Philip Mayhoffer, Author at Creative Learning Systems Blog

Too Cool to Play? Resisting the Pressure to “Grow Up”

May 27, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

Before joining Creative Learning Systems, I taught STEM at a private middle school. I know, popular media often portrays middle school as “the worst years of my life.” But in reality, the middle school years are filled with exciting opportunities for significant growth.

Exploratory Play: More Than Sensory Development

May 13, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big fan of LEGO. And I don’t just mean the plastic building blocks. I’ve loved the company and what it stands for since I wrote my first research paper on The LEGO Group when I was in middle school. After all, the company’s brand values focus on imagination, creativity, learning, and fun—exactly what I strive to do as an educator.

Child’s Play: The Role of Imaginative Play in Early Learning

May 7, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

This past Saturday, I celebrated an important milestone—I turned 30! As with any milestone, I spent a bit of time thinking about where I’ve been and what’s next. And I started imagining different possibilities for my future.

Making Time to Play

April 29, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

When you think of play, what comes to mind? Perhaps you recall childhood memories of playing “the floor is lava.” Maybe you reminisce about that special toy you got for Christmas that one year. Or you remember playing dress-up while wearing oversized heels and skirts raided from the closet.

Setting the Stage for Learning

April 22, 2020
Philip Mayhoffer

Since 2017, I have read my way through 40–45 books by setting a goal using the Reading Challenges on Goodreads. With a 45-minute commute that reading has usually taken the form of listening to audiobooks (I’ve found that more valuable to me than the radio or music). Over the past month or so, my commute has been significantly shorter as I have taken the 20 steps from my bedroom to my temporary office.