Play and Grow
Whole-Child program based on play-therapy for children under 12
At Dolphin Tribe, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. That’s why we created 'Play and Grow' —a play-based therapy program designed especially for children aged 4–12.
Rooted in neurodiversity-informed practices, this whole-child approach gently supports children who may be experiencing challenges with emotional expression, social interactions, or self-regulation.
Developed by Ms. Aiping Ong, who brings over 20 years of experience in Education and Developmental Psychology, Play and Grow combines professional expertise with the joy of play to help children build confidence, resilience, and stronger relationships.
Ms Ong has more than 20 years of experience working with children, providing therapy for children under 12 and administering educational and other assessments.
Why Families Choose Play and Grow?
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Does your child struggle with expressing their experiences in words?
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Does your child get into repeated relationship issues?
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Do they find it hard to name their feelings?
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Are they unable to accept another's point of view (empathy)?
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Do they have difficulty organising their language to describe their own experiences?
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Do they experience strong negative feelings and struggle to regulate them?
These challenges may indicate a need for emotional literacy, impulse control, social skills, conflict management, and the ability to organise experiences into words.
Play and Grow program can help - it builds emotional literacy, social skills, self-control, and empathy—all essential foundations for wellbeing and success in life.
Program Foundations
Our sessions are carefully designed to engage both intellect and emotion, blending gentle structure with creative exploration.
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Non-directive/Directive Play and Art Therapy: Supports academic, emotional, and social competence by engaging both intellect and emotion.
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Methods: Sand tray therapy, art and play therapy, CBT, visual strategies, and social skills training
Every child is unique. We tailor our approach to meet their individual needs, while also offering parent feedback and guidance to support progress at home.
Why Emotional Growth Matters
Research shows that children with strong emotional and social intelligence are more likely to succeed academically, form healthy friendships, and adapt to challenges.
As Daniel Goleman (author on Emotional Intelligence) highlighted, these skills include:
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Recognising and understanding feelings
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Managing impulses and frustrations
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Adapting to new situations
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Handling conflict with empathy and respect
At Play and Grow, we help children transform inner experiences into words, actions, and skills that set them up for lifelong growth.
What to expect in Engaging Sessions?
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Who it’s for: Children aged 4–12 experiencing challenges with emotions, behaviour, or social interactions.
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Session style: A delightful mix of one-on-one child therapy and parent support sessions.
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The outcome: A more confident, expressive, and resilient child—and a family better equipped to support them.
Contact us
Please email reception@dolphintribe.com.au to get your child enrolled in the programme. Alternatively, request an appointment.