PLAY Content Hub

[VIDEO] TED Talk
Steven Johnson: The playful wonderland behind great inventions (October 2016)

Washington Post
Why some schools are sending kids out for recess four times a day (September 2016)

New York Times
What Babies Know About Physics and Foreign Languages (July 2016)

"We take it for granted that young children 'get into everything.' But new studies of 'active learning' show that when children play with toys they are acting a lot like scientists doing experiments."

The Atlantic
How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free Play (June 2016)

"An American teacher in Helsinki questioned the national practice of giving 15 minute breaks each hour—until he saw the difference it made in his classroom."

The Atlantic
Why Young Kids Learn Through Movement (May 2016)

"Children acquire knowledge by acting and then reflecting on their experiences, but such opportunities are increasingly rare in school."

Washington Post
The decline of play in preschoolers—and the rise in sensory issues (September 2015)

"In fact, it is before the age of 7 years—ages traditionally known as 'pre-academic'—when children desperately need to have a multitude of whole-body sensory experiences on a daily basis in order to develop strong bodies and minds."

[STUDY] Stanford News
School recess offers benefits to student well-being, Stanford educator reports (February 2015)

"A Stanford study shows that recess is a profoundly important part of the school day. Well-organized recess programs engage students in meaningful play and prepare them to learn once back in the classroom."

[VIDEO] TED Talk
Jill Vialet: Play is Not a Waste of Time (November 2014)

[VIDEO] NPR
Brains At Play (August 2014)

"Why do we humans like to play so much? Play sports, play tag, play the stock market, play Duck Duck Goose? We love it all. And we're not the only ones. Dogs, cats, bears, even birds seem to like to play. What are we all doing? Is there a point to it all?"

The Telegraph
Play 'integral' to childhood development (August 2014)

"While there is a growing body of research and more widespread recognition than ever before about the importance of play to children’s health and well-being, this has yet to be consistently reflected in social or educational policymaking."

[AUDIO] NPR
Scientists Say Child's Play Helps Build A Better Brain (August 2014)

"...It is those changes in the prefrontal cortex during childhood that help wire up the brain's executive control center, which has a critical role in regulating emotions, making plans and solving problems, Pellis says. So play, he adds, is what prepares a young brain for life, love and even schoolwork."

KQED Mind/Shift Blog
Let 'Em Out! The Many Benefits of Outdoor Play In Kindergarten (July 2014)

"In order for children to learn, they need to be able to pay attention. In order to pay attention, we need to let them move."

[VIDEO] TED Talk
The decline of play (June 2014)

"Based on his own and others' research, Dr. Peter Gray documents why free play is essential for children's healthy social and emotional development and outlines steps through which we can bring free play back to children's lives."