Play is The Relationship - Discover the Playful Art of Parenting with Deana Criess

Welcome to 'Improv Your Parenting,' where we transform parenting into play! In this episode, host Jeremy welcomes Deana Criess, a seasoned professional improviser with over 25 years of experience as a master instructor, director, and performer. Deana shares her journey of integrating improv into her professional role at Perkins School for the Blind, where she uses it to teach job and socialization skills to students with disabilities. She also opens up about how improv enriched her personal life, making her a more connected and responsive parent. Deana highlights the importance of being present, engaging in play, and fostering emotional regulation in children. The episode delves into using 'Yes, And' in parenting, handling conflicts constructively, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment both at home and in educational settings. Stay tuned until the end for a touching discussion about Deana's collaborative book project with her daughter, exploring the lifelong impact of improv on their family dynamics.

00:00 Introduction to Deana Criess

00:41 Deana's Professional Journey

01:09 Improv in Parenting

03:00 Personal Parenting Stories

03:41 The Power of Play

05:48 Improv and Parenting Techniques

09:46 Evolving Play and Parenting

12:46 Impact on Deana's Children

15:50 Handling Conflicts with Improv

18:07 Comforting New Parents

18:49 Engaging in Physical Play

18:58 Finding Agreement and Intentional Choices

19:40 Handling School Challenges

22:12 Validating Children's Emotions

23:28 Improv in Education

24:49 Career Journey in Improv

31:11 Writing a Book on Improv and Parenting

33:28 Reflecting on Parenting and Future Plans

You can learn more about Deana at  deanachriess.com

For more information please visit: https://jeremystrozer.com/improv-your-parenting

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