Bambinos and Me

I’m proud to be supporting the campaign for play-based learning with My Mummy Teacher® Learning Through Play Activities & Resources Ruth Lue-Quee | Play is Learning | MEd | Learning Through Play

As both a Play Professional and a parent, I’ve seen first-hand how play helps children develop confidence, creativity, communication, and a lifelong love of learning. I’ve also seen how opportunities for meaningful play in schools have become less common.

It’s time to bring play back where it belongs—at the heart of children’s learning. Every child deserves the chance to learn through curiosity, exploration, and joy.

Here’s to championing play, because play isn’t a break from learning—it is learning.

PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL THROUGH PLAY 🐭 🧀

Starting school is a big adventure, especially for children with SEN and play is one of the best ways to help children feel ready and safe. Every child prepares for school differently. For children with SEN, playful and child-led experiences can make transitions feel more predictable, less overwhelming, and more enjoyable. Using visuals, stories, sensory play, repetition and role play helps children build confidence at their own pace.

Today we’ve been exploring school through our little mouse friend: Yoga Mouse.
We have been;
🐭 Feeding Mouse “cheese” with different feelings to encourage conversations about emotions
🎒Looking at a personalised school routine
🤝 Talking about making friends, lunchtime, and meeting a teacher
💛 Building confidence through imaginative play in a safe, relaxed way and more importantly with a childs interest.
🐭🧀 creating sensory tools

We also had ice play in the garden but I was too slow to take a picture 🔥 😜

Play gives children the chance to ask questions, practise new experiences, and understand that it’s okay to have lots of different feelings about starting school. Whether they’re excited, nervous, worried or all three at once, every feeling is welcome.

Thank you Yoga & Spiritual Wellbeing Consultant (creator of Yoga Mouse) for the inspiration

BABY BUBBLE
This week at Baby Group we explored how simple, everyday moments help build a child’s brain:

💬 Talking
🤲 Touching
👀 Eye contact
🎵 Singing
💆 Massage

It was a lovely reminder that the most powerful things we can give our children are our time, love and connection.

Our group is a safe, friendly space where parents can:
✨ Learn together
✨ Share experiences without judgement
✨ Build confidence
✨ Meet other parents who understand
✨ Feel supported every step of the way

The babies enjoyed some cool sensory play.

Whether you’re a new parent or navigating the challenges of raising children, you’re always welcome.

❤️ Come as you are. Leave feeling supported.

Run in Partnership with and Home-Start Epsom, Ewell & Banstead including Mole Valley North

Sometimes the best conversations happen when children are busy exploring ❤️

For some children, its often easier to talk about feelings when you’re not directly asked, “How are you feeling?”

Giving children a playful way to explore and discuss emotions through science and sensory play can open up difficult conversations without pressure.

By focusing on the activity rather than the question, children are able to share their thoughts, experiences and feelings in a way that felt safe and comfortable.
This brings so many benefits;
✨ Learning about emotions through play
✨ Building emotional vocabulary
✨ Encouraging communication and self-expression
✨ Exploring cause and effect through hands-on science.

BABY BUBBLE – FREE PARENT & BABY GROUP

Looking for a friendly place to meet other parents and get a little extra support during early parenthood?
Come and join me tomorrow when Ill have my Home-Start Epsom, Ewell & Banstead including Mole Valley North hat on !!!

Baby Bubble is a welcoming group for parents and babies up to age 2. Our qualified staff and Health Visitors are on hand to offer advice, information and a listening ear.

Come along, make connections, share experiences and enjoy time with your little one.

For parents and babies up to 2 years
📅 Every Monday
⏰ 9:30–11:00am
📍 Epsom Library, 6 Epsom Square, KT19 8AG
🎵 Includes Library Rhyme Time from 10:30–11:00am
💙 FREE to attend
✅ No booking required

Delivered in Partnership with Barnardos & Home-Start Epsom, Ewell & Banstead

Working together to support children’s development and family wellbeing.

Today has been slightly different as I was delighted to support a Health Visitor today, sharing simple play ideas that help children develop understanding of trauma and support communication and key life skills.

By combining the expertise of a Health Visitor with the creativity of a Play Coach, we can support children’s development, strengthen parent-child relationships, and promote positive outcomes for families.

Please feel free to get in touch if there is any way I can support you and your family

International Day of Play

Play is a universal language that helps children connect, communicate, learn, and feel a sense of belonging.

For many children, including those with additional needs, play provides opportunities to build confidence, develop social skills, express emotions, and experience success in their own unique way.

Today, we celebrate the right of every child to play, participate, and be included. 🌈

InternationalDayOfPlay

The unfolding flowers are a great way to gently bring up tricky situations and feelings. Just like the words hidden inside the petals, thoughts, worries, strengths and experiences are often there even when we can’t always see them.
As the flower opens, it creates a natural opportunity for children to talk about what’s important to them, helping conversations feel safe, playful and less intimidating.

Other activities that we did last week included
⭐️ Secret reflection cards to explore thoughts and emotions
⭐️ Sensory tools and fidgets for regulation and focus
⭐️ Creative stress-ball buddies

Looking forward to more sessions this week

Why Messy Play Matters in Therapeutic Play 💙

What may look like “just foam” is actually a carefully planned sensory experience designed to support a child’s development and wellbeing.

During activities such as this, children are developing:
✨ Sensory processing and regulation skills
✨ Fine motor strength and hand coordination
✨ Attention and concentration
✨ Problem-solving and creative thinking
✨ Language and communication skills
✨ Emotional expression and self-regulation

Sensory-rich experiences provide children with opportunities to explore, experiment and learn in a way that feels natural and engaging. For many children, particularly those who find it difficult to express emotions verbally, therapeutic play offers a safe space to process feelings, build confidence and develop resilience.

Every squeeze, stretch and exploration is supporting important developmental skills while fostering curiosity, independence and joy in learning.

Play is never “just play”—it is a child’s most powerful way of learning, communicating and making sense of the world.

If you haven’t tried it then trust me, its addictive. Have a go at mixing shaving foam and glue together so not suitable for little ones.

Busy day in the playroom 🌈🖍️💦

A very busy and hot day, which included lots of water !

We created a rainbow while practising our rainbow breathing, enjoyed sensory and messy play, explored our ocean tray, and had a quick feelings game — “think of something that could help this feeling, then spray!” 💛✨
So many lovely moments of learning through play, movement, imagination, and emotional regulation today.