Changing the game in children’s mental health and wellbeing
We turned our research and expertise into fun mental health training programs.
We translated or adapted our research to create play-based programs that gave children the tools to improve their mental and physical health.
We worked alongside practitioners, educators, and psychologists to design and develop these programs.
We designed programs for The National Children’s Mental Health Foundation, The NSW Departments of Health and Education, Headspace, Mission Australia, The University of NSW and various schools nationwide.
Our programs engaged thousands of vulnerable kids, helping them train their bodies and minds by teaching them strategies to manage pressure, fear and failure.
Our Game-Changing Hypothesis.
Play-based learning programs are the perfect way to deliver mental health therapy and training for children. It creates a fun learning environment for kids undergoing the synaptic pruning process—a crucial period of their brain development. This process is essential because it refines the neural pathways or connections that help us follow a routine and make habits.
So, by turning our most compelling research and expertise into play-based learning programs, we can proactively teach kids self-care skills that will help them improve and maintain good mental health and physical wellbeing.
Our Game-Changing Results.
Evolving Play’s research driven approach delivers measurable impact:
Improved focus
Greater self-awareness
Increased self-compassion and resilience
More confidence in facing challenges
A group of 134 students participated in our European grant study. The results showed
%
Improved focus
%
Improved emotional awareness
%
improved self-compassion
%
Found it easier to trust themselves when challenged.
Learn more about
The Head Space Sport
Thriving with Mission Australia
General Population Strength of mind Program (ascham)
Practitioner Feedback
Ms Zein, Teacher, New South Wales.
“It’s a great way to use technology in a positive way … I would definitely use it in my classroom.”
What People Say About US
The program is highly successful for two reasons…When talking about mental health, youths are often shut off to the idea of exploring their feelings. But when talking about pressure in your favourite sport, the boundaries are broken down.
This program provides a safe place for young people to explore stress and anxiety. The program is entirely practical as the young people engage in activities of high movement. The theory is discussed and then applied straight away … the research shows that young people are more likely to learn through play.”
Christopher Agostino, Headspace Physiologist
The Evolving Sport Program “provided an outlet for some of our young people struggling with their mental health to learn new skills, both mental and physical in a social, supportive and safe environment… We had very positive feedback from both attendants and their families and good engagement with the schools and University (of New South Wales).”
Sally Corry, Headspace Centre Manager
Since participating in the Evolving Play Program, we have observed positive changes in our target students, particularly increased perseverance, and the ability to manage failure.
When surveyed, students have reported feeling more confident, more resilient, and have identified strategies that they can independently use to manage anxiety in difficult situations.
This has positively impacted their participation in a range of areas. I would definitely recommend this program.”
Rebecca Price, Speech Pathologist, Lurnea High School
“Thank for your patience & efforts with Jasper this year. The last few weeks were a real breakthrough for him confidence wise. He overcame some personal challenges and this sets a really good foundation for him mentally moving forward. The feedback for him was spot on and you did a great job coaching the group.”
Kathy, Headspace customer
“The group was fantastic. I find it very hard to motivate Laura. She came home so happy and told me the best part was that she felt for the first time when doing therapy that she did not feel like a problem because it was done in a fun way, not in a room. She was really pumped and looking forward to going again.”
Jo, Headspace customer
“This was the first time Sarah said she learnt about mental health without feeling like there was something wrong with her. She really enjoyed the class and said learning through play made the training easy to apply to normal life.”
Shirley, Headspace customer
“I loved all of the class. My favourite bit was the meditation. I have been using the body anchor to help me relax when normally I feel stressed. I can’t wait to do it again. “
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