From Play to Practice: Connecting Teachers' Play to Children's Learning

Children and Teachers Learn From Play

How can teachers deepen their understanding of the importance of play? How can they develop the ability to skillfully and intentionally guide children's learning through play? When teachers engage in creative, open-ended play experiences, they learn firsthand the power of play. They also become more knowledgeable about the purposeful use of materials and intentional teaching strategies they can use to help children engage in open-ended play.

From Play to Practice describes how and why play is important. The play workshop experiences for educators that are outlined in the book help teachers understand and promote play-based learning as part of developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Journal reflections of play participants, along with photos from play workshops, illustrate the power of play to change professional and personal lives.

As described by Elizabeth Jones in the foreword, "This book offers a challenge to rediscover play with stuff, and to build one's understanding of children's learning through reflection on one's own play experience."

Marcia L. Nell, PhD, is an assistant professor at Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate early childhood education courses and supervises student teachers. Marcia taught in public schools for 25 years. Her research interests include play and creativity across the life cycle, with an emphasis on the benefits of using self-active play with older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease. She also conducts research on the benefits of the Professional Development School model for teacher training, increasing parent involvement in education, and other aspects of teacher preparation programs.

Walter F. Drew, EdD, was born and raised in New York City. He earned a bachelor of arts in education from the University of Florida and a doctorate in elementary education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He serves as a facilitator with the NAEYC Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum. He is also the creator of Dr. Drew's Discovery Blocks.

Deborah E. Bush is a professional writer and editor who has been on the board of the Institute for Self Active Education since 2004. She is an advocate for fostering self-active play, especially for children, who have so much to gain from it.