July 17, 2021 Linda Markley

Let’s Play!

Spirit of teaching

Once we have our curiosity going, play usually follows.

The word “play” comes from the Old English pleg(i)an ‘to exercise’, and is related to Middle Dutch pleien ‘leap for joy, dance’.

Play is essential and a critical part in the learning process, 

but it is so absent in the classroom today. Why is that?

What is especially ironic is that when students are doing what seems to be endless “exercises” in a book in order to supposedly learn something, it does not feel like or resemble what we typically think of when we think of play.

Many of the activities in school are just exercises after exercises of filling in the blanks, copying definitions, taking “notes” and doing workbook activities. They are prescriptive and meaningless, but the fastest and easiest way to deliver content, right?

It is a little like the concept of exercising and doing repetitive movements and reps in order to get in shape. The approach is kind of aligned with a mentality of “Keep working that muscle for it to get stronger. No pain, no gain.”

Standardized testing, prescriptive lesson plans, rote memorization, mindless repetition, one-size-fits-all, no real world connection or meaning…UGH…STOP!!!

Play usually involves some sort of movement, risk-taking, curiosity, imagination, pretending, make-believe, imitating, creating, role playing and being totally in the present moment. 

I have taught every age group from 0-90 years old, and a big part of my teaching was always play, no matter the age group.

I tried to tap into the curiosity of every child (or child within us all) and create what I referred to as “Disney Magic Learning Ride”. Not a scary roller coaster ride but rather that warm, “home” feeling and wonder that Walt Disney envisioned for all visitors to his theme parks.

After all, it is known as the “WONDER-ful” World of Disney!

It is really not hard to create play and a sense of wonder in the classroom.  Let’s play around with this idea.

It is really interesting how many expressions there are that use the word “play”.

Here are a few:

to play around, to play out, to play up, to play down, to play along, to play fair, to play it safe, to play favorites, to play for keeps, to come into play, and to make a play on words…

Whew, that’s a lot of playing around with the word “play”. 

And we must not forget, Mr. Shakespeare, that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players”.

Learning is not linear. It is not rote, memorized, a set path or the same for any one person. 

As we do wonder, we do wander. It is a form of “exercise” in that same way that any exercise (or dance) is. A little to the left, a little to the right, backwards and forwards.

Activities, lessons and learning that allow this type of exercise of one’s mind are playful and powerful. 

 

Here are some ways that I brought play into my classroom:

*learning centers/stations with hands on games, toys, manipulatives

*projects that allowed for creativity, flexibility, individuality, diversity

*paired and group activities and interactions that allowed for freedom of expression

*activities that challenged and encouraged students to think outside of the box and tap into their gifts and unique talents

*multiple pathways and permission to learn and express what they had learned

 

How do you bring play into your life and into the classroom? Be intentional about it.

As summer break comes to an end, and we are about to embark on another school year, please try to remember the important role play has in learning, growing and enjoying our experiences in life.

I hope you played all summer, and that your teaching spirit is renewed and ready for the next great playful learning adventure!

 

Inspirational songs:

Ultimate Disney PLAYlist!

Photo credit:

“play is good” by woodleywonderworks is licensed under CC BY 2.0