Little by Little Play Consulting

Protecting Children’s Mental Health through Play

Smiling teacher jumping in puddles with a happy child at an outdoor preschool

Play is how children practice the skills that support mental health.

Through unstructured, real play, they learn to connect deeply, regulate big feelings, take safe risks, and bounce back when things go sideways. They practice resilience, empathy, flexibility, and self-trust in the most natural way possible.

Once this kind of play was the norm. Now it needs protection.

Modern childhood is increasingly scheduled and performance-oriented. When real play gets crowded out, children lose the very experiences that wire their nervous systems for calm, confidence, and strong relationships.

The data is clear: environments that prioritize control over exploration are linked to higher rates of childhood anxiety and emotional challenges.

Little by Little believes play is not a luxury — it’s essential preventative care.

We are here to partner with parents and educators who want to bring real play back. Let’s work together.

Small Steps,
Big Love.

At Little by Little, we champion real play to safeguard children’s mental health — because play is their foundation.

Wondering what’s behind behavior? Vanessa’s Substack unpacks the “why” with empathy, offering practical tools for educators and parents to connect and grow.

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Community Impact

“As an educator stepping into preschool ownership, I knew my heart and vision for children, but I didn’t have the same level of knowledge around the business side of running a program. Working with Vanessa has been a deeply meaningful experience. She holds such deep intention and passion, not only for the work itself but for truly honoring childhood.”

— Danielle, Preschool Director, Itty Bitty Play Co.

Connect with Little by Little

A reflection on breaking cycles ❤️‍🩹 We were raised on “I brought you into this world…” and “Because I said so.” Some of us grew up in authoritarian homes, where obedience came before connection. You didn’t
To my fellow early childhood educators— I know what it’s like to plan for the day and then scrap it five minutes in because someone found a caterpillar… or painted a tree… or started a tea party. I know what it’s like
Sending love to anyone rebuilding anything. Children love to build block towers. One block at a time. Carefully choosing. Adjusting. Balancing. There’s focus in their body. Time invested. Energy held just right. They step back to admire it.
I hear it before I see it. “Do you wanna play house?” “I’ll be the sister.” “I’ll be the dad.” “I’ll be the dog.” “Okay, I’ll be the mom.” Then— “NOOOO
For over 10 years, I ran a play-based outdoor preschool that prioritized unstructured play and child-led exploration. And when I say play-based, I don’t mean a few Montessori shelves with wooden toys and a teacher nearby. I’m talking abou
Where Circle Time Took Us Today 🤍 It’s 9:00 AM. They wander in. Little footsteps. Some stomps. Always giggles. Some whimpers. “Good morning,” I say. “I’m so happy to see you all.” And I truly am— even afte
Goodnight Moon 🌕 By Margaret Wise Brown In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon and a picture of... The cow jumping over the moon And there were three little bears sitting on chairs And two little kittens And a pair of mi
The Story in the Scrape ❤️‍🩹 She needed a breath, not a bandage. She’s four. Walking across the preschool yard when her foot catches a branch. A quick stumble, then a cry. Sitting, holding her knee. Her whole body folds around it, small
In 1975, Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West, visited Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Not in a puff of green smoke, but as herself: a kind, soft-spoken woman with gray hair and a gentle laugh. They sat together on his bench and had a