When It’s Time to Play
Play has the power to engage developing minds and open doors to creative expression. But active play throughout our lifetime can also have positive effects on how we approach challenges and everyday life.
Too Cool to Play? Resisting the Pressure to “Grow Up”
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
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
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
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.