EP70 Play Interruptions Explored: From Parenting to the Therapy Room, and the Moments in Between.

Philippa and Julie explore how interruptions shape children’s play and emotional wellbeing, from everyday endings like mealtimes, bedtimes and school bells to more harmful breaks when adults are distracted, unwell, or inconsistent. They discuss how predictable routines can help children tolerate frustration, while unexpected or repeated disruptions can affect a child’s sense of value and trust, especially for children with instability, multiple moves, or experiences like COVID-related shutdowns. Drawing on therapy and teaching experience, they highlight the importance of empathy, scaffolding transitions, and playful rituals (jobs, countdowns, goodbye routines, small transitional items) so interruptions don’t feel like rejection. They also consider adults interrupting “dark” or violent play, urging curiosity and presence, and note that wider systemic interruptions (funding, service changes) will be explored in a future episode.Send us Fan Mail Instagram, Facebook, | Linktree