Let Them Be Kids: Why Play is the Best Prep for School feat. Tere Bowen Irish
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Show Notes
Explore the transformative power of play with occupational therapist Teri Bowen-Irish. Discover why play is essential for brain development, specifically building the prefrontal cortex and executive functions like planning and initiation. Learn how different types of play—parallel, cooperative, and independent—shape social-emotional skills. We also discuss practical ways to integrate learning into play at home, helping children transition to academic environments with confidence and joy.
Meet Our Guest:Tere Bowen-Irish is an occupational therapist, author, and speaker dedicated to "all abilities for all children". Her tip: “Don't be afraid to let your child lead you; follow their lead and play will expand”.
Top Takeaways
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Play builds the prefrontal cortex, developing essential executive functions like organization and task completion.
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Independent play is a vital skill that helps children learn to regulate and focus.
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Using rhythm, movement, and nursery rhymes makes academic concepts like counting and literacy fun.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
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Tere’s products at Therapro: https://www.therapro.com/Tere-Bowen-Irish-OTR-L.html
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Tere’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tere-bowen-irish-35b0b310
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Join Tere’s Facebook page at “All the Possibilities - When You Wish Upon a Child”: https://www.facebook.com/share/17yR4beYcH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/