Introduction
Happy holidays everyone! This edition of Play in Education is focused on highlighting educational toys, content, media, plus an interview with a creative toy designer! Our goal here at PIE is to help educators, play professionals, and families harness the power of play to make learning more fun and interactive! Thanks for sharing in our playful exploration.
As always, I'm happy to chat all things play and education, so please feel free to reach out.
Here's to a festive holiday season and a fresh start to the new year!
Rebecca Horrace, Ed.D.
Playful Insights Consulting
rebecca@playfulinsights.com
PLAYFUL SPOTLIGHT:
Diane Albers with Tomy
Tomy partners with Diane Albers to create an educationally, playful Little Spot that supports children's emotional well-being. Diane was kind enough to answer some questions for us about the A Little Spot series.
1) Can you tell us a little about your background?
I've had a passion for art since I held my first crayon at age two. I was obsessed with art all through my high school years, later earning a BA in Fine Arts from Arizona State University. I am a wife and a mother of two young, energetic children who love books. I became inspired to write and illustrate my own books, when I saw the need for books that helped children manage and identify their emotions. Inspiring creativity in children is also very important to me.
2) How did you arrive at the idea for the A Little Spot series and the focus on children's social-emotional learning?
When I began writing books, my kids were very young: six months and two years old. As they grew, I realized how difficult it was for them to understand their feelings. I saw an opportunity to explain emotions to them in a fun way, and to introduce other multilayered topics—like empathy and responsibility.
Anger was the first book on emotions that I wrote. Anger is challenging to navigate and can get out of control very quickly. Because parents also experience angry emotions and may have their own difficulty managing them, it can often be hard for a parent to help their child deal with anger.
Through exploration, I found that if I had a child imagine their emotion as a "thing," they could gain more control in shrinking that emotion. That is how the "Angry SPOT" came to be. So instead of saying, "Calm down," I would say, "Your 'angry spot' is getting too big; how can we shrink him down to a more peaceful size?" Then, we would brainstorm ways to calm their angry 'spot!'
3) What type of response have you received through the years from parents and educators?
The response I have received from parents and teachers is amazing. I receive emails daily about how the spots have helped their children process emotions.
I worked to make teaching and learning SEL as fun as possible both at home and in the classroom. I include hands-on activities, art projects, and great discussion topics. I pass my ideas through a focus group of teachers and parents—and they provide me with phenomenal real-world feedback.
PLAY OPPORTUNITIES:
There are lots of playful opportunities to take part in as an educator or community member. Check out the two resources below to help sprinkle additional play throughout your daily routines.
Happy Camper Live
Allison Miller shares about the inspiring, playful camp-style opportunities with Happy Camper Live:
“When the last school bell rings and homework is done, the time that follows is crucial for a child's holistic development. Informal play and downtime are not just 'free time'—they're opportunities for cognitive, social, and emotional growth. This period of unstructured play helps children engage their creativity, build problem-solving skills, and foster relationships. It is as essential to their well-being as classroom learning. Happy Camper Live offers a unique platform to enrich this after-school period with hundreds of activities taught by real counselors and coaches. From arts and crafts to sports to steam and music, our activities provide kids a chance to explore and find their passions beyond the school curriculum all from the comfort of their home. Not just confined to the summer months, Happy Camper Live offers year-round learning and entertainment, transforming after-school hours into a fulfilling, fun-filled exploration of the world. Engage your students with Happy Camper Live and make every moment outside of school a valuable learning experience.”
Play Day Project with ChangeX and Let's Play America
Educators and professionals who enjoy teaching their students through play activities will be overjoyed to hear about the Play Day Project, which is open to communities around the world, with funding available through the nonprofit ChangeX. The Play Day Project was inspired by the nonprofit Let's Play America based in Maryland, as they believe everyone deserves to play. If you run a community program, from a preschool director to a librarian or even a college professor, you can apply to host your own Play Day Project. ChangeX and Let's Play America partner to help support play across all areas and communities. Have fun and go play!
MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
Danny Joe's Tree House
As our children are inundated with media, it's sometimes hard to navigate through quality content. But Danny Joe's Tree House, a Mister Rogers-esque children's show, puts children's needs at the forefront of all its episodes. Danny Joe addresses common social emotional milestones related to topics like separation anxiety and self-regulation, as he encompasses experiences personally shared with him by children about complex issues. Danny Joe's Tree House meets children exactly where they are without judgment in this societal moment. Instead of telling kids what to think, Danny Joe LaBrecque truly listens to them, accepts them, and creates a safe place for all children to process their thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
“Can you come out and play?
Every episode of Danny Joe's Tree House starts with research in the classroom. Danny Joe has been visiting early childhood programs in Chicago and Baltimore for close to twenty five years with his suitcase of puppets in tow. Danny asks the children a series of open-ended questions beginning with, “How do you think Teddy (his real-life childhood teddy bear turned puppet) is feeling today?” understanding that young children (and adults) can't help but to project their own experiences onto puppets. When he listens to and absorbs the verbal and non-verbal communication, he can begin to understand where each child is, developmentally, and how he can best empower them in that moment. Danny Joe uses these interactions to guide creation of episodes, incorporating deep experience in storytelling and puppetry to connect with a global audience while examining very relevant, personal topics that impact today's early learners and their caregivers.
Through the abstract language of play, we can safely explore the core of any social issue without overwhelming the child or adult. We can help them to process the complex, test self-management strategies and refine them through repetition along the way. Not only does
The word “influence” is used a lot among present-day on-screen personalities. As a student of children's media history, Danny Joe understands that you can't control the actions of others, but you can influence them with your own actions. A “talking head” on any screen, for any target age group, has a deep responsibility. Many hosts tell viewers “what” and “how” to think and feel, but Danny Joe and his friends are much more interested in guiding their audience through the process of thinking critically for themselves and feeling compassion deeply for others. This is especially important as we find ourselves at the cusp of the next stage of mass communication, moving beyond the passive 2D screen and into immersive digital environments. There it will become ever more challenging to navigate manipulation, misinformation, conditioning and commercialism–and the associated mental health risks.”
TOY SPOTLIGHTS:
The Good Play Guide
Starting us off is not a product, but rather a company that reviews and awards good, quality toys to help parents navigate the world of playthings. Let's hear from Amanda Gummer:
“It can be difficult to know whether a particular product will meet a particular need. Often the most hyped products cause the most disappointment. That's where the Good Play Guide comes in. They review all products in the Guide with children and professionals and highlight developmental and educational benefits to help educators and parents find the right product for a specific need. On the site, searches can be filtered by the age of the child, the toy type or the skill area it develops. The Good Play Guide includes reviews of toys, digital, learning and baby products along with expert advice on helping ensure all children can thrive through play. Recently accredited toys include the Locbloc and the Toniebox, both great educational products that make fabulous gifts this holiday season.”
Worldwide Buddies
Worldwide Buddies offers playful, educational, and quality games and books that not only teach children about various cultures, but encourage children to celebrate diversity. They offer products such as an introductory text with over 30 stories to discover the world to bilingual flashcards and even a strategy and geography game of facts. Let's hear more about this wonderful company:
“Worldwide Buddies is a startup that creates picture books and toys that celebrate diversity, on a mission to raise accepting, open-minded children! Through their stories and toys, they have created a universe of characters (“buddies”,) each from a different part of the planet, specially created for littles to make friends from all corners of the world and embrace our differences. All their products are super colorful, educational and fun!
If you're looking for that purposeful and unique children's holiday gift that will be used again and again, look no further. With over 25 different products to choose from, you'll definitely find something for every little in your life. And the best part? All Play in Education readers get 25% off with code: REBECCA25 Woop!”
FoxMind Games
As a homeschooling parent, I am always on the lookout for educational games that can double as both family time and school time use. FoxMind Toys and Games has an assortment of products to help develop reasoning skills, spatial logic, and other skills associated with STEM.
“FoxMind, the 'Smarter Fun Company,' is the go-to source for educational toys and games. We create products that offer exciting, mind-stimulating experiences while fostering crucial STEM-related skills. Loved by children, parents, and educators worldwide, our commitment is to unite families and friends in memorable moments of play. With FoxMind, learning and entertainment merge effortlessly, inspiring both children and adults to explore, learn, and bond. Join us in redefining education through the joy of play!”
Play on Words
Play on Words is a fun and educational game that appeals to both children and adults alike while developing critical thinking skills. Whether used at school for skill building or at home for family night fun, this game provides educational fun for everyone. Let's hear about Play on Words from David James:
“Play on Words is a unique, clever, word card game that quickly became a hit with parents, teachers and educators after it came out almost a decade ago. Invented originally for adults as a nice change-of-pace to tile/grid-driven word games, the hands-on and fundamental nature of Play on Words had many seeing it as a practical, fun, and empowering learning tool. Game sales have steadily increased as it may be one of the best ways yet to “play” with the English language.
The game is feature-rich, highly-versatile, and simply plays on a tabletop. With minimal instruction, players (1-to-4 or in teams, ages 8 and up) can be playing in minutes. A primary strength of the game is that it can be played to the word-making proficiency of the player, and its no-rush, all-face-up style allows a parent or teacher to quickly evaluate a student's skill or gently instruct. Schools have used it for in-class, after-school, Title One, English Second Language learning, gifted and talented programs, and for new-student gifts.”
Tonies
Tonies is an intuitive and award-winning audio system that has changed the way children play and learn independently with its child-safe, wireless, and screen-free approach. Just place a Tonie on the Toniebox and let the adventures begin!
“Tired of your children focusing all of their attention on screens? Look no further than tonies, the world's largest interactive audio platform for children. Tonies aim to allow all children to discover imagination through the power of play without the use of screens!
Just pop a Tonie (one of the over 700 figurines including childhood favorites like Disney, Sesame Street, National Geographic, Dr. Seuss and much more) on top of the Toniebox for instant playback of songs and stories without fumbling lids and locking mechanisms.
The Toniebox is revolutionary with:
- Only two buttons for volume control; kids tap either side of the speaker box to select tracks, and tilt the box at a 45-degree angle to fast forward or rewind tracks.
- A closed ecosystem that doesn't require Internet connection to play following initial download of the content.
- Up to 7 hours of storytelling after a full charge, making it a fully portable player to take on-the-go.”
3DuxDesign
Educators, parents, and kids agree, sometimes the best part of a gift is the box it came in! No complex instructions, no pre-set rules, just endless creativity. That was the inspiration behind the 3DuxDesign cardboard modeling system when it was initially designed 6 years ago by teen inventors, Ayana and Ethan Klein. Let's hear about about this playful product:
“Whether you're an educator new to project-based learning or a seasoned STEAM expert, 3DuxDesign has materials and resources that are easy to implement and will be sure to delight your students. The 3DuxDesign website offers plenty of project choices, from basic, open-ended design challenges to deeper 1–4-hour standards-aligned architecture and engineering lessons. For educators seeking a full cross-curricular, project-based learning experience, the 3DuxDesign Build a Community Curriculum and Kit is a complete out-of-the-box solution that makes it easy!
The 3DuxDesign product line now ranges from the original, tech-free patented modeling system to add-on kits with LED lights, motors, and renewable energy sets. 3DuxDesign offers a wide range of hands-on STEAM products and project-based learning resources for k-8 students.”
Readyland
As a play and education expert, my mission is to reignite the spark between play and learning. Readyland is the perfect solution to keep children entertained and engaged throughout their literacy development. Let's hear more about why these books are so exciting and engaging for children:
“Get ready for a book that's more fun than a toy! Introducing Owl & Dragon, A Magical Adventure, by Readyland. It's the first-ever interactive book based on Amazon's Echo Dot Kids characters, where readers can actually talk with the characters, play games and join their exciting adventures.
The Readyland team has unlocked the power of Alexa devices to inspire a love of books. Owl & Dragon take flight from their spherical devices and enter kids' imaginations with unlimited immersive experiences and a heart-warming story about bravery and discovery. Each colorful page will captivate children, while hundreds of audio interactions will keep kids engaged with new adventures to discover every time they come back to the book.
Readyland offers a library of printed books that work with an Alexa device or the free Alexa smartphone app to create the most interactive reading experience.”
EDUCATOR RESOURCES:
Kids Chemical Solutions
Think chemistry is boring and hard? Think again! Kids' Chemical Solutions is a chemistry comic book curriculum series that truly exemplifies the value of playful education. Through these books, children partner with fun characters and explore the Periodic Table through comics, activities, and games. As a homeschool family, I can attest to the quality, content, and pure joy from this curriculum. Dr. Colleen Kelley shares below about this one of a kind curriculum:
“Kids' Chemical Solutions have created a series of chemistry comic books filled with colorful characters and exciting storylines that translate complex chemistry into fun and accessible content. These comics have turned the Periodic Table into a playground of chemical adventure and have allowed elementary school students to master chemistry concepts often taught at the college level. This comic-book based curriculum includes games, activities, puzzles, audiobooks, and lesson plans (in addition to the comic books themselves) and was founded on research by Dr. Colleen Kelley, in which she uncovered a model to teach chemistry that parallels the foundations for learning to read and is leading the way for Molecular Literacy. This curriculum is available in Spanish and English so that it can capture a diverse array of early eager learners. Plus, recent exciting news, the short documentary about Kids' Chemical Solutions, "Chemistry Comic Books" just won an Emmy Award!
Bundle and Save! Purchase the Molecular Literacy Packet and save 50% of the cost for the items sold separately.”
Open the Joy
As any educator can attest, our children crave social and emotional connection. Open the Joy is a line of toys, products, and content geared at children's social and emotional wellbeing, from engaging activities to playful games a whole classroom or family can enjoy together. Emily Abrams explains about Open the Joy's products and many benefits:
“Embrace the transformative power of play with Open the Joy, a leading force in nurturing emotional intelligence in every child. Our expertly crafted products, designed by therapists, aim to shape a generation marked by confidence, resilience, and joy. Explore our diverse product range, including activity bags, kits, games, cards, and more. Our driving force is the importance of emotional well-being, seamlessly integrating entertainment and education. Uncover the benefits of play, emphasizing MESH (mental, emotional, and social health) for children. Open The Joy stands as your reliable partner in creating vibrant classrooms, where each child not only engages in play but also builds essential life skills. Join us on the transformative journey of education, surpassing traditional materials to foster the development of every child.”
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
Sanvi Keskar
Meet Sanvi Keskar, a 12-year-old inventor from Ohio who enjoys creating inventions that contribute to our planet's well-being. Sanvi presents about her creations and holds several recognitions as she is also obtaining patents for her outstanding innovations. Let's hear a bit from Sanvi:
“My name is Sanvi and I am a 12-year-old inventor from Olentangy Berlin Middle School in Ohio. I am deeply passionate about creating inventions that contribute positively to our planet. Our Earth is our home, and it is our responsibility to nurture and protect it. The realm of invention offers boundless opportunities to address the challenges our planet faces, which is what makes it so exhilarating.
Our Earth is our home, and it is our responsibility to nurture and protect it. The realm of invention offers boundless opportunities to address the challenges our planet faces, which is what makes it so exhilarating. At present, I have developed an invention aimed at mitigating waste in food courts. This invention has been recognized at the Invention Convention US Nationals 2023. My work has also been featured on platforms such as InventAmerica Radio and IPOEF. Furthermore, I am in the process of creating another invention that leverages Artificial Intelligence to promote environmental sustainability within households. This project is set to be showcased at the Invention Convention US Nationals 2024.
I am actively working towards obtaining full patents for both these inventions and introducing them to the market. My goal is to enable everyone to contribute to environmental conservation in their everyday lives.”
Throughout my journey, I have come to realize that the process of invention is a never-ending one. I am committed to using my skills and creativity to make a lasting positive impact on our planet for many years to come.”
ARTICLES:
Value Added: Digital Modeling of Dialogic Questioning Promotes Positive Parenting During Shared Reading
As educators and play advocates, we understand the importance of reading to children, but understanding that carefully designed digital technology has the potential to foster positive shared reading interactions between parents and young children is something to explore! Check out this study by researchers Zachary Stuckelman, Gabrielle Strouse, and Georgene Troseth regarding a digital application designed to promote parent–child conversation by modeling dialogic questioning which also increased mutuality, positivity, and on-task behaviors.Value_added_Digital_modeling_.pdf
Four-Year-Olds Share General Knowledge and Use Generic Language When Teaching
Have you ever watched a young child play “teacher?” Well, it turns out that by 4 years old, children understand that the goal of teaching is to transmit general knowledge. Researchers Ellyn Pueschel, Yvonne Shen, Katie Byrd, Olivia Indik, and Henrike Moll explore how young children's receptiveness to teaching is unquestioned, but their understanding of pedagogy has only begun to be explored. Through the power of play, children truly develop their role as a teacher and mentor, understanding their purpose as they teach others.Four-Year-Olds Share General Knowledge and Use Generic Language When Teaching.pdf
