Redefining education through play and emotional well-being, with Andreea Abe Neagu. Learning Tapestry, a new approach for the future
In the bustling tapestry of modern life, there's a few crucial threads that often get overlooked but hold the key to a prosperous future: social and emotional well-being, mental health and… play!
In the bustling tapestry of modern life, there's a few crucial threads that often get overlooked but hold the key to a prosperous future: social and emotional well-being, mental health and… play!
When people think about achieving success in life, formal environments such as schools and universities often come first to mind. But the base of success is more than that. Actually, it begins way earlier.
”Mental health is the basis upon which humans thrive. It is built in the formative years, within the environment in which the child grows up – family, extended family, school, and community. The more stable the child's environment, the more stable their level of mental health, the bigger the probability of success in life”, says Andreea Abe Neagu (in opening picture), child and family psychologist, expert in psychological assessment and therapeutic intervention, and author.
Meet Andreea Abe Neagu – Reshaping education one playful interaction at a time
Andreea Abe Neagu is a renowned expert in the realm of child and family psychology, an advocate for holistic development, and a pioneer in the healing power of play.
With a wealth of national and international specializations in clinical psychology, integrative psychotherapy, play therapy, family therapy, drama therapy, and adult therapy, she's equipped with a diverse toolkit to address the multifaceted needs of children, adolescents, families, parents, and adults.
As a sought-after speaker on parenting and child mental health, she illuminates the path to creating nurturing environments in family and educational settings.
The Power of Play in Education
Andreea advocates for embracing play as a fundamental tool for learning and communication, urging educators to observe and learn from children's innate curiosity and creativity. Moreover, by reconnecting with their own inner children, adults can unlock precious treasures—creativity, spontaneity, and a thirst for exploration - that are essential for fostering healthy development in children.
When asked how educators can integrate play into the learning process, in order to make it easier and more enjoyable, Andreea says: "Play is the child’s language and the main way of expressing their internal world. I would encourage educators to notice more what children naturally use as means of learning and communicating with the world around them and to allow themselves to learn from children and the unique and spontaneous way they can learn when they are (apparently) just playing. So let the children guide them and also reconnect with their own inner children, those parts of the Self that hold precious treasures, mandatory when working with children, such as creativity, spontaneity, free spirit, unique approaches to seeing and understanding the world, and a huge urge for exploration.”
