Ep 109: The Power of Play for Healing and Connection

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts125/v4/4b/4f/96/4b4f962c-3c34-325c-688d-661f33599267/mza_13688606206753400599.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Regulated & Relational

Attachment & Trauma Network, Inc.

112 episodes

1 week ago

Join Julie Beem & Ginger Healy as we explore the trauma-informed, attachment-focused concepts of Regulation (self-regulation/co-regulation) and Relationship (building connection) and how we can help children build resilience and emotional health through the ways in which we parent, teach and care for children. This podcast is produced by the Attachment & Trauma Network, or ATN, a leading national non-profit supporting children impacted by trauma through their families, schools and communities.

Mental Health

Health & Fitness

RSS

All content for Regulated & Relational is the property of Attachment & Trauma Network, Inc. and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Mental Health

Health & Fitness

https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/production/podcast_uploaded/14477489/14477489-1618431792945-8f54aa3e1f5af.jpg

Ep 109: The Power of Play for Healing and Connection

Regulated & Relational

34 minutes 34 seconds

1 month ago

Ep 109: The Power of Play for Healing and Connection

Play isn’t just fun—it’s essential. In this episode, Ginger and Julie unpack the science, healing power, and everyday possibilities of play. From brain development to emotional regulation, play shapes resilience, fosters connection, and repairs the impact of trauma. You’ll hear how movement amplifies the benefits, how barriers like technology and busy schedules can be addressed, and why play matters just as much for adults as it does for kids.

Along the way, we highlight the insights of Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Dr. Dan Hughes, Dr. Dave Ziegler, and Dr. Stuart Brown, plus practical strategies for both parents and educators to make play a daily part of life—even in middle and high school classrooms.

Whether you’re parenting, teaching, or healing alongside children, this episode will inspire you to see play not as a reward or an afterthought, but as a biological imperative and a vital tool for growth, recovery, and joy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why play is a “biological imperative” and a cornerstone of healthy brain development.
How play supports emotional regulation, resilience, and relationship-building—especially for children impacted by trauma.
The connection between movement, nervous system regulation, and healing.
Common barriers to play (like technology, safety concerns, and adult exhaustion) and how to overcome them.
How a playful stance from adults—rooted in curiosity and delight—reduces defensiveness and fosters openness.
Practical ways parents can integrate more play into daily life.
Classroom-friendly ideas for incorporating play at all grade levels, including middle and high school.
Why adults also need play for creativity, flexibility, and emotional health.

“When we prioritize play, we’re not just making memories—we’re shaping brains.” — Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

Resources & References:

Bryson, T. P. (2024). The Way of Play https://a.co/d/hmyINYl
Brown, S. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-17682-000
Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation https://a.co/d/ahbaGPQ
Hughes, D. A. (2009). Attachment-Focused Parenting
https://a.co/d/5lfYF1p
Bongiorno, L. (NAEYC). “10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play”
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play
BYU Arts Playbook — Nurturing Developmental Skills Through Arts-Integrated Education