What is purposeful play? It is serious business. Play is not something to be done after the work is over; children show us time and again that play is the way they work.
Purposeful Play: A Teacher's Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day is the newest book from authors Kristi Mraz, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler. "We believe there is play in work and work in play," write the three coauthors. "It helps to have practical ways to carry that mindset into all aspects of curriculum."
What better way than play? In play, kids are thinking abstractly and metaphorically. They're negotiating, working together, and are totally and completely engaged. In this video, coauthors Kristi and Cheryl argue that rigor cannot be divorced from play, and that when kids are playing, they are doing so with rigor.
Purposeful Play: A Teacher's Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day is out now. Click here to learn more.
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Related Reading
Rebecca Bellingham and Veronica Scott's The Artful Approach to Exploring Identity and Fostering Belonging is now available! Watch the authors introduce their book and discuss how to keep students, teachers, and community members engaged and create a place for belonging.
The following is an adapted excerpt from Marilyn Pryle’s 5 Questions for Any Text.