The power of Collaboration: Why Play Based Coaches need to work with other professionals

As a Play Based Coach, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative play can be for children. It’s more than just fun—it’s a powerful tool for growth, learning, and emotional development. But here's the thing: while play is a crucial part of a child’s development, it’s not always enough on its own. To truly support a child, it’s essential to collaborate with professionals from other disciplines.

Why? Because no one person has all the answers, and each professional brings a unique perspective that can enrich the support a child receives.

Holistic Support for the Whole Child

When a child is struggling, whether emotionally, socially, or academically, it’s rarely about just one area of their life. A child’s struggles often intersect with family dynamics, mental health, learning difficulties, or even physical well-being. As a Play Based Coach, I can guide them through powerful moments of self-discovery and resilience in a playful environment, but sometimes, they need more—perhaps a therapist for emotional support, an educator to address academic challenges, or even a paediatrician to help with physical concerns.

Working alongside other professionals like school counsellors, child psychologists, or speech therapists ensures that we are all on the same page. We can create a comprehensive approach that addresses every layer of a child’s needs, making sure no aspect of their well-being is overlooked.

A Multidisciplinary Approach Strengthens the Process

Collaboration means we can tap into a wider range of expertise. For example, if a child is having trouble with social interactions during play, a speech-language pathologist might help pinpoint communication barriers, while an occupational therapist might suggest strategies for improving sensory integration. Meanwhile, as a coach, I can use play to create safe spaces for practicing social skills and setting goals to build self-confidence.

When we share insights and strategies, we build a more complete picture of what’s going on in the child’s world, leading to a more effective, well-rounded approach. Each professional’s input can add a new layer of depth to the child’s development and help them thrive.

It’s About the Child, Not the Team

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: to support the child in the best way possible. By collaborating with professionals from other disciplines, we ensure that every facet of their experience is considered and addressed. We work together to meet them where they are—emotionally, socially, and developmentally—and help them take those next steps toward growth. Always putting the child's needs at the forefront of our discussions. 

So, whether it's teaming up with a teacher to reinforce what’s happening in the classroom, partnering with a counsellor to address emotional hurdles, or working with a speech therapist to help a child express themselves better, collaboration isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

The more we collaborate, the more we can offer the child the holistic support they deserve. After all, every child is unique, and by working together, we can help them truly thrive in every area of their life. So, while play-based coaching is a vital tool for empowering children, collaboration with other professionals strengthens the impact of our coaching. By creating a multi-faceted support system, we help ensure that every child’s needs are met, and that their path to growth is as rich and supportive as possible.

It takes a global village to raise a child!