Fiona O'Connell is an Advanced Early Years Practitioner and certified Play Therapist with a background in Montessori education. With 14 years of experience running nurseries and playgroups, she specializes in the cognitive benefits of messy play and sensory integration. She advocates for low-cost, high-impact home learning environments.
Fiona O'Connell is a passionate Early Years Specialist and Play Therapist who believes that play is the highest form of research for children. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Studies and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy, grounding her practical advice in academic theory. Fiona spent the first decade of her career managing outstanding-rated nurseries in London, where she developed a specific interest in sensory processing issues and the 'schematic' play patterns of toddlers. She is an expert in creating sensory-rich environments on a budget, teaching parents how to use household items to boost neural connections through tactile experiences. Fiona challenges the over-commercialization of childhood, advocating for 'loose parts' play over expensive battery-operated toys. Her writing often addresses the balance between safety and 'risky play,' helping parents understand why climbing and jumping are essential for proprioceptive development. She also conducts workshops on separating behavior from emotion during toddler tantrums and uses puppets and storytelling as therapeutic tools for emotional literacy.