Lisa Murphy on Play: The Foundation of Children's Learning

by Lisa Murphy

Discover why playing is school readiness with this updated guide. Timely research and new stories highlight how play is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of children. Learn the seven meaningful experiences we should provide children with every day and why they are so important.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Education, Professional Development

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2016

About the author

Lisa Murphy, M.Ed., Early Childhood Specialist, Founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc.

Lisa Murphy has been involved with early childhood education for over 20 years; teaching and working with children in various environments including Head Start, kindergarten, private preschools, family childcare, park and rec centers, group homes and many child care centers.

Lisa is the founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc. where her mission is to assist in the transformation of the industry of early childhood education by offering 1) the best workshops and trainings; 2) the most up to date materials and resources; and 3) insightful conversations and connections through the power of social media. Lisa presents hundreds of workshops each year to both domestic and international audiences on various topics related to early childhood education.

Lisa has an M.Ed. in early childhood education from Champlain College in Vermont. She has authored four books, produced dozens of teacher training DVD’s and is a popular keynote speaker at educational conferences. Lisa’s standing room only seminars have become nationally known for their information, humor, inspiration and energetic delivery. Frequently asked if she has ever been a stand up comic, Lisa practices what she preaches by blending the learning with the laughing.

Lisa collaborates with Jeff Johnson from Explorations Early Learning on various projects related to early childhood education, including hosting an annual UNConference and producing The Child Care Bar And Grill podcast – which releases two episodes a week to listeners around the globe. Lisa has become known for her ability to link hands-on activities to educational standards, her outspoken advocacy, and her commitment to creating child-centered, play-based early childhood environments. Her understanding of the importance of play is obvious in her personal and professional life.

Reviews

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Murphy is one of the key players in early childhood education, and it's easy to see why. I was fortunate enough to see a seminar of hers at NAEYC this year, and this book and her philosophy on the importance of play has definitely given me some clear objectives in my job as a preschool teacher. This book was fascinating and inspired me to do all I can to make sure my kids are getting many opportunities to do the Seven Things each day: create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, and PLAY!

[Teri Pardue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t been able to run my play-based preschool this past year, due to the pandemic and our country’s restrictions. I have grieved that, but I also managed to throw myself into other pursuits (finishing my masters and helping my own 4 kids navigate online learning to name a few!)

That said, reading Lisa Murphy’s book on how play is the foundation of children’s learning was like coming up for fresh air that I didn’t even know I needed! It reminded me of why I love what I do and why I am passionate about educating others on the value of play.

It’s an excellent, easy read with helpful resources, practical advice, and stories about children that remind me of all my own wonderful stories.

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t give it a five-star rating due to two huge disappointments.
(1) Murphy often used all-caps to make her point or conversational speech that took away from the power of what she was saying. It made the book feel unprofessional - at times like some random teacher’s soapbox. I know for a fact that Murphy is anything but a “random teacher”. She is highly qualified by both her experience and her education to speak to early childhood development and education. Sometimes I feel like books written for early child professionals are written this way because - ‘hey, we work with children and know how to have fun’. But it detracts from the value of what is being presented and perpetuates the myth that early childhood educators aren’t *true* teachers. The cutesy font on the cover? Even my elementary-aged child said to me, “that’s silly on a book for grownups”. Honestly, I agree with her and it makes me hesitant to use this when I teach college students or work with parents.
(2) The swearing! What a disappointment! This comes back to many of the things I said in my first point on professionalism, but I it felt warranted its own point. It’s not that Murphy is constantly swearing, but there are enough uses of the word damn and the like to make me unwilling to use this when presenting material to my college students or sharing resources with parents. And you couple that with the all-caps and too many exclamation marks, and it just gave the book more of a beach-read feel (which is what I did) then a meaningful resource. Maybe that is Murphy’s goal. But she has a lot of insight and I hate to see her not get the credit and respect she’s due. And I want so badly for the field to be seen as professional and invaluable.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a class I’m taking to renew my teaching license. Fantastic book for everyone with young children to read (not just teachers). It gives so much evidence for play instead of highly academic school programs and has lit a bit of a fire in me as I’m beginning the search for schooling for my little guy. Seriously, please read it and let’s bring back childhood.

[Renee]

Pros: I'm finally getting credits toward my masters, this book was informative and easy to read, and I got a lot of good lesson plan ideas.

Cons: This has interrupted my ToG series read this summer.

[Sierra Lirette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas but felt preachy from the author.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really did. But the first third of it is basically a memoir. Then she goes on a rant about adhd medication. Then she says that a child who is not talking at 4 has nothing wrong with them and doesn’t need extra support (but then describes an early intervention she does with one such student). It just got to feeling really ableist.

[Lisa Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year I struggle with my decision to teach primarily through play in my state administered VPK classroom. It feels like there are too many standards to meet in the too few hours of my half-day class. The result is usually me teetering back and forth between too much control and direction, and reacting with too little "teaching" because too much control doesn't feel right.

This book helped me find more balance in the way I run my class. Lisa Murphy presents seven elements of play that early childhood education should include every day. As I have sought to change my approach to include more of these things, I have discovered greater freedom to allow my kids to learn at their own pace, with their own strengths, following their own rhythm. And here I am, halfway through another school year with a group of children who were struggling a little more at the beginning of the year (compared to previous year's groups) and THEY ARE FLOURISHING! Again I discover that singing, reading, discussing, and all the other elements REALLY DO WORK! (What? You thought I would give you all of them? You NEED to read this book!)

Not only are the principles of the book sound and supported by tons of research, but Lisa Murphy's writing is, like her in-person presentations, fun, well-communicated, and full of tangible examples. I walked away from this book insisting that it should be mandatory reading for anyone teaching young children. Books abound on how to run a (boring) classroom, but I will take this book over any of them! It was well worth the investment, and has definitely made me a better teacher.

[Janet French · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe it has an overall good message. I truly do believe in play based learning however I did have some issues with some of her points. For example, she spoke about a phone call she had where the person on the receiving end asked her what she did to teach the students how to read, she explained what she did in the book but not to the person on the phone. She simply said, “we played.” When in fact she wrote words down for them that they wanted to learn. She could have said that to the person in the phone but she was being vague. I do understand her point is reading is apart of play, but it just seemed unnecessary to not explain exactly what she meant.

Another issue I came across was when she told the readers to not ask children questions you know the answer to. She used an example when she asked a preschooler what colors they were using the kid said “Miss Lisa doesn’t know her colors!” So? You know more than the children of course you are going to know your colors. The point is to see what they know instead of just telling them their colors you have to see if they can remember. Now I wouldn’t ask a preschooler what color is that? I’d assume they’d know, I work mostly with 1 year olds right now and they don’t know their colors. It would be appropriate to ask that age (assuming they can speak a little) what color is that? Alternatively, it’s better to ask questions to engage them within their learning. So I don’t completely agree with her point.

Overall, it was a nice reminder to keep doing what I’m doing and to make sure I’m paying attention to DAP and the seven things with my students but also with myself. This book was a great step towards the right direction. It makes me want to learn more about play based learning and development. Even though I have a degree and I am a teacher, it is important to always learn more and to be able to share what I learned with parents.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Murphy brings the power of play to life in her book. This book is a must-read for everyone in early childhood education. She shows how important play truly is for children and how much it encourages their development. Some of her ideas were extreme, such as just letting the children roam the house freely, but I did feel like her core concepts where excellent. I loved seeing her view on play and how much it affected her in her own development. This book opened my eyes to the power of play. Play is the foundation of every child's academic success. Playing for children is something that is developmentally critical yet can often get overlooked.

[Collette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach preschool and had this recommended by several fellow teachers around the country. I am SO GLAD I finally bought it. My copy is now full of underlined passages, stars next to very important point, and notes to myself. As an early childhood educator this reaffirmed all my beliefs about play being critically important in the early years. In the book the author goes over the ways in which play is the foundation upon which education is built, ways to include developmentally appropriate practices, and suggestions in seven areas in which play can be had. I’d highly recommend to anyone who spends time around young children: both parents and teachers alike. Loved this!

[Stefani Ilkic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I didn't read this book earlier. It is so in-line with my philosophies, ideals, and everyday practices...well, I practically could have written it!
Absolutely a terrific book for any person in childcare to read - it lays out why play is so necessary for children! If you aren't on board with play as curriculum, or if you are struggling to put play into practice, this is for you especially!!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the most appropriate of ways- in between moments of helping my daughter climb the poles of the park's swingset, catching (and releasing) cicadas, singing BINGO and the Fifty Nifty United States song. I believe in the benefits of unstructured playful summer afternoons. This book puts out in clear and friendly language things most of us know deep down but sone of us have forgotten in our adultness.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a nice read. As a preschool teacher, i feel deep down inside that i don't like traditional and really strict environment. Reading and learning that there are ways/ideas like this gives me encouragement and inspiration to find out more. Although i know that it will be hard to "unlearn" all my past experiences in education, at least now i have hope that there's a possibility for my teaching narrative to change.

[Meredith Rhein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for anyone working in education! I just started working in a play-based facility recently, and this was such an excellent introduction and reminder into the world of play through the child’s eyes. We read this for a parent-educator book club and had the BEST discussion with some of the parents of children we work with into our own childhood expirience a on play and how we reflect those as adults today. I couldn’t recommend it enough!!

[Amber Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book for free in a garage sale and wasn’t expecting much from it, however it really reaffirmed a lot of ideas I had intuitively about preschool learning. I really enjoy the authors view about how, as a society, we’re trying to build foundations for school before social/emotional development have been solidified. If we don’t want a bunch of grown ups who don’t know how to problem solve or negotiate or regulate, just let them play when they’re kids.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Children should play! Play is learning and learning is play. Read it for a humorous and intelligent look at why this is true and how you can make it happen in the lives of children you work and play with. :)

[Candice Cleniuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed part one, there was lots to think about and consider. Part two, however, was mostly just confirming what any Early Childhood Educator already knows. I'm glad I read it and can see why so many love the changes that Lisa Murphy is making in the field of Early Childhood Education.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonderful book for pre-school teachers, kindergarten teachers, parents, those considering where to send their toddler, the person who is opening a daycare and myself a retired school nurse and now grandmother volunteering at her grandsons preschool

[Ann Knuttila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a huge believer in learn through play. This book is more for educators, but I still took away some great ideas for how to engage my boys in play and why it's important.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - Lisa Murphy is right on and should be in charge of the early literacy education in the is country!! Really.

[Amy Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read to remind educators and parents on the importance of play in children’s development and learning.

[Mills College Library]

155.418 M9786 2016

[Tara Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really accessible. Should be required reading for those in early childhood education settings, but a great read for parents, also!

[Angy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for everyone! Whether you are a parent, preschool or elementary teacher, homeschool parent... there is something for everyone and it’s a very engaging read!

[Martha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for every early years educator.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit of the research behind the importance of play and a whole lotta great ideas.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!
I read the first edition of this book years ago, but loved reading this second edition. It has reinvigorated my teaching. Thank you Lisa Murphy

[Rana Nessim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book. It’s one I will refer back to often. Essential reading for any early years educator (and parents of young children).

[Cadence Messenger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great for at home daycare. Not necessarily the best for a district preschool.

[Rachel Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any educator and parent.