Check out the Play Talks preview episode.

Play Talks is the ultimate podcast for early childhood educators who believe in the power of play! Hosted by an experienced, play-based educator, this subscription podcast dives deep into the transformative world of child-led, open-ended exploration. Each month, you'll gain practical strategies, inspiring stories, and research-backed insights to create more joyful, engaging learning environments.

Subscribers receive:

• Two exclusive episodes exploring key topics in play-based learning.
• A new play invitation idea each month to spark creativity in your classroom.
• A professional book review to fuel your growth as an educator.
• Access to a supportive community with bonus surprises like live Q&As and guest expert episodes.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate for play or just starting your journey, Play Talks will equip you with the tools, mindset, and inspiration to make play the heart of your teaching. Subscribe today and let’s transform education—one play-filled moment at a time!

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Show Notes

Episode Title: Play Is More Than Fun: Cultivating a Play Mindset in the Classroom

Episode Description:

Welcome to this special free episode of Play Talks! Today, we’re diving into the transformative power of a play mindset—how shifting your perspective on play can bring more joy, creativity, and meaningful learning into your classroom.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• What it means to have a play mindset and why it’s essential for educators.
• The incredible brain science behind play and how it builds critical skills like problem-solving, emotional regulation, and collaboration.
• Practical strategies for overcoming common barriers to play and advocating for its value in your classroom and beyond.

Plus, I’ll share a personal story about my journey to embracing play, and you’ll walk away with actionable insights and inspiration to make play a central part of your teaching practice.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Segment 1: Cultivating a Play Mindset

• What a play mindset is and how it shifts your approach to teaching.
• Why play isn’t just an activity but a lens for seeing and supporting children’s learning.
• How adopting a play mindset transforms your classroom and rekindles your joy as an educator.

Segment 2: The Brain Science Behind Play

• The powerful role of play in building neural connections, developing executive function, and fostering emotional growth.
• Why joy is essential to learning and how play creates a lasting emotional connection to knowledge.
• How play builds the social-emotional skills children need to navigate the world.

Segment 3: Overcoming Barriers and Advocating for Play

• Practical strategies to integrate play into your teaching, even with limited time or resources.
• How to reframe play as essential learning and communicate its value to parents, administrators, and colleagues.
• Why advocating for play isn’t just about the children—it’s about reconnecting with your purpose as an educator.

Reflection Questions:

Take some time after listening to think about these questions:

1. How do I currently view the role of play in my teaching? What might need to shift to adopt a stronger play mindset?
2. What barriers are holding me back from fully embracing play? How can I start breaking them down?
3. How can I intentionally observe and support children’s play this week to better understand its value?

Click here for a worksheet of all reflection questions mentioned in the episode plus a few more to help you put into action what you heard today!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Access the partial Article Folder Here - for the full folder subscribe!
• Check out Harvard's Center for the Developing Child here.

Action Steps for This Week:

1. Observe Play: Spend time observing your students at play without intervening. Reflect on the learning you notice happening.
2. Start Small: Choose one activity this week to make more play-centered. For example, try using loose parts or open-ended materials in a lesson.
3. Reflect and Share: Use your Play Reflection Journal to document what you’ve tried and what you’ve learned. Share your insights with a colleague or in our Play Talks community!

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to Play Talks: Ready to dive deeper into the magic of play? Subscribe now for exclusive episodes, play invitation ideas, book reviews, and more. [Link to subscribe]
• Email Me: Have questions or reflections? Reach out at [email protected]

Thank You for Listening!

I’m so thrilled you joined me for this episode of Play Talks. Remember, play isn’t just fun—it’s the heart of everything we do as educators. Let’s keep exploring, advocating, and bringing the joy of play to every child we teach. See you next time!

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