About me.

Welcome!

You may have found me after visiting our community on Instagram or you stumbled on my page by chance, however it happened, I’m happy you’re here.

Motherhood isn’t easy, especially when you’re juggling time with kids and working… it can feel like herding cats. That’s why it was important for me to teach my kids to play independently because let’s face it, being able to do it all is a myth.

When I founded Play. Learn. Thrive., I desired to help parents like you who also wanted their kids to play independently.

During my 10 years of teaching in Connecticut's public school system, I taught several students who struggled with motivation and confidence.  I experienced some similarities with my kids at home, which took me down the rabbit hole of research about the importance of play in early childhood development. 

What I learned changed my view of education and parenting to the core. So I founded Play. Learn. Thrive to teach you what I've learned and to make life a little easier!

Through my courses and resources, I'll show you how to use independent play to encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-reliance.

I'm excited for you to join me on this journey towards happier, more confident kids, one play session at a time.


Parents are made to feel like they always need to be doing more, more, more. But that just leads to total burnout. Parents need collective permission to step back, take a breath, and give their children space to figure things out for themselves. The last thing kids need is more toys, more activities, more crafts, more hovering, more pressure. What they need is calm, confident and happy parents. What they need is to go PLAY.
–Alanna Gallo

Play. Learn. Thrive. strives to help parents avoid burnout by giving them the strategies they need to raise children who are confident and independent.

Our Core Values

Ready to change the way you see play?

01.

Play Space Consultations

Go from overwhelmed and unsure to balanced and confident that you are providing a carefully curated space for children to learn and grow.

02.

Public Speaking

Need someone in the parenting trenches who can chat all things play and child development? I have participated in panel discussions with industry experts and given virtual talks at parenting conferences.

03.

Media Interviews

If you're working on parenting, education, or play-related article and need insight I'm happy to chat. I provide realistic, authentic advice grounded in current research.