Play & Development | Sonia Murray

In this episode, expert guest, Sonia Murray, talks to Clare about play in relation to child development, and how play can be seen as a language for children.

Sonia holds a Diploma in Social Work, is a registered Play Therapist with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT), and is a Strategic Attachment Lead for Schools with Brighton University. She has 30 years of experience as a practitioner in the fields of social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, trauma, attachment, and children’s mental health.

Sonia recommends a book called The Science of Parenting by Dr Margot Sunderland.

The three top tips Sonia shares with us in the episode are:

1. Play for yourself as a parent. Perhaps find what you used to like doing as a child and play that.
2. Give children time to play. Play doesn’t have to have structure or direction. Sometimes letting them be bored will help them find new ways of being.
3. Play is vital for healthy development. If children don’t have the opportunities to play, they will struggle to access the curriculum and learn and develop in school.

Bonus tip: play lots and play hide and seek!

You can find Sonia on social media:

• Instagram – @jogobehavioursupport
• Website – Jogo

The My Family Coach podcasts covers every aspect of children’s behaviour, all in handy 15 minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use at home.