The Playful Lens

Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all. Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing).In this episode, Dr. David Coleman shares his insights on the importance of play in children’s development, the role of risky play in building resilience and how parents and teachers can support children’s natural curiosity and growth. You can learn more about Dr. Coleman on his website https://davidcoleman.ie/ and follow him on Instagram @davidcoleman.ieTickets for his upcoming theatre tour Ready For Anything are available at https://davidcoleman.ie/tour/ Follow the conversations on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoyGillian and [email protected]

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). This episode of The Playful Lens brings us together with Robbie O'Connell and Dr. Colman Noctor for a thoughtful discussion about homework in primary school. Robbie and Colman both challenge the idea that traditional worksheet homework should continue unchanged, arguing for more flexibility, better communication and learning that better fits children’s real lives.In this conversation, we explore who homework helps, who it hurts and whether schools should be asking a bigger question: what is homework actually for?You can find Dr. Colman Noctor on Instagram @noctorcolman and Robbie O’Connell also on Instagram @positiveprimaryprincipal Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and [email protected] 

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). In the final episode of Season One, we welcome back Dr. Jacqueline Fallon to discuss the professionalism of teachers engaged in playful pedagogies. Jacqueline emphasises that play is often misunderstood as risky, mainly due to fears around professional reputation and perceptions of chaos. She explores the fact that the use of playful pedagogies highlight the importance of professionalism, knowledge and intentionality behind playful practices and learning experiences.Dr. Fallon speaks about key professional skills including understanding affordances and sustained shared thinking.The episode also discusses the significance of leadership support, especially principals acting as umbrellas in order to foster safe environments for encouraging playful and engaging learning experiences for all children. Follow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and [email protected] 

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing). The first season of The Playful Lens podcast has almost come to an end, featuring conversations with phenomenal guests and exploring the theme of play and playfulness from various angles. The key takeaways include the importance of play for everyone, the reassurance and freedom it provides, and the integration of play into the curriculum.

✨Shaping minds, connections and creativity through play, playfulness and playful learning for all✨Welcome to The Playful Lens - the podcast where curiosity, creativity and coffee fuel big conversations about learning, wellbeing and play.Hosted by Gillian (@the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher) and Helena (@experiential.wellbeing)In this episode we are joined by assistant professor, educator & author Dr. Lori Desautels. She speaks to us about what happens inside our nervous systems when we play. Play is deep learning — a vital way our brains grow, process and connect. If you’re guilty of using your imagination for worry instead of wonder then we think you are really going to enjoy this episode.Lori's inspiring books 'Connections Over Compliance', 'Intentional Neuroplasticity', 'How May I Serve You' and 'Body & Brain Brilliance' are a must read for all educators.Find out more about Lori's work at REVELATIONS IN EDUCATION – Exploring Neuroscience in Education with Dr. Lori DesautelsFollow the conversation on Instagram @the_playful_lens_podcast and subscribe wherever you listen!We hope you enjoy Gillian and [email protected]