Play is learning: How curiosity helps neurodivergent kids thrive with Angie Casella & Kaycee Larney

What if play was never just a break from learning but the learning itself?

In this deeply insightful episode, Laetitia speaks with Angie and Kaycee, the sister duo behind Curious Me, an award-winning, community-led organisation dedicated to creating inclusive, outdoor play spaces for neurodivergent children.

Together, they explore the power of curiosity-led, unstructured play and why messy, chaotic, and even “non-functional” play is essential for learning, regulation, and connection.

From rough-and-tumble to special interests, this episode busts myths about what play should look like and makes space for what it actually is: a vital, validating part of every child’s development.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, this episode is your permission slip to reimagine play, trust your child’s process, and let go of outdated adult agendas.

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Key takeaways

• Why real play is self-directed, freely chosen and intrinsically motivated
• How neurodivergent children process trauma, emotions, and sensory needs through play
• What “risky play” teaches children about boundaries, safety and resilience
• Why special interest play (like lining cars) is meaningful and doesn’t need to be redirected
• How adults can reflect on their own biases around play, and make space for children to lead

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About the guest

Angie & Kaycee are the co-founders of Curious Me, an award-winning, community-focused organisation all about play. They create spaces where children explore and connect through curiosity-led, outdoor play that celebrates individuality and neurodiversity.

Grounded in children’s rights, playwork, and play advocacy, Curious Me is driven by the belief that play is real and every child belongs. Through their powerful mix of lived experience and educational expertise, Angie and Kaycee are helping adults and children reclaim the joy and purpose of unstructured, inclusive play.

💻 Website: www.curiousme.com.au

📸 Instagram: @_curiousme

📘 Facebook: Curious Me

About the host

Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.

She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.

Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.

Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as real play for neurodivergent children?

Real play is freely chosen, self-directed and intrinsically motivated, following the Playwork Principles. It does not have to look joyful or tidy. Angie says it can be messy, raw or chaotic. Kaycee adds that it can be confronting or even traumatic. It is still real play.

Why do neurodivergent children play out difficult experiences?

Kaycee explains that play often works like therapy for children processing hard experiences. One little girl replayed a birth and baby story for about ten weeks. She was slowly working through a family separation. Many children do not have a psychologist or therapist to help them. Play becomes their way of making sense of what happened.

How much risk should carers allow in play?

Angie weighs two things before stepping in. She asks how likely a child is to get hurt. She also asks how bad the injury would be. Angie accepts a broken bone because it can be fixed. She will not accept catastrophic, life altering injuries such as brain or spinal harm. She helps children check the surface and learn how to land. That way, they learn to manage their own risk.

Is lining up cars or toys a problem?

No. Angie and Kaycee say special interests, like lining up cars, are valid play. A child might be mastering a skill, noticing small differences or creating patterns. Adults have special interests too, like stamps or plates. Angie says those are seen as socially acceptable. A special interest does not need to be redirected. It only needs to change if it is blocking other support the child needs.

How can adults support curiosity led play each day?

Angie suggests pausing before saying no, stop or be careful. Ask if the child is in real danger. Or check if it is just uncomfortable for the adult. Kaycee calls this checking your own adult agenda. She asks whether an activity benefits the adult or the child. Try putting the child at the front of your mind. Do this even for one moment a day.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome and how Curious Me began
• 5:54 Defining play as self-directed
• 8:12 Play as a way to process trauma
• 13:16 Weighing risk in physical play
• 20:02 Special interests as valid play
• 24:55 One shift to support curious play
• 29:42 Their favourite ways to play
• 33:14 A pulse from Zoe