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Have you seen anxiety show up in your classroom? It hides behind hesitation to speak, perfectionism, or the moment your student suddenly forgets what they knew a minute ago.
This isn't a lack of effort; it's the brain's neurobiological defence system protecting itself. But protection isn't the same as growth, and that's where the transformative power of play steps in.
When learning feels like play, the nervous system relaxes, attention sharpens, and students rediscover the confidence to try again.
A playful classroom doesn't ignore anxiety. It gently retrains the brain to find calm through curiosity.
The shift doesn't require a dramatic overhaul. A quick movement game, a grounding challenge... each small act of play allows students to build emotional stamina and strengthen the neural connections essential for deeper learning. This week, we're sharing some of them to help kids settle their minds and unlock their full potential. Let's dive in!
#373: Living in Tune - Connection, Gratitude & the Magic of Music
When anxiety runs high, the first thing to go is rhythm—the natural pace of breath, thought, and focus. Music and connection help bring that rhythm back.
This week’s episode is a dose of pure good energy. Paul Campbell and I swap stories about concerts that lift the soul, the science behind why music boosts our mood, and how simple gratitude habits shift an ordinary day into something extraordinary.
This one will make you pause and smile, remembering how good it feels to live life in rhythm. You’ll also hear practical gems on parenting, staying grounded, and the powerful impact of the people around you.
Listen to this episode and rediscover what it means to live in tune with gratitude and with yourself!
Daily Mission Cards
The quickest way anxiety manifests is through the fear of judgment. You need systems that gently lower that psychological guard, and the best way to do it is through peer-mediated strategies.
Today’s mission: Pair up students and have them write a card for each other, thanking or appreciating them for something specific they do well.
A genuine, positive reflection on a peer strategically shifts the focus away from internal self-critique. It engages a powerful form of safe place visualisation, turning vulnerability into a playful exchange and training the brain to associate peers not with threat, but with support.
Want more activities that transform evaluation anxiety into relational joy?
Explore the complete set of Kindness & Happiness Mission Cards and start wiring the brain for genuine connection and calm!
Paper Scissors Rock Cheer Squad
When students are anxious about performance, the classroom culture must explicitly reframe failure not as a personal threat, but as a joyful belonging.
Paper Scissors Rock Cheer Squad is a game that achieves this neurobiological flip with pure energy. It's a movement-based play that releases tension and teaches instant emotional redirection.
How to play: Students roam and challenge each other to Paper, Scissors, Rock. The fun happens when someone "loses". Instead of sitting out, they immediately join the winner's "cheer train" and loudly chant the winner's name. The game continues until only one player is left to challenge.
The moment of "defeat" vanishes and is replaced by a high-energy contribution. It makes being supportive feel like winning!
Sign up for Jugar Life to access hundreds of creative, evidence-based activities like this for resilience and well-being!
The Build-to-Play Model, Structured Play Therapy and Games
Anxiety isolates students. Quick games are great, but for lasting change, you need a framework. The missing piece for many educators is knowing how to build the right, safe structure using structured play therapy.
Andy, a well-being leader and author, shows you how to implement a consistent system that makes genuine connections possible.
You'll learn the how-to for:
- Crafting stronger bonds with children for better outcomes.
- Transforming school culture through connection.
- Strategies for team leaders to build collaboration and psychological safety.
Andy brings two decades of experience as a counsellor and educator. He walks the talk, giving you the practical strategies to move from just managing anxiety to proactively building powerful, resilient relationships.
Watch his webinar for an enlightening session to master the art of connected relationships!
The Future of Play is Bright
We had an absolute blast running a high-energy session at the Victorian Teacher Academy in Mildura with all Mallee first, second, and third-year teachers.
Together, we explored fun, simple play-based strategies designed to build trust, connection, and strong relationships in the classroom. The best part? These strategies support the mental and physical well-being of both teachers and students simultaneously.
It's always inspiring to see early career educators so enthusiastically embracing new ways to create safe, joyful, and deeply connected learning environments. The future of education is truly in great hands.
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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