Join Shyla Day in this enlightening episode of Influencers Impact as she sits down with Sam Ballington, a renowned academic, researcher, author, and trailblazer in Early Years Education, Playful Interventions, and Therapeutic Coaching.

🎓 Innovating Early Childhood Education – Sam shares her groundbreaking work as the creator of the Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Pedagogy and Practice and the transformative play programs CalmPlay and PlaySense, which empower childcare professionals to harness the power of play to positively impact children’s lives.

🧠 Championing Mental Wellbeing Through Play – With an impressive academic background, including a PhD from the University of Manchester and postgraduate studies at Cambridge, Sam discusses her passion for therapeutic play, child and adolescent mental health, and how her coaching programs help families foster emotional well-being.

👨‍👩‍👧 Empowering Families and Professionals – Sam dives into her mission to equip caregivers and childcare professionals with tools for meaningful connection and growth, offering accredited training, parent coaching, and freely accessible educational resources for students worldwide.

🐍 A Personal Touch – From life in Derbyshire with her family (including a corn snake named Tom, a tortoise named Flash, and a lively crew of stick insects!) to her dedication to building a global community of coaches, Sam’s story is both heartwarming and inspiring.

🌟 Tune in for a rich conversation about the transformative power of play, the importance of early years education, and how small interventions can create lifelong change for children and families around the world.