Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Is your child easily frustrated, quick to anger, or overwhelmed by change?

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch explores why some children experience emotions more intensely and why these “big feelings” are often a sign of a brilliant, deeply thinking mind.

Drawing on research in child development, emotional regulation and play-based learning, Heather reframes the idea of the “explosive” or “chronically inflexible” child. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with this child?” she invites us to ask, “What skills are still developing?”

You’ll discover:

• Why emotional dysregulation is a developmental skill gap — not bad behaviour
• How frustration tolerance develops in the early years
• Why play is one of the most powerful tools for building flexible thinking
• Practical strategies for home and classroom to reduce meltdowns
• How connection builds regulation

Heather shares simple, evidence-informed approaches that help children move from overwhelm to ownership of their feelings. Through playful learning experiences, children can build resilience, persistence, flexible thinking and emotional safety — essential foundations for school readiness and lifelong wellbeing.

If you are parenting or teaching a child with big emotions, this episode will leave you reassured, empowered and equipped with strategies you can start using immediately.

Because at Edx Education, we believe every child can thrive when we understand how they develop.

In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch author of Happy Children Play and General Manager of Edx Education UK explores why movement-based play is not just enjoyable for children, but essential for their learning, wellbeing, and development.

We take a closer look at two powerful sensory systems that underpin all learning: the proprioceptive system, which helps children understand where their bodies are in space, and the vestibular system, which supports balance, coordination, and attention.

Through real-life examples and research-backed insight, Heather explains how everyday play, climbing, pushing, pulling, swinging, building, and moving, helps these systems develop naturally.

This episode is especially relevant for parents, caregivers, and educators supporting neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, or sensory processing differences. Heather unpacks why some children constantly seek movement while others avoid it, and how play provides a safe, pressure-free way to support regulation, confidence, and focus.

You’ll also hear practical, achievable ways to support sensory development at home and in early years settings, and why reducing playtime can have unintended consequences for learning and behaviour.

If you’ve ever wondered why children need to move before they can sit still, this episode will change the way you see play forever.

Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, the podcast where we dive into the wonderful world of play based learning and explore how it shapes confident, creative, and curious learners. In this episode, we’re focusing on the importance of STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics and how integrating these subjects through play in the early years can lay a powerful foundation for lifelong learning.

Early childhood is a critical time for development, and it's when children are naturally inquisitive, hands-on, and eager to explore the world around them. Through playful experiences, young learners develop essential skills like problem solving, collaboration, resilience, and critical thinking core to both STEAM and holistic growth. At Edx Education, we believe learning through play isn't just fun; it's essential.

Join us as we chat with educators, experts, and parents who are passionate about nurturing young minds through creative and purposeful play. Discover how open ended toys, playful environments, and guided exploration can spark a love for learning and prepare children for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Discover how Play unlocks neurodivergent children's potential in the latest episode of the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast, This engaging and heartwarming episode dives into the powerful role of play in supporting neurodivergent children—including those with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, and other learning differences.

Play isn’t just fun it’s essential. It’s how children express themselves, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to thrive. For neurodivergent children, play becomes a bridge to communication, emotional regulation, and learning. From sensory rich toys like Rainbow Pebbles® to open-ended tools like linking cubes and water play, the episode explores how playful experiences can be tailored to suit different abilities, interests, and developmental needs.

Heather speaks with warmth and expertise, sharing real life examples, strategies, and insights to help caregivers create inclusive and joyful play environments. You’ll come away inspired and empowered with practical tips that can make a meaningful difference in your child’s growth and happiness.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or educator, this episode is a must listen. Tune in and discover how play truly unlocks the unique potential within every neurodivergent child. Listen now on your favourite podcast platform.

In this must-listen episode, the Edx Education hosts discuss safety in toys looking atinto the critical topic of toy safety, breaking down the key differences between the CE (European Conformity) mark and the similar markings

The hosts highlight the risks of buying uncertified, cheap toys from online marketplaces and offer tips on identifying trusted brands that prioritize both safety and ethical manufacturing. Tune in to learn how caregivers can make informed choices, ensure their children’s safety, and advocate for stricter market regulations.

We explore the vital connection between children's physical and mental health and the pivotal role that play has in nurturing both. Edx Education hosts highlight the importance of supporting well-being through play-based learning, delving into key concepts like risk assessment, resilience, and self-regulation.

We'll share practical strategies for caregivers and educators to foster children's development, focusing on building resilience through diverse play activities and positive interactions. Tune in and don't forget to check out additional resources on the Edx Education website!

Tune in to the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast as Edx Education discusses the powerful connection between play and a child’s mental and physical health. In this episode, she unpacks how play fosters resilience, helps children manage stress, and builds essential social and emotional skills.

Discover how creating a safe, supportive environment for play can transform a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive. Edx Education hosts sheds light on the risk and protective factors that shape children’s well-being, offering practical advice for caregivers on how to guide kids through challenges with confidence.

Learn how encouraging positive risk-taking, problem-solving, and self-regulation through play can set your child up for lifelong success. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help children explore their world and build a strong foundation for their overall development.

Join us as we explore why play is more than fun—it’s vital for health, happiness, and resilience. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the role of play in shaping confident, capable, and well-rounded children. 

Edx Education experts discuss the importance of self-regulation for children in the early years, focusing on how it affects their social and emotional development, learning, and ability to make friends.

The hosts argues that understanding the five domains of self-regulation – biological, emotional, cognitive, social, and pro-social – can help parents and educators identify the triggers behind challenging behaviour in children.

They advocates for a supportive approach that encourages identifying and managing emotions, building coping mechanisms, and promoting positive behaviours through play.

What are the benefits of mindfulness for children, explores practical ways to incorporate mindfulness into everyday family life.

The Edx Education hosts emphasizes the importance of helping children understand and manage their emotions, particularly in challenging situations. She then provides a range of exercises and activities that parents and caregivers can use to promote mindfulness, such as mindful movement, mindful listening, mindful eating, gratitude practice, and yoga. Welch highlights how these activities can lead to calmer, more positive interactions within families, ultimately creating a more harmonious environment.

Play, Learn, and Create podcast explores the value of children's play, specifically highlighting the importance of role-playing for their development. The Edx Education hosts discusses different types of role-playing: real-life situations, occupational role-playing, and fantasy role-playing. Each of these forms of play offers unique opportunities for children to develop essential skills, such as communication, empathy, and social-emotional regulation. By observing children engaged in these activities, parents and educators can gain valuable insights into their fears, concerns, and developmental needs.