What Happens When You Let Kids Just Be Kids? (And Why It Matters)

22/06/2025 45 min Temporada 8 Episodio 18
What Happens When You Let Kids Just Be Kids? (And Why It Matters)

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Episode Synopsis

Send us a textwith Amy ChiuIn today’s fast-paced world, it can be tough to slow down and truly let kids be kids. We often get caught up in schedules, expectations, and the pressure to “make learning happen.” But what if the most powerful learning happens when we pause, play, and simply show up with presence?In this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington speaks with early childhood expert Amy Chiu about the magic of free play and the importance of slowing down. Amy explains how play isn’t just fun—it’s a key tool for building curiosity, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. She shares why giving kids space to lead their play fosters deeper learning than worksheets ever could.Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, you'll find science-backed insights and simple, practical ways to support your child—by doing less.🔑 What You’ll Hear:Why slowing down and free play matter for real learningHow presence and pause transform connectionThe power of observing rather than directing kids’ playSimple ways to bring downtime and emotional check-ins into daily lifeRelated Podcast Episode:Over-parenting (helicopter parenting)Mentioned in This Episode: 📖 The Work of Play→ Amy Chiu’s website and resource hub for parents and educators reimagining early childhood learning.Follow Amy on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-chiu-msed-a09a1a27b/Scientific Article: Learning Through Play at School – A Framework for Policy and PracticeSupport the showJoin our Reflective Parenting Program to learn the science-based skills parents (and their kids) need to thrive: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Record your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Book a spot in my calendar to chat about your challenges: https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-with-cindy-reflective-parent-club-clone Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

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