When I was a little girl, visits to the doctor that included injections were followed by our favorite prescription—an official form entitling us to a one-scoop cone at the local pharmacy’s soda fountain. What a treat! In these days, when childhood obesity is such a threat, I can’t imagine a doctor offering such prescriptions, but … Continue reading
Tagged with importance of play …
Play Matters
I don’t typically address politics here, but in recent days it seems that is all there is. Like a lot of people in the U.S., I’ve been pretty despondent all week. So many years after I was a high school student marching for equality the streets of Schenectady New York (of all places), we have … Continue reading
Of Cat Castles and Conferences: Why I Need to Play
In a recent conversation with a friend, we ended up talking about play. She mentioned that she was going to go home and play—by reading a work-related book. Now, I really do enjoy my work, but to me, reading work-related books is work. It is not play, even when I find the books fascinating. Stuart … Continue reading
When Do We Play?
Play is important. Why else would it be so consistent across the human and animal worlds? When we had kittens in our house, the two of them found the world a continual source of adventure. They stalked one another with delight, dove into our shoes just for the sake of popping back out, and chased … Continue reading
Take Time for Play
This month (perhaps while you were taking a few well-earned days off) the National Public Radio (NPR) series Playing to Learn presented a fascinating look into the relationship between play and learning. At this time of year when so many of us put summer relaxation behind and get back to the “serious business” of teaching, … Continue reading