Feeling stretched by schedules, screens, and stress? We’re unpacking why play is not a luxury but a lifeline—one of the most effective ways to build emotional resilience, strengthen learning, and deepen family bonds. With clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Montminy, we define real play as self-directed, intrinsically joyful activity that switches the nervous system from fight-or-flight into safety, curiosity, and connection. From Cub Scout field adventures to living room creative messes, we explore how open-ended discovery helps kids test limits, resolve conflict, and grow both IQ and EQ, while giving adults a reliable reset that fuels focus and calm.

We share a practical blueprint for making space for play in real life. Think of your week as a social-emotional diet: a balance of solo and social play, active movement and quiet creation, structured games and unstructured exploration, offline moments and intentional online time. You’ll learn why scheduling play like a wellness visit works, how child-directed special playtime strengthens parent-child attachment, and simple tools - phone reminders, post-its, accountability buddies—to protect these small but powerful rituals. We also dig into mindset: how to turn chores into flow, spot early signs you need more play (tension, irritability, shutdown), and use morning intentions plus evening reflections to grow what you want more of.

To make it easy, we close with the Ripple Challenge: choose one playful moment each day. Sing in the car, build a tiny fort, doodle without judgment, or wander outside and notice the sky. Joy isn’t extra credit, it’s the engine for growth. If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier and try something light today, share it with a friend, subscribe for more conversations that build resilience, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What playful moment will you choose next?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.