Building Connections with Kids Through Play: An Interview with Kim Feeney

When was the last time you had a dedicated playtime with your child? Life gets so busy so we can’t blame parents for not being able to squeeze this in-between school, dinnertime, sports or dance at the weekend but it is vital to a child’s development. Kim Feeney is the guest on this episode, she is a licensed independent social worker and a registered play therapist supervisor. I wanted to discuss playtime with her and how to build a connection with your child. 

The topics we cover in this episode are:

Why play matters so much?

The benefits of having a dedicated playtime with your kids

How to set up a dedicated playtime with your kids

Validating your child during playtime

The four crucial C’s; Connection, Capable, Count, Courage 

Modeling the courage to be imperfect

How can we build empathy with sibling relationships?

How Kim relaxes and recharges

About The Guest - Kim Feeney, LICSW

Kim Feeney is a licensed independent social worker and a registered play therapist supervisor in Davenport, IA. She has over ten years of experience helping children and families lead healthier emotional lives so that they can effectively cope with big emotions. Believing all behavior is purpose-driven, she works with parents and children to find alternative ways to meet social and behavioral needs.

Website - https://www.butterflybeginningscounseling.com

Instagram - www.instagram.com/butterflybegin

Facebook - www.facebook.com/butterflybeginningscounseling

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coachingcaregivers/

6 Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids Cope With Big Emotions: www.butterflybeginningscounseling.com/coping

Parenting class- Being With https://www.butterflybeginningscounseling.com/beingwith/

Book- Emily's Emotional Empathy. https://fanatic4feelings.myshopify.com/products/copy-of-emilys-emotional-empathy-softcover

About The Host - Janine Halloran

Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit: https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

The Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

Connect with Janine on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhc

Instagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkids

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHC

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/