For Your Binder

Make two mud pies and call me in the morning! #mud #play #dirt #outside #nature 

Even juries get recess!!!!!  #recess #movement #play #DAP #outside #teaching #learning

Most of this essay is about defining the characteristics of play, but before listing them, author Peter Gray offers three general points that are worth keeping in mind.  #play #teaching #learning 

A short article with 10 different ways to build a child's fine and small motor skills! #DAP #play #movement #writing #teaching #learning 

Present company excluded, it is often a surprise that characteristics such as persistence, self control and curiosity are more important than sheer brainpower when it comes to being "successful"  #play #resilience #DAP #teaching #learning 

Disclosure, depending on how often you access articles from the NYT, you might need to sign up for a subscription.

When we think we meet children who “don’t know how to play”, is our assessment accurate?  Is play a skill or an instinct?  Or both? #play #playwork #teaching #learning

I happened upon this article while reading a newsletter that covers the happenings of the toy industry. The part that caught my eye was this: research found children talked more about others’ thoughts and emotions, a concept known as internal state language (ISL), when playing with dolls than while playing tablet games.  I mean we know this, right?!?  But I just love love love when someone does the math to prove it.  Access the full study here.   More fuel for our #play fire!  #toys #learning #DAP #screens #technology

The purpose of the paper is to explore the current state of recess, identify best recess practices and disseminate effective ways to advocate for recess. #recess #play #outside #movement #teaching

While I have moved beyond creating prop boxes, this article, while a little dated, provides a nice reminder as to the importance of dramatic play and, should the children instigate an exploration of some of the themes that are presented, might serve as a starting spot for some additional materials that might add to the exploration and play. #play #teaching #learning #DAP

The findings consistently show that the foundation is what supports the house!  Want a huge academic mansion? Then make the foundation rock solid!  This is the handout that goes with the workshop that goes with the book of the same title! #play #DAP #pushdown #teaching #handouts

Missed the workshop? Want to watch it again? Got a DVD player? Lisa has DVDs of all her workshops! #oldschool  

This pilot study of the Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM) provides a method to record the process of play as outlined by Sturrock and Else (1998) in the aforementioned Colorado Paper.  #play #playwork

Hmmmmm can we still trust those bears and dolls? #toys #play #technology