sports practice
A radical experiment that could have backfired, didn't! Kids with more time for unstructured play and less for drills at sports practice ended up better players all around. Read more
pandemic middle schoolers
Middle school minds are figuring out who they are in the midst of global turmoil. Will pandemic middle schoolers be affected for the rest of their lives? Read more
bright pink playground
Chicago has turned 12 vacant lots into vibrant community space. The bright pink playground is Chicago’s latest attraction. Read more
informal vs formal education
John Dewey wrote about informal vs formal education 100 years ago. And for Dewey, play was this very powerful form of informal education. Read more
Convention on the Rights of the Child
A United Nations legally binding treaty, the Convention on the Rights of the Child incorporates respect for all children's needs. Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child gives the child the right to play.
learn science concepts
Nature play helps children learn science concepts long before they get to school classrooms or labs. Read more
importance of free play
A fourth-grade teacher who attended the US Play Coalition conference began to understand play as seriously powerful in transforming a child. His after-school Play Club convinced him of the importance of free play. Read more
finding nature in the city
The outdoors are all around you, no matter where you live. Here are suggestions for finding nature in the city. Read more
Toys & Games Report U.S.
The Toys & Games Report U.S. explores attitudes, behaviors, and consumption preferences for kids ages 3-5, 6-9. and 10-12 while highlighting trends and changes. It shows a strong trend towards the popularity of traditional and well-known toys. Read more
letting students lead
After-school clubs encourage problem solving by letting students lead. Using their interests as a guide, elementary students can simultaneously acquire knowledge and serve the school community. Read more
