Dr Amanda Gummer

Dr Amanda Gummer is a highly respected mental health and wellbeing speaker, celebrated for her pioneering work in child development, play, and parenting. As the Founder of FUNdamentally Children and Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, she has spent over 20 years advocating for the developmental benefits of play and the importance of positive parenting. With a PhD in Psychology from the University of Sheffield and early academic experience as an Associate Lecturer with the Open University, Amanda has consistently positioned herself at the forefront of child psychology, shaping the way parents, educators, and policymakers support young minds.

Amanda’s influence extends beyond academia and into national policy and commercial sectors. She has contributed to parliamentary discussions on child development and holds membership with respected organisations including the British Psychological Society, Play England, and The International Toy Research Association. Her brainchild, the Good Toy Guide, merged with FUNdamentals to form FUNdamentally Children in 2014—a trusted resource that helps parents, carers and professionals navigate the complex world of child development through evidence-based insights and play-focused advice.

A bestselling author of “Play: Fun Ways To Help Your Children Develop In The First Five Years”, Amanda has also developed the Parent-Centred Parenting model and served as a Non-Executive Director at Families in Focus CIC. Her expertise is regularly sought by major global brands, including McDonald’s, PepsiCo and Danone, and her media presence spans over 4 billion in reach, with features in the BBC, Sky News, The Guardian, and The Sunday Times. Amanda’s influence is not only national but global—she has delivered talks at the EU Parliament and the ITRA World Congress, solidifying her status as an international authority on child wellbeing.

Whether she’s addressing the science of play or advocating for parent-led approaches to mental wellbeing, Amanda brings clarity, compassion, and real-world insight to every event. Her dynamic talks equip audiences with practical tools to enhance children’s mental health and development through everyday interactions. To benefit from her expertise and experience, hire Dr Amanda Gummer via The Mental Health Speakers Agency.