Serious Fun
Description
A guide for teachers about the importance of planning learning experiences that integrate child-centered play with rich content-based instruction.
Serious Fun emphasizes a teachers' active role in children's play in order to guide learning. Organized into two sections, Serious Fun first looks at strategies teachers can use to connect play to learning. The second focuses on playful learning in math, literacy, drama, art, STEM, and outdoors.
Serious Fun utilizes research based content to delve into the methods teachers can use to connect guided play to literacy and STEM learning principles. Each chapter sets the stage for the concepts being explored and wraps up with practical tips for teachers to use in their classrooms. It also includes a handy two-page section for parents about the benefits of play and how to support their children's learning through play.
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Persons
Marie L. Masterson, PhD, is Director of Quality Assessment at McCormick Center forEarly Childhood Leadership, where she oversees evaluation for Illinois' quality rating and improvement system. Marie is an educational consultant to state departments of education, schools, child care centers, and social service and parenting organizations. She is a national speaker, child behavior expert, researcher, and author of multiple books and articles that address behavior guidance, early care and education, parenting, and high-quality teaching.
Holly Bohart is senior editor in Books and Related Resources at NAEYC. She formerly taught in special education early childhood programs.
Content
"The Case of Brain Science and Guided Play: A Developing Story" B. Hassinger-Das, K. Hirsh-Pasek, R.M. Golinkoff
"Engaging and Enriching: The Key to Developmentally Appropriate Academic Rigor" S. Riley-Ayers, A. Figueras-Daniel
"Observing, Planning, Guiding: How an Intentional Teacher Meets Standards Through Play"
P. McDonald
"Talking with Parents About Play and Learning" Laurel Bongiorno
Part 2
"'There's a Story in My Picture!'" Connecting Art, Literacy, and Drama Through Storytelling in a Kindergarten Classroom" B. Ripstein
"More Than a Foundation: Young Children Are Capable STEM Learners" E. McClure
"Supporting Language: Culturally Rich Dramatic Play" I. Salinas-Gonzalez, M.G. Arreguin-Anderson, I. Alanis
"Playful Math Instruction in the Context of Standards and Accountability" D. Stipek
"Positive Early Math Experiences for African American Boys: Nurturing the Next Generation of STEM Majors" D.B. Davis & D.C. Farran
"Preschoolers Play with Bamboo" C. Ward
