388 | Why Are These Kids So Happy?: What I Learned About Parenting (and CCPT) from Japan

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy · Apr 14, 2026 · 13m

In this episode, I share some observations from my recent trip to Japan and reflect on what I noticed about children and their parents. What stood out to me most wasn't a specific experience or attraction—it was the consistent presence of calm, content, and genuinely happy children. Over the course of two weeks, I observed something very different from what we often see: children who were regulated, autonomous, and simply enjoying being kids, alongside parents who were calm, neutral, and highly engaged without being reactive.

I process what these observations might mean for us as…