Playmaker University

Playmaker University is a groundbreaking learning program designed to help early childhood professionals use the healing power of play to address the children’s mental health crisis. Through it, the Life is Good Playmaker Project provides training, resources and ongoing support to the frontline professionals dedicated to caring for our nation’s youngest, most vulnerable citizens. This app allows students in Playmaker University to access their learning journey through our signature certification program anytime, anywhere.

We understand the challenges that early childhood professionals face. Playmaker University prioritizes helping early childhood professionals develop practical strategies to spark and sustain their own sense of joy, inspiration, and community. Because we know that it is hard to share with children what you don’t have in yourself.

Play isn’t just for kids. It’s a powerful way to combat burnout and to remember why you fell in love with teaching in the first place.
Our certification program is 10 courses, 15 hours, and can be completed entirely virtually or with an in-person kickoff event. All content is research-based, trauma-informed and optimism-infused. The program is also designed to support NAEYC program standards and fulfill professional development requirements for Diverse Learning.

The Learning Journey:
Lesson 1: An Introduction to Playmaking – Learn the philosophy behind our play-based, trauma-informed approach as well as the core concepts that will serve as the foundation for the lessons that follow
Lesson 2: The Healing Power of Optimism – Take a strengths-based approach to your work with children and learn how to find the opportunities hidden amidst some of the most challenging behaviors and obstacles.
Lesson 3: Understanding the Impact of Toxic Stress – Explore the impact of toxic stress on children’s brains and behaviors as well as the key protective factors that lesson their impact and promote resilience.
Lesson 4: Helping Children Build a Sense of Safety & Empowerment – Learn techniques designed to help children impacted by trauma regain a felt sense of safety, empowerment, and self-worth.
Lesson 5: Building Healing, Life-Changing Relationships with Kids – Learn the importance of relationships and how we can help children – especially those who struggle to connect – form healthy attachments and develop a deeper sense of belonging through games, activities, and everyday interactions.
Lesson 6: Helping Kids Discover the Magic of the Moment – Learn strategies and approaches for helping kids tune into their bodies, maximize engagement, and discover the magic of the present moment.
Lesson 7: How to Spark & Sustain Positivity & Purpose in Children – Learn how to prioritize joy in your practice with children and use it to spark and sustain their feelings of pleasure and purpose.
Lesson 8: How to Transform Any Activity into Play – Learn the Playmaker concept of “Goodification” as a vehicle for adapting and innovating activities to optimize psychosocial development.
Lesson 9: Understanding and Responding Lovingly to the Needs of Children – Better understand the needs underlying children’s challenging behaviors and learn how to use the four domains of play to respond to, reframe, and redirect those behaviors in a more joyful and empowering way.
Lesson 10: Building and Sustaining a Playmaker Wellness Practice – Explore the signs of burnout, gain evidence-based tools to counteract it, and create a customized plan to strengthen your own physical, social, and emotional well-being.

What our students are saying:
"Becoming a Life is Good Playmaker helped me turn a once ordinary classroom into a haven where every child feels seen, heard, and valued." ~ Jen Torpey, Teacher
"After taking this training, my goal went from surviving to thriving. I have never experienced this kind of joy in my teaching career before." ~ Kathleen Karl, Kindergarten Teacher