Is Play an Essential Aspect of a Child's Learning Process in School?

OTT: 152: Is Play an Essential Aspect of a Child's Learning Process in School?Today we are talking about play. You see, most educators have a love-hate relationship with the word “play”. We are often told to add more rigor to our lessons. And to be on the same page at the exact same time as our co-workers down the hall. (Oh, how I despise that!)We are also often told that play in school is a bad thing. Not TRUE. There is a real-world value to play. Through play, children have the opportunity to make sense of the world around them. Plus, it is developmentally appropriate. Playing has also been known to bring joy. Who doesn't need more joy in their lives? I know I do.The idea that children learn best through play, is one of the reasons I love Makerspace so much. Makerspace feels like play. Yet, it is so much more involved. Kids are learning, thinking, creating, exploring, and yes, playing. Skills learned through play:Problem-SolvingCreativityImagination BuildingInnovation SkillsSocial and Emotional SkillsPrinciples of Play:Limit restrictionsInvolve studentsBlur the lines between inside and outsideCreate the right environmentSolve real-life problemsAllow children to learn through experimentationUse a variety of materialsAdd waterUse what you already havePLAY!Links Mentioned in the Show:Loose Parts by Carla Gull, Suzanne Levenson Goldstein, and Tricia Rosengarten (affiliate link)Every Classroom Needs a Makerspace: 5 Ideas for Integrating Makerspace Into Your InstructionSubscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!  June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & QuestionsPerfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.Support the showNeed a fully developed STEM Curriculum for 2nd grade with a heavy focus on reading and science? I've got you covered.  👉  2nd Grade STEM Curriculum | NGSS Science Units & Lesson PlansSubscribe and Review:Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!