For Your Binder

A push-down curriculum isn’t helping kids to get ahead, it’s simply ignoring the critical role of the foundation. # play # DAP # parenting # pushdown # teaching # learning

Words Matter! In any profession, having shared definitions of industry speak assists in communication and understanding.  # playtherapy # teaching # learning

The ambiguous, variable, and paradoxical nature of the play concept is so widely accepted, that most play theorists consider the search for a universal definition to be pure folly. # play # theorists 

Note: while no date is provided in the article, I originally read it in 2015 if that provides any context.

Spoiler alert - nature based preschool is a positive thing! What we need now are researchers who can test this hypothesis in ways that look beyond test scores! # play # outside # teaching # learning # forestschools # nature

I've included this resource mainly for the image you'll see when you click the link (although it's not an off-base blog post by any means!) I wanted you to see Mitch Resnick's Creative Learning Spiral without (full disclosure: forgive me) all of the MIT tech speak, including descriptions of the technologies he's created, that usually fill the articles that contain the image.  I love this image.  I also believe when children are playing they tap into this cycle of creativity without needing to scratch any crickets.  # play # DAP # creativity

Tension without intention. # teaching # learning # play # technology # resilience # pushdown

At the heart of this zero-sum game are assumptions that rigorous content requires work, while play is frivolous. # teaching # learning # DAP # play

Use this link to hop on over to Community Playthings and sign up for their newsletter and/or to do some investigating on your specific topics of interest. # play # teaching # learning # DAP

In this Not Just Cute blog post, author Amanda Morgan taps into the house metaphor I use in my PLAY book and uses true-to-life language (they were building a home at the time) that invokes both literal and figurative images of the importance of a strong foundation! # play # DAP # teaching # learning # parenting 

This article initially caught my eye because it contains one of my favorite words, but used it in a sentence with a phrase that gave me pause; self control? I used up two pens and a few highlighters keeping track of my reactions and comments to this one. Spoiler alert: verbiage verbiage verbiage! definitions definitions definitions!  It's rather dated, so take some of it with a few extra grains of salt. Also, is Eleanor Duckworth on your radar???   # play # DAP # teaching # learning

These are the notes Lisa took from a lecture sponsored by IPA WORLD. Chris Martin shared highlights from his dissertation topic:  Everyday assemblages, affect and agency: children's intra-actions with smart phones in outdoor play. # playwork # conferencenotes # play # tech # technology # environment # outside

This is the one that started it all! This handout is not only full of art, science & sensory recipes and activity ideas, it's got the words to tell the wolves for you too!  You know, the folks who barge in and want to know what everyone is learning and what standard you are meeting!! # handouts # play # sensory # science # DAP # art # teaching

Need more ideas? Lisa has 3 other activity focused books! 

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