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🌱 How to Participate Here (Without Pressure)
You don’t need to write full posts to be an active, valuable member of Connected Through Play. For many people, commenting is the most natural place to begin. Thanks to Kathy F for sparking this idea. Below are the main ways to participate here, with real examples of what that can look like. 💬 GENERAL (POSTS) ➡️ Use this space when you’re thinking out loud or noticing something. Examples: - “I’m realizing how often I rush play instead of letting it unfold.” - “Today’s conversation surprised me.” - “I noticed how different things felt when I slowed down.” 👉 Observations are enough. You don’t need a takeaway or solution. 👋 INTRODUCTIONS (POSTS OR COMMENT ➡️ This space is for saying hello — anytime, not just when you join. Examples: - “I’ve been reading quietly and wanted to introduce myself.” - “I’m a grandparent here to support my grandkids differently.” - “This is my first comment — easing in.” 👉 Short is fine. Late is fine. Quiet is fine. 🎲 PLAY IDEAS & PROMPTS (POSTS OR COMMENTS) ➡️ This is where play lives. Use this space to: - Share how a prompt went - Ask questions about play ideas - Notice what surprised you Examples: - “We tried this during dinner and it shifted the mood.” - “This felt awkward at first, then fun.” - “I didn’t expect this to work — but it did.” 👉 There’s no right way to do a prompt. Trying counts. 🌟 REFLECTIONS & WINS (POSTS OR COMMENTS) ➡️ Wins here are often small, quiet, and meaningful. Sharing a reflection: - “We laughed together today.” - “I paused before correcting.” - “I noticed curiosity instead of control.” Commenting on a win: - “This helped me notice something similar.” - “I love how simple this moment is.” - “Thank you for sharing this.” 👉 Celebrating others often helps us see our own growth. 🎲 GAMES! GAMES! GAMES! (POSTS OR COMMENTS) ➡️ This space is all about shared play through games. Use it to: - Share a favorite game moment - Ask for game suggestions - Talk about what games reveal about connection
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🌿 New: Start Here Classroom
I’ve added a Start Here classroom to help new (and current) members feel oriented and supported, especially if Skool is new to you. You can find all of the classrooms by clicking Classroom at the top of the page. Inside, you’ll find: - What this community is (and what it’s not) - How to navigate topics and lessons with ease - How community levels work and why there’s no rush - A gentle way to begin that fits real life There’s nothing you have to do. If it feels helpful, start with Lesson 1 and move at your own pace. And if you ever feel turned around, just come back to Start Here, you’ll be fine. 💛
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🌿 New: Start Here Classroom
Is your child wearing a "lead vest"? (A 5-Day Challenge)
Anyone else experience the cart before the horse syndrome? You know, when you get so excited about something you forget to mention why you’re doing it? Yeah, that’s me, today. I launched my next five day play adventure but forgot to tell you so here we go! Over the weekend I originally found this piece by Harvard psychologist Jennifer Breheny Wallace that has been weighing on my mind. This morning, I went back to re-read it and thought it would be a great exploration for our community. Short summary, after working with thousands of families, she found a common, heavy thread: our children are wearing a "lead vest" of performance pressure. Many kids today believe their value is tied to their "output”, their grades, their starting positions, and their social standing. They feel they only truly "matter" when they are achieving. In this community, we believe Play is the antidote. It’s the one space where a child can be "useless" in the best way possible. When we play without a goal, we tell our kids: "I value you for who you are, not what you can produce." Starting today, I’m launching the Mattering Through Play 5-Day Reset. How it works: Every day for the next five days, I’ll be sharing two posts: - The Education: A short insight into why our kids feel this pressure and how we can shift the narrative. - The Play: A 15-minute activity designed to build connection, agency, and resilience. These aren't your typical "keep them busy" activities. They are designed to help our kids shed that lead vest and rediscover their own sense of mattering. Will you join us? Drop a "Count me in" below if you’re ready to prioritize connection over achievement for the next 5 days. Tagging some of the members who have expressed interest in more play-based ideas. @Lisa Vanderveen, @Erica Sisco-Dube, @Erin O'Neill, @Janell Bitton, @Anna Brown, @Celia Kibler, @Catherine McDowell, @Yu-Tzu Huang, @Mukkove Johnson, @Sharon Otaguro, @Ramona Zihlke, @Rene Kerkdyk, @Shannon Boyer
Is your child wearing a "lead vest"? (A 5-Day Challenge)
Balloons... so easy, calming and a cheap path to fun
Did you know that when you UNDERINFLATE balloons, they are a huge source of fun, distractions from tantrums and calming all at the same time? What could be better. Here is one of my classes loving balloon play. WHAT TO REMEMBER: 🎈don't buy dollar store balloons, they pop easily. 🎈Target and party stores sell a much higher quality of balloons 🎈Bag up 4-6 underinflated balloons and keep them in your closet to break out any time. 🎈Don't forget to quickly throw away any popped balloons. 🎈An underinflated balloon is harder to pop and a little one can grasp it easily and hold on to it. 🎈Great for indoor play, they pop on grass
Balloons... so easy, calming and a cheap path to fun
Friday Fun
Hopping on the gif train. Pick 3-4 gifs that highlight your week. Let’s play!
Friday Fun
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Connected Through Play
skool.com/connectthruplay
Calm, playful connection that supports real learning without screens or pressure.
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