The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids

The simple way to help your kids face their fears, handle big emotions, and bolster their social skills—from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole-Brain Child and a renowned play therapist

“A parenting guide as useful as it is scientifically sound, The Way of Play is a gift for anyone who cares about human development and the growth-promoting importance of having fun in life!”—Daniel J. Siegel, MD
 
Most parents understand that free, unstructured playtime is great for children’s development. What they may not know is that playful interaction with parents is also a powerful way for kids to cultivate healthy emotional development and resilience. Kids often want their parents to play with them, but many parents don’t know how to play or see it only as an (often boring) way to kill time.
 
Playing with your kids doesn’t have to mean enrolling in countless parent-and-me classes or getting on all fours and making toy car sounds; the little daily moments together can make the most impact. In The Way of Play, world-renowned pediatric therapists and play experts Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent break down seven simple, playful techniques that harness this caregiving magic in only a few minutes each day:
 
• Leaning in to emotions helps children let go of anxieties, drama, and chaotic behavior.
• Tuning in to the body teaches children to practice the art of surfing sensory waves.
• Storytelling promotes better problem-solving.
• Thinking out loud fosters calmer thinking and stronger communication with parents, siblings, and everyone else.
 
Full of science-backed research, real-life stories, and charming line illustrations to bring this novel advice to life, The Way of Play will help you nurture your kids and encourage them to become calm listeners, cooperative problem solvers, and respectful communicators. Just as important, it will help your whole family have more fun together and build stronger relationships.

Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., LCSW, is the founder and CEO of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Southern California. She is the co-author (with Dan Siegel) of four books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline. A graduate of Baylor University and the University of Southern California, Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world, and she frequently consults with schools, businesses, and other organizations. 

Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-founder (with Tina Payne Bryson) and head of faculty for The Play Strong Institute, a continuing education and training organization for professionals and parents. She completed advanced study in play therapy at the University of Roehampton London and is also a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles.