ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Today, Lara sits down with Tina Geers, a leader in early childhood education and one of Canada’s most passionate advocates for protecting and promoting play in the early years. With nearly 25 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator, coach, mentor, and facilitator of play, Tina helps parents and educators move from “Am I doing this right?” to “I can trust what I’m seeing in my child.” She is the owner of Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc.—a hub for professional learning and play-based practice—and the founder and president of the nonprofit Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN). Tina is also a member of the World Forum Working Group on Play, IPA Canada, and the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF).
In this episode, Tina shares why play is essential to healthy development—and why so many parents feel unsure about what “good play” even looks like anymore. We talk about the pressure to hit milestones, the constant noise of parenting advice online, and the fear that if you’re not “teaching,” you’re falling behind. Tina helps bridge the gap between child development theory and real-life parenting moments—meltdowns, transitions, overstimulation, and bedtime blowups—with compassionate, practical strategies you can use right away. She also dives into brain development and co-regulation, explaining one piece of science that consistently gives parents immediate relief (especially when you’re trying to stay calm and your child is anything but).
Whether you’re feeling spread thin, overwhelmed by mixed messages, or simply curious about how to support your child’s learning through play, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, encouraged, and equipped to bring more calm, connection, and joy into your home—starting today.
In today’s episode, we cover:
What “good play” really looks like (and why it doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect)
The biggest misconceptions that make parents feel like they’re not doing enough
How play supports learning, regulation, social skills, and resilience
Why co-regulation matters—and how to use it during meltdowns and transitions
Shifting from “box-checking” to genuine connection (even on hard days)
A simple brain-based insight that helps parents respond with more calm and confidence
Meet our guest:
Tina Geers is an early childhood educator, coach, and play advocate with 20+ years in early learning and childcare. She is the owner of Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc. and the founder/president of Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN), supporting educators and families through workshops, resources, and play-centered professional learning.
Find more of Tina’s work:
Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc.: https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/
Inspired Minds – About Tina: https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/about/
Play Connection Network (AECPCN): https://aecpcn.org/
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Learn more about Tutor Teach: https://tutorteach.ca/
