Why Play Works Big Changes Start Small

Harness the power of play in building learning environments that help students thrive

In Why Play Works, expert educator and author Jill Vialet shares her insights from a career of promoting play. Designed to support schools, education professionals and parents in promoting play as an essential tool for increasing social connection amongst their students, you'll find out why playing is a behavior that's helped children learn to navigate the demands of social interaction for eons, and how we can keep it central to their school experience even as we return from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this book, you'll discover:

• Why it's important to intentionally integrate play into day-to-day school operations because of its ability to help students learn to manage risks, develop greater self awareness, and build confidence
• Ways of incorporating play into space – both in-person and remote – that contribute to responsive, flexible and sustainable teaching and learning environments
• Real examples of schools leveraging play to promote youth leadership and student agency
• How to incorporate play in co-creating new approaches to education, building off the insight that big changes start small

Perfect for educators, school administrators, parents of school-age children, and anyone who is simply play-curious, Why Play Works is intended to prompt your thinking about all the ways in which play can be a tool for helping to bring out the best in our kids.. The book stands out as a thoughtful, playful and effective guide for supporting the learning and well-being of students everywhere.

JILL VIALET is an accomplished social entrepreneur and author. She is the co-founder of Oakland’s Museum of Children’s Art and Substantial Classrooms, and the founder of Playworks, a national nonprofit committed to bringing out the best in students by leveraging the power of play.

Introduction

Section One: Play, Seriously: The Theory and Science Behind Play

Section Two: Twenty Big Changes That Start with Play

Section Three: We Can Do This

Section Four: Game Guide

Acknowledgments

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.