developing empathy
Leaders at a Maryland school have made showing empathy for students, parents, and colleagues their focus this year. Check out their extensive plan to accomplish their goal of developing empathy. Read more
The Future of Play
The 2024 Conference on the Value of Play: THE FUTURE OF PLAY will be April 16-18, 2024. The conference will explore play and technology, play across the lifespan, play in libraries, play in the workplace, play in the classroom, and play in relation to universal issues of access, equity, inclusion and more. Read more
The Well-Played Game
The Well-Played Game: A Player’s Philosophy was written by Bernard DeKoven and published in 2013. This updated book was originally published in 1978 and became a classic treatise on how human beings play together.
classic blocks and innovative toys
These classic blocks and innovative toys inspire creativity in every age. Here is a comprehensive list of recommended toys, blocks, and magnetic tiles for budding engineers using carefully considered age recommendations, design, material, toy safety, and value. Read more
cellphones banned in schools
Should cellphones be banned in schools? The benefits of phones being removed as a potential distraction at school are weighed against parents’ fears of not having quick access to their children. Read more
Children learn best
Children learn best through activities that are active rather than passive, engaging instead of distracting, meaningful rather than disconnected from other classroom activities and students’ out-of-school experiences, socially interactive not completely independent, iterative with opportunities to learn through trial and error, and joyful rather than dull.
$10 a day for child care
The idea that parents should pay an average of $10 a day for child care and that public funds should underwrite child care programs is now a cornerstone of a new national child care system rolling out across Canada. Read more
good balance
Are people born with good balance? A physical therapist explains the systems that help keep you on your toes. Read more
nature improves mental health
Spending time in nature has positive effects on both short-term and long-term mental health outcomes and can improve the quality of life. Here are 4 ways nature improves mental health. Read more
Urban Play
An urban area is an area with a high population density. Americans living in urban areas currently number 79 percent of the population. It is projected that by the year 2050 that percentage will rise to 90 percent. This demographic shift often makes urban parks the sole connection to the natural world for an increasing number of children.
