Right Moves: A LiiNK Center for Healthy Play Podcast

Dr. Rhea, with friends and colleagues, Jill Wood and Amanda McMickle, discuss the intensification of negative behaviors in schools upon returning from COVID and how their different school settings have handled it through play. Our guest moderator for this episode is Sarah Mercado from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU.

Jill Wood founded Adventure Play at The Parish School in 2008 and has operated it since. Every year she grows towards a better understanding of play by: listening to children; reflecting on her own adult privilege; and being humbled by what is possible when you give children time to create their own space and culture. She founded Bayou City Play in 2013, a collective of artists, therapists, and librarians who advocate for play in the Houston metro area. She is also a school librarian.

Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at the Cibolo Center for Conservation in Boerne, Texas. She has been a leader of nature-based schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of NEST - Nature-based Education Support in Texas which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of Natural Start Alliance and the governing boards of Families in Nature and International Play Association-USA Chapter. Amanda is working on her Ph.D. in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

PlayWork

Play is a crucial part of everyone’s growth, learning, and sustainability. We have all but erased unstructured play in a child’s life, while structured activities and sports have consumed the American culture. We have also lost touch with the acceptance of play for all ages, especially the aging. Dr. Rhea explains the difference between unstructured and structured play, why both are needed, and why unstructured play is the catalyst for your health.

Does the number of minutes spent on “content” in schools really matter? Schools in the U.S. place priority on reading, science, math, and social studies while minimizing other areas such as art, music, physical education, and especially recess. Host, Dr. Debbie Rhea, discusses the effects of this approach on education through her experiences, and how a trip to Finland changed the game.

Introducing Right Moves, a LiiNK Center for Healthy Play Podcast! Host Dr. Debbie Rhea of Texas Christian University discusses health, education, play, and so much more. Coming January 9th.