The Treasure Time Podcast features conversations and advice on building children's resilience, boosting self esteem and wellbeing through playful tips and activ...
When Girls Fall Out: Making Sense of Friendship Drama
In this episode Sophia Giblin spoke with Andrew Hampton, ex-headteacher and author of the insightful book When Girls Fall Out. We discussed: The intense “Existential Imperative” girls feel for intimacy and belonging in female friendships Why girls often embellish or conceal the full truth when confiding in parents Communication strategies that provide empathy versus judgment How over-involvement from adults often makes friendship problems at school even worse Some of Andrew’s key recommendations for supporting girls through friendship turbulence: 🔹 Listen first, offer advice later. She needs emotional validation more than quick fixes. 🔹 Set an open, non-reactive tone. Steady confidence from you reassures her. 🔹 Empower her to handle issues rather than helicoptering in. 🔹 When emotions overwhelm, shift to uplifting activities that remind her of your unconditional love. If you found value in Andrew’s insights into girls’ friendships and would like to learn more, check out the following resources: 📖 Get the book When Girls Fall Out on Amazon here 🌐 Explore Andrew’s Girls on Board school program for reducing teacher workload and empowering positive social dynamics at www.girlsonboard.co.uk Thanks again to Andrew for providing such helpful and actionable guidance! If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on your podcast platform of choice. We appreciate you listening!
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48:43
Reclaiming Childhood: Why We Need to Bring Free Play Back Outside
In this compelling interview with Ingrid Skeels from Playing Out, host Sophia Giblin explores the vital issue of bringing free outdoor play back into children’s daily lives. As part of the grassroots Playing Out movement, Ingrid has witnessed firsthand the benefits street play can offer - from improved health and social skills for kids to stronger neighbourhood connections. She explains how we’ve gone from a time when playing outside was considered a normal part of childhood to today’s reality full of traffic dangers, lack of community spaces, and disappearing freedom for modern children. Key Takeaways: Outdoor free play used to be an everyday norm for children, but over recent decades it has declined significantly due to environmental changes like increased traffic, lack of community spaces or permission to play in them (i.e. No Ball Games); and, in parallel indoors, the rise of screens. This decline has negatively impacted children's health, development, and wellbeing. The Playing Out movement aims to reclaim streets and community spaces for outdoor play. It was started by parents closing their street to traffic for a few hours a week so kids could play freely outside. This simple act brought communities together and had real benefits for kids. Traffic dangers are a major barrier to outdoor play these days. Reducing speeds to 20mph in residential areas would have a huge impact, as would initiatives like school streets that reduce traffic outside schools. Play shouldn't be a privilege for only some children. It needs to be an everyday possibility for all kids, especially those facing disadvantages who often lack access to organised activities. Giving kids independence and opportunities to take risks, problem solve, and build resilience through outdoor play provides an important foundation for adulthood. Call to Action: An important government inquiry exploring children's access to outdoor spaces and freedom to play outside launched recently, in response to a call from Playing Out and other organisations. Playing Out contributed written and oral evidence on the major barriers facing UK children today and on what local and national government could do to improve things. Check out the details of the inquiry on the Playing Out website here.
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The Neuroscience of Nurturing Happy, Healthy Children
In this episode of the Treasure Time podcast, host Sophia is talking with Dr Rachel Taylor, a Cognitive Neuroscientist of how we can create the best environment for our children to thrive. Relationships are the number one factor for healthy child development. Humans are wired for emotional connections and joy, even before birth. Being present and giving focused attention to children builds bonds, while distractions from things like mobile phones interfere with connecting. Play serves a critical role in child wellbeing and sparking creativity. Boredom is important too - it allows young minds to wander and imagine. Too many extracurricular activities can overload a child's nervous system. Kids also need plenty of time for socialisation. The common messaging around independence being paramount is oversold when humans are actually pack animals at our core who thrive through interdependence. In discussing what an ideal day looks like, Dr. Taylor explains children should have a balance of learning, play, food, rest and interpersonal connections each day. Morning routines should involve a healthy breakfast while adventurous afternoon activities reignite focus. She advises that mobile phones and devices should come with health warnings about reducing cognitive capacities from being in the same room. Despite the constant influences of media and marketing, we can optimize the environment within our homes. This involves noticing what shapes behaviors, limiting access to phones/devices, establishing consistent routines and explaining research to older children so they understand guidelines. Brains maintain plasticity to change with new inputs at any age. Surrounding yourself with physical spaces and people who support your personal growth and the nurturing of children lays the groundwork for positive change. Learn more about Dr. Rachel Taylor's background and work by visiting her website www.drracheltaylor.co.uk. Try out Treasure Time using the code PODCAST and save 10% on the cost of the programme.
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Keeping the Christmas Magic Without the Naughty List
In this week's episode of the Treasure Time podcast, host Sophia is joined by parenting experts Joe Atkinson and Olga Cherrington of The Caring Instinct to have an insightful discussion about keeping the magic and wonder of Christmas alive for children. They explore the concept of "Unconditional Santa" - treating Santa as a symbol of unconditional love and acceptance rather than a conditional reward system based on being "naughty or nice." Olga shares her experience growing up in Ukraine, where there was no concept of Santa only bringing gifts to "good" children. The cultural stories around Christmas in the UK seem to place harsh conditions around behavior in December. Sophia and the guests discuss strategies for revealing the "truth" about Santa to older children in a way that preserves magic and deepens family connection, rather than causing a painful loss of innocence. The conversation moves to the modern tradition of "Elf on the Shelf" and how it can become a creepy surveillance system that controls behavior through fear. They talk about how to make traditions like the elf more playful and less about being "well-behaved." This reflects a larger theme around trusting children's innate goodness rather than trying to control behavior. The guests explore understanding all behavior as communication and meeting acting out with empathy rather than punishment. Overall the discussion centers on letting go of the cultural stories and parental anxieties around Christmas that can unintentionally shame kids or make them feel anxious. Instead, they recommend fully embracing the spirit of wonder, imagination, unconditional love, and boundless goodwill that the holiday can represent for children. Check out the Caring Instinct Podcast here, and give Joe and Olga a follow on Instagram and Facebook.
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32:47
A Playful Cure for Scary Monsters and Anxieties
In this episode of the podcast, host Sophia discusses using play to help children deal with fears, worries, and anxiety. As a play therapist, she believes play is the natural way for children to process emotions and the world around them. The most important thing is the relationship created through play—sitting with your child, being present without devices, and giving them 'attachment sunshine' through predictable, calm interactions. Sophia shares an example of a friend's 3 year old son who is having trouble sleeping due to fears and worries after some changes and instability. Rather than labeling the child as anxious, she says these are normal developmental fears fueled by an active imagination that is growing faster than reasoning skills. She cautions against confirming fears by using "monster spray" or signs warding off monsters. Instead, speak plainly about what's real versus imagination, but approach feelings through play. For example, puppets allow symbolic play for the child to safely express fears. Sophia suggests getting a dinosaur puppet to represent the child's fear, then a wizard puppet as a protective, magical force. Additional puppets could be a young boy puppet for the child to identify with and a grandmother puppet representing a real caring protector. This allows the child to play out scenarios and defeat the "monster." In addition to the puppet play, reading The Invisible String before bed reminds children of their unbreakable connections. Leaving a special toy or transitional object provides comfort and a reminder of the parent. Managing media exposure is also key in addressing fears and anxiety. The goal is allowing children to freely explore feelings through natural play, while parents observe, support and set appropriate limits. This builds resilience, security and the ability to self-regulate in the long run. If you want to learn more about using play to build stronger connections with your child, check out Treasure Time. This innovative digital play course for parents teaches emotional development through child-led play. Discover fun techniques to reduce stress, improve communication, and nurture a happy, healthy family dynamic. Use code PODCAST for an extra 10% off.
The Treasure Time Podcast features conversations and advice on building children's resilience, boosting self esteem and wellbeing through playful tips and activities that can easily be implemented straight away to support families mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
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