29 Threats to Play
READ FIRST– Read the following selections to learn about the potential threats to children’s play.
- Read “Current Trends and Research” (p. 12) from The Wisdom of Play: How Children Learn to Make Sense of the World by Community Playthings (~2 minute read)
- Read “Media Play” (pp. 25-27) & “Facilitating Play” (pp. 28-31) in The Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play and Learning by Dr. Rachel E. White for Minnesota Children’s Museum (~9 minute read)
CHOOSE TWO- Select at least two resources below to gain new perspectives about potential threats to children’s play.
- Creating Safe Spaces for Black Children: The Dream and Legacy of Dr. King by KABOOM! (~5 minute read)
In this article, learn how KABOOM! works with communities to design spaces for play that support black children and families in finding ways to play safely.
- Why Schools–Now More Than Ever–Should Let Young Kids Learn Through Play (Not Worksheets) by Valerie Strauss (~9 minute read)
In this Washington Post article, Strauss shares the benefits of learning through play and shares Nancy Carlsson-Paige’s blog post about this topic.
- How to Use Play for Learning by Jessica Arrow (~5 minute read)
In this piece from Edutopia, Arrow describes how to support playful learning in the elementary grades and how these experiences support children’s development across all domains.
- The Future of Smart Toys and the Battle for Digital Children by Zoë Corbyn (~7 minute read)
In this article from The Guardian, Corbyn provides information about how technology infused toys can influence children’s learning and development.
