Bambinos and Me

International Day of Play

Play is a universal language that helps children connect, communicate, learn, and feel a sense of belonging.

For many children, including those with additional needs, play provides opportunities to build confidence, develop social skills, express emotions, and experience success in their own unique way.

Today, we celebrate the right of every child to play, participate, and be included. 🌈

InternationalDayOfPlay

The unfolding flowers are a great way to gently bring up tricky situations and feelings. Just like the words hidden inside the petals, thoughts, worries, strengths and experiences are often there even when we can’t always see them.
As the flower opens, it creates a natural opportunity for children to talk about what’s important to them, helping conversations feel safe, playful and less intimidating.

Other activities that we did last week included
⭐️ Secret reflection cards to explore thoughts and emotions
⭐️ Sensory tools and fidgets for regulation and focus
⭐️ Creative stress-ball buddies

Looking forward to more sessions this week

Why Messy Play Matters in Therapeutic Play 💙

What may look like “just foam” is actually a carefully planned sensory experience designed to support a child’s development and wellbeing.

During activities such as this, children are developing:
✨ Sensory processing and regulation skills
✨ Fine motor strength and hand coordination
✨ Attention and concentration
✨ Problem-solving and creative thinking
✨ Language and communication skills
✨ Emotional expression and self-regulation

Sensory-rich experiences provide children with opportunities to explore, experiment and learn in a way that feels natural and engaging. For many children, particularly those who find it difficult to express emotions verbally, therapeutic play offers a safe space to process feelings, build confidence and develop resilience.

Every squeeze, stretch and exploration is supporting important developmental skills while fostering curiosity, independence and joy in learning.

Play is never “just play”—it is a child’s most powerful way of learning, communicating and making sense of the world.

If you haven’t tried it then trust me, its addictive. Have a go at mixing shaving foam and glue together so not suitable for little ones.

Busy day in the playroom 🌈🖍️💦

A very busy and hot day, which included lots of water !

We created a rainbow while practising our rainbow breathing, enjoyed sensory and messy play, explored our ocean tray, and had a quick feelings game — “think of something that could help this feeling, then spray!” 💛✨
So many lovely moments of learning through play, movement, imagination, and emotional regulation today.

Book Launch 📕

A truly special evening held at the best café ☕📚💛

Celebrating the launch of a beautiful book written by a talented play therapist while raising money for the charity, I’m so proud to work for — two things incredibly close to my heart.

Book a ticket via the QR code or via the link https://www.greetingsisland.com/rsvp/w87eb4

Hope to see you there ❤️

POWER OF PLAY 💥

Some children find direct “emotion activities” too pressured or demanding — but open up naturally during play, science, art, sensory experiences, or building activities.

When children feel regulated, engaged, and safe, emotional language often appears more naturally.

These activities encouraged connection, communication, confidence, concentration, and focus — without asking children to “sit and talk about feelings.”

🧪 Talking whilst doing a science experiment
🌈 Making a sensory mat
🛡️ Creating a strength shield

Hands-on activities can reduce pressure, support attention and engagement, and help children express thoughts and feelings more freely.

Sometimes the best emotional conversations happen side-by-side, not face-to-face.

SUPPORTING PARENTS

I had such a lovely morning with a Mum today. As sessions with her child are so busy, we don’t always get much time to talk so she asked if we could spend time going over strategies and techniques.

Creating calm, nurturing spaces where parents feel heard, supported, and empowered matters just as much as supporting the child. 💜

Today’s session included:
• Strategies to support her child at home
• Activities for crossing the midline
• Heavy work ideas to support regulation
• Story massage for connection and calm
• And most importantly… time for her to enjoy some relaxation and ☕️

Sometimes parents just need space to pause, reflect, and feel supported too.

Small strategies. Gentle support. Meaningful connection.

I’m not sure who needs this… but I do 🤍

Be you 🌈
Every child experiences the world in their own unique way—and that’s something to be celebrated 🤍

At Bambinos, we create a calm, supportive space where all children can be themselves—especially our neurodiverse little ones 💫

Through gentle, nurturing sessions we support:
✨ Baby Massage – building connection, regulation & trust
✨ Baby Yoga – supporting movement, coordination & body awareness
✨ Children’s Yoga – encouraging confidence, calm & self-expression
✨ Therapeutic Play – helping children explore emotions, communication & social skills

Because there is no “one way” to grow, play, or thrive 🌿

In the Bambinos & Me playroom today we have been busy learning through Therapeutic play!

⭐️ Crossing the midline activities to help with bilateral coordination, brain development, focus and reading & writing skills

⭐️ Science experiments to help with concentration, focus, questioning, predicting, and becoming aware of not everything is as it appears.

⭐️ Messy play to help with sensory exploration, fine motor skills, creativity and confidence but above all relaxation.

⭐️ Alongside all of this, we chat about our feelings, build confidence, and explore different relaxation techniques to support emotional wellbeing

Because learning isn’t just what you see — it’s how children feel, connect and grow ⭐️
Therapeutic play is where the magic happens 💛

Happy Sunny weekend ☀️

A little behind-the-scenes today & Availability

Catching up on enquiries, replying to messages, and getting organised for upcoming 121 sessions.

Lots of planning going on (and a very full to-do list!)

I currently have availability during half term on Tuesday 26th May — the rest of the week is now fully booked.
I am Fully booked for afterschool but if you need support during school hours then do get in touch.
Love & Light
Becky