The Playful Classroom: The Power of Play for All Ages

by Julie P. Jones, Jed Dearybury

Shows teachers how and why they should bring play into the classroom to make learning meaningful, relevant, and fun. Research studies show that all students―young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural―benefit immensely from classrooms filled with art, creativity, and laughter. Fun, playfulness, creative thinking, and individual expression reinforce positive experiences, which in turn lead to more engaged students, better classroom environments, and successful learning outcomes. Designed for K-12 educators, The Playful Classroom describes how teachers can develop a playful mindset for giving students meaningful, relevant and fun learning experiences. This unique real-world guide provides you with everything you need to incorporate engaging, hands-on lessons and creative activities, regardless of the level and subject you teach.  Building on contemporary and seminal works on learning theory and play pedagogy, the authors explain how to inspire your students by bringing play. into your classroom. This clear, user-friendly guide supplies practical strategies and effective solutions for adding the missing ingredients to your classroom culture. Access to the authors’ companion website provides videos, learning experiences, and downloadable teaching and learning resources. Packed with relatable humor, proven methods, and valuable insights, this book enables you The Playful  The Power of Play for All Ages is a must-have resource for K-12 educators, higher education professionals, and readers looking for education-based professional development and training resources.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Read For School, School, Parenting, Professional Development

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2020

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it. Therefore, I love it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this book is written by two experienced educators from South Carolina, and they talk to you like you're their best good friend and you're rocking on the porch sipping sweet tea. But friends, this is not a bunch of ideas they saw on pinterest that they think would be great for your "babies." They did their homework for years to present us with this treat. The tone is fantastic, and their ideas make you want to run right to your craft cabinet, but their reference section is robust and there's a lot of meat in this book. You'll be inspired to restructure your classroom, and you'll be prepared with research to hurl at the naysayers who try to dull your sparkle because they can't get their minds off the standards and onto their students.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Every educator should read this book! This book describes and models how I want to teach and how I want my teachers to teach. I love the student-centeredness of this book and the focus on relationship.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish more serious books were this playful. This IS a serious book about a serious topic: what play is, why it is good for our bodies, minds, and souls, and how adults can incorporate more play in our lives. The book is well-grounded in a huge body of research (see that six page bibliography at the end). This book is a serious book and one of the most delightful reads you have ever read. The playful personalities of authors Julie P. Jones and Jed Dearybury come through on every page. I laughed out loud at least once per chapter. Now full disclosure: Julie and Jed are two of my favorite people, so I might be a wee little bit biased, but I love this book, and I think all of us could benefit from reading it and incorporating a little more play in our lives.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a very silly fun and conversational way. Probably amazing for more traditional classroom teachers. I struggled at times to think of how I’d apply some of the lessons to my format of teaching in lectures and supervision but was reminded of important psychology concepts to center: growth mindset, failure helps learning etc It makes a great argument for why play is useful in learning. I wish there was somehow more guidance about how to create something fun tailored to one’s own content. The ideas were amazing but I am struggling to translate the level of creativity and fun into virtual learning or postdoctoral / clinical learning. You can tell the authors are extremely passionate about kids learning and I appreciate them talking about the failures made in trying out new playful exercises, that you just might screw up a lot as you work to create these things.

[Cassie Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never grow up, not in the normal sense of growing up. I am a kid for life. I teach high school kids, but more than ever I am realizing the importance of play--real play--in the classroom. Play leads to free thinking and exploring and to creating things that have not yet been created. The ability to think creatively is a trait so many employers desire today, too, but if schools are places where the teachers sets the course, never veering, never allowing time to take the side roads to check out new interests, we are dong our kids a disservice. If you are a teacher but feel your administration or fellow teachers may look down upon your work as a "playful teacher," check out this book. It's packed with ideas and backed by research. Recently, I took a poetry workshop from Paul Tran. One thing he said is that he always does his homework, so he KNOWS just how good his poems are. He knows his stuff inside and out because he has done the work. Read this book, and call it homework if you must. This will equip you with talking points while also inspiring you to let up on the reigns a bit. Go Play.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any educator....and parent! Bring play back to our everyday life and see what a difference it can make in the lives of students! Well written and practical applications ....inspiring!

[Benjamin Honeycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this juncture in our history, it's difficult to think of a better book than The Playful Classroom for teachers to read today.

When I went to college to become a teacher, it was my dream to give students a safe place in school. I could not have imagined what the last 3 years would be like for the classroom. The challenges at the global and local levels in education have at times felt insurmountable. But this hardship has made the connections with students, and seeing them have their lightbulb moments, more meaningful than I can put into words. This year my lab has been full over lunch with students working together on Minecraft and 3D Design, and several times this year I've realized this was the exact reason I wanted to be a teacher in the first place.

Somewhere in the last 3 years I published a YA fiction book centered on bullying in schools, and a handful of teachers have requested curriculum to teach my book that works as an anti-bullying course in their classrooms. This request has made me reflect on just where I am as a teacher. I talked to my wife, Natalie, (I'm beyond lucky to be married to an award winning French teacher), who reminded me her classroom is centered on play.

Her saying the word "play" was a lightbulb moment, because I realized that two educators I held in high esteem, Jed Dearybury and Julie Jones, had written a book about play. I read The Playful Classroom (TPC) in the closing moments of 2022, and I don't think it could have come at a better time. TPC introduced me to a quote from UNICEF, "Play allows children to communicate ideas, to understand others through social interaction, paving the way to build deeper understanding and more powerful relationships." This made me realize I wanted to create an anti-bullying curriculum that was centered on students making connections and finding a place in their schools. TPC focuses on studies and data that confirms what so many educators know; that students succeed in school when they feel safe in school. Reading TPC has re-energized my past philosophy in the classroom, while giving me a path forward for my teaching.

If you're an educator looking for a light, look no further than The Playful Classroom.

[Ellen Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because I love the topic of play both in a classroom and outside of it. I especially appreciate the neuro science involved.

Keep in mind, this review is respectfully written, and I feel true professionals value every opinion. There is nothing rude about it so please don't take it as such.

The book was a big turn-off for me for several reasons. The authors seemed to be in a race to use the word "priviledged" as many times as possible, especially at the beginning of the book. There was a significant political slant that makes me curious about the state of liberal arts classes in colleges and universities today. In addition, many people, including myself believe the promotion of the LGBTQ lifestyle (there are quite a few references to such in the book) is not appropriate for school age children and should not have a place in academia meant for school age children. This is the parent's domain.

I purchased the book at a great indie bookstore that I like and wanted to support the local authors especially.

[Lauren Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was such a Great book!!! One of my favorite college professors (Converse College) and her colleague wrote this insightful and creative book. It’s about finding, creating and enjoying play in the classroom. I bookmarked so many pages of things I want to try. I’m eager to get back in the classroom to try them. This is not your average professional development book. It includes research, evidence based practices, personal anecdotes, quotes, doodles, and pictures. It even includes an Appendix for Southernisms, BEST thing ever! Southerners will get a tickle out of that and non Southerners will find it very useful! The best thing about this book is that not only can educators read it and benefit from it, but also parents, social workers, therapists, and anyone who works with children. This is a book you’ll be referring back to often. I highly recommend!

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. It will make a solid textbook that could be incorporated into several fields of study: early childhood education, sociology, and even architecture, given the recent trends in the field to incorporate the PLAY framework, which, while not directly pertaining to play as the researchers have defined it, does refer to the integration of increased utility and function as a means of facilitating the "play as a mindset" concepts in functional design, concepts that were discussed by the two authors early on in the text. The architectural applications are also found in the authors' applications of "RISK" later on in the text. Ultimately, I think this book will serve as a viable reference tool in the completion of my own job duties, so I'm going to hold onto this one.

[Dimitri]

📕 Why (Not) to read this book (Target Audience)

We need find harmony in our life, it is not about work/life balance. It is about work/play.

👀 How this book changed my daily live (Takeaways)

1. Play = active & fun = release off endorphins = pleasure
2. Work must have an end time, also your mobile device
3. Play is a movement it is social, physical, mental

⁉ Spoiler Alerts (Highlights)

Over the years, Dr. Brown has found that most people have one of eight dominant modes of play. He calls them “play personalities.” Play Personality type https://www.paperplanepilots.be/eight...
• Joker
• Kinesthete
• Explorer
• Competitor
• Director - End Result counts
• Collector
• Artist/Creator
Storyteller

[Kyla Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s almost the end of the school year but now I want it to be the beginning so I can start implementing the awesome ideas I got from this book right now!

I don’t read a lot of field of education books (as an educator that sounds terrible, I know) but this book had me pulled in and so excited to be playful in my classroom. It is a wonderful book with some truly inspiring ideas.

[Colin Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great ideas and really useful practical advice for developing a playful approach in any classroom (not just an infant class). I do feel there is lots of filler and I wasn’t a fan of the authors style or sense of humour, but would still recommend it for anyone looking to use more play approaches in their learning and teaching.

[Josh Rayburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

The resources and research are important to creating a change in schools today. The authors do a great job of keeping you entertained with their southern charm and sharing research to support why play is so important in the classroom. A must read for any educator looking to change what they are doing in the classroom to increase student engagement!

[Marjy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jed and Dr. Julie have written a joyful book for us. Reading the book feels like you are having a conversation with a friend. The examples are engaging, relatable, and realistic. This book offers stress relief and gives you an opportunity to see the lighter side of life.

[Lynn Cutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book and made it a goal for myself for the school year. I liked and was reminded of some key things tat I believe in for my class. I’m glad I read it and will definitely use some of the ideas from it.

[Kylee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

if ever there was a must read book for any level of educator... this is it. What a fresh perspective! what a joy to be able to look at a career that already fills my heart... and find ways to make it even better. I am so excited and motivated by the ideas and encouragement in this book!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun, and easy read! I found some new simple ideas to implement in my classroom.

[AC McGuinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My professor Dr. Jones and her wonderful friend Jed wrote this book. Words cannot describe how much this book has helped me as I go through college and study education.

It is a long, but delightful, read on why play should not and will never stop, no matter the age of the individual! There is a lot of comic relief throughout the book and personal comments to keep you highly engaged.

[Denise Shaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read that inspired me to try some new things next school year. I was fortunate enough to do a book study with the authors and a STEM club group.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Every teacher and parent read and applied this work, we could change the world for the better. I cannot recommend it enough for teachers in every grade, at every level.

[Jori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Cynthia Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Added playful, creative, student-driven tools to my teacher toolbox. Great teacher read that didn’t feel like work!

[Rebecca Oplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for educators of children of all ages! Great info and wonderful ideas for keeping learning fun!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for educators. I gathered so many ideas and had fun reading the Southern banter!

[Kirsten Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the training, but have retired from teaching and don't think I'm ever going back. Will definitely use the ideas for all the little people in my life.

[Sylvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

skimmed/took notes for ed

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well butter my biscuits, what a gem of novel. I feel like I got so many creative ideas to use in my classroom! I also got some justification and validation. There’s also some humor and personal narratives within these pages. Totally recommend if you need a creative boost.