What you will learn

This course is designed for parents, educators, and therapists who want to gain a deeper understanding of the power of play, not just as something children enjoy, but as the core of how they develop, connect, and learn.

During the course, you will:

  • Learn what play really is and why it matters.
  • Understand how play supports the brain, the body, and relationships.
  • Explore how play develops and changes over time.
  • Reflect on your own experiences with play and how they shape your parenting or professional work.
  • Discover how to support children who may not play in typical ways, or who prefer repetition, routines, or real-life play.
  • Learn how to respond when you're not sure what to do: when play feels hard, or when you're being pulled toward academics.

You’ll hear real stories, practical strategies, and research that affirms what you might already feel deep down: that play is not just helpful, it’s essential.

Each module will run for about 60 minutes and includes slides, guided scripts, and downloadable tools. I’ll be guiding you through all of it.

Let’s begin by returning to the basics: why play matters in the first place.

This course is closed for enrollment.

Your Instructor




My name is Dana Baltutis, and I bring over a decade of experience in supporting children's developmental milestones to my teaching. With a robust background in Speech Pathology, Early Childhood Development, Parent Training and Coaching and a Master's Degree in Disability Studies, I have dedicated my career to understanding the nuances of how children learn to communicate and express themselves. This expertise has enabled me to develop targeted strategies that promote the speech and language skills of children across diverse learning environments.

My connection to The Power of Play stems from a deep-seated passion for empowering parents and carers with the knowledge and tools they need to be active participants in their child's development.

Example Curriculum

  Introduction
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  Module 1 - Why Play Matters
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  Module 2 - How Play Develops
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  Module 3 - The Playful Adult
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  Module 4 - Play vs Academics
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  Module 5 - Peer Play
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  Module 6 - Protecting and Prioritising Play
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  Module 7 - Neuroaffirming Play Practices
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  Module 8 - Movement Matters
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  Conclusion
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  What's Next
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