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You’ve seen it before. That moment when a child shuts down. Those are more than misbehaviour. They’re signals. Signs that a child’s executive functioning skills, like focus, memory, and emotional regulation, are still taking shape. And for many, those skills don’t develop through instruction alone.
They need space to practice. To try. To reset.
Structured play gives them that space.
Through purposeful games and guided experiences, children build the skills that shape how they relate and show up in the world.
This week, we’re sharing ways you can use play to support executive functioning in practical, meaningful ways. Tools you can use. Games they’ll love. And strategies that help everyone breathe a little easier. Let’s get into it!
#359: Cultivating Happiness & Human Connection in Schools with Matt Borg
Rigid thinking doesn't just hold students back. It holds schools back, too.
In this week's episode of Energetic Radio, Paul and I chat with Matt Borg, principal of Keilor Views Primary School, whose leadership philosophy is rooted in one powerful idea: schools work best when they centre on humans first.
This episode is a must-listen if you're looking to:
- Help students navigate change with more ease
- Make space for autonomy, voice, and problem-solving
- Create a school culture that supports emotional and cognitive growth
Listen to Episode 359 and walk away with a vision of what's possible when we play with purpose!
Giveaway
Some students drift off when a task begins because they haven’t had enough opportunities to build focus in ways that make sense to them.
That’s what makes this week’s FREE resource so valuable. The Cluedo Teacher Hide & Seek Game turns your classroom into a mystery-solving mission, where students need to follow clues, stay on track, and work together to crack the case.
This kind of immersive play gives learners a low-pressure, high-reward space to practice what focus really feels like, without being told to “just concentrate.”
Ready to give it a go? Click here to download the game PDF
Daily Mission Cards
Today’s mission is simple, but powerful: listen without interrupting.
No fixing. No advising. Just be there.
For children, managing emotions in group settings can be overwhelming. We often focus on helping them express themselves, but forget that emotional regulation also means knowing when to pause, breathe, and make space for others.
It teaches kids that holding space for someone else’s words is an act of kindness and that not every moment calls for a response. Just being heard is enough.
If you want more small, meaningful missions like this, check out the Kindness and Happiness Mission Cards!
Emotion Response Practise Cards
Big emotions come without warning. Frustration builds, and that one outburst can ripple through the whole room.
The Emotion Response Practice Cards are simple, practical tools that guide children through what to do when they feel overwhelmed, excited, or upset.
Each card turns emotional moments into teachable ones. And over time, that practice builds awareness and regulation that support well-being.
Keep the cards visible. Let kids grab them when they need them. Use them together. The goal isn’t to stop big feelings but to meet them with tools that work.
Want to bring these cards into your classroom or home? Download the Emotion Response Practice Cards PDF
The Upstream Mindsets
For children and teachers, the reactive loop can feel never-ending.
This session explores how we can build agile, flexible ways of thinking that help us and our learners respond proactively, not reactively.
You’ll explore four key mindsets that expand mental capacity, reduce overwhelm, and make focusing, reflecting, and acting with intention easier.
It’s not just a professional learning session. It’s a reset. A way to shift from reacting to guiding. From fire-fighting to upstream thinking.
Access the course here and build the mindset that keeps you steady, even when everything else isn’t.
Magic at MDA Camp
What’s better than working on a Sunday? Working with an incredibly beautiful group of humans on the annual Muscular Dystrophy Australia Camp. We feel very fortunate to have been invited along to day 3 of the MDA 2025 camp to run one of our play sessions with the camp attendees and the amazing support crew held at Urban Camp in Melbourne.
Simple game plan, allow some fun to be had and connect the participants through the power of play. We loved watching magic unfold and were blown away by the kindness, caring and can-do attitude of everyone at the camp.
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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