black shoes in front of black and brown Hello Goodbye area rug

Thank you, please call again soon!

16 December 2024 Thank you I am so thankful to do what I do. I absolutely love my job, I love working with kids, I love working with parents. Yes, that is YOU! If I could sit and write a note of gratitude to each of you, I would. And my gratitude is about this;…

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The ability to respond

23 November 2024 David Whyte, an Irish poet says that the word responsibility means “the ability to respond”. He says that we (adults) have made responsibility a heavy burden; all the things that we have to lug around and take care of, we think about work, home and financial responsibilities. We think about our responsibility…

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Introducing a small project with mighty results.

15 November 2024 On any given weekday afternoon, you can arrive at Ethembeni’s Family Centre in Mpophomeni, the home of the Education Support programme (Ed Support) and find between 60 and 70 children ages 5 to 21 years engaged in meaningful academic activities. Facilitators are trusted, caring adults who lead small groups of about 15…

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A person standing in a field with rocks

Am I the problem?

25 October 2024 I don’t take lightly the fact that dozens of parents each year take the step to make an appointment with me and talk about the need for play therapy for their child. For some, this can be an incredibly vulnerable space. Perhaps because of the turmoil they’re going through. Perhaps because it’s…

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white and black no smoking sign

On Not Being Polite

4 October 2024   I have been telling my children recently when not to be polite. Don’t let people walk all over you – if sports is a metaphor for life… On the sports field, don’t be polite. You don’t say “please” when trying to get the ball away from your opponent. One hockey match, I…

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The worst therapy dog in the world

13 September 2024 Ziggy. Is the worst therapy dog in the world.   I don’t know if you have ever encountered one of those therapy dogs (or cats or horses) that assist people emotionally and physically? They are truly amazing. They are used in all sorts of different settings; old age homes, children’s homes, hospitals…

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An Interview with a Sandplay Facilitator: Bongekile Ngcobo

6 September 2024 Bongekile and I have crossed paths through our working and personal lives over the last decade or so. She’s a fellow professional I respect and admire and one thing I love about her is she is always willing to try new things, she’s intentional about self-awareness and personal growth. Bongekile is a…

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boy writing on printer paper near girl

Mastery: the struggle towards growth and development

3o August 2024 The Brene Brown quote I used in my blog on Being Deeply Human,  got me thinking about the concept of mastery and how important it is in the development of a child. I thought it might be useful to explore a bit more. First, here’s that quote: “It may seem counterintuitive, but…

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traffic signs, usa, trouble

When kids lie and steal: And how adults can respond

23 August 2024 For parents who have worked hard to teach their children right from wrong, when they become aware their child has been lying and/or stealing, it’s a massive shock. Understandably, they move through a range of reactions; anger, shame, disbelief and this most often results in a punishment of the behaviour. No doubt…

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