What does it really mean for a toy to be safe—and how can we balance protecting our kids with letting them take healthy risks? 🎠
In this episode, Dr. Sara Mursic, founder of Toy Scope, introduces her powerful framework for Safe Play, Brave Play, and Dangerous Play.
We explore how parents can:
Spot hidden hazards in toys and play spaces
Support kids’ confidence, resilience, and problem-solving through brave play
Adapt safety for neurodivergent children or different developmental stages
Recognize common risks like magnets, button batteries, and toy clutter
f you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this conversation will give you tools to make confident, informed playtime decisions—without stifling your child’s growth and curiosity.
#ToySafety #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment #BravePlay #SafePlay #ParentingPodcast #Parenting
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro & What “Toy Safety” Really Means
2:12 How Sara Got Into Toy Safety
6:38 Safe Play vs Brave Play vs Dangerous Play
11:07 Deciding When to Step In vs Letting Kids Explore
15:42 The Benefits of Brave/Risky Play
21:18 Are We Too Safety-Obsessed?
27:01 How Trauma Shapes Perception of Safety
31:26 Hidden Toy Hazards Parents Overlook
37:58 How Too Many Toys Can Create Safety Issues
40:44 Introducing Brave Play to Children
46:10 Understanding Age Recommendations vs Warning
49:20 Adapting Safety for Neurodivergent Children
51:02 Mouthing Behaviors Beyond Age 3
52:10 Final Takeaway
About Sara:
Dr Sara Muršić is the founder of ToyScope. Her background is in special education, and she holds a PhD in Education. She is also a certified Parent-Child Attachment Play (PCAP) practitioner. Specializing in toy safety frameworks for children and young people, Sara challenges traditional approaches through her signature methodology that distinguishesbetween safe play, brave play, and dangerous play. She is currently developing the first comprehensive support toolkit for families navigating mouthing behaviors beyond the age of three through an innovative project funded by the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards. Based in Liverpool, England, Dr. Sara Muršić delivers training to schools, therapeuticprofessionals, and families across the UK, translating academic research into practical solutions for real-world settings.About Annamarie von Firley:After 20 years of owning & running her own fashion house, reVamp, Annamarie von Firley returned to her toy design roots. With a BA in Wooden Toy Design & Construction & a BFA in Furniture Design, she took her knowledge of child development & expertise in play to found Adventuretown Toy Emporium in 2016. In the Summer of 2020, it became apparent to her that pandemic lockdowns were going to have a profound effect on the development of babies born after 2018. About Fledglings' Flight:We understand that every child is unique & deserves the best opportunities for growth & learning. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of play-based exercises specifically designed for children from birth to 3 years of age. These exercises are carefully curated to stimulate their cognitive, motor, & social-emotional development.With our user-friendly app, parents & caregivers have access to a library of engaging exercises that change monthly. You can customize your daily routine by selecting exercises that align with your child's developmental needs. As a Basic Member, you can track your child's milestones & receive insights into their progress. For even more personalized guidance, our Premium Members gain access to a developmental profile.Follow us:Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com/ App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fledglingsflight/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Fledglings.FlightFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FledglingsFlight/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fledglings-flight/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fledglingsflight/Music: Purple Planet Music
