Chalte Chalte With Ms.Vidya Subramaniyan
(Play Practitioner certified by the National Association for Play Therapy India by Lucy Bowen ; Oral Placement Therapy - Level 1 certified by Talk Tools; Sand Tray Therapy; Tained in RPM level 1, Double Doodle and Music-Movement)
There are some people who come into your life and leave a lasting impression—not through grand gestures, but through their kindness, wisdom, and quiet dedication. Vidya has been one of those people for me. Over the years, she has been a friend, a guide, and someone I've learnt a great deal from.
As a Certified Play Practitioner and the mother of Dakshin, Vidya brings together professional expertise and lived experience in a way that is both practical and deeply compassionate. Every conversation with her leaves me with a new perspective on play, learning, and connection.
When I began thinking about the first guest for Chalte Chalte, there was really no question in my mind. I wanted to start with someone I admire, someone whose work has touched many families, and someone I knew would have valuable insights to share.
In this conversation, Vidya talks about the power of play, the lessons she's learnt through Dakshin, and the small shifts that can make a big difference in how we connect with our children. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting these questions to her.
1.Dhakshin is now 23 years old. Looking back, how has your journey as his mother shaped the person and professional you are today?
My greatest teacher has been my journey as a parent raising Dakshin. When Dhakshin was younger, like many parents, I focused on teaching skills. Over time, I realized that before children can learn, they need to feel safe, regulated, connected, and understood. That changed everything—not just my parenting but also my work as a Play Practitioner. Today, I don't see play as a reward after learning. I see play as the pathway to learning. Dakshin has taught me patience, acceptance, and the importance of celebrating small steps. Those lessons guide every family I work with.
2. Is play only for young children, or does it continue to have an important role during adolescence and adulthood?
We often think that as we grow older we outgrow of play but play never stops being important. It simply changes its form. Teenagers and adults may not play with a Toy kitchens or dolls, but they enjoy board games, puzzles, music, art, movement, sports, Lego, Jenga, Cards, cooking, gardening, or even humor and shared fun conversations. For autistic adolescents and adults especially, play continues to support emotional regulation, flexible thinking, communication, confidence, and relationships. The brain needs to experience joy too.
My son is 23, and play is still part of our daily life. Play is important for Young Adults as it acts as a means to socialize. It creates opportunities for young boys and girls to interact in a social gathering.
3. Many families feel they need expensive toys or elaborate activities. Can meaningful play happen using everyday objects at home?
Absolutely! Children don't need expensive toys—they need engaged people.
Some of my favorite play materials are balloons, cardboard boxes, kitchen containers, paper cups, scarves, spoons, cushions, newspapers, and homemade playdough, daals and grains.
A balloon can become a volleyball, a breathing game, or a turn-taking activity. A cardboard box can become a car, a house, or a sensory hideout. The magic isn't in the toy—it's in the interaction.
4. Board games are becoming increasingly popular. How can families use board games?
Board games naturally teach many life skills without making children feel like therapy. Children practice waiting, taking turns, coping with winning and losing, planning ahead, following rules, logical reasoning, communicating, and solving problems.
For beginners, I often recommend games like Tambola /Housie, Snakes and Ladders, Ludo or simple matching games. Choose games that match the child's current abilities, and remember—the goal is to build connection to help children interact and socialize.
5. Pretend play can sometimes feel difficult for autistic children. How can parents gently introduce it?
Many autistic children find abstract imagination challenging, so we don't begin with elaborate stories. Instead, we start with what the child already enjoys. If they love cars, perhaps the car wash or car parking in a parking lot concept can be introduced. If they like food, we pretend to make sandwiches or pizza or cup cakes or chat together.Serving food can also be played. If they enjoy animals, we feed them or build them a home or we can play animal rescue.
Keep it short, simple, and enjoyable. Follow the child's interests rather than expecting them to follow yours. Even tiny moments of imagination are meaningful.
6. Parents often say, 'My child doesn't know how to play.' Where would you suggest they begin?
I would first tell parents not to panic. Start by observing your child. What captures their attention? Water? Music? Movement? Spinning? Building? Drawing? Join them in what they already enjoy instead of immediately trying to change it. Build connection first. Once the child enjoys playing with you, new ideas can slowly be introduced. Play grows through relationships.
7. Can play itself become a meaningful way of teaching communication, thinking, and problem-solving? How can parents naturally integrate it into approaches like RPM?
Absolutely. In fact, play creates the motivation that makes learning meaningful.
During play, children naturally communicate, make choices, solve problems, predict outcomes, wait, negotiate, and think flexibly. For families using RPM, play can be integrated with letterboard and children can be given choices. Letterboard can be used for children to decide their next move for the play. RPM opens the avenue for children to share their joy with parents and a Play activity or concept can be intertwined with ease. Play time and lesson plans around it, can be worked upon at the same time.
A Quick Peek into Vidya's World
One word that describes Dakshin?
Resilient.
One game every family should try together?
Jenga.
Indoor play or outdoor play?
Both!
One toy you think is underrated?
A balloon. Inexpensive, accessible to all, and a wonderful tool for play.
A game that never gets old?
Hide and Seek.
Complete the sentence: If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be...
Slow down. Your child doesn't need a perfect mother; he needs a connected one."
Complete the sentence: Dakshin has taught me that..."Every child has the potential to grow when we stop trying to change who they are and start connecting with who they already are.
Chalte Chalte... one thought you'd like our readers to carry with them?
Play is not just something children do—it is how relationships grow, confidence develops, and learning comes alive. Whether your child is 3, 13, or 23, it's never too late to sit beside them, enter their world, and simply play.
Watch our conversation here-
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