The Dad Edge Podcast

Why Playing With Your Kids Actually Rewires Their Brain ft. Anna Housely Juster

Feb 3, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Anna Housley Juster, a licensed mental health clinician and author, dives into the importance of play in child development. She reveals how intentional play can enhance emotional regulation and strengthen parent-child relationships. Anna shares practical strategies for managing stress responses in kids and emphasizes the need for parents to validate their children's emotions. With a rich background in early childhood education, she discusses the transformative power of play for fostering resilience and emotional intelligence.

01:15:19

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Episode guests

Anna Housley Juster

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Play is essential for emotional regulation and builds strong parent-child relationships by providing a safe environment for expression.

Fathers can cultivate positive family dynamics by engaging intentionally in their roles, fostering emotional environments that promote resilience.

Effective breathing strategies and cognitive techniques are vital for managing anxiety, equipping children with skills for emotional navigation throughout life.

Deep dives

The Importance of Fatherhood

The Dad Edge movement emphasizes the crucial role fathers play in shaping future generations and improving family dynamics. By becoming more intentional and engaged, fathers can foster stronger relationships with their children. This proactive approach aims to minimize regrets and cultivate positive emotional environments for kids. Fathers are encouraged to embrace their roles with passion and purpose, creating a more supportive atmosphere for their families.

Intro

4min

Gratitude and Growth: Navigating Parenthood and Mental Health

2min

The Transformative Power of Play in Parent-Child Relationships

3min

A Night of Celebrations and Personal Connections in Boston

3min

The Joy of Authentic Music and Family Bonding

2min

The Power of Play in Child Development

18min

The Power of Play and Emotional Regulation

10min

Validating Emotions: Empowering Children

15min

Managing Stress in Teenagers

19min

Your extraordinary marriage starts here: www.thedadedge.com/25questions

Dr. Anna Housley Juster is a licensed child and adolescent mental health clinician, education consultant, and award-winning author of "How to Train Your Amygdala" with over 25 years of experience supporting children and families. Her diverse career spans from directing content at Sesame Workshop to co-founding Pop-Up Adventure Play, while her current private practice combines expertise in mental health, developmental psychology, and education to support trauma-informed practices and self-regulation skills.

Today, Anna Housley Juster brings her decades of expertise in early childhood education and mental health to share powerful insights about child development. Drawing from her journey from Head Start teacher to mental health clinician, Anna combines her deep understanding of children's learning with practical strategies for emotional well-being.

The conversation explores the science behind play as a crucial tool for emotional regulation and family connection, offering parents four practical strategies for managing stress responses. Through her experience creating content across Sesame Street's platforms and her current work as an education consultant, Anna demonstrates how intentional play can strengthen parent-child relationships while fostering resilience and emotional development.

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