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Everybody Gets to Play
Any game or activity initiated by students or teachers must include all who wish to participate. “Everyone Gets To Play” is a simple idea, but can be challenging for students to practice, and teachers often have to help find creative solutions. With help, most students are willing to include others when they see...
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The Power of Play
There’s a lot of talk lately about how much we learn through play. Research is showing the impact that free playtime (or the lack thereof) has on our kids, how they think and solve problems, and how they relate in community. Lately I’ve been interested in exploring how to integrate play into my curriculum...
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Evenmindedness and Play
Helen Gorman is the kindergarten/preschool teacher here at Living Wisdom School in Portland. She is one of the founding teachers of the school and uses a wealth of activities with her students that integrate mind, body and heart. One of her activities that teaches children even-mindedness and non-attachment is the sandtray activity. There are small trays that hold sand that students can work with, creating little towns and villages; little adventures. When the play is done, it all goes away, the sandtray is cleared and the world they created starts anew. This happens often at recess, too, where play is elaborate and creative. Students of all ages will spend 20…
