Stories That Stick

Play-Based Learning in Public School Settings with Melysa Mei

Listen Later

Laura chats with Melysa Mei, of PreK Spot, to discuss the challenges and rewards of implementing play-based learning in public schools with box curricula. Melysa has administrative and family support to follow the children’s lead in her NYC Pre-K classroom. With this she adapts her teaching to foster play and storytelling in her classroom.

Highlights:

  1. Boxed Curricula: Laura and Melysa both have used Creative Curriculum. They share the pros and cons and ways they’ve adapted it to meet the needs of their play-based classrooms.
  2. “Justifying” Play-Based Teaching Methods: Laura and Melysa share about the importance of documenting to show learning that is taking place. By capturing small moments of play, you can help others see all that is unfolding while children engage in their own play.
  3. Fantasy Play: Melysa and Laura give examples of imaginative play that they recently saw unfold. In both instances, children were using materials unconventionally and instead of intervening, they allowed the play to unfold.

    4. Listen in to get insights into Melysa’s experiences as a New York City public school Pre-K teacher and how play is a vital part of children’s learning and development. If you’re ready to take some small steps towards implementing play-based learning in an environment that has a mandated curriculum, this episode is for you!

    Connect with Laura: @little.stories.that.stick & littlestoriesthatstick.com 

    Connect with Melysa Mei: @prek.spot & www.pre-kspot.com

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Stories That StickBy Little Stories That Stick
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    5 ratings