Are you wondering whether your child is truly ready for school – or if repeating their kindy year might give them more time?
This time of year brings up so many questions for parents around school readiness.
At Playful Minds, we specialise in early intervention, executive functioning skills, and pretend play development – the deeper foundations that help children feel confident, capable, and ready for school.
We focus on building the core skills children need: self regulation, flexible thinking, problem solving, emotional awareness, and executive functioning… and we do it all through play! Developmentally informed, play based support that helps your child grow into the best version of themself, and that’s what truly prepares them for school.
What we can offer:
Pretend Play Developmental Assessment
Gives insight into your child’s executive functioning foundations – working memory, inhibitory control, flexible thinking, emotional regulation and social readiness.
Clear guidance on school readiness
Support in understanding whether your child is developmentally ready for school or may benefit from another year in kindy.
Weekly play based intervention sessions
Tailored to your child’s developmental level, pace and needs, focusing on confidence, regulation, flexible thinking and pretend play growth.
Executive functioning skill building
Strengthening planning, problem solving, attention, transitions, and emotional regulation through play (not drills or worksheets).
Parent support and coaching
Practical, gentle guidance to help you understand your child’s developmental needs and support them at home and in kindy.
School transition support
Strategies to help your child feel confident with routines, separation, social interactions and the “big school” environment.
Collaboration with educators
Optional communication with your child’s kindy or early learning centre to ensure consistent support across settings.
🌼 A Note From Me…
Hi, my name is Renee and I am an APPTA‑registered Child Play Therapist. I come from a background in inclusive education and specialise in early intervention for children who need a little extra support to feel steady, confident, and connected to themselves.
I work with children who find big feelings hard to manage, who become overwhelmed quickly, or who are still developing the play, social, and regulation skills they need to thrive with peers and in learning environments. I also work closely with parents and educators who are unsure whether a child is ready for school, or who are considering whether another year in kindy might be beneficial.
My role is to help you understand your child’s developmental foundations, support their growth through play, and guide you in making decisions that feel right for your child and your family.
Renee Irving Lee
APPTA registered Child Play Therapist (TM)
Master of Child Play Therapy | Grad Cert Positive Psychology | BEd(Special Education)
admin@playful-minds.com
Other Playful Minds Articles…
Early Intervention: Why Starting Early Matters More Than You Think
Early intervention provides timely support during the most important years of brain development, helping children build healthier patterns that shape their future wellbeing.
How to Support a Child to Develop Emotional Regulation
Discover how children develop emotional regulation through body awareness, emotional understanding, theory of mind, and co‑regulation. Learn practical ways caregivers can support healthy emotional development.
Why does Play Therapy work better than teaching strategies?
Teaching strategies often fail when children are dysregulated. Play therapy works because it engages the whole brain, builds regulation through connection, and creates effortless repetition inside meaningful play.
A Parent’s Checklist for Understanding Challenging Behaviour
When behaviour becomes challenging, it can feel overwhelming to figure out what’s really going on. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs offers a simple, structured way to look beneath the surface. The model explains that children can only access higher‑level skills like emotional regulation, cooperation, and problem‑solving when their foundational needs are supported. By working through the…
Preparing Your Child for a Medical Procedure: A Calm, Practical Guide for Parents
Preparing a child for a medical procedure can feel daunting, but the right support can make the experience calmer and more predictable for both parent and child. When adults feel informed and grounded, children naturally borrow that sense of safety. This guide walks you through practical ways to prepare yourself, help your child understand what…
Why Sharing Is So Hard for Children (and How We Can Support Them)
Sharing looks simple from the outside, but for children it’s a deeply complex developmental skill. It asks them to regulate their bodies, understand another person’s perspective, and let go of something that feels precious or even part of themselves. In this article, we explore why sharing is so hard for children, and how gentle, supportive…
Helping Children Take Medicine: A Playful, Connected Approach
Learn why children refuse medicine and how to help them take it calmly and confidently. Includes playful techniques and guidance for children with medical trauma.
The Three Relationships That Shape School Refusal in Early Childhood
School refusal and separation anxiety in early childhood often stem from three key relationships in a child’s world: their connection with school, their home environment, and their relationship with themselves. When these areas are supported, children separate more confidently.
The Science of School Readiness: Rethinking What It Really Means to Be School Ready
A science‑backed look at what school readiness really requires – and why pretend play builds the developmental foundations children need far more than any checklist.
Understanding Toileting Challenges in Children
Many children find toileting unexpectedly hard. Sensory needs, emotions, past discomfort, and developmental readiness all play a role – and with the right support, things can get easier.
The Emotional Work of Bedtime: Understanding Children’s Sleep Needs
Child sleep difficulties are common and can impact behaviour, learning, and emotional regulation. This blog explains the causes of sleep struggles, what signs to look for, and practical, evidence‑based strategies to support healthy sleep in children.
Play Therapy: A Guide for Sunshine Coast Parents
Is your child experiencing big feelings or behaviour changes? Play therapy helps children express themselves through play – learn how it works and how it can support your child on the Sunshine Coast.
Leave a Reply