Did you know parents can invest just 20 minutes a week in a special way that helps most kids play through most problems?

The core skills and structure of Special Playtime you'll learn in this 5 week online workshop makes play that heals possible.

The next cohort starts January 7th at 11a.m.-1p.m. (Eastern UTC-5)

​

Raising a young family stretches most parents in ministry. The days are so long but the weeks just fly by. The demands on you are many and unrelenting. Your energy and patients run out and you get stuck in negative cycles with your kids.

That’s exactly why this workshop exists.

In just 5 weeks, and investing a few hours per week, you’ll gain the skills you need to help your child play through their problems while strengthen your relationship in the process.

You and your spouse will learn the three core skills that transform ordinary play into therapeutic, healing play through a 20 minute, once weekly ritual called Special Playtime.

​

The approach is rooted in decades of research on filial therapy, an evidence-based model of parent-facilitated, child-led play therapy.

I first learned these skills in grad school when my son was the perfect age (3 to 10) and our life was too full.

This approach helped us then and in the decade since, I've witness scores of stretched thin ministry families put these skills into practice with results their children and family feel quickly.

Parents who practice this approach describe it as one of the most rewarding rhythms in their family life—the goodness that begins with 20 minutes of Special Playtime soon ripples into greater peace at home.

And the best part -- because this approach is process-oriented, not problem-focused, the skills you learn now will continue to serve you and your children in every season of life ahead.

The Three Skills You'll Learn:

  1. Structure to Tag Along How to set up Special Playtime so your child can take the lead.
  2. First, Respond with Empathy How to connect deeply by reflecting your child’s inner world.
  3. Set Limits and Let Them Decide How to correct behavior while preserving autonomy.

These three skills work together to help your children turn their distress into opportunities to develop their executive functioning and strengthen their secure attachment to you -- their primary caregiver!

​

What to Expect

During the 5 week online workshop you'll join a small cohort of ministry families in a similar season of life.

Our time together is interactive, you can engage as much or as little as you'd like.

Our focus in on your skill development. Each week we learn a new skill you can practice that week. Then we review your progress, discuss your questions, and give feedback on what you're getting right and tweaks to try next.

We'll record class sessions and give you a participant guide and other resources - everything you need to be set up to be successful from the start -- even if you need to miss a week.

After the workshop, optional monthly group supervision gives structure and support to reach mastery as you trouble-shoot with peers.

You'll need to block ~2 hours a week outside of class focused on skill building.

You'll need to gather a few recommend toys -- most are around your house or cheap and easy to find.

You'll need to record and review your home practice - an affordable phone tripod and bluetooth mic is all you need for helpful videos.

The peace of your home is worth the investment of your precious time.

  • Even if the skills are challenging for you, with a good faith effort, you can expect to see quick results that last.
  • The majority of participants see changes from the start that build toward meaningful progress within 10 weeks.
  • That's because this is a focused and proven method that creates a new rhythm of connection in your home.

Space is limited.

Thanks to a generous benefactor, the 419 Scholarship Fund can offer $100 scholarships to the first 10 participants.

Because this is an interactive skill building workshop registration will close when the cohort is full (15 families).

If your heart says “Yes”, now is the time to claim your spot.

And if someone in your circle comes to mind—a family member, another parent or colleague—invite them now to join us.