Safe, Brave, or Dangerous? The Truth About Kids’ Play - Guest: Sara Mursic - A Parents Guide

16/08/2025 52 min

Listen "Safe, Brave, or Dangerous? The Truth About Kids’ Play - Guest: Sara Mursic - A Parents Guide"

Episode Synopsis

What does it really mean for a toy to be safe—& how can we balance protecting our kids with letting them take healthy risks? 🎠In this episode, Dr. Sara Muršić, founder of Toy Scope, introduces her powerful framework for Safe Play, Brave Play, & Dangerous Play. We explore how parents can:• Spot hidden hazards in toys & play spaces• Support kids’ confidence, resilience, & problem-solving through brave play• Adapt safety for neurodivergent children or different developmental stages• Recognize common risks like magnets, button batteries, and toy clutterIf you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this conversation will give you tools to make confident, informed playtime decisions—without stifling your child’s growth & curiosity.#ToySafety #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment #BravePlay #SafePlay #ParentingPodcast #Parenting #AParentsGuidetoChildDevelopmentTimestamps:0:00 Intro & What “Toy Safety” Really Means 2:12 How Sara Got Into Toy Safety 6:38 Safe Play vs Brave Play vs Dangerous Play 11:07 Deciding When to Step In vs Letting Kids Explore 15:42 The Benefits of Brave/Risky Play 21:18 Are We Too Safety-Obsessed? 27:01 How Trauma Shapes Perception of Safety 31:26 Hidden Toy Hazards Parents Overlook 37:58 How Too Many Toys Can Create Safety Issues 40:44 Introducing Brave Play to Children 46:10 Understanding Age Recommendations vs Warning49:20 Adapting Safety for Neurodivergent Children 51:02 Mouthing Behaviors Beyond Age 3 52:10 Final TakeawayAbout Sara:Dr. Sara Muršić is the founder of ToyScope. Her background is in special education, & she holds a PhD in Education. She is also a certified Parent-Child Attachment Play practitioner. Specializing in toy safety frameworks for children & young people, Sara challenges traditional approaches through her signature methodology that distinguishes between safe play, brave play, & dangerous play. She is currently developing the first comprehensive support toolkit for families navigating mouthing behaviors beyond the age of 3 through an innovative project funded by the UK Office for Product Safety & Standards. Dr. Sara Muršić delivers training to schools, therapeutic professionals, & families across the UK, translating academic research into practical solutions for real-world settings.Contact Dr. Sara Muršić:Website: www.toyscope.orgInstagram: @toy.scopeFacebook: @ToyScopeYoutube: @ToyScopeUKAbout Annamarie von Firley:After 20 years of owning & running her own fashion house, reVamp, Annamarie von Firley returned to her toy design roots. With a BA in Wooden Toy Design & Construction & a BFA in Furniture Design, she took her knowledge of child development & expertise in play to found Adventuretown Toy Emporium in 2016. About Fledglings' Flight:We understand that every child is unique & deserves the best opportunities for growth & learning. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of play-based exercises specifically designed for children from birth to 3 years of age. These exercises are carefully curated to stimulate their cognitive, motor, & social-emotional development.With our user-friendly app, parents & caregivers have access to a library of engaging exercises that change monthly. You can customize your daily routine by selecting exercises that align with your child's developmental needs. As a Basic Member, you can track your child's milestones & receive insights into their progress. For even more personalized guidance, our Premium Members gain access to a developmental profile.Follow us:Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com/ App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fledglingsflight/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Fledglings.FlightFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FledglingsFlight/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fledglings-flight/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fledglingsflight/Music: Purple Planet Music

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