Playing It Out: The Story Behind the Book
Publishing a book is something I never imagined I would do yet here I am, incredibly proud to be launching Playing It Out: The Power of Role Play for Children’s Mental Health.
This book is more than a professional milestone. It’s a deeply personal reflection of my journey as an early years teacher, a parent and the creator of Pop Up Play Village.
Where the Idea Began
The ideas behind Playing It Out have been forming for many years. Long before the book existed, I saw first hand how role play helped children make sense of the world around them.
As an early years teacher, I watched children act out real life scenarios in the role play area rehearsing conversations, exploring emotions and using play as a form of communication. It was clear that role play wasn’t simply imaginative fun; it was how children processed experiences they couldn’t yet explain in words.
That understanding became the foundation of Pop Up Play Village.
From Classroom to Home
When I became a parent, those same observations became even more personal. Like many families, the first lockdown brought uncertainty, change and big emotions into our home. During that time, role play became a lifeline.
All of the activities in the book were first tried and tested with my own children during the first lockdown. Through imaginative play, they acted out worries, explored new routines and made sense of what was happening around them. Play gave us a safe, familiar space to connect and communicate when the world felt overwhelming. Those moments shaped the heart of this book.
Why I Wrote Playing It Out
As Pop Up Play Village grew, I began working more closely with schools, educators and families who were all asking similar questions:
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How can we support children’s mental health through play?
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How do we help children express emotions safely?
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How can adults feel confident joining children’s play without taking over?
