play and what we learn from children playing 10:34

3y ago10:34

10:34

Join Heather Welch, Edx Education chatting about Role Play and what we can Learn about children playing. When children play, they tend to be more open and communicative about their day, their feelings and even problems which they haven't solved yet. In this episode, we look at what we can learn from watching our children play. For example, sibling …

1
Play, Children with SEN 16:46

3y ago16:46

16:46

In this episode we are joined by Ione Inness, founder of SEND tutoring. We discover why play is important for children and especially children with additional needs. Ione shares with Heather Welch her inspiration for SEN, importance of play and role of caregivers in play. Highlights in this episode: (01:19) Ione’s background (07:12) Why is play imp…