In this first podcast episode, we introduce bibliotherapy and child-centred play therapy, explaining how stories and play support children’s emotional, psychological, and social development.

We discuss the neuroscience and research behind how play and storytelling build neural pathways, executive function, language, emotional literacy, and agency. We also share our personal career journeys into the fields, suggest relevant book recommendations, and preview our next episode on emotional literacy.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Overview

00:51 What Is Bibliotherapy

01:26 4 Bibliotherapy Pillars

02:39 Developmental vs Clinical Use

03:44 How Stories Help Children

05:05 Play Therapy Basics

06:18 Child-Centred Approach

08:58 Play Therapy Benefits

10:59 Trauma and Neurodiversity

11:36 Combining Story and Play Therapy

14:46 Why It Matters Today

15:27 The Science of Play and Story on Childhood Development

19:17 The Importance of Language

23:08 Safety and Environment

23:42 Making Time to Play

25:17 Our Personal Journeys

25:44 Freya's Path to Play Therapy

30:27 Bijal's Path to Bibliotherapy

35:15 At Home Play Prompts

38:45 At Home Reading Prompts

39:47 Relevant Book Recommendations

44:55 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

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Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge

Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk