Play in Education (PIE) News May 2023
Meet the Editor
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Hello! I am Rebecca Horrace, Ed.D., a play and educational
expert. I have taught elementary school, both in public schools
and homeschool cooperative environments, and at the university
level as a Lecturer for pre-service educators. Along with the
position of editor for this newsletter,
I also continue my research of play and education as an
Associate for FUNdamentally Children, examining user experience
and overall product interaction. My expertise and passion have
earned me the title of Play Ambassador and Expert Contributor
for the Genius of Play. It is my passion to reignite the
dwindling spark between play and education.
I am always excited to discuss education, best practices, and
all things play! Feel free to reach out with questions or to
share additional content.
Rebecca Horrace, Ed.D.
rebecca@playfulinsights.com
https://playfulinsights.com
www.peopleofplay.com/people/rebecca-horrace
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Summer Fun
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Happy almost summer everyone! I’m sure we’re all counting down the days
until summer break–days filled with vacations, professional development, and
having fun in the sun! Thinking about the months ahead, this newsletter is
packed with playful articles, events, and summertime toys to help keep
children engaged in active exploration all summer long.
Check out the Genius of Play’s list of ten playful activities to keep your
entire family active and engaged all summer long: 10 Playful Activities for Families
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Articles
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From Screen Time to Screen Play
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As we look to the summer and think about ways to keep children
entertained and connected with their friends, many professionals
advocate the use of limiting screen time for its passive nature.
However, what if screen time could be active and imaginary?
Check out my article written with Karen Wohlwend (2023) to view
our stance on “screen play” and how engaging in online
imaginative playgroups can build literacy skills, develop
socio-emotional connections, and create expanded communities as
children build relationships with their non-local peers.
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Emerging Professional Let the Games
Begin - Why Structured and Unstructured Play Should be Utilized
in the Classroom
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Even though the summer is just beginning, this is often a time
educators plan and prep for their upcoming school year. Doctoral
student, Carleigh Slatera, explains the importance of play in
children’s education across all levels from elementary through
high school classrooms, utilizing open-ended free play, along
with gamification, which can be a catalyst for not only fun
exploration, but deep learning as well. Hopefully this article
can help bring some creativity and engagement into lesson
prepping for the new school year!
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MESH (Mental, Emotional and Social
Health) Basics
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Kids are struggling with their mental health
and parents are worried. This is the consensus of conversations
that have been happening around the country between multitudes
of retailers and parents. Rachele Harmuth, the new Head of
ThinkFun, heard this consistently as she and her team were
researching what were the primary needs of the current
marketplace. “Clearly there is a major unmet need around kid’s
mental health that is consuming parents and educators. They were
turning to toy retailers for help, but beyond toys that provide
comfort like stuffed animals and fidgets retailers weren’t sure
what to suggest. It isn’t currently clear what products would
build mental health skills for the future. We knew we needed to
really dig in and understand the situation.” Rachele Harmuth.
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Events
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Looking for ways to stay involved in playful educational practices over the
summer?! Check out these summer conferences devoted to play:
The International Toy Research Association Board is pleased to be able to
announce that the 9th ITRA World Conference will be held 9th - 11th August
2023,
at The Strong National Museum of Play, in Rochester, New York, USA.
Conference
information can be found here.
OR
US Play Coalition’s 2023 Play Date Tour! This summer they are kicking off a
series of day-long “mini conferences” across the country with content that
draws
inspiration from the location and the play experts and practitioners in that
area. Each “Play Date” is unique, and participants are welcome to register
for
one or all of them! Dates begin in the summer and run through the fall. More
information can be found here.
OR
Explore three different educational events sponsored by the Fred Rogers
Institute. Events are geared toward educators and caregivers, and provide
content covering learning, community engagement, kindness, educational
matters,
and even historical info on Fred Rogers himself. More information can be
found
here.
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Toy Spotlight
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As daydreams become filled with thoughts about trips to the ocean and the
primary concern becomes staying hydrated in the summer heat, I’d like to
spotlight an eco-friendly toy company, Shore Buddies, with their very
important
mission: creating toys out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. Not only is
this
company keeping these toxic plastics out of our oceans, they are educating
our
youth about sustainability and advocacy, while creating adorable, huggable
sea
friends!
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Here’s a bit about the company and their mission from their founder, Malte
Niebelschuetz:
Ocean Plastic Pollution is an issue that is getting worse, not better.
Researchers estimate that there will be more plastics than fish in our ocean
by
2050 if we continue wasting and consuming single-use plastics. Therefore,
Shore
Buddies focuses on making an impact from an early age by introducing
sustainability to children through play and education. We have developed
school
programs and offer curriculums, presentations, and even school visits on
Ocean
Plastic Pollution.
For younger students, we have developed lesson plans on sustainability,
recycling, and reducing single-use plastics in our daily lives.
For older students, our presentations mainly focus on youth activism and how
entrepreneurship and business can resolve global social issues such as
climate
change, resource inequality, and plastic pollution.
If you want to learn more about Shore Buddies Education programs go to:
https://shore-buddies.com/pages/education
or email education@shore-buddies.com
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Young Inventor Challenge
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The Young
Inventor Challenge (YIC) provides an opportunity for children ages 6
to 18 to showcase their original toy and game inventions to industry
professionals, members of the media and the general public. All entrants
receive feedback from industry executives and inventors as well as the
opportunity to win prizes, scholarships and licensing agreements with toy
and game companies.
New for this Summer! Summer Camps at many of your local toy and game shops
and Happy Camper Live. See
our YIC homepage for details!
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ChicagoToyAndGameWeek
@peopleofplay
@peopleofplay
#peopleofplay
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Thank You to Our Esteemed Sponsors!
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