Happier Childhoods
Happier Childhoods is a podcast for adults shaping childhood through movement, play, and connection.
Hosted by Carrie Speed of PlayMotion Kids, this show offers honest conversations and practical ideas for parents, teachers, childcare directors, social workers, caregivers, enrichment instructors, and child-focused professionals who want to support kids in meaningful, doable ways.
Each episode explores childhood wellbeing, child development, behavior, emotional regulation, resilience, sensory needs, trauma-informed care, play-based learning, mindfulness, movement, and the everyday science of connection.
You’ll hear conversations about what it really takes to help children feel safe, supported, and connected while also supporting the adults who care for them.
Carrie is a social worker and the founder of PlayMotion Kids, a movement, music, and mindfulness enrichment program for children. She also certifies and licenses instructors who want to bring movement, mindfulness, and whole-child learning to children in their own communities.
Because when adults are supported, equipped, and encouraged, happier childhoods become possible.
If you care about creating healthier, happier childhoods, you belong here.
www.playmotionkids.com
www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners
Happier Childhoods
Ep: 15 Motion Calms Emotions: Movement, Trauma, and Nervous System Regulation in Children with Tami Lysher
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In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World?, host Carrie sits down with educator and movement specialist Tami Lysher, who brings over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, trauma-informed care, and nervous system integration.
Tami shares how movement, breathwork, and connection play a critical role in helping children regulate their nervous systems—especially children impacted by trauma, sensory challenges, ADHD, and learning differences. Through her framework Move Into Calm, she explains why children are not meant to sit still, how stress and trauma show up in the body, and why regulation must come before learning.
This conversation explores the powerful connection between parent and child regulation, practical ways adults can support co-regulation, and simple movement strategies that can be woven into everyday life at home or in the classroom. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, this episode offers grounded, body-based insights to help children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why movement supports brain development and emotional regulation
- How trauma and chronic stress affect children’s learning and behavior
- The role of parent and educator self-regulation
- Simple movement and breathwork tools for daily routines
- Why every behavior is an unmet need
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Introduction to movement and trauma-informed education
01:26 The importance of movement for children
04:35 Understanding dysregulation in children and parents
09:09 Strategies for self-regulation in adults
18:17 Practical movement techniques for educators
27:13 Creating safe spaces for children
35:59 The role of connection in learning and development
44:42 Final reflections and resources
🔗 Find Tami Lysher
Website: https://www.moveintocalm.com
Instagram: @studiotpilatesmi
YouTube: Studio T Pilates
Facebook: Tami Lysher | Studio T Pilates
FB & IG: playmotionkids
Website: www.playmotionkids.com
Want to bring movement, music, and mindfulness to parents and children in your community? Learn more at www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners
IG: better.childhood.project