Our counsellors joined forces on Thursday to deliver a thought provoking workshop on the importance of play and touch, and their ability to improve our children’s wellbeing. Ajarn Emily brought up the importance of child-lead play; which is when the child decides what to play, how to play, and uses their imagination to create scenarios without interruption or feedback from adults. Adults are present to show that they are listening and paying attention and can comment on what they notice, without judgement or redirection. Ajarn Amandine focused on the vitality of touch within our relationships and why gentle, nurturing touch helps lower our stress levels, increase our sense of connection and belonging, and can reduce future anxiety, depression, and self-harm behaviors.