HeyJaredPlay Happens Podcast
What if the best kind of learning looked a whole lot like play? Welcome to Play Happens - the podcast for parents, educators and caregivers who want to understand why play isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 8
- Latest publication
- Sep 22, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 7, 2026
Latest episodes
S3 EP 2: Why Do Kids Need You the Second You Sit Down? (opens the original)
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Why do children seem perfectly content… until the second you sit down? In this episode, I unpack why children are so quick to notice when the pattern of our attention changes, what those constant little check-ins have to do with play and independence, and how we can respond without feeling like we need to be available every second of the day. Because yes, you really are allowed to sit down. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - Primary Educator, Masters in Special & Inclusive Educatio
S3 EP 1: Are We Finally Letting Kids Be Kids? (Welcome back to Season 3) (opens the original)
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What if parenting going backwards is actually a good thing? After years of adding more to childhood - more activities, more learning, more experiences and more structure - are we starting to remember the value of something much simpler? In the first episode of Season 3, I explore why the return to slower childhoods, boredom, independent play and unstructured time might actually be a really positive shift. Because giving children time to simply play isn't doing less. It might be giving them exact
S2 E 30: Before They Grow Up (Season 2 Finale) (opens the original)
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As we wrap up Season 2 of Play Happens Podcast , this episode is a love letter to childhood. Before they grow up, before the cardboard boxes stop becoming spaceships and the puddles lose their magic, let's pause and remember why play matters. Not because it prepares children for life, but because it is childhood. This is a gentle reminder to slow down, protect play and savour the ordinary moments that become the memories our children carry forever. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt
S2 E 29: Am I Doing It Right? The Parenting Spiral (opens the original)
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Do you ever lie awake wondering if you're getting parenting "right"? In this episode, I explore the constant self-questioning so many parents experience - from screen time and boundaries to play, boredom and comparison. Discover why the fact that you're asking these questions might actually be a sign you're doing a better job than you think, and how to find a balance between what we know about child development and what works for your family. Because good parenting isn't about getting every deci
S2 E 28:Newborn + Toddler: Finding Your Family's Rhythm (opens the original)
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Having a newborn and a toddler means juggling two very different stages of development and it can feel impossible to meet both of their needs. In this episode, I share what I learnt during our "two under two" months, how letting go of expectations made the transition easier, and practical ways to support play for both children without adding more pressure to your day. Because play doesn't have to be perfect - it just has to work for your family. ✨ Play Happens is hosted by Jessica Degenhardt - P
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