The Case for Bringing Play Back to School

Global changemakers Renée Dinnerstein and Larry Leaven have a shared commitment to children when it comes to reviving choice time, inquiry, exploration, and play in schools around the world. Their inspiring anecdotes and creative out-of-the-box solutions through this S2E36 Schoolutions conversation, will help listeners immediately put choice time into action.Episode Mentions:Vivian Gussin PaleyDeborah MeierPS 321NAEYSLoris MalaguzziFanny RomanWhy Every Kindergarten and First-Grade School Day Should Begin with Inquiry and Imaginative Play by Olivia WahlS1 E8: Bringing Joy to the Start of Each Day Through Play with Mary Anne CamelDalton School Hong KongSusan Harris MacKayAnjiPlayNancy DuDefending the Early Years OrganizationMaking Your Environment "The Third Teacher" by Margie CarterChoice Time: How to Deepen Learning Through Inquiry and Play, PreK-2 by Renee DinnersteinIs Kindergarten Ready for the Child?  by Renee DinnersteinRenee Dinnerstein’s Revolution Grows in Brooklyn by Susan OchshornThis conversation is on YouTube too!Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Renée Dinnerstein and Larry Leaven2:00 The educators who shaped their careers7:00 Why play is disappearing from classrooms9:30 What choice time actually means12:15 Play vs. playful instruction14:00 Starting the day with play instead of using it as a reward16:50 Why choice time matters more after the pandemic19:00 Choice time work in Hong Kong and China20:40 Play across cultures: Rome, Italy, and beyond24:20 Mixing classrooms to support English language learners27:20 What teachers learn by observing play30:25 Why choice time can't be measured on a spreadsheet33:10 The choice time lab room model36:50 Focusing on a few students each day39:10 Building a choice time culture without full staff buy-in42:25 Final call to actionThank you to Renée Dinnerstein and Heinemann Publishing who are so generous to offer a PROMO CODE (CHOICE) to receive 30% off Renée's book: Choice Time: How to Deepen Learning Through Inquiry and Play, PreK-2https://www.heinemann.com/products/e07765.aspxSchoolutions is the podcast for educators and school leaders, families and homeschoolers, and the coaches, counselors, and mentors who believe every student deserves to thrive. Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child.🌿Ready to grow alongside your children? Book a coaching session with me here. We'll unlock the expert who is already within you and surround you with a community of educators committed to forever getting better through collective expertise.🎵 Music: Benjamin WahlDon't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE the episode!#schoolutions #schoolutionspodcast #forevergettingbetter #curiositydriven #evidencebasedclassroomreadystrategies #ChoiceTime #ChildDirectedPlay #EarlyChildhoodEducation #TeacherTips #InstructionalCoaching #SchoolLeadership #StudentEngagement #ActiveLearning #WholeChild #EquityInEducation #EducationPodcast #Schoolutions #TeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #ParentCommunication #InclusiveClassrooms #TeacherMentors #SchoolCulture #InstructionalLeadership #NewTeachersWhen teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.