Parenting, Play Therapy & Emotional Development Insights

“Play is a way of trying on the world and making it fit.”
— Lisa Murphy, early childhood educator and play advocate

Anya’s Instagram space brings together reflections, resources, and educational content related to child emotional development, Play Therapy, Parent Coaching, nervous system regulation, and family connection.

Through these posts, I share insights for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone wanting to better understand children’s emotional worlds with greater compassion, curiosity, and awareness.

Topics may include:

  • emotional regulation in children

  • anxiety and overwhelm

  • parenting support and co-regulation

  • Play Therapy

  • attachment and relational connection

  • child development and behaviour

  • trauma-informed parenting approaches

Whether you’re looking for practical guidance, emotional reassurance, or deeper understanding, this space is designed to support thoughtful, connected parenting and emotional wellbeing.

I’m honoured to be joining a small group of founding Residents working with @cred_club on something new. Supporting children and parents through emotionally complex moments is deeply meaningful work. The conversations that shape families often
Parenting can feel overwhelming. Tantrums, anxiety, defiance, clinginess, or shutdowns may be signs that your child needs more than just “discipline”—they may need connection, safety, and emotional co-regulation. Hi, I’m Anya
Honored to Mentor at Shaastra 2025! 🎉 I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been invited to mentor at Shaastra, IIT Madras ReWire’s Toy Design Competition, Cognify. Shaastra is Asia’s largest technical fest and the world’s f
Exciting news! Play Therapy with Anya has a new home. My new playroom is all set up, and I’m thrilled to welcome you and your little ones into a child-friendly space designed for healing, creativity, and connection. Let’s continue the jou
Let your child borrow your calm. Not only does this help them calm themselves down, it also allows them to feel safe and secure being upset around you. It’s important for them to know that you can tolerate their distress. Remember, your child
Acknowledge. Acknowledge. Acknowledge. It doesn’t mean agreeing with or condoning your child or teen’s actions. It’s a simple, profound way to reflect our child’s or teen’s experience and inner self. Repost: @playroomlu
Don't race ahead and try and fix it, don't give them lots of things to do or think, just stop. When we stop with our child we are putting aside everything else and just focusing on them. They feel like you are with them and that they aren't alone. R
🌟These sometimes subtle early signs of dysregulation can be easily missed. Often they can be misinterpreted as a child “acting out” (especially by people other than you), when in fact it’s their nervous system heading into a fight
Repost @1000hoursoutside #WilliamMartin
It's important to encourage kids to trust their own instincts. Teach them that if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or if they feel like something is just not right, even if they can't explain why, they need to say NO and walk away immediately. T
Repost @learningthroughplay8
Play Therapy goes beyond processing experiences and building self regulation. It's about helping a child rediscover their true selves - their pure essence beneath the protective layers of armor. Repost: @playtherapyhub
Even when you feel their feelings are illogical or unjustified. Connect and acknowledge first. Today with my own child I said: “It’s hard to focus when you feel hungry. It’s frustrating when it’s not working the way you want i
The purest most beautiful love there is. How incredible it is to be their everything. 🤍 I never take it for granted. Truly the most special kind of love. Repost: @mybestmomfriend
A child who doesn’t seem to care about others is just treating people how they feel; like no one cares about them. This child needs connection, not correction. As hard as it can be to connect with a child who is treating you or others in a mea
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