The Cognitive Play Club
Language, stories, and play that help children build confidence, identity, self-expression, and connection.
Childhood, approached thoughtfully.
Our Approach
Cognitive play is intentional, language-rich play that helps children think, express, connect, and build meaning through everyday interaction.
At The Cognitive Play Club, we create child-centred learning experiences through storytelling, purposeful play, guided reflection, and family literacy while equipping parents with practical, evidence-informed strategies that strengthen communication and support children’s confidence, identity, curiosity, and emotional growth during our sessions and at home.
For children ages 2–7, families, educators, and community organizations.
Purposeful Play
Play is not just passing time. Stories, activities, and conversations are thoughtfully shaped to support how children think, communicate, connect, and grow.
Build Confidence
Children practise trying, choosing, answering, and being seen without being rushed.
Strengthen Communication
Develop Thinking
Create Connection
Stories, questions, and conversation help children find words for what they think, feel, notice, and imagine.
Simple activities support attention, memory, problem-solving, imagination, and flexible thinking.
Shared play gives children and adults meaningful ways to listen, respond, and understand one another.
Founder Note
I'm Austine Mattatall, an educator, children’s author, and learning & communication strategist.
I believe the words children hear, the words they use, and the stories they carry help shape how they see themselves, others, and the world around them.
The Bookshelf
I Am Always Me
Je suis tourjours moi
Pat, the Cat and the Rat
A gentle story that invites children to explore identity, imagination, emotions, and self-worth while embracing the confidence to be themselves.
Une histoire douce qui invite les enfants à explorer leur identité, leur imagination, leurs émotions et leur valeur personnelle, tout en développant la confiance nécessaire pour être pleinement eux-mêmes.
A playful early reader built around simple CVC words, repetition, and an engaging storyline to help beginning readers practise decoding while still enjoying a real story.
Upcoming Gatherings
Learning experiences designed to bring together children, families, educators, and communities through play, conversation, creativity, and shared discovery.
AUGUST 29 - Nâs Social Club
SEPTEMBER 19 - Nâs Social Club
OCTOBER 24 - Nâs Social Club
Move, Think & Play
Talking So Little Minds Can Grow
The Bilingual Brain at Home
A relaxed, hands-on session where children and families explore movement, memory, patterns, building, and playful problem-solving together.
A practical parent workshop on how everyday language, conversation, and role play shape children’s confidence, communication, and thinking.
A reflective session for multilingual families exploring how to support bilingual development, identity, and language confidence at home.
”Austine’s mentorship and speaking gave my teen the confidence to express themselves. We are so grateful for her guidance.”
- Hilda E.
Parent
”As an educator, I’m impressed by how the Cognitive Play Club merges fun and learning. The cognitive games help children engage deeply with language and self-expression.”
- Liam S.
Child Psychologist
”I can't recommend the book 'I Am Always Me' enough! The messages are beautifully crafted, and the exercises at the end make learning a joyful adventure for my kids.”
- Sophia K.
Parent and Educator
”The Cognitive Play Club has been a transformative experience for my child. The storytelling sessions ignite imagination and build real confidence in communication.”
- Aisha M.
Early Childhood Educator
Reflections from Parents and Educators
Let’s Explore What's Possible
The Cognitive Play Club
